Spirituality In The Land Of The Noble

From the Publisher

An evocative journey into a diverse culture, this is the engaging yet long-neglected story of Irans influence on the beliefs, practices, and scriptures of the worlds religious traditions. Following the paths of the Jews who migrated to Iran in 7 BCE, and the Iranian merchants who carried Buddhism along the Silk Road to China, this informed and informative account explores the impact of Persian culture on Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahai Faith. Author Richard C. Foltz probes beneath the surface of world history, uncovering a wealth of Iranian ideas and influences, from the sacred formulas of the ancient Aryan inhabitants to the spectacular architecture of Irans holiest cities. Spanning the full spectrum of Persian history from the earliest settlers right up to the present age, he offers an invaluable insight into not only Iranian identity, but also the way in which religious traditions grow and change. Accompanied by a guide to further reading and a full glossary and chronology, this is a long-overdue tribute to Irans rich spiritual heritage.

Editorial Reviews –

Spirituality in the Land of the Noble

From the Publisher

An evocative journey into a diverse culture, this is the engaging yet long-neglected story of Irans influence on the beliefs, practices, and scriptures of the worlds religious traditions. Following the paths of the Jews who migrated to Iran in 7 BCE, and the Iranian merchants who carried Buddhism along the Silk Road to China, this informed and informative account explores the impact of Persian culture on Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahai Faith. Author Richard C. Foltz probes beneath the surface of world history, uncovering a wealth of Iranian ideas and influences, from the sacred formulas of the ancient Aryan inhabitants to the spectacular architecture of Irans holiest cities. Spanning the full spectrum of Persian history from the earliest settlers right up to the present age, he offers an invaluable insight into not only Iranian identity, but also the way in which religious traditions grow and change. Accompanied by a guide to further reading and a full glossary and chronology, this is a long-overdue tribute to Irans rich spiritual heritage.

Publishers Weekly

Since ancient times, Iranian religion has deeply influenced a number of the worlds faith traditions, especially Christianity and late Judaism. In this helpful survey, historian of religion Foltz traces the history of religion in Iran and observes the ways that many faiths have incorporated many of its beliefs and practices. Ancient Iranian religion attributes the creation of the universe to cosmic forces. As Iranian religion evolved, Zoroastrianism-which developed as the major religion of Iran sometime between 1200 and 600 BCE-introduced the notion of a creator deity, Ahura Mazda, and its prophet, Zoroaster (or Zarathustra), who wrote down Ahura Mazdas words in the Avesta, or scriptures. As Foltz points out, Zoroastrianism developed a dualistic system of cosmic good and evil, a belief in personal resurrection, angelology and demonology, and eschatological notions about cosmic battles between the forces of light (good) and darkness (evil). Foltz devotes a chapter to the major world religions that have passed through, and in some cases still exist, in Iran. Although Iranian religion has famously influenced Christianity-particularly in the development of cosmic dualism-Foltz demonstrates that it has also shaped Islam, Buddhism, Manichaean Gnosticism, Judaism and the Bahai faith. Although Foltz uncovers no new information, his straightforward history provides useful insights into the foundations of many of the worlds religions. (Mar.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

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