The Explanation of the Origin of Evil Based on Gahan1 * ** Khadije Rahmati Enshaallah Rahmati *** **** Mohammad Reza Adli Bakhshali Ghanbari

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Explanation of the Origin of Evil Based on Gahan1 * ** Khadije Rahmati Enshaallah Rahmati *** **** Mohammad Reza Adli Bakhshali Ghanbari تکزین: راّبزد حکَهت اسﻻهی در تعاهل با اّل کتاب / 211 Religious Studies Vol. 9, No. 17, September 2021 (DOI) 10.22034/jrr.2021.252127. 1788 The Explanation of the Origin of Evil Based on Gahan1 * ** Khadije Rahmati Enshaallah Rahmati *** **** Mohammad Reza Adli Bakhshali Ghanbari (Received: 2020-08-04; Accepted: 2020-12-26) Abstract Gahan,considered as foundation of Zoroastrianism and due to its attribution to Zoroaster, is the most important and oldest text of Avesta. On the other hand ,the idea of choosing between good and evil is the main theme of Zoroastrian religion .Based on these two central issues and by exploring the works of prominent researches ,the present article seeks to offer its solution in explaning the origin of evil from the perspective of Gahan and their classification and the solution which relies on re-reading are re-considering the Gahan chapters .This؛analysis solution has two areas:The first area relates to Gahan itself and is that we don‘t concider Gahan as a theological text, but rather accept it as a text which has a moral nature,while researches have considered it as a theological text .The second area relates to reconsideration and revision of the nature of evil in Zoroasrianism.Accordingly, instead of accepting an existential nature for evil,we consider it non-existent,although in works and writings related to evil and its origion,the existential nature of evil is clearly emphasized. Keywords: Gahan, Evil Problem, Monotheistic Approach, Dualism Approach, Ritual Approach, Moral Nature. 1. This article is taken from: Khadijeh Rahmati, "A Comparative Study of Evil in Zoroastrianism and Islam Based on the Books of Shikand-gumanig Vizar = (A Report to Dispel Suspicion) and Tafsir al-Mizan", 2019, PhD Thesis, Supervisor: Enshallah Rahmati and Mohammad Reza Adli, Faculty of Literature, Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran. * PhD Student in Comparative Religions and Mysticism, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Author), [email protected]. ** Professor, Department of Philosophy, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran, [email protected]. ***Assistant Professor of Comparative Religions and Mysticism, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran, [email protected]. **** Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Religions and Mysticism, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran, [email protected]. 270 / پژٍّصّای ادیاًی، سال ًْن، ضوارُ ّفذّن ژپوه شاهی ادیان ی سال نهم، شماره هفدهم، بهار و تابستان 0011، ص569ـ595 »مقاله پژوهشی« تثییيخاستگاُضزتزاساسگاّاى1 * خذیدٍ رحمتی **** *** ** انؽبءاهلل رحمتی محمذرضب ػذلی ثخؼؾلی لىجزی ]تاریخ دریافت: 01/12/0911؛ تاریخ پذیزش: 0911/01/08[ چکیذه گبّبى ثِ عٌَاى ثٌیبى ٍ قیطاظُ زیي ظضزقتی ٍ ثِ زلیل اًتؿبة ثِ ظضزقهت، هْهن تهطیي ٍ لسیوی تطیي هتي اؾٍتب اظ یه ؾَ، ٍ عمیسُ اًتربة هیبى ذیط ٍ قط ثهِ عٌهَاى هْهن تهط یي هؿئلِ زیي یبزقسُ اظ ؾَی زیگط، زٍ هحَضی اؾت وِ ایي همبلِ ثط اؾهبؼ آًْهب زض نهسز اؾت ثب وٌىبـ زض آثبض هحممبى هُطح زض ظهیٌِ تجییي ذبؾتگبُ قهط ثهط اؾهبؼ گبّهبى ٍ زؾتِثٌسی ٍ تحلیل آًْب ضاُحل پیكٌْبزی ذهَز ضا عطيهِ وٌهس؛ ضاُ حلهی وهِ هتىهی ثهط زٍثبضُذَاًی ٍ تأهل ثط یؿيّبی گبّبًی ٍ زاضای زٍ ؾبحت اؾت: اٍل ؾبحتی وهِ هطثهٌَ ثِ ذَز گبّبى اؾت ٍ آى ایٌىِ گبّبى ضا هتٌی وﻻهی ًساًین، ثلىِ ثپصیطین وهِ هتٌهی ثهب هبّیتی اذﻻلی اؾت، حبل آًىِ هحممبى، آى ضا هتٌی وﻻهی زاؿًتِاًهس . زٍم ؾهبحتی وهِ هطثٌَ ثِ تدسیس ً ط زض هبّیت قط زض زیي ظضزقتی اؾهت، ثهِ ایهي هعٌهب وهِ ثهِ خهبی پصیطفتي هبّیت ٍخَزی ثطای قط، ثطای آى هبّیت عسهی لبئل قَین، زض حبلی وِ زض آثهبض ٍ ًَقتِّبی هطثٌَ ثِ قط ٍ هجس آى، انطاض ثط هبّیت ٍخَزی وبهﻻً آقىبض اؾت. کلیذواژههب: گبّبى، هؿئلِ قط، ضٍیىطز یىتبثهبٍضی، ضٍیىهطز زٍگبًهِ ثهبٍض ی، ضٍیىهطز آییٌی، هبّیت اذﻻلی. 1 . ثزگزفتٍ اس: خذیدٍ رحمتی، ثزرعی تطجیمی ؽز در دي دیه سردؽتی ي اعشﻻ، ثشب تکیشٍ ثشز مشته کتشبة ؽشک ىذ گمبویک يسار ; )گشارػ گمبن ؽکه( ي تفغیز المیشان، رعشبلٍ دکتشزی ادیشبن ي ػزفشبن تطجیمشی، اعشتبدان راَىمشب: انؽبءاهلل رحمتی ي محمذرضب ػذلی، داوؾکذٌ ادثیبت، داوؾگبٌ آساد ياحذ تُزان مزکشی، تُزان، ایزان، 1398. * داوؾدًی دکتزی ادیبن ي ػزفبن تطجیمی، داوؾگبٌ آساد اعﻻمی، ياحشذ تُشزان مزکششی، تُشزان، ایشزان )وًیغشىذٌ مغئًل( [email protected] ** اعتبد گزيٌ فلغفٍ، داوؾگبٌ آساد اعﻻمی، ياحذ تُزان مزکشی، تُزان، ایزان [email protected] *** اعششتبدیبر ادیششبن ي ػزفششبن تطجیمششی، داوؾششگبٌ آساد اعششﻻمی، ياحششذ تُششزان مزکشششی، تُششزان، ایششز ان [email protected] **** داوؾششیبر گششزيٌ ادیششبن ي ػزفششبن تطجیمششی، ياحششذ تُششزان مزکشششی، داوؾششگبٌ آساد اعششﻻمی، تُششزان، ایششزان [email protected] تبییي خاستگاُ ضز بز اساس گاّاى / 271 مقذمه ٕىز دٖىيیيٌ ىٍ ٙىبهز ََ ىیه ایه إز ٽٍ اُ اٝچی سیَیه ډىجی٬ آن، یٮىیی ٽیﻻڇ ي ثیبنِ آيٍويٌ آن ٽمټ ځَٵز. اډب يػًى ٵبٝچٍ ُډبوی ډیبن ډلٺٸ ي دیبڇآيٍ آن ىییه، ٽیٍ ىٍ هًى سلًڃ ُثبوی ٍا ویِ ثٍ َمَاٌ ىاٍى، ویبُ ثٍ ډﻻك٪بر سبٍیوی ي ُثبنٙىبهشی ثَا: ىٍٻ دیبڇ ٍا ١َيٍ: ډی ٽ ى ی ي ؛ ي ؿ ی ً ن ٵ ُ ی ڈ َ ی َ ى ی ی ه ى ٍ ځ ی َ ي ه ی ً ا و ٘ ي ى ٍ ٻ ډ ی ش ه ثٍ ػب:ډبويٌ اُ دیبډجَ آن إز سﻻٗ ډلٺٺبن ىٍ ايڅیه ځبڇ ثبیي َٝٳ سؤییي اٝبڅز ډشه، ي سبٍین سييیه ډشه ىیه ًٙى. اُ ایهٍي، ىٍ سجییه ي ٙیىبهز هبٕیشڂبٌ ٙیَ ثیَ ډجىیب: ځبَبن، اثشيا ثٍ سبٍین ٙپڄ ځیَ: ايٕشب، ٽٍ ځبَبن ثوٚی اُ آن إز، ډی دَىاُیڈ ي دیٔ اُ آن ځبَبن ي ىیيځبٌَب: ٍا٬ػ ثٍ آن ٍا، ٽٍ ډ٫ً١ً اٝچی إز، ډیٽبيیڈ. تاریخاٍستا اوشٚبٍ ٽشبة ډٺيٓ ایَان ٹيیڈ )ايٕشب( ٽٍ اُ َىييٕشبن ثٍ ىٕز آډيٌ ثیًى ي ثیٍ َمیز آوپشییڄ ىي دیَين )Anquetil de Perron( ىٍ ٕیبڃ 1771 سػَمیٍ ي ؿیبح ٙیي ، سلیًڅی ىٍ ٙىبهز ُويځی سبٍیوی ډَىڇ َُٕډیه ایَان ایؼبى ٽَى. ايٕشب ىٍ ياٹ٬ ډؼمً٭ٍ ا: ډشى٫ً اُ ډشًن ىیىی إز ٽٍ ىٍ ىيٌٍ َب: ډوشچٴ ي ىٍ ډىب٥ٸ ځًویبځًن ثیٍ ىٕیز اٙیوبٛ ډوشچٴ ديیي آډيٌ إز )١ٍبیی ثبٯثییي:، 1388: 25(. سبٍین ثوَ٘ب: آن ي ډٖئچٍ ډپیبن، ي اي١ب٫ ي اكًاڅی ٽٍ ىٍ آن ډشه ايٕشب وًٙشٍ ٙيٌ یپی اُ ډٖبئڄ دیـیيٌ اییَان ٙىبٕیی إز )Hintze, 2015: 34-35(، ثٍ ٥ًٍ: ٽٍ ىٍ ایه ثبٌٍ و٪ََب: ٵَاياویی، ٽیٍ اٱچیت ویبٹ٠ یپيیڂَوي، اثَاُ ٙيٌ، ي َیؾ یټ اُ و٪ََب ي ٵ١َیٍ َب: ایٚبن ىٍ كبڃ كب١یَ دیٌیَٗ َمڂبوی ویبٵشٍ إز. ثب ایه َمٍ، ىٕزٽڈ ىي ځًی٘ ډشٶبير ٍا ډی سًان ىٍ آن ٙىبٕبیی 1 ٽَى: یپی ځًی٘ ايٕشبیی ٽُه یب ثٍا٦ٝﻻف، ځًی٘ ځبَبوی ي ىیڂَ: ځًی٘ ايٕشبیی ډشؤهَ یب ځًی٘ ػيیي )١ٍبئی ثبٯثیي:، 1388: 25(. َٕيىَب: ډىًٖة ثٍ ٍُىٙز، ځبطب )gāѳā(َب ییب ځبَیبن، ىٍ ثوی٘ َیب: ځبَیبوی ییب ايٕشب: ٹيیڈ ػب: ىاٍى. ځبَبن ډؼم٫ً یٖه َیب: 28 سیب 34، 43 سیب 51 ي 53 ي ػمٮیبب َٶيٌ َٕيى إز. ووٖشیه ٽٖی ٽٍ ځبَبن ٍا ثٍ ٭ىیًان اطیَ اكشمیبڅی هیًى ٍُىٙیز اُ ىیڂَ ثوَ٘ب: ايٕشب ػيا ٽَى ډبٍسیه ًَٿ (Martin Haug( آڅمبوی ىٍ ٹیَن ویًُىَڈ ثیًى )Haug, 1978: 146(. ًَٿ َٕيىَب: ځبَبن ٍا ثٍ ًٍٝر ٙیبڅًىٌ ا: ثیَا: اٍُییبثی ػيییي 272 / پژٍّصّای ادیاًی، سال ًْن، ضوارُ ّفذّن ىٍثبٌٍ آډًٌُ ٍُىٙز ىٍآيٍى (Stausberg, 2015: 8(. ايٕشب، ي ثیٍ سجی٬ آن ځبَیبن، ثیٍ ُثیبوی وًٙشٍ ٙيٌ إز ٽٍ ثب آوپٍ اُ ُثبن َب: ایَان ثبٕشبن إز اډب ومی سًان آن ٍا ثٍ َیؾ یټ اُ اٹًاڇ ٙىبهشٍ ٙيٌ ایَان وٖجز ىاى )١ٍبیی ثبٯثیي:، 1388: 25(. سمیبڇ آطیبٍ: ٽیٍ ىٍثیبٌٍ ُډبن ي ډپبنِ ٍياع ځًی٘ ځبَبوی ي ُډبن ي ډپبن ٍُىٙز ديیي آډيٌ اوي ثَ اطَ اكشمبﻻر ي ًٙاَي ُثبنٙىبهشی إز (Grenet, 2015: 21). ثب آوپٍ ځبطبَب ثٍ ىڅیڄ اوشٖبث٘ ثٍ ٍُىٙز ډُڈ سَیه ي ٹيیمی سَیه ډشه ايٕشب إز ي ثبﻻسَ اُ آن، ٥جٸ ٽشبة ًٕڇ ىیىپَى، ٽﻻڇ ي يكی )manѳra( اًٌٍَ ډیِىا هًاویيٌ ٙیيٌ ثیَ ٍُىٙز إز ي ثی٘ اُ ٕبیَ ثو٘ َب: ايٕشب سػَمٍ ي سٶٖیَ ٙيٌ اډب ثٍ ىڅییڄ دیبٌٍ ا: 4 3 2 ىًٙاٍ: َب: ُثبوی ي سبٍیوی، ي ٵٺيان آٙىبیی ٽبډڄ ثب ٍُىٙز ي اويیٍٚ َب: اي دی٘ اُ سلًڃ ىیه ایَاوی، سػَمٍَب ي سٶبٕیَ آن ٽبډﻻب ډشٶبير ي ځبٌ ډش٢بى إز. ٭ٺیيٌ اوشوبة ډیبن هیَ ي َٙ ثٍ ٭ىیًان ډُیڈ سیَیه ډٖیئچٍ ىٍ َٕإیَ سیبٍین ىییه ٍُىٙشی ٕجت ٙيٌ إز ځبَبن ثٍ ىڅیڄ اوشٖبث٘ ثٍ دیبډجَ ایه ىیه، ډشىی ثىیبى: ىٍ اییه ډ٫ً١ً سچٺی، ي ډَٽِ سػًُبر دْيَٚڂَان ًٙى. ثٍ ىﻻیچی ٽٍ ًٽَٙیبن ځٌٙیز، و٪یَ ډلٺٺبن ىٍ ثبة ډبَیز ځبَبن ي ٍيیپَىَب: ثَهبٕشٍ اُ آن ویِ ډشٶبير إیز ي ٕیجت ثَيُ ٭ٺبیي ډوشچٶی ىٍثبٌٍ ػبیڂبٌ »َٙ« ىٍ آن ٙيٌ إز. ثَ ایه إبٓ، ثیب وڂیبَی ثیٍ ٍيیپَىَب: ډوشچٴ ثَهبٕیشٍ اُ ډبَییز َیب: ډشٶیبير، ػٖیز يػیً ٍا ىٍ ىي كیًٌُ ډٖشَٚٹبن ي ډىبث٬ ثًډی )ډٖچمبوبن( دی ډ یځیَیڈ. 1. گاّاى ٍ هغتؾزلاى 1. 1. هاّیت اػتمادی گاّاى: رٍیکزد یکتاتاٍری ىاوٚمىيان ٱَثی اُ ډٖبٵَان ٕيٌ َٶيَڈ سب ثٍِٿ سَیه څٲًییبن ٕیيٌ ویًُىَڈ، ي ىٍ ایه ډیبن ٙوٞیز َب: اٝچی ډؼبىﻻر ٵچٖٶی ٕيٌ ؼَيَڈ، ډًاٵیٸ يػیٍ یپشبثیبيٍ: ډِىیٖىب ثًىٌ اوي. ایه ٍأ: سب ٭َٞ كب١َ ٱبڅت ثًىٌ ي آهَیه ثبٍ َیڈ وییًڅی )1980( آن ٍا ا٩ُبٍ ٽَىٌ إز )ٽچىِ، 1386: 26(. آوپشیڄ ىي دَين ٵَاوًٖ:، ډشیػَڈ ايٕیشب، آٱیبُځَ ثیبن یپشبثبيٍ: ثَهبٕیشٍ اُ ځبَیبن ثیً ى )ىيِٙیه ځییمَه، 1375: 27(. دیٔ اُ اي، َیًٿ ثیب تبییي خاستگاُ ضز بز اساس گاّاى / 273 ډﻻك٪ٍ ایىپٍ ځبَبن ػِ اُ هيا: یڂبوٍ وبڇ ومیثیَى ثیَ یپشبدَٕیشی دییبډجَ ي ٍيیپیَى سًكیي: ځبَبن ٝلٍ ځٌاٙز )Stausberg, 2015: 8(. ثٍ و٪َ ډیی ٍٕیي ىییيځبٌ َیب ي إیشيﻻڃ َیب: َیًٿ ىٍ اطجیبر یپشبثیبيٍ: ځبَیبوی اڅُبڇ ثو٘ ثٖیبٍ: اُ ډلٺٺبن ٙبهٜ ىٍ ایه كًٌُ، ډبوىي ځًَٙیؾ )1959(، ُوَ )1961(، ٽَیٖشىٖه )1385( ي ویًڅی )1390( ثًىٌ إز. إشيﻻڃ سًكیي ځبَبوی ٽیٍ اییه ډلٺٺی بن دٌیَٵشٍاوي، ډشپی ثَ یٖه َیب: 30، ثىیي 3 ي 47، ثىیي 2-3 إیز. ىٍ و٪َییٍ »ىي اٝیڄ ووٖشیه« )Haug, 1978: 303( )Two Primeval Principles( یب »ىي ٍيف« )Twin Spirits( )ٽچىیِ، 1386: 26( یب ا٦ًٌٍٕ ځیِیى٘ )ىيٙیه ځییمه، 1378: 55( ییب »ىي ځیًََ « )ٽَیٖشىٖیه، 1385: 106( ډٌٽًٍ ىٍ یٖه 30 ثىي ؿ ،3ىیه آډيٌ إز: »ىٍ آٱبُ آن »ىي ډیىً«: َمِاى ي ىٍ اويیٍٚ ي ځٶشبٍ ي ٽَىاٍ =یپی> ویټ ي =ىیڂَ:> ثي، ثیب یپیيیڂَ ٕیوه ځٶشىیي .
Recommended publications
  • Mah Tir, Mah Bahman & Asfandarmad 1 Mah Asfandarmad 1369
    Mah Tir, Mah Bahman & Asfandarmad 1 Mah Asfandarmad 1369, Fravardin & l FEZAN A IN S I D E T HJ S I S S U E Federation of Zoroastrian • Summer 2000, Tabestal1 1369 YZ • Associations of North America http://www.fezana.org PRESIDENT: Framroze K. Patel 3 Editorial - Pallan R. Ichaporia 9 South Circle, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 (732) 634-8585, (732) 636-5957 (F) 4 From the President - Framroze K. Patel president@ fezana. org 5 FEZANA Update 6 On the North American Scene FEZ ANA 10 Coming Events (World Congress 2000) Jr ([]) UJIR<J~ AIL '14 Interfaith PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF '15 Around the World NORTH AMERICA 20 A Millennium Gift - Four New Agiaries in Mumbai CHAIRPERSON: Khorshed Jungalwala Rohinton M. Rivetna 53 Firecut Lane, Sudbury, MA 01776 Cover Story: (978) 443-6858, (978) 440-8370 (F) 22 kayj@ ziplink.net Honoring our Past: History of Iran, from Legendary Times EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Roshan Rivetna 5750 S. Jackson St. Hinsdale, IL 60521 through the Sasanian Empire (630) 325-5383, (630) 734-1579 (F) Guest Editor Pallan R. Ichaporia ri vetna@ lucent. com 23 A Place in World History MILESTONES/ ANNOUNCEMENTS Roshan Rivetna with Pallan R. Ichaporia Mahrukh Motafram 33 Legendary History of the Peshdadians - Pallan R. Ichaporia 2390 Chanticleer, Brookfield, WI 53045 (414) 821-5296, [email protected] 35 Jamshid, History or Myth? - Pen1in J. Mist1y EDITORS 37 The Kayanian Dynasty - Pallan R. Ichaporia Adel Engineer, Dolly Malva, Jamshed Udvadia 40 The Persian Empire of the Achaemenians Pallan R. Ichaporia YOUTHFULLY SPEAKING: Nenshad Bardoliwalla 47 The Parthian Empire - Rashna P.
    [Show full text]
  • De Oud-Germaanse Religie (§§ 570 - 598) (De Vries) 1
    Dit document vormt een onderdeel van de website https://www.religies-overzichtelijk.nl Hier vindt u tevens de koppelingen naar de andere teksten en de indexen, de toelichtingen en de afkortingen Laatste bewerking: 26-09-2020 [l] De Oud-Germaanse religie (§§ 570 - 598) (De Vries) 1 1 De schepping van de wereld en de mensen volgens de Germaanse overlevering .............. 4 1.1 (§ 570-6) Inleiding tot de schepping van de wereld en de mensen volgens de Germaanse overlevering .......................................................................................................... 5 1.2 De scheppingsmythen ..................................................................................... 6 1.2.1 De mythe van Ýmir (SnE) ........................................................................... 7 1.2.1.1 (§ 570-1) Episode 1: de toestand vóór de schepping en het onstaan van Ýmir ........ 8 1.2.1.2 (§ 570-2) Episode 2: Auðumla en de schepping der goden ................................ 9 1.2.1.3 (§ 570-3) Episode 3: de slachting van Ýmir en de schepping van de wereld ......... 10 1.2.2 (§ 570-4) De mythe van de schepping van Askr en Embla (SnE) ........................... 11 1.2.3 (§ 570-5) De mythe van Odins vestiging in Ásgarðr (SnE) ................................... 12 1.3 De toestand vóór de schepping ....................................................................... 13 1.3.1 (§ 571-1) De toestand vóór de schepping in de literatuur .................................. 14 1.3.2 (§ 571-2) Verklaring van de overlevering t.a.v. de toestand vóór de schepping ....... 15 1.4 (§ 572) Het ontstaan van leven uit de polariteit van hitte en koude ........................... 16 1.5 (§ 573) De schepping van reuzen, goden en mensen uit een tweegeslachtelijk oerwezen 17 1.6 (§ 574) De voorstelling van de melk schenkende oerkoe ......................................... 18 1.7 (§ 575) De schepping van de wereld uit het lichaam van Ýmir .................................
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • The Majority of the Mithraic Monuments And
    THE ORIGINS OF MITHRAIC MYSTERIES AND THE IDEA OF PROTO-MITHRAISM In Memory of the late Professor Osamu Suzuki (1905-1977) HIDEO OGAWA Professor, Keio University I The majority of the Mithraic monuments and inscriptions have been known from the western half of the Roman Empire.(1) The eastern half, includ- ing Greece, the Near East, North Africa, Egypt and South Russia, have given less evidences. This would not be so surprising, if Mithras had been a native god of the Romans or of a western province. But such is not the case. With the exception of S. Wikander,(2) most scholars have supported the eastern origin of the god Mithras and his mystery cult. This thesis was stated in the most typical way by Franz Cumont.(3) His speculations have been the starting point of almost all subsequent Mithraic studies. I do not want to re- capitulate his theory in length here, but confine myself in describing the main line of it with an emphasis upon his methodology concerning the problem of Mithraic origins. According to Cumont, the Avestan origin of Mithras is obvious. In the days of the Persian empire, magi (perhaps with official support) transplanted from Iran the worship of Mithras and Anahita in Asia Minor, North Syria and Armenia. Anahita was identified there with various local mother godesses such as Cybele. The cult of Mithras at first absorbed the astronomical ideas in Mesopotamia as the monuments of Nemrud-Dagh so indicate. Then, later, under the Greek influence in the Hellenistic period the cult was organized as an independent sectarian reli- gion.
    [Show full text]
  • Mithraism and Gnosticism
    Mithraism and Gnosticism The theme of'Mithraism and Gnosticism' is at the same time fascinating and difficult to handle. It evokes a general question of relations between gnos­ ticism and the mystery cults (and the mysteriosophic doctrines)! of late pagan antiquity, but is at the same time conditioned by the specific char­ acteristics of the sources of Mithraism, that historical-religious 'quantity' which is so well determined yet so difficult to penetrate. Furthermore, it must be said that, whereas the final form of the initiatory cult of Mithras in the Roman milieu may be clearly caught through the remains of its typical sanctuaries and through direct witnesses (though poor in contents) which its adepts have bequeathed to us, the questions of the historical-cultural back­ ground of Mithraism are more complex than those of other mystery cults of the Graeco-Roman world. Suffice it to mention the researches of the Swedish school, and in particular those of G. Widengren,2 which examine the prob­ lem of the relations of Mithraism with Iran and those ~octrines which also play an essential part in the same author's studies of the origins of Gnosticism. We will face the problem starting with Mithraism's occidental connections. We have already hinted at this argument in a previous article on certain aspects of Gnostic and 'Orphic' theologies that imply syncretism or analogies with the Mithraic material.3 In this paper, two topics will be considered: first the cult and the figure of Arimanius in the mysteries, and second the ascensus of the souls-topics that most evidently belong to the question of 'Mithraism and Gnosticism'.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran: Zoroastrians
    Country Policy and Information Note Iran: Zoroastrians Version 1.0 June 2017 Preface This note provides country of origin information (COI) and policy guidance to Home Office decision makers on handling particular types of protection and human rights claims. This includes whether claims are likely to justify the granting of asylum, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave and whether – in the event of a claim being refused – it is likely to be certifiable as ‘clearly unfounded’ under s94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. Decision makers must consider claims on an individual basis, taking into account the case specific facts and all relevant evidence, including: the policy guidance contained with this note; the available COI; any applicable caselaw; and the Home Office casework guidance in relation to relevant policies. Country information COI in this note has been researched in accordance with principles set out in the Common EU [European Union] Guidelines for Processing Country of Origin Information (COI) and the European Asylum Support Office’s research guidelines, Country of Origin Information report methodology, namely taking into account its relevance, reliability, accuracy, objectivity, currency, transparency and traceability. All information is carefully selected from generally reliable, publicly accessible sources or is information that can be made publicly available. Full publication details of supporting documentation are provided in footnotes. Multiple sourcing is normally used to ensure that the information is accurate, balanced and corroborated, and that a comprehensive and up-to-date picture at the time of publication is provided. Information is compared and contrasted, whenever possible, to provide a range of views and opinions.
    [Show full text]
  • Life Science Journal 2012;9(1S) Http
    Life Science Journal 2012;9(1s) http://www.lifesciencesite.com Iranian Zurvanism, Origin of Worshipping Evil ELIKA BAGHAIE PHD candidate at the Tajikistan Academy of science Abstract: In this article it is attempted to study the philosophy of the emergence of evil forces in the history of human life from the perspective of the East ancient texts, particularly those of ancient Iran and middle Persian language and then Zurvan, its emergence and status beyond a creator and as a neutral element and an evil force, and its logical concept is studied. “Above is not bright. Below is not dark. It’s invisible, and it can’t be called by any name. [ELIKA BAGHAIE. Iranian Zurvanism, Origin of Worshipping Evil. Life Sci J 2012;9(1s):21-26] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 5 Keywords: creation, evil, duality, Zurvan, man, God 1. Introduction Etymology of Zruuan, which is generally In a narration by Plutarch it is stated that defined as “time” in Avestan language is indefinite in Theopompus has remarked in the first half of 4th available documents and references. On the other century B.C. that “A group of people believe in two hand , it could be said that this term is linked to gods who are like to masons, one of them is creator Avestan zauruuan- which means “ancient time , old of good and the other one is creator of evil and age” ,and zaurura- which means “ancient and worn- useless things. And a group of people call the good out” which are derived from primitive Indo-European force as God and the other one as the Evil.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • Zoroaster's Contributions to Christianity
    ZOROASTER'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHRIS- TIANITY. r.V THE EDITOR. WE read in the Arabic Gospel of the Infancy (p. 176) the fol- lowing passage which we cannot doubt is but a more com- plete version of Matt. 11 :i : "And it came to pass when the Lord Jesus was born at Bethle- hem of Judah. in the time of Herod the King, behold Magi came from the East to Jerusalem, as Zerdusht had predicted : and they liad with them gifts, gold, incense and myrrh ; and they worshipped him and offered unto him their gifts." Zerdusht is the Arabic name for Zoroaster, and we have here the positive statement that Zoroaster had predicted the Saviour. The three Magi are now commonly supposed to be represent- atives of the Gentile nations, but among the early Christians they were Magi, or priests of Mesopotamia. They are always represented as wearing Persian caps, the same head covering which Mithra wears, and which under the name of miter, has become the typical cap of honor of the Christian bishops. The names of the three Magi according to an ancient popular legend, are Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. All are pagan names ; not one of them is Jewish. Caspar means "radiance", Melchior means "the light of Malech or Moloch" (i. e. the king, viz., God), Balchazar means "Bel protect the king." The story of the Magi is the last remnant in the Christian can- on of the evidences of the influence which the religion of the Per- sians exercised on early Christianity. We know now that this in- fluence must have been enormous although it appears that during the rivalry between Mithraism and Christianity, the vestiges that might testify to it have been systematically obliterated, leaving only hints of the significance of Zoroaster's faith at the beginning of the Christian era.
    [Show full text]
  • The Incarnation of Ahriman and the Asuras
    The Incarnation of Ahriman It is evident in these seven motifs that, almost and the Asuras without exception, they are connected with the manner of human thought. Either directly or indirectly, they by HANS-WERNER SCHROEDER are consequences of abstract thinking. In contrast to these are the descriptions given concerning the ac­ tivities and efforts of the Asuras. (Translated by Maria St. Goar from “Mitteilungen aus der anthroposophischen Arbeit in Deutschland,” THE ASURAS AS DESCRIBED Easter 1979. Published with permission.) B Y RUDOLF STEINER In a previous article (Newsletter, Summer 1979), In attempting a survey of the lectures in which we looked to the end of the century and the incarnation Rudolf Steiner mentions the Asuras, we soon notice of Ahriman in the next millennium. In order to fully that there are not many, all told. First, I want to list the grasp the events connected with future develop­ lectures known to me in which the theme is touched ments, it will be necessary to include two additional upon: groups of beings which at the same time broaden the Berlin, May 23, 1904 (German GA93); view. One group concerns the activity of the Asuras in Berlin, October 7 and 17, 1905 (German GA93a); the present and in the future; the other is the activity of Munich, June 2, 1907 Theosophy of the Rosicru- the so called Sun Demon, whose mystery name is cians; Soradt. In this article, we shall mainly study the first. Kassel, June 24, 1907 Theosophy and Rosicrucian- (A subsequent article will deal with Soradt’s activity.) ism; Berlin, May 16, 1908 The Influence of Spiritual Be­ ings Upon Man; PREPARATIONS FOR THE INCARNATION Nuremberg, June 22, 1908 The Apocalypse of St.
    [Show full text]
  • Zoroaster and the Theory of Four Elements
    Bull. Hist. Chem., VOLUME 25, Number 2 (2000) 109 ZOROASTER AND THE THEORY OF FOUR ELEMENTS th bh, v Unvrt Intrdtn trl, nd n thr tp. vr, h dvtd nl t p t th rlr rn phlphr h npt f fr lnt: r, tr, rth, nd fr, rtr nd h rln. t rprnl, prhp, th thht t hv t rn th th Gr phlphr d f fr "rd" lnt bnt. Epdl bt 440 .C., hld fr n nt A tpl rnt r. Arttl (8422 .C. prntd fll (. ddd t th npt tht th Ardn t Arttl, th prprt f btn r IE b f th trl rld th rlt f th ltn prn f rtn fndn pr ttr, hh hd nl ptntl xt tl prprt. h Arttln t r n ntl prd b dtrn thrfr n "fr." fr h dd nt rnd nt th ht drn n hp nl, bt ll ht ll lnt bt AI EA tht nfrrd pn bd th n btrt nptn f t pf prprt. In rtn ntrr prprt r Cld t plt nfttn, "lt," pll ld Mt fr v r t th "fr n, htn, drn, nd lnt," r, tr, rth, tn, hh b nd fr hh r dtn ntd n fr bntn: WAE hd fr n nthr drn nd ht (fr, ht b thr "lt." In nd tr (r, tr Figure 1. h fr lnt rprntd n lt h lnt, n lt nd ld (tr, nd ld nd ll htr nd htr f htr b. prdnt vr th drn (rth (. thr: n rth, drn n Arttl nd h fllr blvd tht ll btn tr, ld n r, fldt, nd n fr, ht.
    [Show full text]
  • Oral Character of Middle Persian Literature – New Perspective
    ROCZNIK ORIENTALISTYCZNY, T. LXVII, Z. 1, 2014, (s. 151–168) MATEUSZ MIKOŁAJ KŁAGISZ Oral Character of Middle Persian Literature – New Perspective Abstract From the very beginning oral transmission of texts played a significant role in the Iranian world. It became a main topic of several works by Bailey (1943), Boyce (1957, 1968), de Menasce (1973), Skjærvø (1384hš), Smurzyński (2006) and Tafazzoli (1378hš). In my paper I try to depict the problem of orality in Middle Persian literature once again, but this time using some tools developed by Ong. On the other hand, it is highly likely that at least the “obscurity” is addressed to works of the 9th century that also contain material which at one time was transmitted orally, but which themselves were products of a written culture. Their style is difficult because the authors wrote in long, complicated sentences. Most of these sentences are in no way adopted to be transmitted by heart. Key words Middle Persian, literature, orality, influence In this article I would like to deal with the problem of orality and its influence on the formal structure of written Middle Persian texts. I use the adjective ‘written’ deliberately because most of Middle Persian texts, that we have at our disposal now, existed originally as unwritten and only later were written down. Paradoxically, it means that we are able to gain some information about orality literature only from some printed sources. The question of orality (and literacy) was elaborated by different Orientalists, but in my paper I am using Walter Jackson Ong’s method of analysis of texts existing first of all as acoustic waves.1 From this point of view, my paper is situated within the framework of today’s research on pre-Islamic literature in Iran but offers a new perspective.
    [Show full text]