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

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Peiman Abul – Bashari
• Ali Yahyaei
• Hossein Noee

10.22067/jls.v44i4.14559

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

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