What is Zoroastrianism?
Simply put, Zoroastrianism is the name given to the 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 recognizes the divine authority of Ahura Mazda, the creator Zarathushtra discovered by studying nature and who was proclaimed by Zoroaster as the only uncreated Creator of all (God).
“Mazdaism” is a transliteration of Mazdayasna, which means “worshipper of Mazda”. Most of Ahura Mazda’s followers call themselves Zoroastrians or Behdini (followers of the Good Religion).
Who was Zoroaster?
Zoroaster is generally accepted as a historical figure, but dating the time Zoroaster lived is fraught with difficulties. The most widely accepted calculations place it around 1200 BC. C., which makes him a candidate for “founder of the oldest religion based on revealed scriptures”, while other estimates date his life between the 18th and 6th centuries B.C. c.
The Gathas and the chapter known as the 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 Avestan Gathic 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 outlook and structure than the Avestan of the Gathas, so based on changes in languages, scholars date the Gathas to around 1000 BCE. C., more or less a couple of centuries.
** But note also that the problem lies in 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 at the cusp when societies moved 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 was in his 30s when 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 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, show him as an ordinary mortal, perplexed by his call, completely sure of Ahura Mazda, and baffled 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 Parsees, 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 might 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 said, 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 arya gods who were totally abstract and lacking any form, they can be better considered as energy since they have no body, however. they are personal.
Furthermore, Mazda does not impose its will, but rather teaches, persuades, etc. Therefore, Mazda’s relationship with mortals is that of a partner, an ally, a friend, and even a soulmate)
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, More or Super Wise or Knowledgeable, and More or Super Giver or Generous, is feminine).
Ahura Mazda, according to Zoroastrian belief, is the Eternal, the Pure and the only Truth. In the Gathas, which are the oldest texts of Zoroastrianism and are considered to have been written by Zoroaster himself, the master does not give devotion to any other deity 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 posits 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 ultimately triumph over the ‘lie’ (Yasna 48.1). But not here or now. Because now human beings must choose which of the two ‘forces’ they will serve, the Truth or the Lie, this choice is a lifelong affair, but righteousness begins by making the first choice for Ahura Mazda and for the Truth.
Quote:“…Hear the best things with your ears, reflect on them with an unbiased mind. Then let each man and woman choose for themselves between the two ways of thinking. Wake up to my doctrine, before this great event that is coming 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 Parsees (refugees in India from the Muslim invasion of Iran) do not allow conversion at all. The Iranian community does but quietly and carefully because conversion from Islam is considered a crime in Iran.
But in addition to these groups, there are ‘Gathas only’ groups of Zoroastrian converts by choice springing up all over the world with the main centers for such groups in the US and South America. So, in fact, it is possible to convert to Zoroastrianism.
See also the article at: http://tinyurl.com/svs5k
What does Zoroastrianism teach?
This part of the article 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 that progresses towards self-realization, wholeness, and completeness, as a good creation of a totally 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 “Thou shall” and “Thou shall 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 on the basis of nationality, gender, 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 represents 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. Choose to do good and avoid choosing to do evil or evil. 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…”
