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

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.