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dlkmc222
1/14/2006 7:28 PM
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1 out of 5 |
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Hello, I am in a Western Religions class and we are studying Zoroastrianism. We are to comment on Zoroastrianists explaination of Good Vs Evil, why there is evil in this world. Already some students have commented on Angra Mainyy/Ahriman, and on how Zoroastrianists seem to carry the weight of the world essentially on their own shoulders, because they feel that how the handle themselves personally will affect the ourcome of the rest of the world. I found it interesting that Zoroastrianists see the physical world as morally neutral (which makes sense), but that natural happenings such as hurricanes, pollution, etc. are seen as having demonic influences.
So does this mean that Zoroastrianists see things like this as a work of the "Devil"? How does this tie into their own sense of responsibility for the good/evil balance in the world. Also, do Zoroastrianists sorta have a yin yang type of thing going, my book says that for all the yazatas, good spirits, there are corresponding evil ones. To use the word corresponding makes me think that there are specific evil ones to contradict the good ones, is this right?
Also, why do Zoroatrianists feel that God allows evil in the world? Is it similar to the Judeo-Christian explaination?
Any insight, from practicers, students, any one who knows anything about it, would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!
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Geocorona
1/16/2006 12:41 PM
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2 out of 5 |
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This linked article may help, though I don't know if it represents a universal Zoroastrian point of view.
The author says that the Zoroastrian viewpoint of evil in our world is "in line with what is now known as Process Theology, the understanding of the Divine not as static perfection, but as a growing, active reality. All is not yet well, but all will be well in the fullness of time."
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Khirad1
1/29/2006 10:01 PM
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3 out of 5 |
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This is the whole issue surrounding the Zurvan heresy. And the issue, as in Christianity has been tackled to death by the Pahlavi authors, as well as by Zaehner. I don't even know where to start on the issue to be honest. But it is similar to the Christian argument that even though there is the evil spirit, Ahura Mazda is superior in every way. The source of the controversy is the interpretation of Zarathushtra's Ahunavaitu Gatha (esp. Y. 30.3). And the question of Evil is done to death ad nauseum in the Bundahishn, Denkard, etc. Forgive me, but my mind is swimming at attempting to formulate a satisfactory answer. The difference is, of course, that where in the Christian tradition it was Satan 'the accuser' who tested Job's faith as a "prosecuter" (only later, after the exile acquiring his own domain, hmm...), in Zoroastrianism Ahura Mazda is not fickle nor treacherous, he would never ask Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Ahura Mazda is beyond comprehension, only through Yazatas and their material creations - especially 'light' can we even slightly begin to appreciate the Wise Lord's nature. As to the material creations, read the Bundahishn. Like later Catholic demonology, for every yazata (angel), there is a corresponding daeva (devil). For every action there is a reaction so to speak, for every good, there is an evil desiring to pollute it. And their battleground is both spiritual and material. In Zoroastrianism there is no division between the two, they are intertwined and dependent on each other. Thus ascetism and the like are NOT part of Zoroastrianism. So as such, I don't really know what is meant by "neutral", a better word is "mixture." Especially since there is a distinction between even things like beneficent creatures such as the Ox, and dogs on one side and kshathras (noxious beasts) like snakes, and other slimy and harmful things, the latter of which it is meritorious to kill (even Herodotus bemusedly mentions this). Even things like salt water are explained likewise. Since water is only superceded by fire as sacred, how do you explain brackish water? Simple, after the creation of the good (fresh) water, a demon attacked it, and that is why some water is undrinkable.
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Khirad1
1/29/2006 10:02 PM
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4 out of 5 |
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(continued from previous)
Examples such as the killing of kshathras and reciting the Yatha Ahu Vairyo are examples of consciously, under free will, choosing the side of good and opposing the druj (Lie). Merely by living a good life, smiling, being happy/contented, raising families, and of course thinking good thoughts, saying good words, and doing good deeds you help defeat the Lie and bring about the Renovation. But no matter what Ahura Mazda will prevail regardless. So what's the point of living a good life? Yes you will go to hell, the worst existence, or hamestegan (purgatory), but unlike the Christian God, because Ahura Mazda is Good, no one is damned forever (though there is debate whether or not Ahriman is allowed back into Perfected existence). In any case I'll leave it at that, though it be abrupt, to avoid rambling, but specific questions would be appreciated ;-) Btw, for more on humankind's purpose is to battle evil and a full list of demons, etc., check out the Greater Bundahishn at Avesta.org. And if you have time I recomment reading Arda Viraf, and see if it remind's you of a certain other Prophet's night Mi'raj or a certain Italian poets uvre. There is much more exegesis than the scriptures I've cited, but they should give you a solid starting point and are the texts of most importance (besides the Avesta proper) which are consulted. The question of evil is though, one of those perrenial questions which there is no easy answer for, in any religion, Zoroastrianism not excluded. I've given the rough Sassanian orthodox positions here, which are still carried on more or less today. The source is always the Gathas (though understanding the history of the daevas and ahuras of pre-Zarathushtrian religion is invaluable and enlightening as well). The problem is interpreting them - thus the Zand of the Avesta and the numerous Pahlavi, Pazand and Rivayat works. I've decided not to even touch the Zurvanite problem, it just gives me headaches - pick up Zaehhner's Dawn and Twilight, or Zurvan: A Zoroastrian Dilemma for that! Also of note is another heresy, Manichæanism, which divides the material world and spiritual realm into evil and good respectively. Look to this for further (Augustinian) correspondences with Christianity if that is indeed of any interest to you or of any relavence to your original query. I hope someone can do a better job than I. Sorry if I've only confused you!
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