Dr. Masato Tojo has outlined a new article on the links between ancient Iran’s Simurgh (the Persian Phoenix) and the Zen Buddhist culture of Asia – kindly click on the pdf link below:  

Dr. Masato Tojo: Zen Buddhism and Persian Culture: An investigation on the Simurgh (Persian Phoenix) culture and Zen Buddhism (pdf)

The largest statue of the Buddha in the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan as it appeated under repairs circa 1975. This was destroyed by explosives in March 2001 by the Taliban movement. There are serious studies underway to reconstrust and refurbish the site as much as possible. The iranian kingdom of the Kushans, under Kanishka the Great, did much to promote Buddhism.

For more articles and information on the links between ancient iran, China and the Far East kindly consult:

Iran, China, India and Asia