The Zoroastrianism from Iran | All you Must-know

 

This
article explains the nature of Zoroastrianism, The concept of Dualism such as good and evil. This is recognised in
cosmic dualism (opposing forces within the universe) and moral dualism
(opposing forces within the mind). The article introduces you to the
attributes of God, good and evil as well as Zoroaster’s vision.

Zoroastrianism
is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. It was founded by the
Prophet Zoroaster
in ancient Iran. It is now one of the world’s smallest religions.

• Zoroastrians believe there is
  one God
  called Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) and He created the world.
• Zoroastrians are not fire-worshippers,
  as some people wrongly believe. Zoroastrians believe that the elements are
  pure and that fire represents God’s light or wisdom.
• Ahura Mazda revealed the truth
  through the Prophet, Zoroaster.
• Zoroastrians traditionally pray
  several times a day.
• Zoroastrians worship communally
  in a Fire Temple
  or Agiary.
• The Zoroastrian book of Holy
  Scriptures is called The Avesta.
• The Avesta can be roughly split
  into two main sections:
• The
  Avesta is the oldest and core part of the scriptures, which contains the
  Gathas. The Gathas are seventeen hymns thought to be composed by
  Zoroaster himself.
• The
  Younger Avesta – commentaries to the older Avestan written in later
  years. It also contains myths, stories and details of ritual observances.

 

Dualism in Zoroastrianism

Dualism
in Zoroastrianism is the existence of, yet complete separation of, good and
evil. This is recognised in two interconnecting ways:

• Cosmically (opposing forces
  within the universe)
• Morally (opposing forces within
  the mind)

 

Cosmic dualism

Cosmic dualism refers to the ongoing battle between Good (Ahura Mazda) and
Evil (Angra Mainyu) within the universe.

It
is important to understand that Angra Mainyu is not God‘s
equal opposite rather that Angra Mainyu is the destructive energy that opposes
God’s creative energy. This creative energy is called Spenta Mainyu. God
created a pure world through his creative energy, which Angra Mainyu continues
to attack, making it impure. Aging, sickness, famine, natural disasters, death
and so on are attributed to this.

With
cosmic dualism we have life and death, day and night, good and evil. One cannot
be understood without the other. Life is a mixture of these two opposing
forces.

 

Moral dualism

Moral dualism refers to the opposition of good and evil in the mind of
mankind. God’s gift to man was free will; therefore man has the choice to
follow the path of Evil (druj – deceit) or the path of Righteousness (asha
– truth). The path of Evil leads to misery and ultimately Hell. The path of
Righteousness leads to peace and everlasting happiness in Heaven.

As
with cosmic dualism, we have the polarity of happiness and sadness, truth and
deception and so on but with an emphasis on choice. This choice is crucial as
it determines whether we are the helper of Ahura Mazda or the helper of Angra
Mainyu. When all of mankind chooses the former over the latter, evil will
finally be defeated and Paradise on earth will be realized.

In
practice, modern Zoroastrianism has a positive outlook. It teaches that Mankind
is ultimately good and that this goodness will finally triumph over evil. This
could be seen as a retrenchment from the faith’s original purity of dualism.

 

Humanity in
Zoroastrianism

 

Everyday life

Zoroastrian
beliefs can best be summed up by the maxim:

Good
Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds

Zoroastrians
try to live their daily lives by this creed.

At
the age of seven, Zoroastrians are given a sudreh (shirt) and kusti
(cord) as part of an initiation
ceremony. These garments are considered sacred. They tie the kusti
around the sudreh three times to remind themselves of ‘Good Words, Good
Thoughts, and Good Deeds’.

 

Family and community

Zoroastrianism
is a home and community oriented religion. There is no tradition of monasticism
or celibacy. Zoroaster himself was a family man and most worship happens in the
family home.

Zoroastrianism
is also about action. Zoroastrians work towards improving the local community
and society in general.

 

 

Man and God

Unlike
some religions where man is God‘s
child or servant, in Zoroastrianism man is considered more as God’s helper.
Through man’s positive choices, evil
will be eradicated and God’s Paradise on Earth will be established.

Men
and women, rich and poor, and young and old are all seen as equal. One only
surpasses the other through their righteousness.

 

Zoroastrian beliefs about God

 

One God

Zoroastrians
believe in one God, called Ahura Mazda (meaning ‘Wise Lord’). He is
compassionate, just, and is the creator of the universe.

Ahura
Mazda is:

• Omniscient (knows everything)
• Omnipotent (all powerful)
• Omnipresent (is everywhere)
• Impossible for humans to
  conceive
• Unchanging
• The Creator of life
• The Source of all goodness and
  happiness

God
is worshiped as supreme. Zoroastrians believe that everything he created is
pure and should be treated with love and respect. This includes the natural
environment, so Zoroastrians traditionally do not pollute the rivers, land or
atmosphere. This has caused some to call Zoroastrianism ‘the first ecological
religion’.

 

Zoroaster and God

Zoroastrians
believe that Zoroaster
is the prophet of God. Zoroaster himself is not worshipped, but through his
teachings man can become close to God by following the path of truth and
righteousness (asha).

 

Zoroaster’s Vision

At
the age of thirty, Zoroaster had a divine vision whilst bathing in a river
during a pagan purification rite. On the bank of the river he saw a ‘Shining
Being’ made of light who revealed himself as Vohu Manah (‘Good Mind’).

Vohu
Manah led Zoroaster to the presence of Ahura Mazda (God) and five other
radiant beings, which are called the Amesha Spentas (Holy Immortals).
This was the first of a number of visions in which Zoroaster saw Ahura Mazda
and his Amesha Spentas; during each vision he asked many questions. The answers
given to Zoroaster are the foundations of Zoroastrian religion.

Good and Evil

In
Zoroastrianism, Ahura Mazda has an adversary
called Angra Mainyu (meaning ‘destructive spirit’). Angra Mainyu is the
originator of death and all that is evil in the world.

Ahura
Mazda, who is perfect, abides in Heaven, whereas Angra Mainyu dwells in the
depths of Hell. When a person dies they will go to Heaven or Hell depending on
their deeds during their lifetime.

It
is generally accepted that in the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity
and Islam), the concepts of Heaven and Hell, as well as the Devil, were heavily
influenced by Zoroastrian belief.

Conclusion

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Zoroastrians believe there is one God
called Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) and He created the world. Zoroastrians are not
fire-worshippers, as some people wrongly believe. Zoroastrians believe that the
elements are pure and that fire represents God’s light or wisdom. Ahura Mazda
revealed the truth through the Prophet, Zoroaster. Zoroastrians traditionally
pray several times a day. Zoroastrians worship communally in a Fire Temple
or Agiary. The Zoroastrian book of Holy Scriptures is called The Avesta.
The Avesta can be roughly split into two main sections the Gathas and the
Younger Avesta. The Gathas are seventeen hymns thought to be composed by
Zoroaster himself, while the Younger Avesta consists of the commentaries to the
older Avestan written in later years. It also contains myths, stories and
details of ritual observances.