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Series:
Effective Living
Philosophy
Wisdom of Ages
Theology
Source:
Author:
Dasturji Framroze A. Bode
Subtopics:
Reference:
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Man is essentially a
spiritual and moral being. Modern man is not satisfied with the present
dogmatic conditions of religions, he is in search of some spiritual and
ethical philosophy of life which will satisfy his inner self needs in search
of Truth and Reality and realization of his spiritual potentialities. Man
cannot live by bread and material things alone, he is a thinking; feeling
and willing being who needs spiritual nourishment. In the name of religion
man is kept in separation. Religion was intended to be a binding adhesive
force, but unfortunately it has become disruptive. The basic urge of man is
to know himself by spiritual science of the soul to bring forth the Divine
impulse operating in a new higher consciousness. Modern man needs a new
perspective, a restatement a regeneration of an enlightened Faith in which
he can experience the Divine Truth -and attain happiness, success and joy in
life.
Now, some of the fundamental, pristine, pure,
spiritual, philosophical, ethical and practical teachings of Zarathushtra
could satisfy modern man in his need of an Enlightened Faith in which he can
experience the Divine Truth and Reality.
The Advent of Zarathushtra was Cosmic Manifestation of the Divine Plan for
the new cycle of evolution of mankind. Zarathushtra was the Prophet of
Ancient Iran, a world teacher whose mission was to give spiritual
illumination to all mankind, he yearned to inspire abiding faith in Ahura
Mazda, in the hearts of all living beings.
Zarathushtra was the first Prophet who gave freedom and liberation to then
enslaved mankind from ignorance, superstition, ritualism and blood
sacrifice. He does not demand blind following, On the contrary he says:
"Give ear, listen, ponder with the light of your shining mind, decide,
discriminate, each man must choose his faith for himself. Thus, he gave
freedom of thought and freedom of choice in the matter of religion."
Zarathushtra gave to the world pure Monotheism,
a profound concept of the Supreme Godhead – Ahura Mazda. He contemplated
with his Pure Mind, Vohu Manah over the Nature of Being and the laws
governing the Universe. Ahura Mazda is the Infinite Being. Ever present,
Lord of All- Wisdom, the Creator, eternally the same, all pervading Loving
Father, the Transcendent and the Immanent
Zarathushtra was the first world teacher who gave ethical conception to
religion. Before him primitive cultism was formalism, propitiation,
sacrifice, exteriorization. Without moral conduct in life, no spiritual
progress is ever possible. He applied religion to life and to him life was
light and illumination. Ethical Philosophy of Zarathushtrianism is
summarized in three Jewels, “Good Thought”, Good Word”, “Good Deed”.
Man being the thinker and the mind being his unique.potentiality,
Zarathushtra emphatically propounded the philosophy of controlling and
disciplining the i mind and making it Vohu Manah - Good Mind, Pure Reason,
reaching the deepest level of the source of Superior Mind.
Zarathushtrianism teaches something which is useful to modern man. Things
happen in Nature and in Man not by the whim of some hidden invisible
dictator, but by the operation of the Immutable Divine Law of Asha .the law
of harmony , order, truth, concision and purity. Zarathushtra gave a
scientific teaching regarding the law of cause and effect - the law of
Karma. At several places in his Gathas he reiterates: "As you sow, so must
you reap", With this law of Asha is tied up the conception of happiness and
misery, heaven and hell, Those who follow the law walk on the path of truth,
righteousness and goodness out of which happiness comes, Those who break the
law furnish themselves and suffer misery . Heaven and Hell are no places and
locations, they are the subjective states of man's spiritual consciousness,
God is a loving Father, He never , punishes man and hurls him into Hell for
eternal condemnation. The greatest good in life is Goodness itself which
brings happiness, Zarathushtra says: “Happiness to him who gives happiness
to others."
The Illustrious Master of
Wisdom Zarathushtra, solves the problem of evil and declares that evil is
not an entity or a being, It is only the twin mentality and relativity in
the human mind, Vohu Manah the positive, constructive Good Mind and Ako-Mano
the negative, distractive Evil Mind, There is no Cosmic dualism in the
original fundamental Pure Monotheistic teachings of Zarathushtra. He gave
to humanity the spiritual philosophy of One supreme Godhead eternally the
same,
It will be interesting for modern man to know that intellect is finite and
it cannot reach the Infinities, Man must transcend the limitation of
intellect and enter into what Zarathushtra calls the region of Sraosha
-Intuition which dispels darkness, conflict, and confusion in the human
mind, The relativity light of Good and Evil, right and wrong is transcended
and the subject and object are merged together in one flash of intuitive
light, then Truth draws upon the consciousness of man.
The concept of Fire in Zarathushtrianism is a deep scientific philosophy.
It does not mean the worship of physical fire. Zarathushtra in his
spiritual vision captured the experience of flaming cosmic mystic fire of
Ahura Mazda. “Athro Ahuraha Mazdao Puthra”. Athro means etheric energy, the
purifying energy of Ahura Mazda. Fire is the cosmic mystic symbol of Ahura
Mazda. Through this Fire of Spirit man can realize God and experience
bliss. Breath is fire and fire is life. Thus, fire worship is reverence
for all life everywhere. Athra never means the physical fire of wood or
sandalwood. The association of Athra with Vohu Manah – pure Mind and Asha –
the Divine Law indicates that fire is a divine Spark emanating from the
Supreme Being, Illuminating the total mind with Radiance of Wisdom. This
fire will ignite the Flame of Love in the heart and illumination of the
soul. As Athra is the purifier its prime function is to bum all impurities
and cremate the dead body according to ancient Zarathushtrian Custom. Fire
can never be made impure by any means.
Zarathushtrian spiritual philosophy of Self-Unfoldment,
self-realization or God-realization is practical. Realization means to be
real in our life within and without. By cultivating four Divine Attributes -
Wisdom, Law, Will and Love man is able to contact the Spenta.Mainyu, the
Holy Spirit within and be aware of his own Perfection and Immortality.
Zarathushtra' s message is full of hope, optimism and cheer. The ultimate
triumph of good and transmutation of evil into good by living dynamic good
life are assured.
In the light of all the above, we may say humanity today needs the true
spirit of religion for revitalizing itself. There has been restlessness and
violence due to loss of spiritual and ethical values. It might be said that
the spiritual, philosophical ethical, rational psychological, universal and
practical teachings of Zarathushtra might satisfy the spiritual yearnings of
modern man and inspire him towards establishing a better world of
brotherhood, humanity and love. We can sum up the message of Zarathushtra
in the Triple Yoga thus: Think creatively, constructively, rationally,
originally and independently with your head; love fully, universally and
joyously with your heart; and live dynamically in total goodness by using
your hand to serve mankind in the cause of unity and peace. |
