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

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