Teachings of Zoroaster

The Religious Authorities of the times of Zoroaster believed in many gods.

Zoroaster did not conform to the teachings of the religious authorities that belonged to His times. However He did not bring them down altogether.

He gave the most important position to Ahura Mazda, as the Highest God, who could bestow bliss and immortality.

Zoroaster's teachings, angered those, whom he called the followers of the Lie (dregvant).

Zoroaster taught that the Good Lord has an opponent, whose name is Ahriman. The latter embodies the principle of evil, and those who followed Ahriman, were  followers of the lie, in other words, were evil.

Zoroaster taught that in the beginning, spirits were given the right to choose: “life or not life” Thus was born: good and evil. 

Zoroaster believed that Ahura Mazda reigned over both.

There was Heaven awaiting the good ones, and a hell awaiting the evil ones.

Eventually, Ahriman will be destroyed, and in the world, there will only be good, and all will live in perfect bliss. 

Zoroastrianism is based on the Law of Asha. The latter is akin to the Law of Karma. The Law of cause and effect. “As you sow,so shall you reap”

Zoroaster’s concept of God:

                      Ahura Mazda, was the highest god, worthy of being worshipped, sovereign law provider, who could bestow bliss and immortality.

      According to the Gathas: Ahura Mazda created Heaven and earth, night and day

The Wise Lord, together with the amesha spentas, (6 or 7 Beneficent Immortals.)

will vanquish the spirit of evil.

Let us have a look at who, Zoroaster called ‘Amesha Spentas’ (Beneficient Immortals), whose names are constantly mentioned in the Gathas.

The names of the Beneficient Immortals frequently recur throughout the Gathas and may be said to characterize Zoroaster's thought and His concept of God. 

In the words of the Gathas, Ahura Mazda is the father of theHoly Spirit, of Justice, Truth, of Righteous Thinking, and of  Devotion. 

The other three beings (entities) of this group are said to personify qualities attributed to Ahura Mazda: they are Desirable Dominion, Wholeness, and Immortality.

Man and God, should both possess the good qualities mentioned above.

The sacrificing of cattle accompanied by the consumption of intoxicating drinks was prevalent during the times of Zoroaster. The eternal flame in the Temple of fire continues to remain linked with the place of  Parsi worship.

Zoroaster lived for 77 years.

Some believe that He preached to many nations and fought in a sacred war.

Between the 8th and 10th centuries religious persecution  led some of the  Zoroastrians to leave Iran and settle in India, most of them, in the region of Bombay.

In the 19th century the Parsees renewed contact with the remaining Zoroastrians in Iran, the Gabars.

These two groups, and their emigrants to other countries are today, the only surviving practitioners of Zoroastrianism.

Parsees, are distinguished for their wealth and education. I have heard a story, that when the Parsees came to India, they promised to mingle with the inhabitants, like sugar does with milk.

I believe that they have kept their promise. Besides the last quality, mentioned about them, Parsis are known for their wealth, education and humanitarian values.