Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism

Zarathustra (Zoroaster) is the founder of this religion, who lived in Persia (Iran) about 1200 BC. Zarathustra supposedly had a virgin birth & apparently was trained as a priest in the old Persian (Iranian) religion. The Persians used as a sacrement a drink made from the sacred Hoama plant, which in all likelihood had psychedelic properties. One morning when after spending the night worshipping, Zarathustra was washing his face in a stream when he was visited by the angel "Vohu Manah" (Good Thought). Vohu Manah took the form of a man, nine times the size of a man. Vohu Manah revealed to Zarathustra that there was one true God "Ahura Mazda", and Zarathustra was Mazda's prophet.

Zarathustra was 30 years old at the time. He immediately began to preach this revealation, which no success for at least 10 years. Eventually he did begin to gain converts, eventually converting the King "Vishtaspa" and his court.

Beliefs

Holy Spirit: Ahura Mazda has a Holy Spirit "Spenta Mainyu". And Spenta Mainyu is Ahura Mazda's active agent, through whom Ahura Mazda created the world all that is good in it. Spenta Mainyu is one with Ahura Mazda, indivisible from him, yet distinct.

Holy Immortals: There are six Holy Immortals whom Ahura Mazda brought into being to help him in his struggle against evil. These are lesser divinities who along with Ahura Mazda & Spenta Mainyu compose the "Zoroastrian Heptad". They are called the Amesha Spentas (The Holy Immortals).

Angra Mainyu: Angra Mainyu is another primal spirit, besides Ahura Mazda. Both Ahura Mazda & Angra Mainyu existed when time began. Contrary to some writers claim, Ahura Mazda did not create Angra Mainyu, did not allow Angra Mainyu to come into existence, nor did Ahura Mazda have anythingat all to do with Angra Mainyu's existence in any way. They both existed independently, but in opposition as adversaries.

Judgment After Death: Humans are free to choose to serve either Ahura Mazda or Angra Mainyu. At death humans are judged on the basis of the choice, they are judged on the basis of their thoughts, words & acts which indicate the choice they made.

Good & Evil: Ahura Mazda created life, chose right, represents truth & just, while Angra Mainyu created death, chose wrong, represents lie & injust. Angra Mainyu is the source of evil in the world.

The Apocalypse: A final confrontation between Good & Evil occurs after all the souls of the dead have been resurrected. Ahura Mazda triumphs. The Evil and the Unjust are banned forever from creation. The Just & Good find paradise, forever on earth, and time and human history end.

Effects of Zoroastrianism on Judaism & Christianity

Angra Mainyu emerged in Judaism as an opponent to Yahweh. Angra Mainyu was known as Satan, Belial, Beezlebub, Lucifer in Judaism & Christianity. Early Christians tried to maintain the belief that Zarathustra was on a par with the Hebrew Prophets and was preparing the way for Messiah. To this end, they misunderstood the concept of Ahura Mazda, maintaining that Zoroastrian monotheism required that Ahura Mazda be the "source", the creator of Angra Mainyu. Zoroastrians know this error as the "Europeans Heresy". It is sometimes repeated in modern books.

Worship

The Fravarane is a key prayer of Zoroastrianism and commences with the words: "Come to my aid, O Mazda! I profess myself a worshipper of Mazda, I am a Zoroastrian worshipper of Mazda."

For regular devotions, the day is divided into five Gah or Geh (times), as follows:

Havan (from sunrise to noon)
Rapithwan (from noon till 3.00pm)
Uziren (from 3.00pm to sunset)
Aiwisruthrem (from sunset to midnight)
Ushahen (from midnight to sunrise).

Scriptures

The main Zoroastrian scriptures are known as the Avesta. This is based on an orally transmitted tradition eventually written down in the fifth or sixth century CE, which exists today exist as only about a quarter of their original material.

The Avesta has five parts:

The Yasna Includes seventeen Gathas, or hymns of Zarathushtra.
The Yashts Compositions addressed to the yazatas/yazads.
The Vendidad (or Videvdat) A book of rules and laws.
The Visperad Supplements the Yasna and is used in the gahanbar festivals of Zoroastrianism which celebrate the powers of creation.
The Khordeh Avesta An extract from the Avesta.