Eschatology in the Indo-Iranian Traditions: The Genesis and Transformation of a DoctrineEschatology in the Indo-Iranian Traditions traces the roots of the belief in life after death from the earliest religious beliefs of the Indo-European people, through its first textual emergence among the Indo-Iranians. Tracing the Indo-Iranian concepts of the nature and constitution of man, with special reference to the doctrine of the Soul and its transmigration, the book demonstrates the profound nature of the physical, ethical, spiritual, and psychological ideals embodied in these thought systems as preserved in the Indian and Iranian scriptures. The central issue was death and the journey to the afterlife. Exploring the characteristic features of Indo-Iranian religions provides a better understanding of the development of eschatological beliefs in later religions in the same way that the Zoroastrian apocalyptic beliefs point to genetic historical relations among Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam. This comparative study enriches our understanding of the antecedents of afterlife beliefs and creates enthusiasm for further in-depth research into the Indo-Iranian religion as a system, acknowledging its genetic historical connections with both earlier and subsequent traditions. Eschatology in the Indo-Iranian Traditions has wide-ranging appeal to upper undergraduate and graduate courses in comparative religion, Asian studies, philosophy, and Indian and Iranian studies. |
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Contents
Introduction | 1 |
A Humanistic Approach | 15 |
Theoretical Perspectives | 41 |
Emergence of IndoIranians | 55 |
Vedic Religion | 83 |
Cosmogony and Eschatology | 97 |
Vedic Ethical World | 115 |
World Beyond | 133 |
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Common terms and phrases
according addition afterlife Ahura Mazdā ancient animals appears archeological Aryans associated asuras Avestan become beliefs body called Central century common concept concerning connected continued cosmic cosmos created creation cultures darkness dead death deities demons described developed divine doctrine dogs early earth eschatology ethical Europe evidence evil existence explains final fire forces further goddess gods heaven hell human hymns immortality Indian Indo Indo-European Indo-Iranian Indra Iran Iranian known languages later light linguistic living material meaning mentioned millennium Mitra myth nature offerings Old European opposition original period Persian points present priests Proto-Indo-European punishment referred region religion religious remains represented resurrection ritual sacrifice similar social Soma soul spirit suggests symbols term texts thought traditions Trans truth understanding universe various Varuņa Veda Vedic warrior waters Yama Zoroaster Zoroastrian
Bibliographic information
| Title | Eschatology in the Indo-Iranian Traditions: The Genesis and Transformation of a Doctrine Volume 275 of American University Studies Volume 275 of American university studies: Theology and religion, ISSN 0740-0446 |
| Author | Mitra Ara |
| Publisher | Peter Lang, 2008 |
| ISBN | 1433102501, 9781433102509 |
| Length | 258 pages |
| Subjects | › Religion / Philosophy |
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