Page "Greco-Buddhism" Paragraph 9

When Alexander invaded the Bactrian and Gandharan regions, these areas may already have been under Buddhist or Jain influence.

According to a legend preserved in Pali, the language of the Theravada canon, two merchant brothers from Bactria, named Tapassu and Bhallika, visited the Buddha and became his disciples.

The legend states that they then returned to Bactria and spread the Buddha's teaching.