Avesta

Author: Zoroaster (attributed) Estimated Year: 1200–900 BCE Description: The sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism, containing hymns, rituals, and teachings attributed to the prophet Zoroaster. B: Bhagavad Gita Author: Vyasa (attributed) Estimated Year: 2nd century BCE Description: A Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, featuring a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna on duty, righteousness, and devotion. C: Confucian Analects (Lunyu) Author: Confucius (attributed) Estimated Year: 5th–4th century BCE Description: A collection of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius, forming the basis of Confucianism and Chinese moral philosophy. D: Dead Sea Scrolls Author: Various (Essenes likely) Estimated Year: 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE Description: A collection of Jewish texts discovered in the 20th century, including religious writings, hymns, and sectarian documents. E: Enuma Elish Author: Unknown Estimated Year: 18th–16th century BCE Description: The Babylonian creation myth, recounting the story of the god Marduk's rise to power and the formation of the world. F: Four Noble Truths Author: Buddha (attributed) Estimated Year: 5th–4th century BCE Description: Fundamental teachings of Buddhism, expressing the nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to its cessation. G: Gilgamesh Epic Author: Unknown Estimated Year: 2100–2000 BCE Description: An ancient Mesopotamian poem narrating the adventures of Gilgamesh, addressing themes of mortality, friendship, and the search for immortality. H: Hesiod's Theogony Author: Hesiod Estimated Year: 700 BCE Description: A Greek poem outlining the genealogy and origin of the gods, providing a foundational narrative in Greek mythology. I: I Ching (Yijing) Author: Traditionally attributed to Fu Xi Estimated Year: 10th–4th century BCE Description: An ancient Chinese divination text and philosophical work, exploring the concept of change and the interaction between yin and yang. J: Jewish Midrashim Author: Various Estimated Year: 1st–5th century CE Description: Collections of Jewish commentary and interpretation on the Hebrew Bible, contributing to Rabbinic literature. K: Kojiki Author: Ō no Yasumaro (compiler) Estimated Year: 712 CE Description: The oldest extant chronicle of Japanese myths, legends, and history, detailing the origin of the Japanese islands and imperial lineage. L: Lotus Sutra Author: Unknown (attributed to Buddha) Estimated Year: 1st century CE Description: A key Mahayana Buddhist scripture, emphasizing the concept of skillful means and the potential for all beings to attain Buddhahood. M: Mahabharata Author: Vyasa (traditionally attributed) Estimated Year: 8th–9th century BCE (composed over centuries) Description: One of the longest epic poems in the world, containing the Bhagavad Gita and narratives of the Kurukshetra War in Hindu mythology. N: Nag Hammadi Library Author: Unknown Estimated Year: 4th century CE Description: A collection of Gnostic texts, including the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary, discovered in Egypt in 1945. O: Orphic Hymns Author: Attributed to Orpheus Estimated Year: 3rd century BCE Description: A collection of hymns and invocations in ancient Greece, associated with Orphism and religious mysticism. P: Pyramid Texts Author: Unknown Estimated Year: 24th–23rd century BCE Description: Ancient Egyptian funerary texts inscribed on the walls of pyramids, containing spells and rituals for the afterlife. Q: Qabalah (Kabbalah) Author: Developed by various Jewish mystics Estimated Year: 12th–17th century CE Description: A system of mystical interpretation of the Torah in Jewish mysticism, exploring the nature of God and the universe. R: Rigveda Author: Various seers (Rishis) Estimated Year: 1500–1200 BCE Description: The oldest of the four Vedas, a collection of hymns and prayers forming the foundation of Vedic literature in Hinduism. S: Sumerian King List Author: Unknown Estimated Year: 2100 BCE Description: A historical document from ancient Sumer, listing kings and their reigns, including mythical rulers and gods. T: Tao Te Ching Author: Laozi (attributed) Estimated Year: 6th–4th century BCE Description: A foundational text of Taoism, presenting philosophical and ethical teachings on the nature of the Tao (the Way). U: Upanishads Author: Various Estimated Year: 800–200 BCE Description: A collection of philosophical texts in Hinduism, exploring the nature of reality, the self (atman), and the ultimate reality (Brahman). V: Vedas Author: Various seers (Rishis) Estimated Year: 1500–500 BCE Description: A collection of sacred hymns, rituals, and philosophical teachings forming the core of Vedic literature in Hinduism. W: Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, etc.) Author: Various Estimated Year: 10th–4th century BCE Description: Biblical texts, including Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, offering practical and philosophical wisdom in the Hebrew Bible. **practical and philosophical wisdom in the Hebrew Bible. X: Xinjing (Heart Sutra) Author: Attributed to Avalokiteshvara Estimated Year: 7th century CE Description: A short but influential Buddhist sutra emphasizing the concept of emptiness and the perfection of wisdom. Y: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Author: Sage Patanjali (attributed) Estimated Year: 2nd century BCE – 4th century CE Description: A foundational text in classical yoga, providing guidance on the practice of yoga and the path to spiritual liberation. Z: Zend-Avesta Author: Zoroaster (attributed) Estimated Year: 1200–900 BCE Description: The primary collection of religious texts in Zoroastrianism, including the Avesta, Yasna, and Gathas. This list provides a glimpse into the rich tapestry of ancient texts that have profoundly influenced religious and spiritual thought throughout history.