Milinda’s Questions

Buddha Chapter

1. Question on the Existence or Non-existence of the Buddha

The king asked:

“Venerable Nāgasena, have you seen the Buddha?”

“Certainly not, your majesty.”

“Then, have your teachers seen the Buddha?”

“Certainly not, your majesty.”

“Therefore, Venerable Nāgasena, there is no Buddha.”

“Well then, your majesty, have you seen the River Ūhā in the Himalayas?”

“Certainly not, venerable sir.”

“Then has your father seen the River Ūhā?”

“Certainly not, venerable sir.”

“Because of this, your majesty, there is no River Ūhā.”

“There is, venerable sir. Even though the River Ūhā has not been seen by me nor by my father, there is a River Ūhā.”

“In the same way, your majesty, even though the Blessed One has not been seen by me nor by my teachers, there is a Blessed One.”

“You are clever, Venerable Nāgasena!”

Question on the Existence or Non-existence of the Buddha first