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Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion in that followers believe in one god called Ahura Mazda (meaning “Wise Lord”). He is the supreme creator of the universe and the god of goodness. He is considered just as he is compassionate.
Some other qualities about him (found from BBC):
To represent different aspects of his creation, Ahura Mazda created spirits. The major six include Ameretāt (plants), Haurvatāt (water), Spenta Armaiti (earth), Asha Vahishta (fire), Khshathra Vairya (metal), and Vohu Manah (animals). In response, Ahriman (the spirit of evil) created demons such as Azi (avarice), Nasush (pollution), and Asto Vidhatu (death).
For that reason, Zoroastrianism is considered the ‘first ecological religion’ because Zoroastrians believe that the world is created pure by Ahura Mazda. Thus, it must be treated with love and respect.
Essentially, Ahura Mazda has been involved in an ongoing, struggling conflict with the spirit of evil, Ahriman. Furthermore, Ahura Mazda gave mankind the gift of freewill so that we can individually choose which side of the battle we could support. The choice of supporting a side is determined by how we live our everyday lives through our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Thus, Zoroastrianism was said to be the first to coin the idea of dualism: Two forces destined to oppose/ battle each other.
In Zoroastrianism, there is cosmic and moral dualism. Cosmic dualism considers the opposing forces within the universe such as light and darkness, day and night. Moral dualism includes the opposing forces within the human mind such as good and evil.
Evidently, Ahura Mazda encourages us to combat evil. At the end of someone’s life, their soul will be judged on how well they fought for Ahura Mazda by exercising “good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.”
To Zoroastrians, Good is believed as anything beneficial and Evil is anything with the capacity to do harm. In other words, to support Ahura Mazda’s side of the battle means being patient and forgiving, obeying and seeking Ahura Mazda, conserving things that were created pure like the earth, helping others in need, following rituals, etc. To follow Ahriman is to court war, murder, pollute the earth, ignore purification rituals, be greedy, etc.
After death, the soul will remain for 3-4 day until divinity comes to ward of the demon of death as well as other spirits. After that, the divinity will lead the soul to the bridge of separation where the soul will encounter its conscience in a form of a beautiful maiden or an ugly hag (depends if they were considered sinful or not). Ultimately, the soul will undergo judgment by three divinities. If the soul has upheld righteousness and combated evil well, they may cross the bridge of separation into heaven and paradise. If not, then they are cast off to hell or ‘limbo’. Limbo or the ‘place of the motionless ones’ is where soul that have an equal balance of good and evil dwell.
At the end of the world, Ahura Mazda will eventually triumph and defeat Ahriman once and for all.
Some other qualities about him (found from BBC):
- Omniscient (knows everything)
- Omnipotent (all powerful)
- Omnipresent (is everywhere)
- Impossible for humans to conceive
- Unchanging
- The Creator of life
- The Source of all goodness and happiness
To represent different aspects of his creation, Ahura Mazda created spirits. The major six include Ameretāt (plants), Haurvatāt (water), Spenta Armaiti (earth), Asha Vahishta (fire), Khshathra Vairya (metal), and Vohu Manah (animals). In response, Ahriman (the spirit of evil) created demons such as Azi (avarice), Nasush (pollution), and Asto Vidhatu (death).
For that reason, Zoroastrianism is considered the ‘first ecological religion’ because Zoroastrians believe that the world is created pure by Ahura Mazda. Thus, it must be treated with love and respect.
Essentially, Ahura Mazda has been involved in an ongoing, struggling conflict with the spirit of evil, Ahriman. Furthermore, Ahura Mazda gave mankind the gift of freewill so that we can individually choose which side of the battle we could support. The choice of supporting a side is determined by how we live our everyday lives through our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Thus, Zoroastrianism was said to be the first to coin the idea of dualism: Two forces destined to oppose/ battle each other.
In Zoroastrianism, there is cosmic and moral dualism. Cosmic dualism considers the opposing forces within the universe such as light and darkness, day and night. Moral dualism includes the opposing forces within the human mind such as good and evil.
Evidently, Ahura Mazda encourages us to combat evil. At the end of someone’s life, their soul will be judged on how well they fought for Ahura Mazda by exercising “good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.”
To Zoroastrians, Good is believed as anything beneficial and Evil is anything with the capacity to do harm. In other words, to support Ahura Mazda’s side of the battle means being patient and forgiving, obeying and seeking Ahura Mazda, conserving things that were created pure like the earth, helping others in need, following rituals, etc. To follow Ahriman is to court war, murder, pollute the earth, ignore purification rituals, be greedy, etc.
After death, the soul will remain for 3-4 day until divinity comes to ward of the demon of death as well as other spirits. After that, the divinity will lead the soul to the bridge of separation where the soul will encounter its conscience in a form of a beautiful maiden or an ugly hag (depends if they were considered sinful or not). Ultimately, the soul will undergo judgment by three divinities. If the soul has upheld righteousness and combated evil well, they may cross the bridge of separation into heaven and paradise. If not, then they are cast off to hell or ‘limbo’. Limbo or the ‘place of the motionless ones’ is where soul that have an equal balance of good and evil dwell.
At the end of the world, Ahura Mazda will eventually triumph and defeat Ahriman once and for all.