Holy books of islam the recognised holy books in islam. There are other important religious books which were written by zoroastrian clergy between the 9 th century and the 10 th century, and these books include the arda viraf namag, the epistles of manucher, the selections of. Zoroastrianism download books, sacred, spiritual texts. The holy text of the zoroastrians is the avesta, composed in a language belonging to the early iranaian group of languages and resembling the language of the vedas. The quran kareem is the only recognised holy book of islam now. The idea of hell came after the conquest of alexander and the hellenistic religions made their way to the middle east. In zoroastrian thought, the amesha spentas are heavenly beings created by ahura mazda and, combined, represent the sevenfold character of god. West 1892 longlost zoroastrian texts available now only in summaries and fragments. Its also a sacred language because the texts are written in it an. Zoroastrianism was still very popular in the 8 century. This collection of writings occupies the same place in the literature of iran ancient persia that the vedas do in india. Zoroastrianism, in spite of its small current number of adherents, has played a huge role in the study of comparative religion. For four centuries zoroastrianism was the state religion of the sassanids, and it successfully met the challenge of nascent christianity and, later, of heretical manichaeism. Religious texts are to be found in the avesta, which is the holy book of zoroastrianism.
This includes the original words of their founder zarathushtra, preserved in a series of five hymns, called the gathas. The designation zendavesta, which is often employed to denote the sacred code, is not strictly correct. This part of the site has complete online editions of the sacred books of the easts zoroastrian texts. Displayed is a page from the gathas, in the middle persian language pahlavi, and its translation into modern persian. We provide the complete text of the extant avesta, the most ancient scriptures of zoroastrianism, as well as many pahlavi scriptures.
Zoroastrianism or mazdayasna is one of the worlds oldest continuously practiced religions. It was founded by the prophet zoroaster or zarathustra in ancient iran approximately 3500 years ago. Zoroastrianism contains both monotheistic and dualistic features. Zoroastrianism has one book that is considered sacred and that contains all the stories, lessons, and ideals that zoroastrians live by. Vendidad videvdad or laws against the demons avesta the sacred books of zoroastrianism, book 3. This sacred text is divided into two main sections, the old testament and the new testament which are then further divided into various books. The zend avesta is the main texts used in the zoroastrian faith. In zoroastrianism, all people are considered equal, and treated exactly the same, despite differences. It is one of only two festivals mentioned by zoroaster in the avesta, the only holy zoroastrian scriptures written by zoroaster himself. Zoroastrianism important beliefs of zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism definition and meaning bible dictionary. This book is called the avesta and is actually a compilation collection of writings, and wasnt put together until a time period called the sassanid dynasty, which took place between the years 226641 ce. Pahlavi texts, part iv sbe 37 contents of the nasks e. For example you can see this in the book of job, where lucifer satan is potrayed as a prosecutor.
The zorastrian holy book is called the avesta and it is a compilation of all zoroastrian prayers, which were composed over several centuries, some dating back to more than 3500 years. The zoroastrian holy book, called the avesta, was written in the avestan language, which is closely related to vedic sanskrit. As the linguists of both europe and india worked with the language of the gathas attributed to zarathushtra it became clear that they were far older than the language spoken in iran at the time of king darius father. Indian religions, hinduism, jainism, sikhism, christianity. Almost every school of religious thought and belief has its own central texts to guide its followers. However, if you are searching for the central message of zoroastrian religion, then you must read the most sacred of sacred holy books. In ancient times, historical records state than when the community gathered together for a religious event, they did so in open air gathering areas around a podium where a fire was lit. Founded by the iranian prophet and reformer zoroaster in the 6th. The avesta can be roughly split into two main sections.
The name daeva denoted a brightly shining one etymologically, but in zoroastrianism it connoted later an adversary of mazda. What are the basic teachings of zoroastrianism answers. Zoroastrianism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and. Zoroastrianism came before the sunni, shia, sufi, or any hadith came along. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. Text and translation are often spoken of together in pahlavi books as avistak va. The iranian prophet and religious reformer zarathustra flourished before the 6th century bcemore widely known outside iran as zoroaster, the greek form of his name is traditionally regarded as the founder of the religion. This is the holy book of zoroastrianism itself and its printed here in a book that is just way too small. The zoroastrian name of the religion is mazdayasna, which combines mazda with the avestan language. Nawruz, also spelled nowruz as well as other variants, is an ancient persian holiday celebrating the new year. In their most basic prayer, the ashem vohu, repeated. Avesta is the name the mazdean mazdayasnian religious tradition gives to the collection of its sacred texts. Zoroastrianism is the ancient, preislamic religion of persia modernday iran. The hindu claims that the sacred books of his faith were written by holy men called.
A handful few who fled from iran, after the fall of the sassanid empire, to escape persecution in the hands of the new. The principal text in the liturgical group is the yasna, which takes its name from the yasna ceremony, zoroastrianism s primary act of worship, and at which the yasna text. The latter represent the basic source of the religion. Zoroastrianism is an ancient persian religion that may have originated as early as 4,000 years ago. The holy book is on a throne positioned at the front of the hall. Avesta, sacred book of zoroastrianism containing its cosmogony, law, and. Zoroastrians believe in one god, called ahura mazda meaning wise lord.
According to the zend avesta, the sacred book of zoroastrianism, zoroaster was born in azerbaijan, in northern persia. Survey of the history and contents o encyclopaedia. The daily prayer book the parsis use everyday is khordeh avesta the smaller avesta. Sep 19, 2017 the sacred religious book in zoroastrianism is known as the avesta which is made up of a compilation of religious texts. Zoroastrianism also goes by the name parsiism, a name derived after parsis, a group of ancient iranians or persians, who migrated to india in the 7th century ad after the fall of sassanid dynasty to escape persecution in the hands of islamic invaders who.
Avesta, sacred book of zoroastrianism containing its cosmogony, law, and liturgy, the teachings of the prophet zoroaster zarathushtra. Top countries of the world by zoroastrian population. What is the name of the holy book of zoroastrianism. Feb 09, 2017 zoroastrianism is the ancient, preislamic religion of persia modernday iran. What is the name of the holy book of parsis and when was. The extant avesta is all that remains of a much larger body of scripture, apparently zoroasters transformation of a very ancient tradition. According to karaka this is an almost complete list of names of parsi men and women in general use at present. Have you ever wondered when popular religions started to develop. The religious texts of the zoroastrian faith of ancient persia are referred to as the avesta. What is the religious book of zoroastrianism and islam. Zoroastrianism is ranked with judaism, christianity, and islam among the higher religions originating in the middle east the dates given for zoroaster by ancient and modern writers differ considerably.
Persian prophet whose visions are the basis of zoroastrianism. He is compassionate, just, and is the creator of the universe. Zoroastrianism derives its names from its founder zarathushtra, the persian prophet, whom the greeks referred as zoroaster. Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet zoroaster also known as zarathustra, in avestan. Also understand that the quran never tells believers to pray five times a day. It is a multitendency faith centered on a dualistic cosmology of good and evil and an eschatology predicting the ultimate conquest of evil with theological elements of henotheism, monotheismmonism, and polytheism. It survives there in isolated areas but primarily exists in india, where the descendants of zoroastrian persian immigrants are known as parsis, or parsees. The sacred book of zoroastrianism is called the avesta, and has two main sections.
Everything turned to the worst after abu muslim caliph was murdered and a group of zoroastrians called the khurramites led a rebellion against the islamic. Zoroastrianism, the ancient pre islamic religion of iran that survives there in isolated areas and, more prosperously, in india, where the descendants of zoroastrian iranian persian immigrants are known as parsis, or parsees. Post zoroastrian scripture introduced the concept of ahriman, the devil, which was effectively a personification of angra mainyu. It is hardly more than a century ago that the western world, already often enriched by the treasures of the east, received another gift, a contribution from persia, and a new text deciphered was added to our list of sacred books of ancient nations this was the avesta, or zendavesta, the bible and prayer book of zoroaster, the prophet of ancient iran.
Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The holy book of zoroastrianism is the zend avesta zoroastrianism is also dualist. The zendavesta is the sacred book of the parsis, that is to say, of the few remaining followers of that religion which feigned over persia at the time when the second successor of mohammed overthrew the sassanian dynasty 1, and which has been called dualism, or mazdeism, or magism, or zoroastrianism, or fireworship, according. An introduction by jenny rose, demons of the flesh. It is composed in the avestan language and it is only known and attested because of that. Included in this interpretation of the book is a list of glossary terms for the reader to further understand one of the oldest religions in the world. These many different texts are believed to have been transmitted orally for centuries before they were written down in the 3rd century. The videvat are religious law books laying down codes of conduct and procedures for penance. The rulling caliphs had most of the time a tolerancy policy towards zoroastrians as they were regarded as the people of the book.
Zoroastrianism is one of the most ancient religions of the world. West 1897 late zoroastrian texts of traditional history and prophecy. The five daily prayers are havan, rapithvan, uziren, aevishuthrem and ushen geh. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological figures and themes. Zoroastrianism was an active, missionary religion that has exerted a profound influence on the worlds thought, all the more because in the west at any rate ahura mazda was not at all a jealous god, and mazdeism was always quite ready to enter into syncretism with other systems. Neither zoroastrianism nor judaism had the concept in their religion. From dosabhai framji karaka, history of the parsis i, london 1884. It also includes information about the avestan language, and other useful information for students of zoroastrian religion. I did a project about it in my ap world history class and decided to make a quiz about it. The oldest part is the gathas, which includes a collection of hymns and one of the oldest examples of religious poetry attributed to the prophet zoroaster ca.
A holy man reading the guru granth sahib, the holy book of sikhism. Ascribed to the teachings of the iranianspeaking spiritual leader zoroaster also known. The second the younger avesta contains rituals, laws and observances. This book was the first, and right now the only attempt to try and present a basic introduction to zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism has five daily prayers called geh, which they recite from their holy book. According to later zoroastrian legend denkard and the book of arda viraf, many sacred texts were lost when alexander. The gathas are abstract sacred poetry, directed towards the worship of the one god, understanding of righteousness and. The qissai sanjan is a tale of the journey of the parsis to india from iran. Translated by james darmesteter from sacred books of the east, american edition, 1898. My name is the one of whom questions are asked, o holy zarathushtra. List of books and articles about zoroastrianism online.
Pahlavi texts, part v sbe 47 marvels of zoroastrianism e. Most of the texts in these archives are extremely rare. Oct 02, 2009 zoroastrianism at a glance zoroastrianism is one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. It may fairly be said that the sacred books of no other people, outside the light of. The zend avesta download books, sacred, spiritual texts.
Avesta, also called zendavesta, sacred book of zoroastrianism containing its cosmogony, law, and liturgy, the teachings of the prophet zoroaster zarathushtra. Arguably the worlds first monotheistic faith, its one of the oldest religions still in. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. It is aimed mainly at zoroastrians who live outside of iran and india. Jan 07, 2020 the zend avesta is the main texts used in the zoroastrian faith. The principal text in the liturgical group is the yasna, which takes its name from the yasna ceremony, zoroastrianisms primary act of worship. Other names for zoroastrianism are mazdaism and parsiism zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion. The complete guide to left hand path sex magic by ni. The sacred books of parsees, or zoroastrians, and the main source of our knowledge concerning the religious and spiritual life the ancient persians. Zoroastrianism views the world as having been created by ahura mazda and as meant to evolve to perfection according to the law or plan of asha, the divine order of things. In ancient times, the modern country of iran was known as persia.
Aug 09, 2016 zoroastrianism has no major theological divisions, though it is not uniform. Its popularity declined when the islamic invaders occupied iran and introduced islam. In any case, the name avesta was coined in the parthian age. It brings together a compilation of sacred texts in the form of chants written by the prophet zarathustra. Yes, there are quite a few, in fact where i live in california, there are a lot of zoroastrians. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The name zendavesta has been current in europe since the time of anquetil. Ad 226 under ardashir i, who established the sassanid dynasty and fostered a general revival of achaemenian culture.
Avesta, the bible of zoroaster wikisource, the free. The teachings of zoroaster and the philosophy of the parsi religion. Avesta, the bible of zoroaster wikisource, the free online library. The zoroastrian book of holy scriptures is called the avesta. These texts were written in the ancient languages avestan and gnathic.
Avesta is a repository of oral texts, transmitted orally in fixed linguistic form until it was written down. Vendidad videvdad or laws against the demons avesta the. Modern zoroastrian priest wearing mouth cover while tending a temple fire. Zoroastrians believe ahura mazda created two spirits. Regardless of whether you are a girl, or a boy, or young, or old, of a different race, or poor, or rich, or anything in between, all people are treated equally.
Zoroastrian sacred sites approach through the great desert to chak chak the primary religion in iran today is the shia sect of islam but the far older faith of the prophet zoroaster is still openly practiced, particularly in the central and northwestern regions of the country. Despite muslims being obliged to believe in the other holy books sent down to the other prophets besides prophet muhammad pbuh, due to the alterations to the other holy books of islam, the current versions of the torah, psalms and bible are not accepted. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. Zoroastrianism what is, history, beliefs, characteristics. Zoroastrian holidays and festivals learn religions. At one time it was the dominant religion of iran and adjoining regions. The avesta is the book that contains most of the religions historic and ritualistic as well as ethical material.
Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed worldreligions, and it has probably had more. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century bc in. The law of asha is the principle of righteousness or rightness by which all things are exactly what they should be. Zoroaster, who lived in eastern ancient iran around bc, created zoroastrianism. It likely influenced the other major western religionsjudaism, christianity, and islam.
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