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Denkard

The Dēnkard (" Acts of Religion") is a 10th-century compendium of Zoroastrian beliefs and customs, considered an " Encyclopedia of Mazdaism." It is a valuable source of information on the religion, especially during its Middle Persian iteration.|||Middle Persian manuscripts, the oldest dating from the 13th–14th centuries CE. Of the original nine volumes, part of the third and all of volumes four through nine are extant.|||Compiled in the 9th–10th centuries CE, though based on earlier traditions.|||Canonical in Zoroastrianism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.|||An encyclopedia of Zoroastrian beliefs and customs. Contains a summary of the contents of the Avesta, making it an essential source for understanding lost Avestan texts.|||Sanjana, P. B. The Dinkard. Duftur Ashkara Press, 1874–1928.|||West, E. W. Pahlavi Texts, Part IV: Contents of the Nasks. Sacred Books of the East, 1892.|||Denkard — Sacred Texts|https://www.sacred-texts.com/zor/sbe37/index.htm|Full public-domain translation.;; Denkard — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denkard|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" The Dēnkard is the act of religion, the treasure of the Mazdean faith." — Denkard (paraphrase)

Collection: Other Ancient Religious Texts Canon: varies

Canon Status

Canonical in Zoroastrianism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.

Date & Provenance

Compiled in the 9th–10th centuries CE, though based on earlier traditions.

Language & Manuscripts

Middle Persian manuscripts, the oldest dating from the 13th–14th centuries CE. Of the original nine volumes, part of the third and all of volumes four through nine are extant.

Why It Matters for Study

An encyclopedia of Zoroastrian beliefs and customs. Contains a summary of the contents of the Avesta, making it an essential source for understanding lost Avestan texts.

" The Dēnkard is the act of religion, the treasure of the Mazdean faith." — Denkard (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " The Dēnkard is the act of religion, the treasure of the Mazdean faith." — Denkard (paraphrase) " The Dēnkard is the act of religion, the treasure of the Mazdean faith." — Denkard (paraphrase)

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Sanjana, P. B. The Dinkard. Duftur Ashkara Press, 1874–1928.
West, E. W. Pahlavi Texts, Part IV: Contents of the Nasks. Sacred Books of the East, 1892.
Denkard — Sacred Texts|https://www.sacred-texts.com/zor/sbe37/index.htm|Full public-domain translation.;; Denkard — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denkard|Background and scholarly discussion.