Indian Society for Buddhist Studies

Author(s): Prachya Vidyapeeth
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapeeth

Page 99

(84)
which stands unparalleled in History till today. The book is a testimony of Menander's close link with Buddhism and also gives the information of his conversion to it. Another significant aspect about Milindapñha is its presentation of some unique ideas with a different approach towards various Buddhist doctrines. The present paper focuses on the doctrinal, philosophical and historical significance of Milindapñha in order to understand the change in the Buddhist ideology to build up a tradition of hospitality towards the people of varied beliefs and traditions.
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Barua (MOGH/ Buddhist) Tribe Indo-Bangla
Subcontinent
Subhasis Barua, Kolkata
Buddhism was the religion of Eastern India. The empire of Asoka was spread upto Pundrabardhana or North Bengal of north east India. Buddhism entered Bengal in the 3rd Century B.C. during the reign of Asoka. Today in West Bengal almost fifty thousand Bengali Buddhist reside in greater Kolkata and the other districts. The people who are known as Buddhists in west Bengal are not the son of the soil of West Bengal. They were displaced from Chittagong, hilly Chittagong, Noakhali and Comilla of East Bengal and have settled in West Bengal after coming here. Buddhists are a minority community recognized by the Constitution. Bengali Buddhists are included in the “Magh” Community.
We have discussion with some old and illiterate Barua people and they candidly disclosed some authentic information. According to them the Barua were known as Magh in the place of their origin. Now they do not use that word in their name but without knowing the reason behind it. Following their statement I understood from some very old and rare document of preIndependent India that the Buddhist Baruas of Chittagong