The Zoroastrian Tradition: An Introduction to the Ancient Wisdom of Zarathushtra

The Zoroastrian (Mazdayasna) faith is overwhemingly written by non-Zoroastrian scholars or authors so this book is unique as it is written by Farhang Mehr, a activist and civil worker for the Zoroastrian community worldwide. As a learned professor, Farhang does a giant service to the study and learning of Zoroastrianism as few books about Zoroastrianism are written in English, much less books by Zoroastrians themselves. The contents of the books are divided in 7 chapters covering such topics as Ahura Mazda, Zoroaster, Zoroastrian Law & Justice, Dualism, Spenta Mainyu, The Soul, And the Zoroastrian eschatology. A very affordable book with contents and perspectives found nowhere else. A must read for Zoroastrians themselves or knowledge/wisdom lovers.

It is a book; as expected! I actually gifted this to my Grandma. I am married to a Zoroastrian/ Parsi man and she was intrigued by our wedding ceremony(which she took part in!). She loves reading about anything religion related and asked me to get her a book so she could learn all/more about the Zoroastrian traditions and culture.

Jesus or Yeshua, was greeted by the three "wise men", a.k.a. the "Magi". It is these Magi who were followers of Zoroaster. A MUST-READ for anyone who is inspired by Religion and spirituality.

Waste of time for the author and for the readers

Informative

After becoming suddenly quite interested in Zoroastrianism after a class on Asian religion one day, and failing to find reliable sources on the internet, I checked out this book in order to begin a study into Zoroastrianism. I have to say that it was such a good read I finished it all in two nights. Mehr's presentation of Zoroastrianism I find highly compelling and very good and well-rounded for an introduction to the religion. From this point I plan on doing much more in-depth study of Zoroastrianism, but I am very thankful to have chosen this book as a beginning point for a proper setup in understanding the wider scope of Zoroastrianism. I also like the fact that Mehr is Zoroastrian himself, as I would prefer to learn about a religion from one of its adherents rather than an outsider (though both are beneficial), at least to build a proper foundation; so that certainly makes it a good beginning point upon which I will pursue a much more exhaustive study.The only complaint I have about this book is that there are typos everywhere. There are two on the back cover alone, and within the text there are errors in a way that if the author or any editor read the book they would be impossible to miss; so I really do not understand what happened there. Other than that oddity this is a great read that I would recommend to anyone interested in religious studies and spirituality.

An only child is burdened with an unfair amount of attention and expectation, and so it is with Farhang Mehr's ZOROASTRIAN TRADITION which is the only introduction in print, in English, by a native Zoroastrian, to contemporary Zoroastrian belief. Even without alternative perspectives Prof. Mehr's book is outstanding. It takes a moderate position between reactionary and revolutionary interpretations of Zoroastrianism at the same time as it presents its own vision of an ethical and mystical religion which is not only alive and well but growing in numbers and influence.In a review of a previous edition of this book Zoroastrian scholar Pallan Ichaporia found Professor Mehr's English to be poor. I've read the book cover to cover three times and I found Mehr's command of English to be perfectly fine. Dr. Ichaporia also implies that Professor Mehr should stick to politics and leave religion to the scholars. All well and good except to date no scholar, Ichaporia included, has attempted a book of this scope, for the most part preferring to pick at each other's translations of Zarathustra's sacred songs (the Gathas) instead of sharing them with a general readership.Prof. Mehr's life and career have been well-documented in TRIUMPH OVER DISCRIMINATION. His religion is hard-earned in the front lines and trenches of policy and diplomacy. I trust Mehr to know whence he speaks and I heartily recommend this book to those who wish to know what Zarathustra's vision looks like in real life rather than in academic monographs.

I really tried to like this book as I thought it would give an overview of the Zoroastrian Religion but I found it tedious in many places and that it repeated the same thoughts in slightly different words in several places. I don't know that this book really gives the religion a clear description but then, as the author points out, Zoroastrians don't want to accept converts - strange when it is an accepting and tolerant religion. My copy hasn't gone into the 'give away' pile yet but it is heading there after I force myself to read the last 30%.

Excellent book. As a Persian knowing the culture, the author did his homework and went deep to the teaching of Zarathustra. I have read and studied Zorastrian for years. I found most of the books are either very dry, boring, and heady, or too much into the religion of Zorastrian than esoteric teaching of this wise man. This book offers what a real teaching of Zarathustra is based on the author’s extensive research and his own wisdom. May The Wisdom of Wise Lord be upon all of us.

Good reminders to read