Pali Literature and Language c5.25

c5.25

VII. Oldenberg ³ considers Pāli to be the language of the Kalinga country. He considers the legend of Mahinda and his mission to be unhistorical. In his opinion Buddhism, and with it the Tipiṭaka, was introduced into Ceylon rather in course of an intercourse between the island and the neighbouring continent extending over a long period. As regards the character of the language, he compares it above all with that of the inscription of Khandagiri, which in his opinion agrees with Pāli on essential points. Also E. Müller ⁴ considers the Kalinga country to be the home of Pāli. He bases his conclusion on the observation that the oldest settlements in Ceylon could have been founded only from the opposite mainland and not by people from Bengal or thereabout.