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 An
imagery depiction of Asho Zarathushtrâ
An
Oil-Painting by Shapour Suren-Pahlav
LONDON, (CAIS) - Zoroastrian
Association in Tehran will hold a ceremony in
commemoration of Prophet Zarathushtrâ (Zoroaster) in
Tehran on 26th of December which is the anniversary of his
death.
Prophet Zarathushtrâ is the ancient Iranian prophet and
founder of Daenâ Vanuhi (the Good Religion) or Parsism,
as it is known in India. He was born in 1773 BCE,
somewhere in North-East of Iranian world, possibly in the east of
Caspian sea or Bactria (please see the article by Farrokh
Jal Vajidar, "The Avestan
Geography"). His hymns which is known as the Gāthās,
is this small collection, divulges the barest view of the
world known to him and his venerable tradition.
Prophet Zarathushtrâ is generally accepted as a
historical figure, but the definite date of his appearance
is not known exactly. According to some scholars’
estimates, Prophet Zarathushtrâ came around 1,000 BCE.
Others, including linguists however, date him back to
around 1,800, making him as the founder of the earliest
religion based on revealed scripture. During the Sasanian
dynastic era because of political reasons and constant
clash with Rome, Sasanians have claimed that he was born
around 6th century BCE and born in Athropâtekân (modern
Azarbaijan province), which would make him contemporary to
the rise of the Achaemenid dynasty.
Prophet
Zarathushtrâ has attracted much attention in the history
of the religions of the world for two main reasons. On the
one hand, he was a legendary figure believed to be
connected with the occult knowledge and magical practices
in the Near Eastern and Mediterranean world during the
Hellenistic Age (300 BC - 300 AD). On the other hand, his
monotheistic concept of God has attracted the attention of
modern historians of religion, who have speculated on the
impact of his teachings on Semitic religions of
Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
“Prophet Zarathushtrâ was thus the first to teach the
doctrines of an individual judgment, Messiah, Heaven and
Hell, the future resurrection of the body, the general
Last Judgment, and life everlasting for the reunited soul
and body. These doctrines were to become familiar articles
of faith to much of mankind, through borrowings by
Judaism, Christianity and Islam; yet it is in
Zoroastrianism itself that they have their fullest logical
coherence....” (Mary Boyce, Zoroastrians: Their
Religious Beliefs and Practices; London: Routledge and
Kegan Paul, 1979, p.1)
The cardinal precepts of Prophet Zarathushtrâ’s
teachings are Humata, Hukhta, and Huvarshta which mean
Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds.
Prophet Zarathushtrâ’s reforms may not be appreciated
without knowledge of the tradition into which he was born
and raised. At that time society tended to be divided into
three classes: chiefs and priests, warriors, and
husbandmen and cattle breeders. This class structure is
reflected in the religion, with particular gods or
divinities associated with each of the three classes. The
Ahuras (lords), which included Mithra and Varuna, seem to
have been connected only with the first class.
Prophet Zarathushtrâ was known as a sage, magician and
miracle worker in post-classical western culture. However,
almost nothing was known of his ideas until the late
eighteenth century. By this time, his name was associated
with the lost ancient wisdom and was appropriated by
Freemasons and other groups who claimed access to such
knowledge. He appears in Mozart’s opera Die Zauberflöte
under the variant name “Sarastro”, who represents
moral order in opposition to the Queen of the Night.
English writers such as Voltaire promoted research into
Zoroastrianism believing that it was a form of rational
Deism, preferable to Christianity. With the translation of
the Holy Avesta, by Abraham Anquetil-Duperron, western
scholarship of Zoroastrianism began.
The effects of Zoroastrian in different nations and
different religions may well be seen today.
President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmanov, successfully
encouraged UNESCO to declare 2002-2003 the third
millennium since Prophet Zarathushtrâ’s birth, and in
his book, The Tajik in the Mirror of History, he claimed
that Aoroaster (the Tajik name for Prophet Zarathushtrâ)
was a Tajik (Ancient Sodgdian) from Bactria.
“Many principles of the Zarathushtrian (Zoroastrian)
religion have left a deep imprint on the Tajik people. The
habits of prohibiting the killing of animals when they are
pregnant and the cutting of trees in blossom have been
preserved to date. Water, earth, and fire have to be
protected from any impurity. The fumes of some fragrant
herbs are still used to keep away sickness and the force
of evil. These and many other examples give evidence that
in every Tajik house we may find trace of Zarathushtrâ’s
teachings. Let us hope in the new millennium, the Tajik
people will continue to live under the spiritual guidance
of Zarathushtrâ, the prophet of truth and light”,
Rahmanov states in his book.
The ancient pre-Islamic religion of Iran more or less
survived after Islam became the prevailing religion in the
country. Following the Arabs invasion of Iran (637-651
AD), which led to the devastation of Iran and decline of
Zoroastrian religion. Many Iranians had no choice but to
accept the Arabs' belief as the result of the
Jaziya (Poll Tax), while the rest massacred
or forced to immigrate to neighbouring lands. It is
recorded that Yazid ibn Mohlab is reputed to have ordered
the decapitation of so many Iranians that their blood
flowed in the water powering a millstone for one full day.
There are many other massacres recorded.
Although
most of Iranians forced to accept Islam, but the
achievements of their ancestors were not forgotten. Their heritage
and way of life were absorbed by the new system to a great
extent.
Today, the world observes a growing interest in
Zoroastrianism, and while some Iranians are converting
back to their ancient faith, many countries including
Tajikistan and the former Soviet Central Asian countries
which were formerly Iranian areas, acknowledge
“Zoroastrian Culture” as part of their spiritual
heritage.
The approval of Rahmanov’s proposal by UNESCO gave rise
to an extraordinary show of support by Zoroastrian
organizations worldwide, resulting in hundreds of large
and small commemorative events to celebrate the declared
anniversary, from Dushanbeh (the capital of Tajikistan) to
Tehran, to Mumbai, to New York City, and to Vancouver.
Secretary General of UNESCO delivered several speeches and
texts cementing UNESCO’s support for this worldwide
collaboration.
Today on 26th of December, world Zoroastrians will
gather in commemoration of Prophet Zarathushtrâ and
praise his divine and immortal soul together.
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