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Basic
Zoroastrian Beliefs
Good
& Evil in Zoroastrianism:
According
to Zoroastrianism the world is a combination both good and evil.
Creation cannot exist without the presence of both. In the beginning
of creation, Ahura Mazda, the Supreme God, created two Mainyus or
twin spirits called Spenta Mainyu, the good spirit and Angra Mainyu
(Ahirman), the evil spirit. Creation is possible only when they both
come together.
Spenta
Mainyu is responsible for all the good works in the creation of God.
He exists in all of us and helps us see the light within ourselves.
Ahirman is an illusion. He exists in order to make us understand what
true existence means. By opposing good, he makes us realize the
importance and necessity of good in our lives.
In
this eternal conflict, Ahirman ultimately loses out to Spenta
Mainyu. It is to be noted that neither Ahirman nor Spenta Mainyu are
absolute powers. They are the creation of God and work according to
His Divine Plan, or Asha.
Ahuna
Vairya Mantra:
Just
as the Hindus chant Gayatri mantra and consider it as very sacred,
the Parsis chant Ahuna Vairya Mantra which is considered to be very
sacred by them. according to the scriptures of Zorastrianism, Ahura
Mazda uttered this manthra
at
the time creation and manifested the whole creation. The
significance of this mantra is such that chanting of it is considered
to be equivalent to chanting of all the sacred texts. By chanting it
continuously, the Parsis believe that one can drive away forces of
darkness both with in and without.
The
first line of the verse says that just as a ahu (king) is powerful
on earth, a ratu (a seer or a great soul ) is powerful everywhere
because of his Asha. The second line of the verse says that the gifts
of Vahumano are for those who work for the Lord of life. It means
that Vahumano bestows his boons (love and purity of thought) upon
those who indulge in good thoughts and good actions according to the
divine will of God. The third line of the verse says that the Supreme
power of God is bestowed upon him who considers himself as the helper
of the meek and the lowly. The third line thus lays special emphasis
on the concept of Sraosha or service.
The
three great Commandments:
Zarathushtra
gave three commandments to his followers to enable them lead perfect
lives and work for their own evolution. These are humata (good
thought), hukhta (good word), and havarshta (good deeds). Good
thoughts are very important in the spiritual journey of man, because
all else comes out of out of thoughts only. Without good thoughts,
there cannot be progress on the spiritual path. Without good thoughts
one cannot subject oneself to Divine will and become qualified to
receive boons from Vohu Mano. Thinking good alone is not sufficient.
But one must have the courage to speak Truth all the time. One must
be truthful to oneself and to others. There is no place for hypocrisy
or duplicity in the life a of a true Zoroastrian. Performance of good
deeds is equally important. The supreme Power of God, in the aspect
of Kshatra Vairya comes to Him who engages himself in good actions.
Good actions include Sraosha or service. |
