The Zend Avesta, Part 3 of 3: The Yasna, Visparad, Afrinagan, Gahs and Miscellaneous Fragments

by Unknown

This is part III of the Sacred Books of the East Zend Avesta, translated by L.H. Mills, who took up the task after James Darmesteter, the translator of the first two parts. It includes liturgical material, some of which is almost completely unchanged from the earliest period of Zoroastrianism, and still in use today. Of great interest are some of the oldest formulations of dualism, which later became a core concept of other middle eastern religions, including Judaism, and later Christianity. Moreover, the texts in this part of the Avesta are not so far removed from Vedic-era Hinduism, and as such represent a link between the later great Eastern and Western religions. (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

About the Author

Thomas Firminger Thiselton-Dyer (1843 - 1928)
Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer FLS FRS KCMG (July 28, 1843-December 23, 1928) was a British botanist.

Thiselton-Dyer was born in Westminster, London. Initially studying mathematics at Oxford University, he graduated in natural science in 1867. He became Professor of Natural History at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester and then Professor of Botany at the Royal College of Science in Dublin. In 1872, he became professor at the Royal Horticultural Society in London, being recommended by Joseph Hooker.

Then in 1875, Thiselton-Dyer was offered the Assistant Directorship at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, under Hooker, where he was to stay for thirty years. Thiselton-Dyer spent considerable time on the Colonies, e.g. introducing rubber to plantations of Sri Lanka and Malaya, and the introduction of cacao from Trinidad to plantations in Sri Lanka. In 1877, he was given charge of an international research laboratory, established at Kew with private funding, which became known as one of the b

458 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2018

About the author

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Reviews

[Fred Dameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have declined to comment on Zorastorism after finishing the first two parts of the Zend Avesta. Now I will. Zorastorism is a very legalistic religion. Comply with these rules, do these ceremonies, pray this way, light the fire, pour the water, clean the dirt etc and god will take care of you. The religion is so complicated that any little mistake will lead to the god not answering your prayer. From a historical view much of the work done on Zorastorism was done by the nazis. Hitlers and more so Himmler's fascination with Persian religions. This leads one to think that since Himmler practiced Zorastoristic ceremonies and the religion is very specific that those who make errors in the ceremonies or in your actions being evil then Mazada, central god, will punish you. Just a thought on the god head of the bastardized SS religion and the fall of Nazi Germany. Worth the read if you are like me into a soul searching quest for inward peace or Persian history.