Book Description
"Boyce is a, perhaps the, world authority on Zoroastrianism. . . . Prefaced by a 27-page introduction, this anthology contains selections which offer a complete picture of Zoroastrian belief, worship and practice. There are historical texts from the sixth century B.C. onwards, and extracts from modern Zoroastrian writings representing traditionalism, occultism and reformist opinion. Anyone wishing to know more about this 'least well known of the world religions' should sample these selections."--The Methodist Church
"Wide-ranging. . . . An indispensable one-volume collection of primary materials."--William R. Darrow, Religious Studies Review
Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
About the Author
Mary Boyce is Emeritus Professor of Iranian Studies at the University of London. John R. Hinnells is professor of comparative religion in the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. He is the author of Handbook of Living Religions and editor of the Penguin Dictionary of Religions.
Textual Sources for the Study of Zoroastrianism FROM THE PUBLISHER
Zoroastrianism is the least well know yet one of the most important and fascinating of the world religions. Deriving from very ancient sources, in its rich traditions and worship Zoroastrianism has preserved many immensely archaic forms, dating back to a period earlier, even, than its own founding. Although the number of present-day adherents has shrunk to relatively small dimensions, in its time this faith exerted a profound influence on the development of Western religion. Including selections from original texts, historical detail, as well as thoughtful analysis, this work introduces the reader to Zoroastrian tradition, doctrines, and writings and traces their development down to modern times.