Zarathushtra, a
messenger or a philosopher
By Maziar August 1999
Edited; May 2013
Edited; May 2013
In contrast to
most major religions of the world, which are based on “faith”,
Zarathustra’s doctrine is based on logic. His philosophy was so far
ahead of time that a large number of Zoroastrian scholars, in different periods
of time since its foundation, have fallen into the trap of the “newer is
better” mentality. Whenever a new ideology or philosophy (mostly religious)
came into perspective, in order to keep up with the “progress”, they injected a few
of those ideologies into Zarathushtra’s doctrine. Unfortunately, this practice
has changed the foundation of the Zoroastrian doctrine.
It is interesting to know that with the
advancement of science in last few centuries, many of those so-called newer
progressive philosophies and hypotheses were proven wrong. This not only
discredited the religions that introduced those hypotheses, but it also
tarnished the image of Zoroastrianism for being influenced by it.
It is very encouraging to
see that efforts are being made to purify Zoroastrianism from these influences
by returning strictly to the Gothic doctrine (Zarathushtra’s writing), which
coexist with science.
According to the Gathas all the laws of
nature combined together will create a force, or an intelligence. Zarathustra
calls this intelligence Hasty-e Kherad, or Ahura Mazda in Avestan language,
which determines and maintains the world order. He named this world order “Asha”,
meaning "truth", or "law" in Avestan (the mother thong of Zarathushtra).
Zarathushtra did not have supernatural power, nor did he claim
to have one. After he chose seclusion and observed the nature for ten years, he
came to understand that there is an order that is governing the world not a
supernatural being that people of that era used to believe. He called that
world order “Asha”.
According to the Gathas, the universe is dynamic;
the universe is constantly progressing in accordance with the laws of nature.
And Zarathustra urges his followers try to understand Hasty-e Kherad and to
keep up with the progress through strive for knowledge.
If the universe is dynamic
and in constant progress, then that means if we go back in time, the universe
must have been in more concentrated and a more simpler form, and eventually had
a simple beginning.
Edwin Hubble the American astrophysicist,
in early 20th century mathematically proved that the universe is constantly
expanding at a rapid rate. Based on this finding, Hubble and many other
scientists concluded that the universe had a beginning, and theory of Big
Bang was born.
In recent years, after more
than half a century of research since Hubble's finding, scientists were able
to calculate the speed of the expansion of the universe and estimated its age
at about 13 billion years.
According to Big Bang
theory galaxies and stars are constantly interacting and forming new galaxies,
stars, and planets (dynamic universe).
As we can see, these scientific findings
are in complete agreement with Zarathustra’s doctrine of the formation and
progressive nature of the universe (dynamic universe). Based on this
reasoning, I am in disagreement with those Zoroastrian scholars who refer to
Zarathustra as a “messenger” instead of a philosopher. The term “messenger” in
our society reflects to the theory of creation by Abraham.
According to Abraham
universe is static; supposedly some times after the Big Bang, god had
interfered in the order of the universe and created humans and other creatures
within six days. Then, because Adam and Eve disobeyed the creator, God exiled them from heaven and excommunicated them and consequently he had designated “messengers” in order to keep in-touch
with humans. A few sects believe that he then went to bed and will wake up on
seventh day.
In my opinion, the term “messenger” that
does not fit into Zarathustra’s thinking, has been adopted by a few Zoroastrian
scholars to keep up with the so-called “progress”-- The progress that has been
proven wrong by science over and over again.
I believe Zarathustra is a philosopher
who introduced a doctrine, along with finest set of ethics to humanity in
accordance and coexistence with science, without resorting to superstition.
He campaigned against Magies
(the religious leaders of his time) and said “all gods are lies” and he never
referred to Ahura Mazda as a god. In Avestan language, ahura means
universe and mazda means intelligence. In some parts of Gathas he
referred to it as Mazda Ahura as well (intelligence of the universe). In
other word, it is the intelligence that exists within every matter that makes
our world “dynamic” which is constantly producing, (not creating as Abrahamites came to believe).
In other word, the two Avestan words; Ahura and Mazda has been used by Zarathushtra to describe a situation that exists in our universe but the god enthusiasts had interpreted it as a god.
Ahura Mazda is not a god and Zarathushtra was a naturalist and was against all gods.
Again, the two words; Ahura and Mazda, put together, describe a situation not an entity.
In other word, the two Avestan words; Ahura and Mazda has been used by Zarathushtra to describe a situation that exists in our universe but the god enthusiasts had interpreted it as a god.
Ahura Mazda is not a god and Zarathushtra was a naturalist and was against all gods.
Again, the two words; Ahura and Mazda, put together, describe a situation not an entity.
This makes Zarathushtra unique among
philosophers as well as among religion originators. The term “messenger” not
only does not fit with Zarathustra’s thinking but, in my opinion, will harm his
position in human history.
Why I adamantly believe
that Zarathushtra was a naturalist.
When one reads The Gathas (the parts that was written by
Zarathushtra himself) one can conclude that Zarathushtra believed that; there
is an order (Asha) in the universe that governs our world and he said that
nothing can change or stop that order, meaning none-existing of supernatural
entities or entity to interfere with that natural order.
He also reinforces that belief by instructing his followers;
in order to understand the structure and configuration of the natural world (Ahura
Mazda/Mazda Ahura, meaning intelligence that exists in our universe), one
must strive for knowledge.
When one reads the above statement by Zarathushtra, one can figure
out his line of thinking which is based on logic and scientific principle not myth.
With above in mind, if I read an article by a scholar who
claims that Zarathushtra was a prophet of some god and used to believe in
heaven and hell et. et., would it be logical for me to believe that claim?
By the same token, if I read "Origin of Species" and learn about Natural Selection by Charles
Darwin and then read an article by a scholar who claims that Darwin
Please read my other articles regarding Zarathushtra on this blog.
Please read my other articles on this subject:
Please read my other articles on this subject:
Thank you.
Maziar
پارسی زبانانِ گرامی: برای آشناشدن
با برخی ازدگرگونیهای نا درست که موبدانِ زمانِ ساسانی در "فرهنگِ فلسفیِ ایرانی"
ایجاد کرده اند را در ویدیوهای زیر از پرفسور منوچهر جمالی ببینید.
Vedio#4
Vedio#5
Vedio#6
Vedio#7
Vedio#8
Link bellow: Professor Kaykhosro Irani explains the "philosophy of Zarathustra"
No comments:
Post a Comment