Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest religions that is still practiced today. It takes its name from the Iranian-speaking Prophet called by the Greeks Zoroaster (Ζωροάστηρ). His name in Avestan is Zarathushtra (or Zarthost in Modern Persian) meaning "Golden Shining Star." Another name for this religion is Mazdayasna, which combines "Mazda" (God's wisdom) with the word "yasna" (worship, devotion).

Prophet

Zarthushtra was born to father Paurushasp and mother Doghdo, who were highly commendable pure souls. It is said that at his birth he had a smile on his face and that his aura spread light all over the town. His opponents somehow came to know that their nemesis is approaching and so they tried to kill the child several times. However, his life was saved through divine intervention. Zarathushtra grew up as a youth given to deep meditation and spent ten years in mountain retreat learning to solve many problems of life that baffled men.

Deity

Zoroastrianism was the first ancient Monotheistic religion. Ahura Mazda, or the "Wise Lord" (Avestan: Ahura = "Lord" and Mazda = "Wisdom") is the one universal, transcendent, all-good, and uncreated supreme creator deity. He is considered to be omniscient but not omnipotent. He has three Aspects, which are "Ahu," the Creator; "Vohu Mana" or Good mind, the Preserver; and Asha Vahishta, the Reconstructor. He is assisted by six emanations called Amesha-spentas, the Holy Immortals (archangels) representing His attributes to rule over kingdoms of nature and animals. These Ameshaspentas were helped by 33 "angels" known as Yazatas (meaning "worthy of worship") in their work.

Ahura Mazda unfolds the twin forces of nature namely, "Spenta Mainyu" (the Benevolent Spirit) and "Angra Mainyu" (the Destructive Spirit, also referred to in later texts as "Ahriman", which is the main adversary in Zoroastrianism). The main spiritual force coming from Ahura Mazda is "Asha," the cosmic order, which is the antithesis of "Druj" or chaos, falsehood and disorder, coming from Angra Mainyu.

Fire

Zoroastrianims was an early (some claim the first) religion emphasizing ecology, believing in preserving and respecting all creations of nature, being careful not to exploit it as this would seriously disturb ecological balance to the detriment of mankind. It preaches that Ashoi (Purity) must be observed--not only of body and mind, but also of environment and all elements of nature, like fire, water, air, earth, space, plant life and animal life.

The Sun is specially mentioned the most beautiful body of God which gives light on earth. Fire ("Atash," the most adorable son of Ahura Mazda) became the emblem of the most Bountiful Creator, reminding devotees of God's glory that is light, heat, energy, vitality and virility. The Mazdayasni people founded temples and tended the fire there. These temples are known as Fire Temples or Atash Behram. Every Zoroastrian bows to the sacred fire which burns in the Fire Temples or in his house.

The consecrated fires in the Fire Temples not only give out light and heat from the altar, but within the shrine is the aura –Khureh, of the Almighty, kept glowing through the presence of invisible Guardian Angel. This occult presence is thought to bless those who offer their devotion.

Moral message

Ahura Mazda revealed to Zoroaster the divine message of purity, uprightness and truth. His theology includes foremost the importance of following the Threefold Path of Asha: Humata Hukhat Huvarashta, i.e., "Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds." Since humans are endowed with a thinking mind, they must choose freely whether to follow the right path or not.

There is also a heavy emphasis on spreading happiness, mostly through charity, and respecting the spiritual equality and duty of the genders.

Online Resources

Articles and pamphlets

• Zoroastrianism by Annie Besant
• Zoroastrianism: History, Beliefs, and Practices by Dinshaw and Hutoxy Contractor
• Karma in the Desatir by William Q. Judge
• Dark and Light in Yazd Central Iran by Barbara Cunliffe Singleton