Never heard about it

[krisjunaeien]

I must admit I never heard about Greek-Budhism, where can I find more information about it?

[Aias]

"Never heard about it"

The magnificent giant Buddha statues carved out of a cliff face in Afghanistan were recently destroyed by the Taliban, who considered them idolatrous. Some still hope to restore them. The rest of the world was aghast; it was a World Heritage site.

The same Islamic fundamentalists destroyed some masterworks of Kandaharian (Graeco-Buddhist) art, including a reclining Buddha sculpture in the national museum. First they slapped the "idol's" face and then they smashed it. Some items emerge on the black market in antiquities, often through "neutral" Switzerland and Israel.

The dialogues between a Buddhist sage and a Graeco-Bactrian king are a classic of this genre of religious literature. Buddhists describe it as a dialogue with King Melinda, but the Hellenic form of the name would likely be Meleagros (Meleager).

It's a fine example of mutually respectful dialogue, quite unlike the abusive diatribes and dismissals directed against "paganism" by the proponents of Abrahamic monotheism, or even by Zarathustrian magi who destroyed Hellenic temples and had their own religious sites sacked in return when Alexander ravaged Persia. Buddhism and Hellenismos were never on bad terms. "Self examination" and thoughtful dialectic were their preferred modes of conversation.

We forget how long Hellenic culture maintained itself in Southwest Asia. King Asoka, the famous conqueror and later patron of Buddhist proselytism, had a "Greek princess" as his mother, apparently knew Hellenic, added Hellenic inscriptions to Buddhist sculptural work, and wrote in Hellenic to other monarchs and rulers even as far away as Rome.

Later, Buddhist missionary monks got as far west as Alexandria, where they may have contributed to "gnostic" discussions.

[AingealOreiad]

It's something I have some interest in, but right now, grad school is taking precedent in my life. But, here are some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhism
http://www.neosalexandria.org/alexandrias_east.htm
http://www.neosalexandria.org/greco_buddhism.htm (Now, keep in mind that Astalon, the author of the 2nd two links, is actually kind of an ass, but these articles ARE very helpful for people interested in this topic.)

[kayleighannyikha]

Oh, it definitely exists!

There was an exhibit on tour in the United States with artifacts from Bactria, which was on the silk road intersection (the routes diverged a bit on both sides depending on where people ultimately wanted to take the goods). I saw it in the National Gallery of Art (I think) while interning in DC. Unfortunately, the exhibit didn't allow pictures ... There was definitely a lot of influence from many Eastern religious cultures.

Eros actually made it as far as China's Mogao Grottoes: http://kallisti.writingkaye.com/2009/12 ... china.html