Buddhism in Iran

By Mostafa Vaziri

Book Description

Journey into the hidden spiritual heritage of Iran through this fascinating exploration of Buddhism's profound yet overlooked influence on Persian civilization. Mostafa Vaziri unveils how Buddhist traditions quietly shaped Iranian culture across centuries, leaving indelible marks on art, literature, religious practices, and spiritual thought long after Buddhism itself disappeared from common memory and language in the region.

This scholarly investigation reveals the remarkable cultural exchange that occurred along Iran's eastern borders, where Buddhist and Persian worlds naturally intermingled. Through careful analysis, Vaziri demonstrates how Iranian society absorbed and transformed Buddhist artistic expressions, sacred symbols, mystical practices, and ascetic traditions, weaving them into the fabric of Persian spiritual life.

Spanning both pre-Islamic and Islamic periods, the book illuminates how these cross-cultural encounters contributed to Iran's distinctive spiritual landscape. Readers discover how Buddhist elements became so thoroughly integrated into Iranian culture that their origins were eventually forgotten, yet their influence continued to shape religious art, iconography, and contemplative practices.

For those interested in the hidden connections between spiritual traditions, this work offers valuable insights into how religious and cultural boundaries blur through genuine encounter and exchange. Vaziri's research provides a unique perspective on how spiritual wisdom travels across cultures, transforming and being transformed in the process, ultimately enriching the human quest for meaning and transcendence.