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.
Table of Contents
The Nature of Zoroastrianism
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.
The nature of Zoroastrianism
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
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.
