My Time Well Wasted

ZOROASTRIANISM

Portrait of an Ancient Monotheistic Religion
Dr. Pollon R. Ichoporio
Chair of the Research and Preservation Committee of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America

Zoroastrianism is the first revealed monotheistic religion of the world. The date of its founding is lost in antiquity, but general consensus places it between 2000 to 1800 B.C.E. Its founder, Zarathushtra or Zoroaster (as called by the Greeks), flourished on the East Iranian plateau. Zarathushtra saw the God (Ahura Mazda-the Wise Lord), felt conscious of His presence, and heard His words, which are recorded in the five Songs or Poems he composed. These are called the Gathas. One easily understands Zarathushtra by seeing the Prophet's zeal in the Gathas and the visible manifestation of his meeting the God.

Primary Beliefs

Zoroastrians believe in the One Supreme, Omnipotent, Omniscient God, called Ahura Mazda. He is to be understood through his six divine attributes: Vohu Mana (Good Mind), Asha (Truth, Righteousness), Spenta A1maity (Correct Thinking, Piety), Xsthra Vairya (Divine Domain), Haurvatat (Perfection, Integrity), and Ameratat (Immortality). His attributes are also found in each and every human being who must work as a co-worker of God to defeat evil and bring the world to perfection. This can be achieved by good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.

Angels, known as the Yazatas, work endlessly to aid humans in bringing the world to perfection. All the natural elements like air, water, and lands are to be kept pure. Their pollutions are to be prevented at all cost. This makes Zoroastrianism the first true ecological religion of the world. After death, the immortal soul of the departed person is judged according to all the good deeds done by him or her in this world; the soul then enjoys the pleasures of paradise or undergoes the tortures of hell.

There is also belief in the appearance of the last savior, called Sosayant, and of the final day of judgment with the resurrections of all who have died (these last two are later beliefs).

Main Sources of Religious Knowledge

The primary source is the Gathas of the Prophet; this is followed by Hapatan Haiti, the seven chapters written by the Prophet's disciples. These scriptures are called Old Avesta as their language differs from the later scriptures, called the Younger Avesta. Together they are known as the Avestan. The Younger Avesta consists of the Yasna (without the Gathas, containing seventy-two chapters), Vispered, Vendidad, and the Yasts. The original Avestan scriptures were written in twenty-one books called the Nasks, from which only one complete Nask -- Vandidad -- has survived the ravages of time. The Gathas and the rest of the scriptures survived because they formed part of the long Yasna liturgical ceremony, which was passed from generation to genera- tion by oral tradition.

Rituals

The most important ritual which every Zoroastrian has to undergo is the Navzote or Sudraposhi Ceremony, which is for new initiates (ages seven to fifteen years) entering the religion. Generally the rituals are divided into two classes: 1) those like the Yasna ceremony, to be performed in the Zoroastrian Fire- Temples; and 2) those to be performed anywhere outside the Zoroastrian Temples, like Jashan (thanksgiving) ceremony.

The word "fire-temple" is a misnomer as the Zoroastrians do not worship the fire. The fire is kept as a symbol of purity, acting as the focal point (like the Kebla of the religion of Islam) for prayers.

A Minority Religion

The Zoroastrians are the smallest minority of all religions, having undergone the severest persecutions for centuries in Iran at the hands of its conquerors, after the fall of the last Sassanian Zoroastrian Empire. At one time the number of the community ran into millions (650 C.E.). A small band of the community migrated to India (between the 9th and lOth centuries C.E. ) to avoid harassment and persecution; called the Parsees, these now number fewer than 60,000 in India and 2,500 in Pakistan. Still fewer have survived in Iran (10,000), and some have settled in the West, mostly in North America (12,000) and in Europe (7,000); there may be 3,000 in other parts of the world. With such a small total number of the community there are no fixed denominations as such, although the Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsee have different cultures and mother tongues, which developed due to long separation.

Zoroastrianism in the World Today
Dr. Jehan Bagli
Founding member of the Zoroastrian Association of Quebec, Editor of Gavashni and first Editor of FEZANA Journal
Throughout its long history, the Zarathustrian tradition has experienced numerous social environments shaped by various ruling dynasties, in different eras in early Iran. Consequently, from early times the adherents have learned to coexist with people of different beliefs. This has built within the tradition a strong sense of tolerance for other faiths and other religious viewpoints, an attribute that is firmly intertwined with the teachings of the first revealed religion of mankind.
The basic tenets of the faith proclaim respect for creation of nature and of equality for all human beings; these are the fundamental cornerstones of the tradition. With these axioms in focus, Zarathustrians consistently make a concerted effort to learn and comprehend the nature and beliefs of other faiths. The migration of Zarathustrians from Iran to India around 936 C.E. put them within the milieu of the Hindu society. Here they emerged as the most intellectual, honest, and hardworking minority of the world. Despite imbibing the knowledge and customs of other faiths, they have for the past 3,500 years maintained the integrity and identity of their faith with glowing success.
At this time the major challenge for humanity to overcome in the world is a breakdown in true respect and tolerance for other human beings. Much of this is motivated by materialism and greed, but conflicts are frequently perpetrated in the name of religion, under false pretenses. The understanding that all humans emerge from the same creating force has been totally overshadowed by dogmatic and egotistic endeavors, without regard for the needs of others.
The other major issue in our highly technocratic society is the lack of regard for the elements of creation. In the interest of bettering living conditions, the relationship between humanity and the creation has reached an all-time low. The concept of the preservation of the creation, with humans as its stewards and as co-workers with the creator, promoted by various religious traditions, has totally disappeared. Exploitation of our nonrenewable resources, pollution of our waters with chemical wastes, and excessive deforestation are some of the most serious infractions by the human society towards the elements of creation.
There is a great renaissance of spiritual awareness among the Zarathustrian community. Attempts are being made to disseminate the message of the prophet to the youth and to adults to make them aware of these injustices that are perpetrated in the name of religion. The Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) is making all efforts to spread awareness of the Zarathustrian religion through interfaith dialogue with other religious groups and to make our sentiments known.
"O Ahura Mazda, and O Spirit of Truth:
Do you grant me and my followers such strength and ruling power, that with the help of the Benevolent Mind, we may bring to the world, restful joy and happiness, of which, Thou, O Lord, art indeed the first Possessor."
Yasna 29.10, from the second chapter of the Gathas, in "Understanding the Gathas, the Hymns of Zarathustra" by Dinshan J. lrani

Contributions to Western Thought
Rohinton M. Rivetna
Past President of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, and Trustee of the CPWR.
Zoroastrian ideas have played a vital role in the development of Western religious thought. Some theological concepts shared by Zoroastrianism with Judaism and Christianity are
. Belief in one supreme and loving God
. Heaven and Hell, resurrection, and final judgement
. Ultimate triumph of good over evil. A strict moral and ethical code
. The Messiah to come for the final restoration
. The words satan, paradise, and amen are of Zoroastrian origin.
The interchange of Zoroastrian thought with Judeo-Christian ideology first took place when Cyrus the Great defeated the Assyrians and released the Jews from Babylonian captivity. They heralded Cyrus as their messiah, as prophesied two centuries earlier in Isaiah 45:1-3. The Old Testament is replete with references to the Persian emperors Darius, Cyrus, and Xerxes, all of whom were Zoroastrians...
Zoroastrian rituals and prayers are solemnized in the presence of a flame. Scrupulously tended with sandalwood and frankincense, a flame is kept burning in the inner sanctum of every Zoroastrian temple, and often in Zoroastrian homes. Fire is revered as a visible symbol of the inner light that burns within each person. It is a physical representation of the Illumined Mind, Light, and Truth, all highly regarded in the Zoroastrian doctrine. Despite its prehistoric origins, Zoroastrianism has vehemently denounced idolatry in any shape or form.
The Fravashi or Farohar is the presence of Ahura Mazda in every human being. It is the Divinity in Humanity. It is the conscience. The Fravashi is immortal and does not die with the person, but lives on forever. The Fravashi is ever present to guide and protect the person. It is the duty of a person, in making the choice between good and evil, to seek guidance from his Fravashi.
-- Excerpts are from "Followers of an Ancient Faith in a Modern World" by Rohinton M. Rivetna, a booklet published by FEZANA.