What is Zoroastrianism?
Simply put, Zoroastrianism is the name given to religion and beliefs based on the teachings attributed to the Persian religious leader Zararthushtra (Greek Zoroaster, later Persian Zartosht). Mazdayasna (worship of Ahura Mazda) is the name of the religion that acknowledges the divine authority of Ahura Mazda, the creator discovered by Zarathushtra by studying nature and proclaimed by Zoroaster as the sole uncreated Creator of all (God).
“Mazdaism” is a transliteration of Mazdayasna, which means “worshipper of Mazda”. Most of the followers of Ahura Mazda call themselves Zoroastrians or behdini (followers of the Good Religion).
Who was Zoroaster?
Zoroaster is generally accepted as a historical figure, but dating Zoroaster’s time when he lived is fraught with difficulty. The most widely accepted calculations place it around 1200 BC. C., which makes him a candidate for the “founder of the oldest religion based on revealed scriptures”, while other estimates date his life to between the 18th and 6th centuries BC. c.
The Gathas and the chapter known as Yasna Haptanghaiti are all written in ancient Avestan and the language used in these passages is much older than the language used in other parts of the Zoroastrian writings which are called Avesta and which are written in what is called Young. avestan Old Avestan and Vedic Sanskrit are descendants of the Proto-Indo-Iranian language and Old Gathic Avestan is still quite similar in structure to Rig-Veda Sanskrit in language usage.
However, the Sanskrit of the Rig-Veda is somewhat more conservative in perspective and structure than the Avestan of the Gathas, so based on changes in the languages, scholars date the Gathas to around 1000 BCE. C., more or less a couple of centuries.
**But note also that the problem lies with the age of the Rig Veda, which no one seems to know with approximate certainty. There are also those who think that the Gathas are older than the Rig Veda, Dastur Dhalla and some other linguists see the Gaatic language as more complex and archaic.
Most of what we know about Zoroaster comes to us from a variety of sources, the Avesta, the Gathas, Greek historical works, archaeological evidence, and oral history. Zoroaster was born on the cusp when societies shifted from being primarily nomadic to a more settled agrarian lifestyle. He lived in an area of the Middle East then known as Chorasmia (An area roughly occupying present-day northern Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan)
He was married, had three daughters and three sons, and it was at the age of 30 that he received enlightenment. He preached for many years before his wife and children were converted, the first convert being a cousin.
These statements are all based on legends that have been woven into the traditions. They probably contain some truths and facts, but there is no way to determine them, and therefore they cannot be taken as historical.
Later Avestan writings make Zoroaster a kind of “superman”, who fights with demons and is tempted by Ahriman. The Gathas, however, portray him as an ordinary mortal, perplexed by his call, utterly certain of Ahura Mazda, and bewildered by his lack of success. In time, he converted King Vistaspa, who reigned in eastern Iran, and with the king’s conversion, Zoroastrianism became a force in the region and there, as well as in India among the Parsis, it still survives.
Who is Ahura Mazda?
For Zoroastrians, God (called Ahura Mazda), is the beginning and the end, the creator of everything visible and invisible. Although it is recognized that the concept of “God”, like so many others, is slightly different in Zarathushtrian thought. Zarathushtra could be better considered, if we are to use modern terms to describe his doctrines, a panentheist, that is, he perceives a Supreme Being.
Thus, this Creator is immanent in Creation but also transcends it. In fact, as stated, Mazda Ahura can be seen to contain the creation in some way.
Also, the very concept of Lordship and Sovereignty are different, Ahura, which is often translated as lord, was the name of a set of ancient aryan gods that were totally abstract and lacking in any form, they can best be thought of as energy since They don’t have a body, though. they are personal.
In addition, Mazda does not impose its will, but teaches, persuades, etc. Thus, Mazda’s relationship with mortals is that of a partner, an ally, a friend, and even a soul mate.)
This being that is the source of everything that exists. The name Ahura Mazda contains masculine and feminine elements. (Ahura, the Lord, is masculine, while Mazda, Más or Super Wise or Knowing, and Más or Super Giver or Generous, is feminine.)
Ahura Mazda, according to Zoroaster’s belief, is the Eternal, the Pure and the only Truth. In the Gathas, which are the oldest texts of Zoroastrianism and which are considered to have been written by Zoroaster himself, the teacher does not give devotion to any other divinity besides Ahura Mazda.
What are the Gathas?
The Gathas are scriptures written in an ancient Indo-Iranian verse form. Gatha means ‘Song’. There are 17 Gathic hymns, they exist on their own and as part of the much larger Avesta. They are the earliest of the Zoroastrian writings.
What about dualism?
Perhaps the best known of the later Zoroastrian doctrines is the doctrine of dualism or ditheism. This postulates that Ahura Mazda has two ’emanations’ called Spenta Mainyu (good mind) and Angra Mainyu (bad or evil mind). These became the later Zoroastrian belief in Ormazd and Ahriman.
This doctrine, however, is purely a product of later thought. In the Zoroastrian revelation, only Ahura Mazda will finally triumph over the ‘lie’ (Yasna 48.1). But not here and not now. Because now human beings must choose which of the two ‘forces’ they will serve, the Truth or the Lie, this choice is a matter of a lifetime, but righteousness begins by making the first choice for Ahura Mazda and for the Truth.
Appointment:“…Hear the best things with your ears, reflect on them with an impartial mind. Then let each man and woman choose for himself between the two ways of thinking. Awaken to my doctrine, before this great event comes to you the chose…” [Avesta: The Gathas: Song 3:2 (FreeTranslation)]
What about the converts?
There are two main groups that can be considered ‘cultural’ Zoroastrians, they are the Zoroastrian community in Iran and the Parsi community in India. The Parsis (refugees in India from the Muslim invasion of Iran) do not allow conversion at all. The Iranian community does so quietly and carefully because conversion from Islam is considered a crime in Iran.
But in addition to these groups, there are groups of ‘Gathas only’ Zoroastrian converts by choice springing up all over the world with the main centers for such groups in the US and South America. So it is indeed possible to convert to Zoroastrianism.
See also the article at: http://tinyurl.com/svs5k
What does Zoroastrianism teach?
This part of the article that I have struggled with, the teachings of Zoroastrianism are deep and wide, but I believe the following quote is from:
http://www.zoroastrianism.cc/universal_religion.html is perhaps the best definition I have read.
Quote: “…Zarathushtra’s is a message about a spirituality progressing towards self-realization, wholeness and wholeness, as a good creation from an all-good God. It is a message of freedom – freedom to choose, freedom from fear , freedom from guilt, freedom from sin, freedom from stultifying rituals, superstitious practices, false spirituality and ceremonies The God of Zarathustra, is not a God of “You must” and “You must not”.
God in Zoroastrianism does not care what you wear, what and when you eat, or where and when you worship. Instead, God cares how fair, progressive, and good you are.
1. God is not about fear, guilt, and condemnation.
2. God is Wisdom Love and Logic.
3. God plays no favorites and does not discriminate based on nationality, sex, race, or class.
4. God treats humans with dignity and respect.
5. God is not a master of slaves, nor a despot, among his servants.
6. God is man’s partner and soul mate.
7. God is not Jealous, Wrathful or Vengeful.
8. Man is not sinful, fallen, or depraved.
9. God has no adversary and heaven and hell are states of mind and being.
10. Man was created to progress towards the likeness of God and eliminate evil from the Cosmos in partnership with God.
The Zoroastrian Religion presents humanity as the growing and evolving creation of a God who respects it and wants it to collaborate in the task of preserving, nurturing, promoting and refreshing this Living World and all that it offers.
A Zoroastrian is supposed to progress towards God (Ahura Mazda) by his own choices. Choosing to do good and avoiding choosing to do bad or bad. Zoroastrianism is thus humanity’s first truly ethical religion and teaches that mortals achieve their goal of God-likeness and spiritual fulfillment by fighting evil through good thoughts, words, and deeds…”