The Ways in Which Buddhist Stories Influence Persian Mystical Literature

Subject Areas :

حامد نویدی¬کاشانی ¹ , Mahmoud reza Esfandiar ^{2 *} , رامین یلفانی ³

1 - دانشجوی دکتری گروه ادیان و عرفان تطبیقی، واحد یادگار امام خمینی(ره) شهرری، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران.
2 - دانشیار گروه ادیان و عرفان، واحد تهران مرکزی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران. نویسنده مسئول: [e-mail]
3 - استادیار گروه تاریخ، واحد یادگار امام خمینی(ره) شهرری، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران.

Received: 2024-09-03 Accepted : 2023-11-20 Published : 2025-12-02

Keywords: Keywords: Pāli Canon, Buddhist Literature, Sufi Literature, Masnavi.,

Abstract :

Abstract Buddhism, as one of the oldest and most influential schools of thought and spirituality in the world, has spread not only in India, its birthplace, but also throughout the world and has had a profound impact on the culture, philosophy, and literature of various nations. This article examines the emergence and spread of Buddhism in India and then in the Iranian world and its effects on Persian culture and literature. First, the roots of Buddhism in Hinduism and the role of Gautama Buddha as a religious reformer are mentioned. Next, the role of the Pāli Canon as a collection of Buddhist sacred texts and the literary and mystical influences of Buddhism on Persian literature, especially in mystical works such as Rumi's Masnavi and Sanai’s Hadidhah, are discussed. This article shows that Buddhism has had a profound impact on the Iranian world and Persian literature, not only as a religious school, but also as a cultural and intellectual movement. These influences, in the form of stories, parables, and mystical concepts, have been reflected in Persian literary works, adding to the cultural and spiritual richness of this land.