Cīna

The Pāli name of China. It is several times mentioned in the Milindapañha (121, 327), once as a place where ships congregate (359). Nāgasena speaks (121) of a contemporary Cīnarājā who could charm the ocean by an Act of Truth and could enter the ocean to a distance of one league in his chariot drawn by lions, the waves rolling back at his approach.

The Apadāna (ii.359) speaks of the Cīnarattha in a list of countries and tribes.

The Commentaries (E.g., VibbA.159) speak of the softness of Chinese silk (Cīnapata).

Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, G P Malalasekera (1899-1973), which is available as printed version from