SSE Group 3 Blog

“ Offer all bitterness in the sacred Fire and emerge grand, great and godly. ”

- BABA -

INTRODUCTION TO ZOROASTRIANISM

In modern times, Zoroastrianism has few followers; for only those who are born as Zoroastrians are permitted to practice this faith. It’s influence in ancient times was so great that no modern religion is untouched by it. Prophet Zoroastra was the first to bring about the beliefs of one God, heaven and hell, the coming of a Savior figure, the resurrection of the dead, and a Last Judgment which many scholars believe have permeated Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The founder of Zoroastrianism was the Persian Prophet Zoroastra who lived about 8,500 years ago.

Zoroastrians are fire-worshipers, fire being a symbol of purity-a mighty cleaning power in the universe. It is all-pervading and it is vital for life, having originated from the sun, who represents the most luminous body of Ahura Mazda, the Creator.

SCRIPTURES OF ZOROASTRIANISM

The Avesta is the sacred book of Zoroastrianism as it contains the holy scriptures which were compiled by Zoroastra. Within this sacred text, there are three sections which are; 1. The Yasna, 2. The Yasht, and 3. The Videvdat.

The Yasna consists of prayers and liturgy. Within this group there is a group of song called the Gathas which are believed to be written by Zoroastra. A fascinating fact about these hymns is that they have a close linkage between the language and history of the Rig Veda. The Gathas seem to be known as the principal teachings of Zoroastra. The Yasht is a collection of sacrificial hymns which are addressed to individual deities before the sacred fire. The Videvdat which literally means, “Law against the demons” is a group of writings concerned mainly with ritual purification.

FESTIVALS OF ZOROASTRIANISM

A strict obligation Zoroastra places on disciples is to celebrate seven feasts annually, dedicated to Ahura Mazda, His six attributes and the seven creations on earth. Six of these feasts called Gahambars are dedicated to farming and are scattered through out the year. The seventh is separate from the others. The festivals are as follows :

FESTIVALS MEANING DEDICATED TO

Maidhyoi-Zaremaya Mid- Spring Ahura Mazda

Maidhyoi-Shema Mid-Summer

Paitishahya Feast of bringing corn

Ayathrima Feast of home-coming

Maidhyairya Mid Winter

Hamaspathmaedaya Last night of the year Khshathra

*No Ruz New Day Asha Vahista and Fire*

THE LIFE OF ZOROASTRA

Zoroastra was born in the priestly family of Spitama. His mother was Dogdo and His father’s name was Paurusharp. He was born in Bactra, in the town of Rae, near the river Vebdait. The day was Khordad, the sixth day of the month of Fravardin, or the first month of the year. Prior to Zoroastra’s birth, His mother Dagdo had dreams which foretold the divine mission of her son. When Zoroastra was born, it is said that His aura spread light all over the town of Rae. This occurrence signifies that the one who will destroy the darkness of ignorance and spread the light of love and wisdom in the hearts of men, has taken birth. The parents named the child Zoroastra which means Golden Shining Star. The scriptures describe how all nature blossomed and was jubilant at the birth of the Prophet and the heart of man, beasts, and birds felt blessed and happy.

The terrorist gangs, however, greatly feared that the divine child would be the cause of their downfall, and Durasurn, their leader was busy scheming and plotting to have the baby destroyed. The child survived by the grace and protection of Ahura Mazda (literal meaning- “Wise Lord”)

Zoroastra was growing into an intelligent and devoted young boy. It was then that the last attempt was made by one of Durasarun’s men disguised as a physician to poison him with some drugs. But Zoroastra easily discovered the trick and refused to take the medicine. At the age of seven, he was placed under the care of a wise man called Borjin-khursh from whom he learned all he could. He initiated Zoroastra into the Mazdayasnin faith. At the age of fifteen, Zoroastra was invested with the sacred thread or Khusti. At the age of twenty five, Zoroastra felt that he should retire to a secluded spot for deep meditation and contemplation on God’s Plan and the purpose and meaning of man’s life. So, Zoroastra chose to stay in a place near a shepherd’s hut on the top of a mountain. The shepherd used to help Zoroastra by bringing him little gifts of milk and bread. In this way, Zoroastra spent ten years and during this time the Gathas, the holy scriptures of the Zoroastrians, were revealed to him within his own mind. When Zoroastra was convinced that he had a very clear Revelation from God, he left the mountain spot and made his way to the court of King Vistasp. He began his task of reforming the existing Mazdayasnin faith and when King Vistasp embraced the teachings of Zoroastra, the Zarathshtri Mazdayasnin faith became the national religion of Iran.

On Khordad Sal, the birth of Prophet Zoroastra, the Zoroastrians pay homage to the memory of Zoroastra, by remembering and endeavoring to practice the teachings he gave to mankind.

PRAYER OF ZOROASTRIANISM : THE SUPREME MANTRA OF AHURA

The Mantra, or form of prayer, consists of twenty one words and three couplets. The twenty one Nasks, or volumes, which contained all the teachings of the religion, were based on these twenty one words. The first couplet deals with the highest Theological aspect of the religion. The second couplet deals with Philosophy and Science, and the third couplet with Law and Ethics.

Yatha Ahu Vairyo

Atha Ratush Ahat chit Hacha;

Vangheush Dazda Manangho

Shyaothranam Angheush Mazdai;

Khshathrem-cha Ahuraia

Yim Dregugyo Dadat Vastarem.

TRANSLATION

As Ahura (is) omnipotent

so (is) Guru through store (of) ASHA;

Loving Creation (is a) gift (of) mind

Act (of) Creation (is) Mazda;

And Divine strength (of) Ahura unto

who humbly becomes (a)Protector.

INNER SIGNIFICANCE

1) When a sufficient store of Asha has been accumulated by treading the Path of Asha or Atma-Dharma, the darkness of ignorance is removed by the Inner Guru or Ahu and it is realized that the self is the same omnipotent Ahura. In Vedantic parlance it means Tat Twam Asi and Aham Brahma Asmit.

2) Creation is projected from the Mind of God or Sankalpa and God is manifest in His creation as the Divine Energy or Shakthi which is the basis of all things created. In Vedantic parlance it is said, Sarva Brahma Mayam, of Sarvam Vishnu Mayam Jagat. The word Vishnu or Brahma stands for the omnipotent Lord, and the word Maya means that which hides and produces an illusion. Even through the society, the individual and the world, are experienced as separate multi ferrous entities, the unchanging truth behind all these is the one basis, God.

3) He who humbly protects Asha or The Eternal Law, is protected by the Divine Strength of Ahura. In Vedanta it is said, “Dharmo-Rakshati-Rakshithah.” He who protects Dharma, is protected by Dharma.

TEACHINGS OF ZOROASTRIANISM

Zoroastrians believe in one God Ahura Mazda, translated to mean “Wise Lord”, and his attributes which are called the Amesha Spentas or “Immortal Beings”. Zoroastrians believe that Ahura Mazda and the six Amesha Spentas created the earth as follows :

Vohu Manah (Deity of Good Thought) : Animals

Asha Vahista (Deity of Justice & Truth) : Fire and energy

Kshathra (Deity of Dominion) : metals, minerals, and sky

Spenta Armaiti (Deity of Devotion and Serenity) : the earth and land

Haurvatat (Deity of Wholeness) : water bodies

Ameretat (Deity of Immortality) : plants

Ahura Mazda (Creative Energy) : human beings

THE CONCEPT OF NATURE FOR ZOROASTRIANS

Sanctity of nature is a staunch belief in the religion. Human beings should do nothing to pollute nature’s sanctity, as nature is but the vast garment of God. Earth, Air, Light, and Water are the four sacred elements. Burial of the dead causes pollution and desecration of the earth. Burning of the dead caused pollution and desecration of the fire. Hence, the dead are consigned to the Tower of Silence, under the direct rays of the sun, to be devoured by birds of prey.

SUDREH & KUSTI

Every Parsee Zoroastrian wears Sudreh, the sacred garments and the belt like Kusti, the sacred girdle. Sudreh and Kusti form the uniform of a Parsee Zoroastrian. He is invested between age of seven and eleven years with these tow in childhood by the priest at the Navjote ceremony which is like the Upanayanam ceremony of the Hindus. Sudreh is a white garment, whiteness represents purity, cleanliness, the basis on which the Zoroastrian religion is founded. The Sudreh is meant to remind that the deeds done every day are being recorded for the Final Judgment. The Kusti is prepared from wool, obtained out of the sheep which is considered innocent. The Kusti binds the wearer to the Creator. It is woven out of seventy-two threads, which signify seventy -two chapters of the Yasna, one of the holy Zoroastrian scripture. It is tied around the waist signifying moderation, middle path, and in three loops and four knots-two in front and two in the rear. The three loops signify-that Ahura Mazda is the Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer and also the Controller of the past, present and future. The four knots signify: i) Obedience to God’s laws, ii) Sacrificing one’s life to fulfill these laws, iii) Constant struggle and striving against evil and, iv) Supreme faith in God.

For further reading, refer to Heart2Heart publication:

Zoroashtrianism - Shimmering Flame of Eternal Wisdom
(Heart2Heart - Volume 4 - Issue 08 - August 2006)

Click here for the article

LIFE OF GAUTAMA BUDDHA

The main events of Lord Buddha's life are well known. The Purnima, or the full moon day of the month of Vaishaka; is connected with three important events in the life of Lord Buddha. First His birth, then His enlightenment and finally His Parinirvana. It is the most sacred day of the Buddhist calendar. Lord Buddha's Parinirvana was said to have taken place in the year 445 B.C., when He was eighty years of age.

Gautama Buddha was the son of the King of Kapilvastu, Suddhodhana. Gautama Buddha grew up in luxury, was married to Yasodhara, who had a son by name Rahula, and led a sheltered life in the palace, veiled from the miseries of the world. On one occasion He went out of the palace and saw an old man and realised that all men were subject to the frailties of age, saw a sick man and realised that all men were liable to sickness and suffering, saw a corpse and felt that all men were subject to death. Lastly, He saw an ascetic who was radiating great peace and happiness in his face. When asked who he was, the mendicant told the prince, "I am an ascetic. In fear of birth and death, I have left the home life, to gain liberation." The sight of the holy man healthy in body, cheerful in mind; though bereft of comforts of life, impressed Gautama Buddha strongly with the conviction that the pursuit of religion was the only goal worthy of man and that He also must strive to gain freedom. Freedom from old age and sickness. Along with freedom from all sorrows of life, by following the ascetic's example. Thereupon, Gautama Buddha left His wife, child, and palace, and went out into the forest seeking enlightenment of the spirit. Seven years later at Bodh Gaya, under the shade of the Bodhi tree, while sitting in the state of deepest meditation, Gautama Buddha obtained enlightenment, also known as Nirvana.

After enlightenment, Lord Buddha referred to himself in the third person, as Tathagata. which meant the 'One who has arrived at the truth.' He wished to preach to the world the knowledge He gained and said "I shall go to Banaras and there I will light the lamp to dispel the darkness in the world. I will beat the drums that will awaken mankind. I shall teach the law Dharma." He travelled from place to place, touching the lives of thousands of people. They all came under the spell of His great personality, which always radiated peace, love and over-flowing compassion. He taught for forty-five years the beauty of charity and the joy of renunciation and the primary need for an ethical life, compassion, simplicity and equality.

At the age of eighty, at Kushinagara, on the banks of the river Hiranyavati, in the grove of Sala trees, Lord Buddha passed into Parinirvana. In His last moments, he tells Ananda, one disciple, who was lamenting inconsolably, "Ananda, do not weep, do not despair; from all that he loves man must part; how could be that what is born, what is subject to instability should not pass? May be you are thinking you will have no Master, but that must not be so, Ananda, the doctrine I have taught will be your Master henceforth." He added, addressing all his disciples, "I say unto you now oh monks: all things are perishable, work out your deliverance with earnestness."

TEACHINGS OF GAUTAMA BUDDHA

LORD BUDDHA & THE OLD WOMAN

Lord Buddha was once in Kapilavastu during a festival where a large gathering of devotees had assembled to listen to His teachings. His disciples were busy serving and looking after the devotees, and two of them had gone into the next town to buy some supplies. On the way back, they had to cross a river along with the crowd of people who were hurriedly making their way to Kapilavastu eager to have the Darshan, or being in the presence of a holy being, of Lord Buddha. Among them was an old woman, who was experiencing difficulty in crossing the river; for it was muddy and the water was quite high, but everyone was rushing and no one bothered to stop and help her. Before Lord Buddha delivered His discourse to the people, He called his disciples together and told them that although they had spent such a long time in His company, they had achieved nothing and that He had not expected such behaviour from them. Then getting up, Lord Buddha began to walk out of town. The disciples had no understanding of what Lord Buddha had meant but they followed Him. Lord Buddha walked down to the river, and he waded across to where the old woman was still struggling hard. He lifted her on to His shoulders and carried her safely to the other side. Although He was very wet and covered with mud from the river, Lord Buddha asked His disciples to fetch some hot water for the old woman to wash in and made her comfortable. He then proceeded to deliver His discourse in which He said to his Disciples "If you love Me, you should see Me in every one, and since you have failed to see Me in the old woman, you do not really love Me or My teachings".

PRAYER OF BUDDHISM

Buddham Saranam Gachaami,

Dharmam Saranam Gachaami,

Sangham Saranam Gachaami.

TRANSLATION : I take refuge in the Buddhi, my power of Discrimination;

I take refuge in the Dharma, I take shelter in truth and righteousness;

I take refuge in the community, I take refuge in the society.

THE RELIGION OF BUDDHISM

THE FOUR CARDINAL PRINCIPLES OF BUDDHISM :

(i) Sarvam Dukham : Life is all misery

(ii) Sarvam Kshanikam : Everything is momentary

(iii) Sarvam Anatmam (Anatta) : Everything is substance-less

(iv) Nirvanam Santam : Nirvana is Peace

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS :

(i) Life is suffering

(ii) It is desires that are the origin and cause of suffering

(iii) Desires can be curbed and cessation of suffering can brought about

(iv) The eight-fold path is the way to curb suffering

THE EIGHT-FOLD PATH FOR NIRVANA :

(i) Right understanding / view of the Four Noble Truths

(ii) Right resolve

(iii) Right speech

(iv) Right conduct

(v) Right means of living

(vi) Right effort / endeavour

(vii) Right reason

(viii) Right meditation.

THE FIVE RESOLUTIONS (PANCH - SHEEL) :

(i) I will refrain from causing injury to any being : Ahimsa

(ii) I will refrain from falsehood : Satyam

(iii) I will refrain from stealing : Asteye

(iv) I will refrain from sense-indulgence : Brahmacharya

(v) I will refrain from intoxicants

For further reading, refer article from Heart2Heart publication:

Fascinating Buddha - The life and teachings of Buddha
(Heart2Heart - Volume 4 - Issue 06 - June 2006)

Click here for the article