The Gathas, Our Guide
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Zoroastrian Ethics by MA Buch
The Gnekwad Stu<Uc'^ in Rdi/tuii and Plcilu-^oph i/ : /I ZOKOASTRIAN ETHICS IVintod at the Mirfsion Press, Siirat l.y n. K. 8colt, and imblislieil l»y A. G. Wi(l;.'ery the Collej,'e, Baroda. I. V. 1919. ZOROASTHIAN ETHICS By MAGAXLAL A. BUCH, M. A. Fellow of the Seminar for the Comparative Stn<ly of IJelifjioiiP, Barotla, With an Infrnrhicfion hv ALBAN n. WrDGERY, ^f. A. Professor of Philosophy and of the Comparative Study of PiPlii^doiis, Baroda. B A K D A 515604 P n E F A C E The present small volume was undertaken as one subject of study as Fellow in the Seminar for the Comparative Study of Religions established in the College, Baroda, by His Highness the Maharaja Sayaji Eao Gaekwad, K C. S. I. etc. The subject was suggested by Professor Widgery who also guided the author in the plan and in the general working out of the theme. It is his hope that companion volumes on the ethical ideas associated with other religions will shortly be undertaken. Such ethical studies form an important part of the aim which His Highness had in view in establishing the Seminar. The chapter which treats of the religious conceptions is less elaborate than it might well have been, because Dr. Dhalla's masterly volume on Zomasfrirm Theolof/y^ New York, 1914, cannot be dispens- ed with by any genuine student of Zoroastrian- ism, and all important details may be learned from it. It only remains to thank I'rotessor Widgcrv lor writinf,' a L;enoral introduotion and for his continued help thronghont tho process of the work. -
On the Good Faith
On the Good Faith Zoroastrianism is ascribed to the teachings of the legendary prophet Zarathustra and originated in ancient times. It was developed within the area populated by the Iranian peoples, and following the Arab conquest, it formed into a diaspora. In modern Russia it has evolved since the end of the Soviet era. It has become an attractive object of cultural produc- tion due to its association with Oriental philosophies and religions and its rearticulation since the modern era in Europe. The lasting appeal of Zoroastrianism evidenced by centuries of book pub- lishing in Russia was enlivened in the 1990s. A new, religious, and even occult dimension was introduced with the appearance of neo-Zoroastrian groups with their own publications and online websites (dedicated to Zoroastrianism). This study focuses on the intersectional relationships and topical analysis of different Zoroastrian themes in modern Russia. On the Good Faith A Fourfold Discursive Construction of Zoroastrianism in Contemporary Russia Anna Tessmann Anna Tessmann Södertörns högskola SE-141 89 Huddinge [email protected] www.sh.se/publications On the Good Faith A Fourfold Discursive Construction of Zoroastrianism in Contemporary Russia Anna Tessmann Södertörns högskola 2012 Södertörns högskola SE-141 89 Huddinge www.sh.se/publications Cover Image: Anna Tessmann Cover Design: Jonathan Robson Layout: Jonathan Robson & Per Lindblom Printed by E-print, Stockholm 2012 Södertörn Doctoral Dissertations 68 ISSN 1652-7399 ISBN 978-91-86069-50-6 Avhandlingar utgivna vid -
ZOROASTRIANISM Chapter Outline and Unit Summaries I. Introduction
CHAPTER TEN: ZOROASTRIANISM Chapter Outline and Unit Summaries I. Introduction A. Zoroastrianism: One of the World’s Oldest Living Religions B. Possesses Only 250,000 Adherents, Most Living in India C. Zoroastrianism Important because of Influence of Zoroastrianism on Christianity, Islam, Middle Eastern History, and Western Philosophy II. Pre-Zoroastrian Persian Religion A. The Gathas: Hymns of Early Zoroastrianism Provide Clues to Pre- Zoroastrian Persian Religion 1. The Gathas Considered the words of Zoroaster, and are Foundation for all Later Zoroastrian Scriptures 2. The Gathas Disparage Earlier Persian Religions B. The Aryans (Noble Ones): Nomadic Inhabitants of Ancient Persia 1. The Gathas Indicate Aryans Nature Worshippers Venerating Series of Deities (also mentioned in Hindu Vedic literature) a. The Daevas: Gods of Sun, Moon, Earth, Fire, Water b. Higher Gods, Intar the God of War, Asha the God of Truth and Justice, Uruwana a Sky God c. Most Popular God: Mithra, Giver and Benefactor of Cattle, God of Light, Loyalty, Obedience d. Mithra Survives in Zoroastrianism as Judge on Judgment Day 2. Aryans Worship a Supreme High God: Ahura Mazda (The Wise Lord) 3. Aryan Prophets / Reformers: Saoshyants 97 III. The Life of Zoroaster A. Scant Sources of Information about Zoroaster 1. The Gathas Provide Some Clues 2. Greek and Roman Writers (Plato, Pliny, Plutarch) Comment B. Zoroaster (born between 1400 and 1000 B.C.E.) 1. Original Name (Zarathustra Spitama) Indicates Birth into Warrior Clan Connected to Royal Family of Ancient Persia 2. Zoroaster Becomes Priest in His Religion; the Only Founder of a World Religion to be Trained as a Priest 3. -
Denkard Book 9
DENKARD, Book 9 Details of Nasks 1-3, 21 (The Original Gathic Texts) Translated by Edward William West From Sacred Books of the East, Oxford University Press, 1897. Digitized and converted to HTML 1997 Joseph H. Peterson, avesta.org. Last updated Mar 2, 2021. 1 Foreword The Denkard is a ninth century encyclopedia of the Zoroastrian religion, but with extensive quotes from materials thousands of years older, including (otherwise) lost Avestan texts. It is the single most valuable source of information on this religion aside from the Avesta. This volume contains detailed contents of the Gathic Nasks of the Ancient Canon, much of which is now lost in the original Avesta. Note however, that (as Dr. West says) “it is abundantly clear to the practised translator that Avesta phrases often underlie the Pahlavi passages which seem to be quoted at length from the original Nasks, especially in Dk. 9; but, for some of the details mentioned, there may be no older authority than a Pahlavi commentary, and this should be ever borne in mind by the sceptical critic in search of anachronisms.” I have added some comments in {} and [[]], mainly to facilitate searches. Spelling of technical terms have also been normalized to conform with other texts in this series. Wherever possible I have used the spellings of F.M. Kotwal and J. Boyd, A Guide to the Zoroastrian Religion, Scholars Press, 1982. The original S.B.E. volumes used a system of transliteration which was misleading to the casual reader, and no longer adopted. As an example “chinwad” (bridge) (Kotwal and Boyd) was transliterated in S.B.E. -
The Zarathushtrian Daena in a Nutshell
THE ZARATHUSHTRIAN DAENA IN A NUTSHELL TO BE 'GOOD' REQUIRES SPIRITUAL ENERGY GENERATED BY 'TARIKAT'S Who is a Parsi? Whenever this question is asked, a heap of legal, social and highly argumentative babbles are thrown in the answer. Poor Justice Davar is brought in, 'the big change in times' is put forward and a number of why's and why not's are shot out, with hollow vehemence, like "if men, why not women?" (The question is too worn out by repetition to need any elaboration.) All this endless discussions are hopelessly tangential and off the mark to the main issue, which is: a Parsi is basically a person of Religion - the Zarathushtrian Daena. Her or his life is required to be totally founded on the Daena. For a Parsi, Life and Religion are not only equal but congruent. Each point of the one should coincide with each point of the other. Every breath should inhale and exhale Daena and he or she must be aware and conscious of this. Three Good's and Freedom of Choice What is the Daena? Ask any common Parsi; the answer by nine out of ten will be: Manashni, Gavashni, Kunashni - Good thoughts, words and deeds. But if you ask: "What is your definition of Good?", he will stare at you as if you have gone mad. "You don’t know what is good?" "No", you can pursue the argument, "the definition varies with every person; what is thought as good by one is stamped as 'horribly bad' by the other. Hitler thought, killing of jews was very good. -
In the Alphabetic Order Q Follows A, a Follows E, C Follows C, 1J Follows N, S Follows S, I Follows Z
INDEX [In the alphabetic order q follows a, a follows e, c follows c, 1J follows n, s follows s, i follows z. In arranging words no distinction has been made between long and short vowels. Pahlavi anrllater forms are generally given in square brackets after the Avestan ones, ancl are entered separately only when there is a significant difference between the two.l Aban see Apas 273· A ban Niyayes 52; 271-2. Airyaman 56-7; his part at Fraso.kar<Jti, Aban Yast 73· 57. 242, 291. abstract divinities 23-4; 58, 59; 203. Airyanam Vaejah [f:ranve)] 144-5; 274- Aditi 55· S· Adityas 55; 83. Airyama isyo 56; 261; 263; 265. Adurbad i Mahraspandan 35; 288. Aiwisriithra [Aiwisriithrim] the 4th watch Aesma demon of Wrath, 87; companion ( giih) of the 24-hour day, from sunset till of the daevas, 201; flees at the last day midnight, 124; under the guardianship of before the Saosyant, 283; the Arabs are the fravasis, 124, 259. of his seed, 288. Aka Manah 283. aethrapati [erbad, herbad] 12. Akhtya 161. Afrasiyab see FralJrasyan *Ala demon of purpureal fever, 87 n. 20. afrinagan an "outer" religious ceremony, Amahraspand see Amasa Spanta 168; legends connected with the offerings Amestris xog; 112. made at it, 281. amaratat ,..., Ved. amrtatva-, "long life" after-life pagan belief in it beneath the or "immortality" II5 n. 32. earth, xog-xo, II2, IIS; in Paradise, no- Amaratat [Amurdad] personification of 12; Zoroastrian beliefs, 235-42, 328. "Long Life" and "Immortality", one of the Agni identified with Apam Napat, 45-6; 7 great Amasa Spantas (q.v.), 203; dis the nature of his primary concept, 69-70. -
A Daily Gatha Prayer
Weekly Zoroastrian Scripture Extract # 195 – A Daily Gatha Prayer of 16 verses based on Ahura Mazda's advice to Zarathushtra to drive away evil - Vendidad 11.1 - 2 Hello all Tele Class friends: A Daily Gatha Prayer – A Suggestion: In our WZSEs #192 – 194, we discussed the question by Zarathushtra answered by Ahura Mazda for the prayers to be recited to ward of evil from a dead body (Vendidad 11.1 – 2). There are 16 verses instructed by Ahura Mazda. We suggest that these verses from Gathas can also be used as a Daily Gatha Prayer for all to recite. In this WZSE #195, we present this prayer. I apologize for the length of this WZSE. Hope you enjoy reading and listening and following up as a prayer. And would like to hear your thoughts. Background: Our Vakhshur-e-Vakhshuraan Zarathushtra Spitamaan, in his Gathas, asks many questions to Ahura Mazda, but Ahura Mazda never replies him; instead Zarathushtra figures out the answers by using his Vohu Mana, the Good Mind! Later Avestan writers of Vendidad, Yashts, etc. thought this mode of questions and answers between Zarathushtra and Ahura Mazda, can be a powerful way to expound their own interpretations of our religion but in their questions by Zarathushtra, Ahura Mazda answers them right away! This gave their interpretations a powerful support! We see such questions and answers all over Vendidad, Yashts, etc.. Age of Vendidad has been debated in literature for a long time. It could be between 300 to 800 BC or earlier. According to Dinkard, our religion had 21 Nasks (volumes) on various subjects. -
Zoroastrianism the Zend-Avesta the Vendidad
ZOROASTRIANISM THE ZEND-AVESTA THE VENDIDAD TRANSLATED BY JAMES DARMESTETER Formatting by William B. Brown Table Of Contents Table Of Contents..................................................... i THE ZEND-AVESTA PART I................................................ 1 THE VENDIDAD ....................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................... 1 CHAPTER I. THE DISCOVERY OF THE ZEND-AVESTA. ....................... 1 CHAPTER II. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE ZEND-AVESTA. ................. 9 CHAPTER III. THE FORMATION OF THE ZEND-AVESTA. .................... 11 CHAPTER IV. THE ORIGIN OF THE AVESTA RELIGION. .................... 24 CHAPTER V. THE VENDÎDÂD. .......................................... 37 VENDIDAD. FARGARD I. .............................................. 47 Introduction ...................................................... 47 VENDIDAD. FARGARD I. .............................................. 49 FARGARD II. Yima (Gamshêd). ....................................... 51 Chapter 1........................................................ 51 Chapter II....................................................... 53 FARGARD III. The Earth. ........................................... 55 Chapter I........................................................ 55 Chapter II....................................................... 56 Chapter III...................................................... 56 Chapter IV....................................................... 58 FARGARD IV. Contracts -
(Of Consciousness) Recited at Dawn, the Hoshbam Prayer, Like Other
Hoshbam: The Dawn (of Consciousness) Recited at dawn, the Hoshbam prayer, like other prayers, is poetic and enlightening. It is the dawn not just of a new day, but of the consciousness, of the realization of our oneness with the Creator and Creation. It reminds us of our role in this earthly sojourn, and of our final goal of Frashokereti. First in a series of articles on this inspiring prayer, we bring you the Avesta text, followed by the translation and the inner exposition as revealed by Ilm-e-Khshnoom. By SILLOO MEHTA Adapted in English from the Gujarati articles of K. N. Dastoor Hosh means consciousness and bam the sky. At the physical level, Hoshbam or dawn is a ray of light in the sky breaking into a flood of sunlight. At the spiritual level, Hoshbam is the dawn (awakening) and expansion of divine consciousness in us. The recitation of this talismanic prayer, Hoshbam, at dawn, enables us to do this. How? Read on… The time of dawn is considered by all religions to be holy and auspicious. It is a time when Light conquers Darkness, Good overcomes Evil, Mother Nature awakens from slumber to the waking call of the rooster who proclaims, “O man, awaken from sleep as another day has dawned. Get busy with your duties but before you do so, remember God with devotion and start the day with your offerings (prayers).” In the religion of Zarathushtra, the time period starting 72 minutes before sunrise until sunrise is known as Hoshbam and a prayer of the same name is to be recited in that period. -
Summer/June 2014
AMORDAD – SHEHREVER- MEHER 1383 AY (SHENSHAI) FEZANA JOURNAL FEZANA TABESTAN 1383 AY 3752 Z VOL. 28, No 2 SUMMER/JUNE 2014 ● SUMMER/JUNE 2014 Tir–Amordad–ShehreverJOUR 1383 AY (Fasli) • Behman–Spendarmad 1383 AY Fravardin 1384 (Shenshai) •N Spendarmad 1383 AY Fravardin–ArdibeheshtAL 1384 AY (Kadimi) Zoroastrians of Central Asia PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA Copyright ©2014 Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America • • With 'Best Compfiments from rrhe Incorporated fJTustees of the Zoroastrian Charity :Funds of :J{ongl(pnffi Canton & Macao • • PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA Vol 28 No 2 June / Summer 2014, Tabestan 1383 AY 3752 Z 92 Zoroastrianism and 90 The Death of Iranian Religions in Yazdegerd III at Merv Ancient Armenia 15 Was Central Asia the Ancient Home of 74 Letters from Sogdian the Aryan Nation & Zoroastrians at the Zoroastrian Religion ? Eastern Crosssroads 02 Editorials 42 Some Reflections on Furniture Of Sogdians And Zoroastrianism in Sogdiana Other Central Asians In 11 FEZANA AGM 2014 - Seattle and Bactria China 13 Zoroastrians of Central 49 Understanding Central 78 Kazakhstan Interfaith Asia Genesis of This Issue Asian Zoroastrianism Activities: Zoroastrian Through Sogdian Art Forms 22 Evidence from Archeology Participation and Art 55 Iranian Themes in the 80 Balkh: The Holy Land Afrasyab Paintings in the 31 Parthian Zoroastrians at Hall of Ambassadors 87 Is There A Zoroastrian Nisa Revival In Present Day 61 The Zoroastrain Bone Tajikistan? 34 "Zoroastrian Traces" In Boxes of Chorasmia and Two Ancient Sites In Sogdiana 98 Treasures of the Silk Road Bactria And Sogdiana: Takhti Sangin And Sarazm 66 Zoroastrian Funerary 102 Personal Profile Beliefs And Practices As Shown On The Tomb 104 Books and Arts Editor in Chief: Dolly Dastoor, editor(@)fezana.org AMORDAD SHEHREVER MEHER 1383 AY (SHENSHAI) FEZANA JOURNAL FEZANA Technical Assistant: Coomi Gazdar TABESTAN 1383 AY 3752 Z VOL. -
Mecusi Geleneğinde Tektanrıcılık Ve Düalizm Ilişkisi
T.C. İSTANBUL ÜN İVERS İTES İ SOSYAL B İLİMLER ENST İTÜSÜ FELSEFE VE D İN B İLİMLER İ ANAB İLİM DALI DİNLER TAR İHİ B İLİM DALI DOKTORA TEZ İ MECUS İ GELENE Ğİ NDE TEKTANRICILIK VE DÜAL İZM İLİŞ KİSİ Mehmet ALICI (2502050181) Tez Danı şmanı: Prof.Dr. Şinasi GÜNDÜZ İstanbul 2011 T.C. İSTANBUL ÜN İVERS İTES İ SOSYAL B İLİMLER ENST İTÜSÜ FELSEFE VE D İN B İLİMLER İ ANAB İLİM DALI DİNLER TAR İHİ B İLİM DALI DOKTORA TEZ İ MECUS İ GELENE Ğİ NDE TEKTANRICILIK VE DÜAL İZM İLİŞ KİSİ Mehmet ALICI (2502050181) Tez Danı şmanı: Prof.Dr. Şinasi GÜNDÜZ (Bu tez İstanbul Üniversitesi Bilimsel Ara ştırma Projeleri Komisyonu tarafından desteklenmi ştir. Proje numarası:4247) İstanbul 2011 ÖZ Bu çalı şma Mecusi gelene ğinde tektanrıcılık ve düalizm ili şkisini ortaya çıkı şından günümüze kadarki tarihsel süreç içerisinde incelemeyi hedef edinir. Bu ba ğlamda Mecusilik üç temel teolojik süreç çerçevesinde ele alınmaktadır. Bu ba ğlamda birinci teolojik süreçte Mecusili ğin kurucusu addedilen Zerdü şt’ün kendisine atfedilen Gatha metninde tanrı Ahura Mazda çerçevesinde ortaya koydu ğu tanrı tasavvuru incelenmektedir. Burada Zerdü şt’ün anahtar kavram olarak belirledi ği tanrı Ahura Mazda ve onunla ili şkilendirilen di ğer ilahi figürlerin ili şkisi esas alınmaktadır. Zerdü şt sonrası Mecusi teolojisinin şekillendi ği Avesta metinleri ikinci teolojik süreci ihtiva etmektedir. Bu dönem Zerdü şt’ten önceki İran’ın tanrı tasavvurlarının yeniden kutsal metne yani Avesta’ya dahil edilme sürecini yansıtmaktadır. Dolayısıyla Avesta edebiyatı Zerdü şt sonrası dönü şen bir teolojiyi sunmaktadır. Bu noktada ba şta Ahura Mazda kavramı olmak üzere, Zerdü şt’ün Gatha’da ortaya koydu ğu mefhumların de ğişti ği görülmektedir. -
Zarathushtra As Victor in the Verbal Contest DALE L
Zarathushtra as Victor in the Verbal Contest DALE L. BISHOP Columbia University In a long note to his translation of the Canaanite Poem of Baal, Professor Gaster em phasized the significance of the exchange of curses and taunts as a " standard element of the Ritual Combat." 1 Scholars of the Indo-Iranian religion have long debated the importance of the verbal contest in the Aryan tradition. In the Indo-Iranian journal of 1960 F. B. J. Kuiper presented a summation of the textual evidence supporting his argument that the verbal contest was a central component of the whole series of ritual battles celebrating the Aryan New Year. Although the bulk of the evidence for Kuiper's thesis was drawn from the Rig Veda, he also cited several Avestan texts which, he felt, praise·the virtues of the eloquent warrior in the verbal contest. Most of these citations are from the Yashts, which might be expected to reflect pre-Zarathushtrian concepts later introduced into "catholic Zoroastrianism. ,,2 Kuiper thus did not examine in detail the early Gathic evidence for the verbal contest because he felt that Zarathushtra had modified the old Aryan conccpt to bring it into accord with his own ideas about eschatology. Nor did Kuiper bring into con sideration the post-Yasht Videvdad material or the Middle Persian evidence because both lack the complex of terms derived from his hypothetical Aryan verb root 'yZik(!J)- 'to pro claim solemnly') We will examine here the opening section of Fargard 19 of the Videvdad and the Middle Persian Denkard's account of the prophetic predecessors of Zarathushtra from the point of view of the significance of the verbal dispute in these texts.