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36A Short texte on Zoroastrianism
 

European Centre for Zoroastrian Studies

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A Short texte on Zoroastrianism


The existential philosophy known in the west as Zoroastrianism, is the first Monotheist religion, the first Universal religion and the root of much of Greek philosophy, Jewish, Christian and Islamic doctrine and belief.
It was founded 3743 years ago by Zarathushtra (known to us by the Greek alliteration of his name - Zoroaster),in Persia, and was the existential philosophy of that country for over 1300 years until its destruction by Moslem invasion of Persia in the 7th
Consequently, as libraries and books were burned again and again by invaders and its wise men were either killed, enslaved, deported or went into hiding, its original message was lost.
However, thanks to the long, arduous and painstaking work of literally hundreds of scholars in the last 200 or so years, the original message of Zarathustra, the message of its "Manthran" (Thought-provoker), and the Zoroastrianism have surfaced once again, revealing it as ever-relevant, unique and inspiring.
The Zarathushtra's message can be summarized in one phrase: “to make the earth a happy place where the human beings, animals and plants can lead a happy existence”. “This happy life can be achieved mainly by making the others happy.” His message is a message about a spirituality that progresses towards self-realization, fulfillment and completeness, as a good creation of a totally good God. It is a message of freedom - freedom to choose, freedom from fear, freedom from guilt, freedom from sin, freedom from stultifying rituals, superstitious practices, fake spirituality and ceremonials. The God of Zarathustra, is not a God of "Thou shalt" and "Thou shall not". God in Zoroastrianism does not care what you wear, what and when you eat or where and when you worship. God instead cares how righteous, progressive and good you are.
The Zoroastrian Religion pictures humanity as the growing and evolving creation of a God that respects it, and wants it to collaborate in the task of preserving, nourishing, fostering and refreshing this Living World of ours. A Zoroastrian is supposed to progress towards God (Ahura Mazda) by his own choices. Choosing to do good, and to avoid choosing to do wrong or evil. Zoroastrianism is thus the first truly ethical religion of mankind and teaches that mortals achieve their goal of god-likeness and spiritual completeness by fighting evil through: good thoughts, words and deeds.
Mazdayasna (The Worship of the Wise), another name for Zoroastrianism, teaches the equality of all mortals before their Wise creator God; who only sees a difference in righteousness among mortals. Thus there is equality of race, nation, gender and social position.
The most sacred book for the Zoroastrians is called The Gathas, composed in 17 songs , by Zarathustra, 3743 years ago. The language of the Gathas is related to sanscrit, but it is much older. This language, forgotten for over 2000 years, and transmitted orally from generation to generation, was deciphered in the 18th century.

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