Ancient Mesopotamia, Near East and Greater Iran: Buddha born in Iran/Afghanistan?

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Buddha born in Iran/Afghanistan?

Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: Regional History or Period History
Forum Name: Ancient Mesopotamia, Near East and Greater Iran
Forum Discription: Babylon, Egypt, Persia and other civilizations of the Near East from ancient times to 600s AD
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37881
Printed Date: 24-Apr-2024 at 08:18
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.56a - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Buddha born in Iran/Afghanistan?

Posted By: Sander
Subject: Buddha born in Iran/Afghanistan?
Date Posted: 07-Apr-2019 at 16:56

Gautama Siddharta Buddha, considered the founder of Buddhism, is generally accepted to have been born in Nepal ( Lumbini near Kapilavastu) somewhere around 500 BC.

In contrast, the Indian researcher dr. Ranajit Pal argues that Buddha was actually born in the region of Sistan ( Iran/Afghanistan) also known as Sakastan. Some of his papers are published in academic journals.

He is not the first researcher proposing this but he presents new arguments and evidence ( archaeological findings, ancient Persian, Greek, Indian and even Arabic sources). He identifies Gautama with a ruler/prince in Persia named Gaumata Maga. According to a Persian inscription, this Gaumata had challenged Darius the Great and had established a new religion. Buddhism would have spread from Iran/Afghanistan to the Indian subcontinent and not vice-versa.

I don’t argue for or against it but some of the presented material is challenging. For the interested:

http://www.ranajitpal.com/ranajitpal_gotama.htm - http://www.ranajitpal.com/ranajitpal_gotama.htm

http://www.ranajitpal.com/smerdis-Maga.htm - http://www.ranajitpal.com/smerdis-Maga.htm