Exploring the interactions of the Buddhist world with the dominant cultures of Iran in pre- and post-Islamic times, Vaziri demonstrates that the traces and cross-influences of Buddhism have brought the material and spiritual culture of Iran to its present state even after the term was eradicated from the literary and popular language of the region.

"Mostafa Vaziri's treatment of Buddhism in Iran is the most comprehensive that I have ever seen. It is multidimensional and circumspect, and he admits where the evidence is circumstantial. The most important contribution lies in his anthropological approach that puts matters in terms of cultural interaction going both ways." - Michael G. Morony, professor of Near Eastern History, University of California, Los Angeles

"Buddhism in Iran is the first scholarly work on the subject matter which explores the topic in depth. Thanks to Mostafa Vaziri's diligent research, this much neglected area of scholarship has been brought to light." - Mehdi Aminrazavi, professor of Philosophy and Religion and Kurt Leidecker Chair in Asian Studies, University of Mary Washington

"In a pioneering fashion, this volume analyses an important topic that has been largely neglected: namely, the interactions of Buddhism with the Iranian plateau in pre-and post-Islamic times. This is an essential reading with a challenging and original approach for anyone interested in Buddhism, Sufism, and the formation of Iranian culture and iconography." - Denis Hermann, senior research fellow, CNRS, Mondes Iranien et Indien, Paris

Autorentext
Mostafa Vaziri is a visiting scholar in Anthropology and Oriental Studies at Princeton University.

Inhalt
Prologue: Goal of the Book & Method Part I: The Beginning Introduction to the Buddha's Key Spiritual and Philosophical Concepts Part II: The Early Interactions The Early Spread and Influences of Buddhism in Iran M?n?, 'the Buddha of Light' Part III: The Traces The Legendary Story of the Buddha in Iran Qadamg?h (Holy Footprints) and Monastic Caves in Iran Nawbah?r and St?pa-Like Islamic Shrines Buddhism during the Mongol Period in Iran Part IV: The Influences Buddhism and Early Asceticism in Iran J?bir ibn Hayy?n, Ibn S?n? and M?r Fenderisk?: Any Buddhist Associations? Conclusion Appendix: Non-Violence and Rationalism: A Crypto-Buddhist Influence