Ask any questions about Zoroastrianism (tradition, beliefs, creation, doctrine)

[ashai]

Ushta (Light, Dawning) to All

I thought that since i have been with you all for a while now, I ought to post and a thread to answer questions about Zarathushtra Zism etc sounded just about right. besides I have been questioning the doctrines of some of you so its only fair that I give you the opportunnity to do the same to me So...

Ushta Ve ( Ve is plural so So since i live in the south Light to you all
Ashai ( For Asha literally for the Righteous Order)

The doctrine (daena) of the Most Wise (Mazda) is to love mankind

[c0da]

How does Zoroastrianism say the universe began?

[Ody]

Are there zoroastrian congregations on the west coast?

[Jaymes]

My class briefly studied Zoroastrianism in 10th grade. I remember my teacher mentioned a 'burial by sky' where bodies are put in towers. Is this still a common practice? Is it even legal in the US?

[Karl R]

Originally Posted by ashai

The doctrine (daena) of the Most Wise (Mazda) is to love mankind

In addition to this, what would you consider to be the core ethical principles of Zoroastrianism (particularly regarding our intereactions with others)?


To explain what I mean, I would consider the core values of christianity to be:
"Love others as you love yourself." and
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
among a few others.


In your opinion, what ideas best represents Zoroastrian ethical beliefs.

[ashai]

Originally Posted by c0da2006

How does Zoroastrianism say the universe began?

Ushta Coda

A very good question. Zarathushtra does not give us a creation story. He hints in Ushtavaiti 2 that Mazda first created the stars and he attributes all creation to Ahura's Most Progressive Mental Disposition. There are other inferences in the Gathas for example

Creation/Cosmos is cyclycal as he refers to the turns of Creation
Mazda is ever creating and sustaining her Creation
The method of creation seems to have been emanation as it is said "For he who is first, thought that the lights emanated bliss.'

However, as I said, there is no Creation story in the Gathas. thousands of years later the Sassanians either wrote or copied from a previous tradition a creation story in which there were protypical man and Bull; that when slain by Ahriman ( The Uncreated of Sassanian Dualism) gave birth to life and even minerals . The first humans sprung up from a Rhubarb plant.

This has nothing to do with what Zarathushtra taught and its a legendary story/fable brought into the Sassanian canon to have something to oppose the Christian creation story

Ushta Te
Ashai

[ashai]

Originally Posted by AlanGurvey

Are there zoroastrian congregations on the west coast?

Ushta Alan

Yes several! I would suggest the Californian Zoroastrian Center, its in Anaheim , There is also the San Jose and the Anaheim Zarathushtrian Assemblies but while the CZC is too conservativative ( Ethnic) to my liking it does have a wonderful Fire which has been constantly burning for several centuries.

If you wish to go to any of these , do please drop me a line and I will set you up with some one to take you and show you around. You might even be able to visit both the Assembly and the temple . I suggest that you wait for one of the Gahambars there is one coming in late May.

Ushta Te
Ashai

[Ody]

Thanks Ashai its an interesting religion i would like to get to know better

[ashai]

Originally Posted by Jensa

My class briefly studied Zoroastrianism in 10th grade. I remember my teacher mentioned a 'burial by sky' where bodies are put in towers. Is this still a common practice? Is it even legal in the US?

Ushta Jensa

Great question!

That is one of many misconceptions aout the Beh Din (Good Doctrine/Religion) Sky Burial ( Dokhmenashi) was never \universally practiced by Zoroastrians. Indeed as Herodotus and other greek historians tell us it was not even a Zoroastrian practice till the Mogha ( Maggi) the medan priestly tribe introduced it.

Zarathushtra does not talk about burial practices at allm but probabky like almost all aryan tribes his people cremated their dead. The Persian zoroastrians of Herodotus times buried their dead encased in wax.

However the Parsis, who were basically from Chorasmia ( Central Asia today) and other Eastern Iranian lands, took the custom with them to India where it became normative. It still is practiced today, although, they had to add solar light concentrators as there are not enough vultures. There are today many Parsis that cremate their dead and there is a rift in the Parsi religion over this.

Ushta te
Ashai

[ashai]

Originally Posted by Karl R

In addition to this, what would you consider to be the core ethical principles of Zoroastrianism (particularly regarding our intereactions with others)?


To explain what I mean, I would consider the core values of christianity to be:
"Love others as you love yourself." and
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
among a few others.


In your opinion, what ideas best represents Zoroastrian ethical beliefs.

Ushta Karl

Man another great question!

Zarathushtra taught a strictly ethical religion. Asha (Right Order) , has a physical Aspect in which it is the Laws of Physics, Biology ,etc. The Laws of Nature, if you will . But it also has an ethical aspect in which it is righteousness, justice what is correct , what ought to be.

Now this Order is not just an abstract law. It is an aspect and attribute of the nature of the Creator. So much so, that it can be said that it is Mazda (Most Wise) as Asha. The same applies with many other aspects of the Creator. Indeed, Zarathushtra presents us with a God whose very nature is resumed in His Aspects and who is willing to share these with mortals.

So Asha, Good Loving Mind, Serenity, Self Dominion ( kingdom) and several other Aspects of God's nature are available to mortals if they choose to live by them.
But let me back track, Zarathushtra's doctrines does not tell us do this , or don't do that, it does not have prescriptions. Instead it gives us principles to live by
For example the principle of choice which is resumed in Ahunavaiti _( It means Choice of the Leader) Gatha 3.2 " Listen attentively with your ears to the Best and Highest, ponder , and mediate on it with clear and logical mind, then, let each man and woman for them selves choose between the alternatives. Awake to this doctrine of mine before the moment of choice comes upon you unaware!"

This is the principle of choice which is then expanded and illustrated on what has been called the most important prayer of the Zarathushtrian religion the Yatha Ahu. Actually is not truly a prayer but a Manthra , a thought provoking message , that is a message to be meditated upon. it reads as follows

Both the leader and the spiritual guide must be chosen according to their store of righteousness ( asha)) both these appointments are made through the good loving mind; so that the acts of life many be done for the Most Wise and the Dominion of the Lord will be indeed where those chosen to lead and guide become the rehabilitators of the opressed. ( Amplified Version)

Asha is defined in one of these Manthras ( The Ashem Vohu) as the very standarde of goodness ; It reads The Right Order good loving, Best and Highest it is , enlightenment it is. Enlightenment comes to him who is for the right and for the highest only for their own sake, the Right Order this is. (Amplified Version)

So we chose according to the Right Order because it is goodness itself and the standard there of. Indeed its delievering wrong to the Right order that allows us to achieve unto god likeness

In Ahunavaiti 3.8 it is said: And when the erred ones have received their recompense they too shall be taught how to deliever wrong ( druj) unto Asha . Then the power of evil shall be shatered and will be no more and all shall share in the serene abode of the .Most Wise

As for maxims we have those also

For the Most Wise Lord has established rewards as the consequences of our choices good for the good and bad for the bad , untold bliss for the righteous and constant woe for the wrongful

Enlighted be the man who works for the enlightenment of others

Righteousness is the only path, all other paths are no paths at all

Good thought, Good Words and Good Deeds, these resume the life of the righteous


Ushta te
Ashai