Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest continuously practiced religions, founded by the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) in ancient Persia, possibly as early as 1500–1000 BCE. It was the dominant religion of the great Persian empires (Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid) and profoundly influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam with its concepts of monotheism, cosmic dualism, angels, the afterlife, and final judgment.

The central scripture of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta, a collection of sacred texts written in the Avestan language. The Avesta includes the Gathas (hymns attributed directly to Zoroaster), the Yasna (liturgical texts), the Vendidad (laws of purity and ritual), the Yashts (hymns to various divine beings), and the Sirozahs (dedications to the thirty days of the month). The Zend-Avesta, translated by James Darmesteter and L.H. Mills as part of the Sacred Books of the East series, made these texts accessible to Western scholarship.

At the heart of Zoroastrian theology is Ahura Mazda (the Wise Lord), the supreme creator god, and the cosmic struggle between Asha (truth, righteousness) and Druj (falsehood, deceit). Humans are called to actively participate in this struggle through good thoughts (Humata), good words (Hukhta), and good deeds (Hvarshta)—the fundamental ethical triad of the faith.