My 1st Q. – ‘Is the fire still
burning?’
AI – ‘Yes. The sacred Zoroastrian Atash Behram (Venerable Fire) is still burning in the Yazd Fire Temple in Iran, after being moved and safeguarded in various caves and locations for centuries before settling in the current temple in the 1930s. The fire is continuously tended by Zoroastrian priests and is considered one of the most important symbols of the faith.
History of the Fire
- From the Cave:
The fire’s story dates back over 1,500 years, and during periods of persecution, it was protected and moved from place to place, including being hidden in various caves.
- To the Temple:
In 1936, the fire was transferred to the newly built Fire Temple in Yazd, where it has continued to burn ever since.
The Sacred Fire Today
- A Continuous Flame:
The fire is considered sacred, and it has been kept burning continuously for centuries.
- Priestly Care:
Only Zoroastrian priests are allowed in the inner sanctum where the fire resides, as they take turns day and night to tend to it and prevent contamination.
- Symbol of Purity:
For Zoroastrians, the eternal flame represents purity and is a symbol of their faith’s teachings of “good thoughts, good words, good deeds”. …’
My 2nd Q. – ‘What is Zoroastrianism?’
AI – ‘Zoroastrianism is an ancient, one-god (monotheistic) religion from Persia, founded by the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster). It centers on the worship of Ahura Mazda and a struggle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu), with followers encouraged to act with Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds to support good and the ultimate triumph of evil. The faith is one of the world’s oldest, believed to have influenced later major religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Core Beliefs and Principles
- One God (Ahura Mazda):
The supreme deity and creator of all things, embodying goodness, truth, and light.
- Good vs. Evil:
A central tenet is the ongoing cosmic struggle between the forces of good and evil, with humans playing a crucial role in choosing good.
- Ethical Conduct:
Zoroastrians strive to uphold principles of Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds.
Belief in a future judgment where individuals are rewarded or punished based on their life’s actions.
History and Influence
- Origins:
Developed in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) by the prophet Zarathustra around the 6th century BCE.
- Historical Prominence:
Was the state religion of powerful empires like the Achaemenids and Sasanians.
- Religious Influence:
Many scholars believe Zoroastrianism’s dualistic concepts and ethical frameworks influenced the development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Key Aspects
- Fire Temples: These are sacred places of worship, though Zoroastrians do not worship fire itself, but rather use it as a symbol of Ahura Mazda’s purity and light.
- Avesta: The sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, containing the teachings of the faith.’
My 3rd Q. – ‘What is the world’s oldest monotheistic and dualistic religion?’
AI – ‘The oldest dualistic religion that also has strong elements of monotheism is Zoroastrianism. While Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion, it is not dualistic. Zoroastrianism, originating around the 2nd millennium BCE, presents a cosmic struggle between good and evil, but also has a supreme god, Ahura Mazda, who is the father of the ordered cosmos.
Zoroastrianism
- Monotheistic Elements:
In its supreme form, Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion with a single supreme God, Ahura Mazda.
- Dualistic Elements:
The religion features a dualistic framework, with a cosmic battle between the good spirit, Spenta Mainyu, and the evil spirit, Angra Mainyu.
- Origins:
Zoroastrianism emerged in ancient Persia, with its origins dating back to the 2nd millennium BCE.
Judaism
- Monotheistic:
Judaism is one of the earliest monotheistic religions, focused on the worship of one personal God.
- Not Dualistic:
Unlike Zoroastrianism, Judaism is a monist religion without a dualistic concept of good and evil in the same framework.’
My 4th Q. – ‘Who was Zoroaster?’
AI – ‘Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) was an ancient Iranian prophet and spiritual founder of Zoroastrianism, a world’s oldest monotheistic and dualistic religion, who lived sometime between 1500 and 1000 BC. He preached the worship of a single, wise God, Ahura Mazda, and the ethical principles of “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds,” contrasting with the polytheistic practices of his time. Zoroaster’s teachings are believed to have significantly influenced the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—through concepts of cosmic dualism, personal morality, and free will.
Key Aspects of Zoroaster’s Life and Teachings
- Prophet of Zoroastrianism:
He is credited with initiating the religion of Zoroastrianism, a faith that emphasizes the worship of one supreme being, Ahura Mazda, the Lord of Wisdom.
- Reformer of Ancient Religion:
Zoroaster challenged the existing Irano-Aryan religion which involved the worship of various deities, advocating instead for the exclusive worship of Ahura Mazda.
- Cosmic Dualism:
A core concept in his teachings is the ongoing cosmic struggle between the forces of good (embodied by Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu).
- Ethical Framework:
His core ethical principles are often summarized as “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds,” promoting truthfulness, charity, and moderation.
- Free Will and Choice:
Zoroaster emphasized the importance of human free will in choosing between the path of righteousness (Asha) and the path of deceit (druj), which determines one’s destiny.
- Influence on Western Religions:
His teachings on the oneness of God, cosmic battles, and ethics are believed to have exerted a profound influence on the foundational ideas of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.’
My 5th Q. – ‘What is Dualism in Religion?’
AI – ‘In religion, dualism is the belief in two fundamental, often opposing, forces, deities, or principles that govern the universe, such as the concepts of good and evil or God and the Devil. This view stands in contrast to monism, which proposes a single supreme power, and to pluralism, which suggests multiple fundamental powers. Religious dualism is a diverse belief system found in various traditions, with classic examples like Zoroastrianism, which emphasizes the separation of good and evil, or the philosophical concept of yin and yang in some Chinese belief systems.
Examples of Dualism in Religion
- Zoroastrianism:
A notable example of religious dualism, where the universe is seen as a battleground between a good, creator God (Ahura Mazda) and an opposing evil force (Ahriman).
Certain Gnostic traditions present dualistic views, often distinguishing between a transcendent, good God and an imperfect, material world created by a lesser, often evil, divine being.
- Yin and Yang:
While not directly a struggle between absolute good and evil, this concept from traditional Chinese philosophy represents two opposing yet complementary forces (yin: negative, dark, passive; yang: positive, light, active) that exist in balance, shaping the universe.
Key Aspects of Religious Dualism
- Two Independent Forces:
A core characteristic is the existence of two distinct and independent principles, entities, or powers.
- Opposition:
These forces are generally in direct opposition to one another, often representing concepts like good versus evil, light versus darkness, or God versus the Devil.
- Cosmic Scope:
Dualism often provides an explanation for the existence of both good and evil in the world, suggesting they are fundamental aspects of reality.
- Diversity of Views:
The concept is an umbrella term that encompasses various perspectives, differing in the nature of the dualistic forces and their relationship.’