A Brief Look At Zoroastrianism
Rohinton Mistry's Such A Long Journey tells the story of the Nobles, a Parsi family living in India. While having only 140 000 members today, the faith is largely unknown. However, the Parsi religion has interesting beginnings, an influential past and a good message.
The religion's origins can be traced back to a man named Zarathustra. He was born in 660 B.C. to a virgin mother. Zarathustra was a kind-hearted boy, feeding other peoples' cattle from his father's barn, and was said to have even bought bread to feed a dying dog. His life up to the age of thirty was spent meditating in the wilderness, until one day while fetching water, the Holy Immortal Vohu Mana (Good Mind) appeared as a beam of light before him. He brought Zarathustra to the celestial court of Ahura Mazda, the Lord of Wisdom. Ahura Mazda taught Zarathustra the cardinal principles of the true religion, and was then returned to earth. He preached the word of Mazda to the religious leaders of his country, but was not listened to. Fortunately, the King's horse fell ill and only Zarathustra could cure it. As he promised, the horse was cured, and Zarathustra was given great control over the kingdom. Crusading followed for the next twenty-five years, and is described as the happiest days of his life. His death came at the age of seventy-seven, but the faith he had created continued to grow. For the next 1000 years, from 559 B.C. to 652 A.D., the religion grew to mighty proportions. At the time of Christ's birth, there were more Zoroastrians, or Parsis as we call them today, then any other religious group. It is believed that Zoroastrianism influenced post-exile Judaism, Christianity and even Islam.
Zarathustra introduced an entirely knew way of thinking and philosophy of life. His concept of having only one god was a new one. This god, named Ahura Mazda, is the creator of all life in the universe, possesses super intelligence and infinite wisdom. This perfect god is friend...
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