Exploring Philosophical Eschatology: Cosmology, Creation, and End Times Across Global Beliefs - Zoroastrianism

Ahura Mazda (right) presents Ardashir (left) with the ring of kingship. Naqsh-e Rostam, 3rd century AD

Photo by Wojciech Kocot - CC BY-SA 4.0

Welcome back to our enlightening series on, Exploring Philosophical Eschatology Across Global Beliefs, where we delve into various spiritual traditions to understand their unique interpretations and contributions to the human spiritual narrative. Today, we explore one of the most ancient yet lesser-known faiths — Zoroastrianism.

Introduction to Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism, often referred to as one of the world's first monotheistic religions, has its roots deeply embedded in the ancient Persian culture. Founded by the prophet Zarathustra (also known as Zoroaster), this faith emerged around 1500 to 1000 BCE in what is now Iran. Zoroastrianism is not just a religion; it's a cultural legacy that has influenced many spiritual practices and philosophies worldwide. An interesting side note: Freddie Mercury the lead singer of Queen was a Zoroastrian. His funeral in London was presided over by a Zoroastrian priest. Another interesting fact is that the car company, Mazda, came from Ahura Mazda. The name was chosen from Ahura Mazda, the god of harmony, light, intelligence, and wisdom.

Core Beliefs of Zoroastrianism

The main concept of Zoroastrianism is dualism, where the cosmos is seen as a battleground between good and evil:

• Ahura Mazda: The creator and the central deity, translated as "Wise Lord," embodies all that is good, light, and truth. Ahura Mazda emphasizes righteousness and order through the principle of Asha (truth and righteousness).

• Angra Mainyu: Is the Spirit of destruction and chaos. Contrasting to Ahura Mazda, Angra Mainyu represents the epitome of evil. This dualistic view posits that individuals have free will to choose between these two forces. Free will is an important concept in many belief systems.

• Amesha Spentas: These are the 7 "Holy Immortals" or "Bounteous Immortals" who are considered emanations of Ahura Mazda (Creator) in his cosmic battle. They assist in maintaining and guiding the cosmic order. Each represents an aspect of creation and divine virtue.

  • Spenta Maniyu - The Holy Spirit: represents Ahura Mazda’s Creative spirit and source of all life, encourages good thoughts and actions.

  • Vohu Manah - Good Mind: Embodies wisdom, rational thought, and kindness, and is the guardian of animals.

  • Asha Vahista - Represents Best Truth or Righteousness, and justice, and is the protector of fire, and the cosmic law.

  • Kshathra Vairya - Represents Desirable Dominion or Sovereignty, power, strength, and the ideal governance of the world, and is the guardian of metals.

  • Spenta Armaiti - Represents Holy Devotion, embodies love, devotion, and humility, and is the protector of the earth and agriculture.

  • Ameretat - Represents immortality, symbolizes eternal life, and the soul’s ultimate union with the divine, and is the protector of plants.

• Good Thoughts (humata), Good Words (hukhta), Good Deeds (huvarshta): This triad forms the ethical foundation of Zoroastrianism, emphasizing moral conduct in thought, speech, and action as pathways to align with Asha. By emulating these virtues, humans contribute to the fight against evil and help restore cosmic harmony.

• In practice, Zoroastrians honor the Amesha Spentas through rituals, prayers, and ethical living, striving to align with their divine qualities in everyday life.

Relief depicting the Faravahar in the city of Persepolis, which served as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire
Napishtim,CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historical Background & Current Practice

• Historical Context: Zoroastrianism was the state religion of Persia under several dynasties, including the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian Empires, influencing regions from Central Asia to the Mediterranean.

• Migration and Survival: After the Arab conquest of Persia in the 7th century CE, many Zoroastrians migrated to India, becoming known as Parsis. Here, they were allowed to practice their faith freely, leading to a significant Parsi community in cities like Mumbai.

• Modern Presence: Today, Zoroastrianism is predominantly practiced in India by the Parsis and in Iran by a smaller community. There are also Zoroastrian diaspora communities in North America, Europe, and Australia.

Sacred Practices: Exploring Zoroastrian Rituals

Continuing our journey through Zoroastrianism, we now focus on the rituals that form the heart of this ancient faith. Zoroastrian rituals are not just ceremonial; they are practices for worship, purification, and community bonding, each with profound spiritual significance.

The Role of Fire

• Fire Temples: Fire is central to Zoroastrian worship It symbolizes purity, truth, and the presence of Ahura Mazda. Fire temples, known as Agyaris or Atash Behrams, have an eternal flame that is taken care of with great reverence. These temples are considered the home of the sacred fire.

• Yasna: The primary service in Zoroastrianism, Yasna involves the offering of Haoma (a sacred drink) and Druj (a kind of bread) to the fire. This ritual is often accompanied by the recitation of the Gathas, which are hymns composed by Zarathustra himself, emphasizing purity and divine communion.

Rites of Passage

• Navjote: The initiation ceremony for children, marking their acceptance into the Zoroastrian community. During Navjote, the child is given the sacred shirt (Sudreh) and cord (Kushti), symbolizing purity and commitment to the faith’s tenets.

• Marriage: Zoroastrian weddings are solemn yet joyous occasions where the couple is united in the presence of fire, symbolizing the light of righteousness in their union. The ceremony includes vows and prayers for a life of mutual respect and spiritual growth.

• Funeral Rites: Due to the sanctity of earth, fire, and water, Zoroastrians traditionally do not bury or cremate their dead. Instead, they practice Dakhma-nashini (Sky Burial), where the body is placed in a Tower of Silence to be naturally decomposed by vultures, returning to nature without polluting the elements.

Daily and Seasonal Rituals

• Kushti: A daily ritual where believers untie and retie their sacred cord while reciting prayers for purification and protection. This practice reinforces the commitment to Asha (truth and righteousness) throughout one's daily life.

• Gahambars: These are seasonal festivals celebrating the six creations of Ahura Mazda, which also serve as community gatherings to strengthen bonds in the community.

• Jashan: A thanksgiving ritual, Jashan can be performed to celebrate various occasions or to give thanks for the blessings received. It involves prayers and offerings made in the presence of fire.

Purification Practices

• Nahn: A purification bath taken before religious ceremonies to cleanse the body and soul, emphasizing the Zoroastrian focus on purity.

• Padyab: A ritual hand washing that precedes prayers or entering a sacred space, symbolizing the removal of spiritual impurities. This is also a practice in Shintoism which we will cover later in the series.

From Light to Life: The Zoroastrian Creation Story

In our journey through the spiritual narratives that shape human understanding, we will now delve into the Zoroastrian creation story.

The Dawn of Creation

The Zoroastrian creation story begins with Ahura Mazda, the creator, who exists in infinite time and space. Here's how the narrative unfolds:

• Pre-Creation: Before there was anything, there was Ahura Mazda, dwelling in infinite light and wisdom. The universe was yet to be, existing only in potential.

• The Creation of the Physical World: Ahura Mazda decides to manifest his creations, bringing forth the material world through a series of deliberate acts:
  

  • First Day: He creates the sky, embodying Spenta Mainyu (the Holy Spirit), setting the stage for all subsequent creations.

  • Second Day: Water is created, representing Haurvatat (Wholeness or Perfection).

  • Third Day: Earth comes into being, symbolizing Spenta Armaiti (Holy Devotion).

  • Fourth Day: Plant life is introduced, signifying Ameretat (Immortality).

  • Fifth Day: Animals are created, embodying Vohu Manah (Good Mind).

  • Sixth Day: The first human, Gayomart (or Gayomard), is made from earth and water, representing the totality of creation under Kshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion).

• The Intrusion of Evil: Angra Mainyu, the spirit of destruction and chaos, enters the scene. He corrupts the purity of creation, initiating a cosmic battle that defines the Zoroastrian dualistic worldview of good (creation) and evil (chaos).

Shah Namah, the Persian Epic of the Kings

Ahriman (Angra Mainyu) being slain by Faramarz

CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Emergence of Humanity

• The Death and Rebirth of Gayomart: Gayomart, the first human, dies due to the influence of Angra Mainyu, but from his body, all subsequent life forms, including humans, are born. His seed, purified by the sun, results in the growth of a rhubarb plant, from which the first human couple, Mashya and Mashyana, emerge.

• Mashya and Mashyana: This couple marks the true beginning of humanity, but they are also tempted by Angra Mainyu, leading to mortality and the need for moral choices. Their story is similar to the themes of temptation and redemption found across many cultures.

The Ongoing Creation

• Amesha Spentas: These six immortals assist Ahura Mazda in maintaining and restoring the purity of the world. Each corresponds to a day of creation and an aspect of life, guiding humans towards Asha (truth and righteousness).

• The Cycle of Time: The Zoroastrian universe operates in cycles, with creation, corruption, and eventual purification repeating over epochs until the final renovation of the world, Frashokereti.

Cosmic Harmony: Exploring Zoroastrian Cosmology

The Structure of the Universe

• The Threefold World: Zoroastrianism visualizes the universe in three distinct realms:

  • Mino (Spiritual): The realm of Ahura Mazda and the spirits, where purity and truth reside.

  • Gaye (Material): The physical world where humans live, a battleground of good vs. evil.

  • Kash (Future): A transitional state leading to the final transformation of the world.

• Time and Cycles: Time in Zoroastrianism is cyclical but also linear in terms of eschatology. There are three great cycles of Gahambars, each lasting 12,000 years, with the final cycle culminating in the renewal of the world.

Eschatological Beliefs

• Frashokereti: This is the ultimate renovation of the universe, where evil is entirely eradicated. All souls are judged, purified, and reunited in a restored, perfect world of light.

  • Key Aspects:

    • Final Judgment and Renewal: Frashokereti is the end-time event where all souls will be judged, the world will be purified, and everything will be restored to its original perfect state. It's akin to the concept of the eschaton or the end of days in other religious traditions but with a focus on renewal rather than destruction.

    • Cosmic Purification: During Frashokereti, the earth will undergo a process of purification, often described as involving molten metal through which all souls must pass. This ordeal will not harm the righteous but will purify them, while the immoral will suffer. This metal is a metaphor for a divine test of purity.

    • Resurrection: The dead will be resurrected, and their bodies will reunite with their Fravashis or guardian spirits. This reunion signifies the immortality of the soul and the physical manifestation of a perfected state.

    • Defeat of Evil: Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), the embodiment of evil, along with all evil forces, will be defeated, purged from existence, or reconciled with good in some interpretations. This victory will end the dualistic tension between good and evil that characterizes the current world.

    • Eternal Good: After Frashokereti, the world will exist in a state of eternal goodness, where all beings live in harmony, free from suffering, disease, and death. It's envisioned as an everlasting paradise where Ahura Mazda's dominion is fully established.

• Saoshyant: The prophesied savior in Zoroastrian eschatology, who will lead humanity to this final purification. The Saoshyant will resurrect the dead, bringing about the final battle against evil, leading to Frashokereti.

  Frashokereti encapsulates Zoroastrianism's optimistic eschatology, where the end of the world is not an apocalypse but a return to an ideal, divine order where good is prevalent eternally.

The Cosmic Battle

Every human action is seen as part of this cosmic drama:

• Free Will: Humans are endowed with free will, choosing between the path of Asha or succumbing to the deception of Angra Mainyu. This choice impacts not only one's soul but also the cosmic balance between good and evil.

• Three Days: After death, the soul lingers on earth for three days, during which it experiences the consequences of its actions. On the dawn of the fourth day, the soul approaches the Chinvat Bridge for judgment.

• Judgment: After death, souls are judged based on their deeds, with the Chinvat Bridge serving as a metaphorical crossing; the righteous ascend to paradise, while those influenced by evil face challenges or further purification.

• Daena: At the bridge, the soul is met by its own conscience personified, known as Daena. For the righteous, Daena appears as a beautiful maiden, while for the wicked, she appears as an old, ugly hag, reflecting the soul's inner state.

• The Dogs: In some accounts, two dogs, guardians of the bridge known as "Sarvar" and "Spandarmad," are present to judge the soul even before it steps onto the bridge. Their reaction to the soul can indicate its moral worthiness.

The Chinvat Bridge is a powerful symbol in Zoroastrianism, encapsulating the religion's views on life, death, morality, and the afterlife. It serves as both a literal and metaphorical pathway each soul must navigate based on their life's choices, embodying the ultimate judgment of one's existence.

Conclusion

Zoroastrian cosmology is a profound narrative where the universe is not just a physical expanse but a moral battleground. The teachings emphasize the interconnectedness of all actions with the cosmic order, where each individual's moral choices contribute to the ultimate fate of the universe. This understanding of the cosmos as a stage for moral drama provides a unique lens through which to view our existence and the spiritual implications of our daily lives.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the spiritual realms. Stay tuned for more explorations into how ancient faiths like Zoroastrianism continue to shape our understanding of the spiritual battles within and around us.

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