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by Jayaram V
Very few people practice Zoroastrian religion today. However from a
historical
perspective, it has great significance because we can find
some of its core practices and beliefs major world religions of today,
namely Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. Following are some
of the core concepts of Zoroastrianism.
Ahura Mazda: He is the highest and supreme God who is the lord
of the universe, creator, judge and righteousness.
Ahirman: He is the destroyer, the anti-God principle or the
evil being who is opposed to God and all that God represents. He is also
known as Angra Mainyu.
Ahunwar: It is the most sacred mantra of Zoroastrianism from
the Avesta which is recited by the faithful to drive away the evil and
sanctiy a place or person.
Ahuras: They are the divine entities, the lords, who are part
of divine forces as opposed to the daevas or the evil entities. Mithra
and Apam Napat are the most popular of the Ahuras next to Ahura
Mazda.
Amesha Spentas. They are the six aspects or qualities of God
who assist Him in maintaining the sanctity and purity of God's creation.
They also serve as the ideals to be emulated and cultivated by the
humanity. The six Amesha Spentas are Vohumano (good purpose) Asha
Vahishta (righteousness), Kshathra Vairya (best dominion), Armaiti
(holy devotion), Haurvatat (wholeness) and Ameretat (immortality).
Asha. It is a complex word that means many things in the
context it is used. Generally it is used to convey holy order, world
order, truth, righteousness and regularity of time and celestial events.
Avesta: Also known as Zend Avesta it is the sacred scripture
of Zoroastrians written originally in the Avestan language. It is a
collection of texts containing sacrificial hymns and invocations to God
and other divinities.
The barsom: A ritual implement, usually a bundle of twigs or
metal wire used by Zoroastrian priests to solemnize sacrificial
ceremonies or yasnas. Symbolically barsom represents plant life.
Chinawad is the bridge in the spiritual world to which a soul
goes after it departs from this world, where its actions are subjected
to review and it is sent to either heaven or hell depending upon its
actions. The soul has to cross this bridge before going to either of the
places. The bridge changes its shape and texture according to the deeds
of the soul. It makes the journey of the good souls pleasant and that of
sinful soul highly unpleasant.
Deavas. In Zoroastrian world view, the daevas are the wrong
gods or false gods who assist Angra Mainyu in vexing the world. They
stand in contrast to the ahuras or the asuras who are revered by the
Zoroastrians as the beings of light and forces of God. Zoroaster
prohibited performance of sacrificial rituals to the daevas, who were
till then worshipped by many people in ancient Iran. The daevas
are six: Akoman, Indra, Saurva, Nanohaithya, Taurvi and Zairi.
Dakhma: A rounded structure with high walls and no roof used
in the disposal of the dead bodies. It is a Zoroastrian custom not to
bury or cremate their dead, but place them in a dakhma and allow the
flesh to be eaten by vultures, birds and animals.
Gathas are the very early hymns found in the Avesta. They are
supposed to have been written by Zoroaster himself. They contain very
valuable information about the principles and practice of
Zoroastrianism. The first Gatha known as Ahunavaiti Gatha contains is
believed to form the core of Zoroastrian religion.
Kusti: A sacred thread worn around the waist, symbolizing
moderation and commitment. It is made of 72 strands of lamb's wool and
tied or untied accompanied by ritual prayers (Niran a Kusti) five times
a day. Going out into the open without wearing kusti is a sacilge in
Zoroastrianism.
Naujote: It is the Zoroastrian initiation ceremony meant for
both boys and girls to induct them into the religion roughly between the
ages 7 and 9.
Saoshyant: He is the future prophet, believed to be a future
son of Zoroaster himself, who will wage a battle against evil and herald
the end of the world and the last Judgment Day.
Sudre: It is the white upper garment worn by the followers of
Zoroastrians as a symbol or purity and for a protection against evil
when they go out.
Padyab: A short cleansing ritual performed while tying kusti.
Yasna: Yasna or sacrifice is akin in meaning to the yajna or
Hinduism. Yasna is also one of the main division of Avesta. It has 72
sections and recited during the yasna ceremony by the Zoroastrian
priests.
Yazatas. They are the good forces of Ahuramazda, who are
worthy of worship and considered to be angels or divine entities who
help the people of God
Yashts: Are a collection of 21 hymns of praise forming
part of the Avesta addressed to Ahura Mazda, the archangels and the
angels.
Yima. He was the son of Vivanghat, the good shepherd, the
first mortal, before Zarathushtra, with whom Ahura Mazda conversed and taught
the Zoroastrian religion. Under his lordship the earth prospered and the
number of men, birds and cattle grew. He also enlarged the earth by two
thirds to accommodate all the beings.
Suggested Further Reading
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