Narratives and Elements of Ibrāhim ibn Adham’s Life Story and Its Relation to Buddhist Beliefs and Customs

جستارهای نوین ادبی

Article 2, Volume 44, Issue 4 - Serial Number 175, February 2012, Pages 35-49   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jls.v44i4.14559

Authors

Peiman Abul – Bashari^* ; Ali Yahyaei; Hossein Noee

Abstract

Buddhist temples in Balkh and the portrait of Buddha on Sassanid coins
imply Buddhism’s spread to Khorāsān, one of the originating places of Sufism.
Contiguity and frequent travels between Islamic and Buddhist
regions also caused the promulgation of the Buddhist beliefs and customs which influenced Sufism teachings in that area. In particular, the
Khorāsāni narrative of Ibrahim Adham story shows how the people of
Khorāsān were impressed by the legend of Buddha and Buddhist beliefs.
In this paper, the authors have attempted to demonstrate this influence
through comparison and by giving examples. It is also attempted to show the similarities in elements such as homelessness, praying in caves and meat
prohibition in Jātaka literature and Buddhist customs and beliefs
after reviewing the Shāmi and Khorāsāni versions of the narrative.

Keywords

Islamic mysticism; mysticism of Khorāsān; Buddhism; Ibrahim ibn Adham; Buddha