Zoroastrian
Identity
California Zoroastrian Center
- Council
on Persian Culture
National
identity has its roots in culture and culture is anchored in history. Culture is
a collection of thoughts, words, and deeds of a nation, which have evolved in
the course of millennia, expressed in the form of written and oral history.
Iranian Culture is composed of two fundamental and distinct parts, each
manifested in different form.
1.
Iran's Zoroastrian Culture has a historical record of roughly 4000 years
encompassing five enduring dynasties, starting with the historical Kianians and
continuing with the Medes (Mad), Achaemenians (Hakhamaneshian),
Parthian (Ashkanian), and Sassanid (Sassanian)
2.
Iran's Islamic Culture has a recorded history of about 1400 years
encompassing 89 dynasties, most have been of non-Iranian origins.
Iran's
Zoroastrian Culture is made of the following two parts:
The Zoroastrian Religion
The Zoroastrian Religion, which represents the ethical aspect of the culture, is
based solely on the hymns of Zarathushtra, which reflects his wisdom and
thinking. These hymns are preserved in the book of the GATHAS
(poems and songs in Persian). The Gathas reveal the way to a good life
for all humans and how to make this world a better place to live for everyone.
In his poems and songs, Zarathushtra taught that happiness, freedom and
peace are based on the three paramount principles of GOOD THOUGHTS, GOOD
WORDS, and GOOD DEEDS. These three pillars describe the foundations of
Zoroastrian Doctrine.
The Zoroastrian Tradition
The Zoroastrian tradition, comprising the historical aspects of Iran's rich
Zoroastrian culture encompass various written documents pertaining to geography,
chronology, medicine, health and hygiene, law, religion, environment, ecology
and administration of urban life. These documents have been written by many
scholars and are the most valued remnants of Ancient Iran. They are collectively
preserved in the AVESTA. Therefore, the Avesta
is not only a book containing Zoroastrian daily prayers but also the repository
of the History and Culture of a very ancient people, whose deep roots extend
even into the annals of unrecorded history.
Some
of these documents, such as Vandidad, which is one of the 5 sections of
Avesta and other Zoroastrian documents of later centuries, such as Dinkard,
Ardaviraf Nameh, Bundehesh, etc. were composed under often harsh and cruel
economical, social and political conditions of their times imposed upon
Zoroastrians in their homeland of Iran. They
were written and gathered after the time of Zarathushtra and in many cases are
not in accordance with the Gathas.
Therefore, they should not be considered as religious doctrine. More
appropriately, they should be interpreted in their historical perspectives and
considered customs and traditions of an ancient and proud nation undergoing
historical changes.
The information provided in the following pages is intended for the interested
individuals and organizations that are friends of Ancient Persian Culture.
They are extracted from the Gathas
of Zarathushtra, a collection of Hymns and Songs documenting words of wisdom and
thought provoking advice emanating from the founder of the religion who lived
about 4000 years ago. They are applicable to our modern life of the 21st century
as well as to the future and an endless time to come. We leave this claim
to your own objective and unbiased judgment.
ANCIENT IRAN
AND THE ZOROASTRIAN RELIGION
Ancient Iran is the birthplace of the Zoroastrian
religion. It was born on the greater Persian Plateau, an area of vast expanse,
extending from the Indus River on the east to the Mediterranean Sea on the west, to
the Ural Mountains on the north, and to the sea of Yemen on the south. It grew
in this region of many cultures and multiple ethnicities, striving to live in
peace. As such, the Zoroastrian religion is a product of our ancestors' way of
life and their culture. Since the religion is founded on knowledge, logic, and
progressive thinking, its ideals are consistent with the desires of the
contemporary world and have been the focus of attention by scholars for hundreds
of years. The primary emphasis on Freedom of Thought, Choice, Democracy and
Liberty offered by Zoroastrianism is consistent with the needs of modern
society.
In recent decades many advanced international
organizations around the world and numerous bright scientists and public leaders
have paid attention to the Zoroastrian doctrine.
It is our hope that this doctrine can be
responsive to the needs of the modern world and its critical minded citizenry.
THE
PILLARS OF THE ZOROASTRIAN RELIGION
The Zoroastrian religion, ancient and historic
but not old or outdated, is a religious philosophy. It offers a means of good
living based on a set of ethical principles and moral standards. It reflects the
sublime thinking and enlightened outlook of a highly learned man named Ashu(1)
Zarathushtra,
born in the Iranian highlands of the Spantaman Aryan family. He
never claimed to be a prophet! His teachings of friendship, honesty and
righteousness bear the global messages of progress and good fortune for the
entire world. Zarathustra’s message does not address or mention a specific
race, ethnicity or nationality. The messages are universal.
THE
GATHAS AND AVESTA
The Gathas
is the name of the thought provoking songs of Ashu Zarathushtra, and the
foundation of the Zoroastrian religion. Although other texts reflecting later
thoughts, practices, traditions and customs have been compiled in the Avesta,
the Gathas
are the precious jewel of the Avesta. The Gathas
are accepted as the only words proclaimed by Ashu Zarathushtra himself.
FRAVAHAR, AHURA MAZDA – FIRE & LIGHT
Fravahar is not Ahura Mazda. It is a symbol of
uplifting progress, evolution, perfection and bliss for man, based on the three
paramount principals of GOOD THOUGHTS, GOOD WORDS, and GOOD DEEDS as shown in
the three-sectioned
wing of Fravahar and the limitless universe (the large central ring), combined
with two essential ideals of wisdom (the facial features of Fravahar) and love
(the smaller ring of devotion to trust in the hand of Fravahar), moving forward
and upward leading man toward progress, righteousness, and the blissful destiny
(the spread wings of Fravahar)
Ahura Mazda is The Supreme Intellect, the creator of universe and the Lord of
Life and Wisdom, as Ferdowsi, the great Persian Epic Poet described Ahura
Mazda with the same words in Shahnameh - the Book of Kings. He is the
only God, supreme and unique. He
has no physical attributes but is a genuine friend, an all-present companion to
man in his life-long struggle against evil.
Fire, being the purest form of worldly substance
purifies and exterminates the unclean, provides energy and warmth. And light as
an offshoot of fire, made of photon particles is the purest form of Energy in
the vast universe. Fire and light
overcome darkness and enable vision, and have been chosen by Zoroastrians as
their prayer altar and a symbolic link to Ahura Mazda, The Supreme Intellect.
BEHDIN
The word 'Behdin' in Avesta is
used for someone who is a adherent of Ashu Zarathushtra. Behdin is a Farsi
word-meaning bearer of Good Religion. Behdinan is the plural form for Behdin.
Thus Behdin's objectives should be betterment of the living world.
The 'Good Religion' is a
religion of choice, not a mandatory obligation forced on us by a supreme and
fearful entity. In another word the good religion is reflective rather than
prescriptive as many other religions are. Each person can by his or her own
mind, personal preferences and free will select what he or she wants to believe
in for conducting his or her life.
"Wisdom
is man's means for choosing the right or wrong path for living." (The
Gathas 31-12) (2)
THE
TEACHINGS OF ASHU ZARATHUSHTRA
The teachings of Ashu Zarathushtra are based on
ethics, humanism, logics and goodness depicted on the three Paramount pillars of
“GOOD THOUGHTS, GOOD WORDS, and GOOD DEEDS”. The Gathas tells
us;
“There
is one path only and that is the Righteous Path. Compliance with it leads to the
best way of life.”
(The Gathas 43-9)
DUALITY
IN ZOROASTRIANISM
The Gathas tells us that good and evil are the two
opposing forces in the world and often the product of the human mind. Good
Thoughts or Spenta Mainyu is opposed with Bad Thoughts or Angra Mainyu (Ahriman).
These are the philosophical description of man's thinking processes. They have
nothing to do with believing in duality or having two gods in Zoroastrianism.
Ahriman is not a competing supreme entity against Ahura Mazda. Ahura Mazda is
the monotheistic supreme creator of the universe. (The Gathas 30-3,4,5)
ASHA
OR THE WORLD ORDER
The word 'ASHA' in the vision of Zarathushtra means the world order. ASHA is based on logical organization of physical laws that govern the entire creation in our universe. As such there are no superstitions in Zoroastrianism.
It should be noted that interfering with this orderly system yields undesirable consequences damaging the quality of life. A good example in our time is the environmental pollution. Fortunately nowadays, scientists and researchers with their advances in science and technology have discovered some laws of Asha and know how to protect man from the catastrophes of man-made events resulting in mental and material losses to the living world.
"Ahura Mazda, May we get closer to you by following the rules of Asha and
discover the values of our body and soul."
(The Gathas 28-2)
PERFECTION
From the ethical perspective and clear conscience man has
to take steps toward perfection to reach spiritual wholeness. This strategy is
based on the concept of evolution. Fravahar symbolizes the ideal of perfection
in Zoroastrianism.
”The reward for well doers is attainment of perfection and spiritual power.” (The Gathas 31-21)
"Only with thinking good and having clear conscience one can achieve
perfection." (The Gathas 33-8)
FREEDOM OF THOUGHTS, WILL AND CHOICE
The most precious gift of Ahura Mazda to man is
his rightful Freedom. In
Zoroastrian religion, no one has the right to take away the freedom of thoughts,
will and choice from anyone. In The Gathas (30-2) Ashu Zarathushtra has
reminded us that man is free to choose his way as he wishes, however has high
hopes for man to use his good mind, along with the help of Ahura Mazda, to reach
the right path and happiness.
HUMAN
RIGHTS
The Zoroastrian religion considers all men and
women equal regardless of creed, ethnicity, race, nationality, religious
persuasion, political views, etc. Superior is only the one who follows the path
of “GOOD THOUGHTS, GOOD WORDS, and GOOD DEEDS.” In Zarathushtra's message
one sees that happiness, salvation, and good fortunes have been the desire and
the focal points for all peoples of the world regardless of their backgrounds.
The first Declaration of Human Rights in
world’s history issued by Cyrus The Great, a Zoroastrian king of Achaemenian
Dynasty in 538 B.C. roughly 2500 years ago was based on the teachings of Ashu
Zarathushtra in equality of men.
"God
has created man free" (The Gathas 31-11)
THE
VALUE OF HUMAN STATUS AND LIFE
In the Zoroastrian religion, the value of human
status is considered to be equal with Ahura Mazda's rank, provided men and women
promote righteousness, goodness and betterment of life. In this belief system,
the world is a sacred place and life is a gift of God. Therefore, it is
absolutely worthy of protection and preservation to keep life intact and in good
faith. The burning torch of life is
to be passed on to the next generations, brighter and shinier than before.
"
The ultimate goal of life is to become one with Ahura Mazda."(The
Gathas 45-11)
"Ahura
Mazda is the kind friend and savior for all." (The Gathas 43-14)
EQUALITY
OF MEN AND WOMEN
In Zoroastrian religion, men and women enjoy equal rights. Wherever in the Gathas, Ashu Zarathushtra speaks to people, he mentions men and women together. In religious writings, there are always references to good men and women. (The Gathas 30-2)
HAPPINESS
AND BLISS
In the Zoroastrian religion, God created the
world to provide happiness, and in the rays of Good Thoughts and Love, peace and
tranquility were granted for man's bliss. (The Gathas 44-6)
The foundation of worldwide happiness is
summarized in the following Hymn of The Gathas:
Happiness
belongs to the one who brings happiness to others.”
(The Gathas 43-1)
Darius the Great, a Zoroastrian king of
Achaemenian Dynasty depicts his good wishes for all, carved on bas-relief stones
of ancient remains of the Persian Empire.
RESISTANCE
TO CRUELTY AND ABUSE
In the Zoroastrian religion, one must resist
evildoers and abusers of power. First, an attempt should be made to approach the
abuser(s) with kindness and friendship and direct him to the right path.
Otherwise, resistance and fighting the evil is the next course of action, to
achieve truth and eradicate lies.
”To promote truth and righteousness one must resist lies and liars.”
(The Gathas 43-13)
RENEWAL,
RENOVATION, AND RE-CREATION
One of the outstanding philosophies of the Zoroastrian
religion is renewal, renovation, and re-creation of the living world. Regression
and non-creativity is discouraged and looked down in this faith.
“We
wish to be amongst those who promote the world to progress and development and
lead man to achieve righteousness and purity.” (The Gathas
30-9)
DESTINY
AND PRE-DESTINY
In Ashu Zarathushtra's vision, one draws his own
destiny by his thoughts, words, and deeds. Men and women do have the freedom of
choice, but the consequences of their choices are the logical results of their
actions. This is part of ASHA and
is governed based on the physical laws of action and reaction.
“Good
luck and bad luck are the making of one’s deeds respectively.” (The Gathas 31-20)
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
In The Gathas 32-12 killing of animals is
prohibited. In The Gathas 32-10 protection of useful elements of life has
been pointed out distinctly. Keeping the environment clean is one’s religious
duty. The major elements of life, namely, Air, Water, Earth and Fire must be
kept clean at all times.
THE
FINAL MESSAGE
Let us point to this final fact that:
The Message of
Ashu Zarathushtra is fulfillment of peace, love, hope, happiness and optimism
FOOTNOTES: (1) The word ASHU
with
its plural form as
ASHAVAN
is applicable to someone who has a clean conscience for good thoughts, words,
and deeds, plus clean demeanor and performance. He is conscientious for keeping
his body, attire, home, district, city, county, region, country and the world
clean. He is a pragmatic environmentalist for both the material and
spiritual world.
(2) Translation of The Gathas by Mobed Mobedan, the late Rostam Shahzadi
This fact sheet "The Zoroastrian Identity" has been
written by California Zoroastrian Center with a review and endorsement of Yale
University.