Thus Spoke Zarathustra

Begining in Central Asia around 1700 BC and evolving in Persia over the centuries the religion known as Zoroastrianism was eventualy adopted by the Sassanians as their state religion. It was introduced by Zoroaster who believed that his mission from Ahura Mazda, the supreme being, was to teach the truth. Ahura Mazda is the creater of Heaven and Earth and Light and Darkness. And is at the centre of nature surrounded by seven spirits. These are:

Spenta Mainyu- the Holy Spirit- Assar-i Roshani
Vohu Manah- Good Mind
Asha Vahishta- Universal Truth and order
Khsharthra- Dominion
Armaiti- Benevolence
Haurvatat- Salvation
Ameretat- Immortality.

These are in fact the seven aspects of divinity. Spenta Mainyu- the Holy Spirit is constantly at odds with Angra Mainyu- the Destructive spirit- Assar-i Tariki. Both are inherent in nature and hence striving to influence people's minds. It is a person's own responsibility to choose, by exercising his intellect ( see Faravahar below ).

Angra Mainyu can be kept at bay by having good thoughts, speaking good words, and doing good deeds. Ahura Mazda will judge people after death. If they have elected "goodness" they shall have a happy afterlife in Heaven else there is nothing but torment.

Zoroaster took the notion of heaven and hell a step further, when in this world Angra Mainyu, the Evil and the Lie will be contained making the world the paradisical home of the just forever. seems like a million more years to go.

A fire burns constantly in a Zoroastrian Temple ( fire Temple) or Ateshkadeh in Persian. Maybe to remind us how easy it is to contain such a destructive force. Faravahar, a symbol and model to work with.

 
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