Zoroastrianism sacred books between 1500 and 2000 BC
Author(s): Sura Hasan Radhi
Abstract: This paper examines the divine writings of Zoroastrianism in between 1500 and 2000 BC, where the main source of Zoroastrian beliefs is the so-called Gathas. The research will examine the theological and philosophical aspects of these works, how they were influenced by the cultural, social, and political life in which they were created. As a research method, the study has adopted a comparative textual analytical approach, where the textual sample is comprised of 32 passages of the Gathas, 12 related cultural and historical sources, and 8 of the translated or recorded versions of Avesta, which make up 52 units of analysis. The findings showed that the Zoroastrian sacred books were not just the ritualistic mantras, but a rational moral dialogue of its era, that was founded on free will, the decision of good and the challenge of evil, which signified the rise of the sophisticated rational religious awareness. It was also found that such texts were a deliberate reflection of the changes in the ancient society which Zoroaster used to present a wholesome reform agenda. Some of the key suggestions of the research include: the need to expand comparative research on the Gathas and other religious texts, the need to reconsider contemporary Zoroastrian translations in a rigorously linguistic and critical manner, the creation of a consolidated scientific electronic archive of these texts, and the promotion of specialized Arab scholarly initiatives into Zoroastrian thought, and the inclusion of Zorastrian moral values in religious comparative studies courses.
DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2026.v8.i2a.636Pages: 17-24 | Views: 17 | Downloads: 9Download Full Article: Click Here
