04/27/2004: 
Arcanum
Avesta - Zoroastrian Archives
from avesta.org
referred by exceptionally bored reader Max Power
image courtesy of avesta.org
"Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions, and it has probably had more influence on mankind, directly and indirectly, than any other single faith." -Mary Boyce, Zoroastrians.
We provide the complete text of the extant Avesta, the most ancient scriptures of Zoroastrianism, as well as many Pahlavi scriptures. It also includes information about the Avestan language, and other useful information for students of Zoroastrian religion. Most of the texts in these archives are extremely rare.
From what I understand, Zoroastrianism is also the oldest monotheistic religion, and have kept an eternal flame burning in Persia for thousands of years, except that only the preists can see it. Zarathrusta (as in Thus Spake) is another spelling for the god Zoraster.
1 Annotation Submitted
Tuesday the 27th of April, Froman noted:
It appears Zarathrusta (Zoraster) was the founding prophet.
The supreme being is called Ahura Mazda (Phl. Ohrmazd), meaning "Wise Lord." Ahura Mazda is all good, and created the world and all good things, including people. He is opposed by Anghra Mainyu (Phl. Ahriman), meaning "Destructive Spirit," the embodiment of evil and creator of all evil things. The cosmic battle between good and evil will ultimately lead to the destruction of all evil.
Seems logical. Good and Evil, do good. Heaven and Hell, try to get to Heaven. Education, Charity, Hope, Truthfulness, Joy, Responsibility, and Reverence are the prevailing virtues.
"As the soul is thus not all, but is in the world for a period for maintaining the body, it is necessary to walk with such circumspection as if one were without shoes, and the whole of this world were full of snakes, scorpions, noxious reptiles, and thorns, and one's fear were: 'Let not the reptiles bite me, or the thorns penetrate me.'" (Dk6.b47, tr. Shaked)
