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The Zoroastrian creed is based on the teachings of Zoroaster
according to which followers of the religion have to
- declare complete allegiance and
devotion to Ahuramazda,
- reject evil totally,
- follow the great qualities of Amesha Spentas,
- believe in the
sanctity and divinity of God's creation,
- show unflinching commitment to righteous
living, practicing good thoughts, good words and good words,
-
adhere to the teachings of Zoroaster and other wise men of the Mazdayasnian
religion and
- pledge themselves to the Mazdayasnian religion
These dominant ideals of Zoroastrian creed are mentioned in the Yasna 12 of the
Avesta, which is reproduced below
Allegiance and devotion to God
1. I curse the Daevas. I declare myself a Mazda-worshipper, a
supporter of
Zarathushtra, hostile to the Daevas, fond of Ahura's
teaching, a praiser of the Amesha Spentas, a worshipper of the Amesha
Spentas. I ascribe all good to Ahura Mazda, 'and all the best,' Asha-endowed,
splendid, xwarena-endowed, whose is the cow, whose is Asha, whose is
the light, 'may whose blissful areas be filled with light'.
2. I choose the good Spenta Armaiti for myself; let her be mine. I
renounce the theft and robbery of the cow, and the damaging and
plundering of the Mazdayasnian settlements.
3.I want freedom of movement and freedom of dwelling for those with
homesteads, to those who dwell upon this earth with their cattle. With
reverence for Asha, and (offerings) offered up, I vow this: I shall
nevermore damage or plunder the Mazdayasnian settlements, even if I
have to risk life and limb.
Rejection of evil according to the teachings of Zoroaster
4.I reject the authority of the Daevas, the wicked, no-good, lawless,
evil-knowing, the most druj-like of beings, the foulest of beings, the
most damaging of beings. I reject the Daevas and their comrades, I
reject the demons (yatu) and their comrades; I reject any who harm
beings. I reject them with my thoughts, words, and deeds. I reject
them publicly.
Even as I reject the head (authorities), so too do I reject the
hostile followers of the druj.
5.As Ahura Mazda taught Zarathushtra at all discussions, at all
meetings, at which Mazda and Zarathushtra conversed;
6.as Ahura Mazda taught Zarathushtra at all discussions, at all
meetings, at which Mazda and Zarathushtra conversed -- even as
Zarathushtra rejected the authority of the Daevas, so I also reject,
as Mazda-worshipper and supporter of Zarathushtra, the authority of
the Daevas, even as he, the Asha-endowed Zarathushtra, has rejected
them.
Belief in the sanctity and divinity of the world
7.As the belief of the waters, the belief of the plants, the belief of
the well-made (Original) Cow; as the belief of Ahura Mazda who created
the cow and the Asha-endowed Man; as the belief of Zarathushtra, the
belief of Kavi Vishtaspa, the belief of both Frashaostra and Jamaspa;
as the belief of each of the Saoshyants (saviors) -- fulfilling
destiny and Asha-endowed --so I am a Mazda-worshipper of this belief
and teaching.
Pledge to follow the three commandments
8.I profess myself a Mazda-worshipper, a Zoroastrian, having vowed it
and professed it. I pledge myself to the well-thought thought, I
pledge myself to the well-spoken word, I pledge myself to the
well-done action.
Declaration of faith
9.I pledge myself to the Mazdayasnian religion, which causes the
attack to be put off and weapons put down; [which upholds
khvaetvadatha], Asha-endowed; which of all religions that exist or
shall be, is the greatest, the best, and the most beautiful: Ahuric,
Zoroastrian. I ascribe all good to Ahura Mazda. This is the creed of
the Mazdayasnian religion.
Suggested Further Reading
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