Encyclopedia Masonica

The scriptures of the Zoroastrian religion containing the doctrines of Zoroaster. Avesta means the sacred text, and Ze7zd the commentary.

The work as we now have it is supposed to have been collected by learned Priests of the Sassanian period, who translated it into the Pehlevi, or vernacular language of Persia. The greater part of the work was lost during the persecutions by the Mohammedan conquerors of Persia One only of the hooks has been preserved, the Vendidad, comprising twenty-te o chapters. The Yasna and the Vispered together constitute the collection of fragments which are termed Vendidad Sadé. There is another fragmentary collection called Yesht Sadé. And these constitute all that remain of the original text. So that, however comprehensive the Zendavesta must have been in its original form; the work as it now exists makes but a comparatively small book.

The ancients, to whom it was familiar, as well as the modern Parsees, attribute its authorship to Zoroaster. But Doctor Haug, rightly conceiving that it was not in the power of any one man to have composed so vast a work as it must have been in its original extent, supposes that it was the joint production of the original Zarathustra .Sitama and his successors, the high priests of the religion, who assumed the same name.

The Zendavesta is the scripture of the modern Parsee; and hence for the Parsee freemason, of whom there are not a few, it constitutes the Book of the Law, or Trestle-Board. Unfortunately, however, to the Parsee it is a sealed book, for, being written in the old Zend language, which is now extinct, its contents cannot be understood. But the Parsees recognize the Zendavesta as of Divine authority, and say in the Catechism, or Compendium of Doctrines in use among them: "We consider these books as heavenly books, because God sent the tidings of these books to us through the holy Prophet Zurthost."

Brother Albert Pike prepared elaborate commentaries on the Irana-Aryan Faith and Doctrine of the Zen,davesta, a volume bearing that title and edited by Brother Marshall W. Wood, being published by the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, 1924.

The Encyclopedia Masonica exists to preserve the wealth of information that has been generated over the centuries by numerous Masonic authors. As Freemasonry is now Speculative and not Operative, the work of a Mason is now conducted in the quarries of symbolism, literature, history and scholasticism. Freemasonry encourages intellectual exploration and academic achievement in its members and many Masons over the years have taken up this calling. The result has been that an incredible amount of philosophy, symbolic speculation and academic insights have been created. However, as Freemasonry teaches, human knowledge is frail and fragile. It is easily lost in the turnings of the ages and unforeseen catastrophes can result in great setbacks to human knowledge.

For too long these great works have sat on forgotten shelves, gathering dust and concealing the light that could be shed on the darkness of our ignorance. The Encyclopedia Masonica has been created to act as an ark, sailing through time, to ensure that future generations of Freemasons have access to the same knowledge that inspired the Brethren that came before them. It will contain the works of such Masonic Luminaries as Albert G. Mackey, Manly Palmer Hall, G.S.M. Ward, Albert Pike and many others. The Encyclopedia Masonica is a living work and the volunteers of Universal Co-Masonry will continue to labor until the most comprehensive Masonic reference work the world has ever seen has been created. The Encyclopedia Masonica is open to any who wish to use it and will remain open so that the treasures contained within may increase the wealth of all those who seek its wisdom.