Zoroastrianism that is also known as Mazadaysna, is the ancient religion that still exists, and the amalgamation of eschatological monotheism and the dualism of cosmogonic makes it unique. The subject religion supports the preaching of Zorarest who was an Iranian Prophet and is famous for the name Zarathustra. Zoroastrianism worships Ahura Mazda as the supreme entity and considers his presence as the deity of wisdom or wise lord. Second Temple Judaism, Islam, as well as Christianity, and Gnosticism have influenced several aspects of Zoroastrianism. Such factors include the concepts of the afterlife, matters of life and death, heaven and hell, and the perception of free will.
Evidently, Zoroastrianism originated in ancient Iran by Zoroaster; the date of the foundation of this religion is not certainly stated in annals. However, it is believed that the birth of Zoroaster took place either in Southwest Afghanistan or Northwest Iran. The religion is classified into three dominant sects that are known as Progressives, Restorationists and
Traditionalists. Zoroastrianism revolves around six underlying principles that are good mind, principled living, independence, wholeness, serenity, and undying spirit. According to Zoroastrians; the fundamental purpose of life is to attain the best existence one can ever envision. This agenda carries the practices to acquire excellence for oneself and for others. Zoroastrians want to create a world free of all sorts of terror, evilness, and desires, altogether they endeavor to protect and preserve the environment as well. Zoroastrianism follows a sacred book named “Avesta,” and is comprised of a substantial collection of holy texts.
According to the underlying concepts of this religion, the present world is merely a material manifestation and contaminated with the wickedness of demise and destruction. Such disintegration takes place because of the evil and fiendish presence of Ahirman and his monstrous powers. Consequently, a pact bounded the Lord to confine Ahirman to a determined area of this universe; and promised to not enter into his territory until the end of the time. For this reason, the entire universe turned into a dichotomy between goodness and darkness. In this context, the Wise Lord represents all the elements of light and life. Meanwhile, Ahirman depicts aspects of malice and death in their entirety. Therefore followers of Zoroaoritism consider death as the prominent and dominant region of Ahirman and believe that The Wise Lord cannot enter into that area. Furthermore, the terms and conditions of that treaty between the lord and Ahirman; bound Ahirman to touch the souls of humans but after death, he can possess the dead body.
The idea of life and death is divided between the field of the power of the Lord and Ahirman. Zoroastrians believe that when a spirit leaves the body, Ahriman becomes mighty enough to captivate and contaminate the dead body with tainted presence. Therefore, Zoroastrians never bury or cremate their dead. Instead, they leave the dead bodies in dakhma. Dakhma allows them to offer an air burial as vultures and other carrion birds consume all their flesh. Afterwards, the remaining bones were secured in underground vaults. Although, Zoroastrians deem spirits pure which are untouchable by the evil hands of Ahriman. Recently, the exact count of practising Zoroastrians is not certain, yet it was estimated in 2004 that they are about nineteen hundred thousand, in total. It is also reported that half of the religious followers are living within the Indian premises. Arderish Darabshaw Shroff (economist), Andres Godrej (inventor), Freddie Mercury (Singer for Queen), and Gary Lawyer (singer), as well as Godrej Sidhwa (theologian), are famous Zoroastrians.
Work Cited
K.E.Eduljee. “Zoroastrian Heritage.” Zoroastrianism Zoroastrian Zarathushtra Zarathustra
Zoroaster Zoroastrians, www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/.
