Author: Darius Bamji, ZAGNY Youth.
Good Life Essay
One of the first monotheistic religions in the world to be practiced was Zoroastrianism. While in context today, “ monotheism” (the belief in one God) is the widely prevalent thought for the 7 billion people around the world , and widely practiced by almost all the universalizing religions, one has to give thought, to how different this idea was when it was first introduced. Way back in time, “Polytheism” (the belief in many Gods) was the accepted religious way of life. Zoroastrianism the Religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster in ancient Persia, was the first faith that proposed that there was “One God” From this single premise have grown the larger Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, all of which absorbed and believed that there was One Supreme Being, or God. While the numbers of Christianity and Islam have grown exponentially since their inception, our Zoroastrian followers have been limited, mostly because the faith evolved as an ethnic faith exclusive, in that it did not seek converts – in fact actively sought to be a faith that did not want our numbers increased in any way.
However it is of some interest to make a mention that while Zoroastrianism, is monotheistic, there is the “dualism” aspect in the faith that I will now discuss. Dualism is the concept of opposing forces of Good and Evil in the World. In Zoroastrianism this is seen in 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.
Many religions have discussed these opposing forces seen in the ‘good and evil, heaven and hell, life and death’ concept. Zoroastrianism is unique in that it was one of the first faiths that early on put forward – that there was a compassionate God who gave us free will to choose to do Good in thought action and deed. Choice becomes so important, because we choose to be on the side of Ahura Mazda or Angra Mainu. The faith believes when all of mankind chooses to be on the side of Good over Evil, Paradise on Earth will be finally achieved. Zoroastrianism teaches that Mankind is ultimately good, and that Time will prove that Good will triumph over Evil. This concept of ‘Good and Evil’ was adopted by other religions that came after, in the concepts of Heaven and Hell, Salvation and Damnation etc.
Going back to Zoroastrianism the opposing forces, can be seen on an individual level, (Moral Dualism) when a person chooses the path of Righteousness (asha – truth) or Evil (druj – deceit). By choosing “ Asha” a person will be happy, peaceful, and attain everlasting happiness in Heaven. In choosing Asha we choose to help Ahura Mazda. If we Chose Evil, we would be helping Angra Mainyu. This is clearly a choice that each individual makes, and is responsible for.
On another level Zoroastrianism also proposes the existence of Cosmic Dualism – this is the conflict between Good and Evil in the Universe, and it is seen in life happenings like death, sickness, famine, natural disasters etc. The religion shows how in life we have to deal with these two opposing forces. Here we have no individual choice. Life we learn, is a mixture of Good and Evil. We cannot have one without the other. The creative energy of Spenta Mainyu is always being opposed by the destructive energy that is Angra Mainyu. Ahura Mazda created purity through Spenta Mainyu, and Angra Mainyu, continues to attack it, causing disturbances and impurities. We go through our lives encountering these two forces.Our prophet Zoroaster further taught that choosing Good was not enough, we had to follow through with Good Thought Actions and Deeds (The three moral precepts which are the very foundation of our religion are: Humta – good thoughts, Hukhta- good words, and Huvarshta – good deeds) We have the ultimate choice to promote Good over Evil, and as more people do this we come closer to a perfect World. Zoroastrianism hopes to show this correct path by guiding helping and inspiring. We alone have to take responsibility for our choices in life, and then have to bear the repercussions for them.
The religion in taking on this dualistic approach was very progressive, when these first ideas were preached by Zoroaster. In ancient Persia it gained great popularity, and through it’s acceptance by Cyrus the Great, and his Successors, it grew in strength, through hierarchical diffusion. The religion has been preserved and persevered through many millennia, and modern Zoroastrianism is very positive teaching us that Good will finally prevail over Evil. Today in sheer numbers as a community we may not be impressive, but our religion is one of the oldest, and the hearth from which many others have taken their beliefs of One Supreme Being. We are a strong proud community believing, what the prophet preached – “ Good will triumph over Evil”
Bibliography
Dualism in Zoroastrianism. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.theosophiaistheway.com/Being_IAM/ISIS/Zoroastrianism/Zoroast_dualism.html.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/beliefs/dualism.shtml. (n.d.). Retrieved from Dualism in Zoroastrianism.
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