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A TEXT OF SAYINGS OF ALEXANDER?

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2002 10:55 am
by Dr. Pal
Hi all,The play GÇÿAgenGÇÖ which is said to have been composed by Alexander was probably written by others using ATGGÇÖs ideas. In my article on AlexanderGÇÖs Altars in my website as also in postings in this forum I have pointed out that Asoka mentions that kings before him had tried to promote Dhamma which is clearly an allusion to AlexanderGÇÖs efforts to propagate Homonoia. In the famous Bhabru Edict Asoka recommends several ancient texts one of which is named Aliya Vasani. Vincent Smith renders this as GÇÿThe course of conduct of the Great Saints(Aliya)GÇÖ. Incidentally Rhys-Davids identifies this with Ariya-vamsa (Anguttara, vol.ii, p.27). While the Aliya-Arya equation is perfectly legitimate, in my opinion GÇÿvamsaGÇÖ usually stands for a family-tree and does not match Vasani or Vachani which may be rendered as sayings. Doubts have been raised about these identifications by Keith. Aliya Vasani may be GÇÿthe sayings of AliyaGÇÖ. Can this be an allusion to Alekhan Dar or Alika Sudaro? I am not sure.Dr. Pal