Zoroastrian Ethics
Zoroastrian ethics are built on the principle of “good thoughts, good words, and good deeds,” embodying a moral life rooted in goodness and righteousness. Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity in Zoroastrianism, is associated with absolute goodness, and Zoroastrians are encouraged to emulate this divine nature, making the distinction between good and evil central to their worldview. This dualistic framework, where Ahura Mazda represents good and his antithesis, Angra Mainyu, embodies evil, shapes Zoroastrian morality and human conduct.
Divine and Human Connection to Goodness
Zoroastrian teachings stress the importance of humans aspiring to the six divine qualities of Ahura Mazda: Good Mind (Vohu Manah), Righteousness (Asha), the Kingdom (Khshathra), Right-Mindedness (Spenta Armaiti), Wholeness (Haurvatat), and Immortality (Ameretat). These traits, outlined in the Gāthās (Zoroaster's hymns), were later personified as archangels. However, they are not exclusive to the divine; they are also ideals for humanity. While humans strive for wholeness and immortality, qualities such as righteousness and goodness must be actively embodied in daily life. By aligning with these divine attributes, individuals contribute to the cosmic struggle between good and evil.
Ethical Development in the Sassanian Period
During the Sassanian period (224–651 C.E.), when Zoroastrianism was the state religion of Persia, Zoroastrian ethics took on a more aristocratic tone. Morality became intertwined with values of nobility, dignity, and honor, reflecting the ruling class's ideals. Moderation was a key principle in Zoroastrian ethics, emphasizing the balanced enjoyment of life’s pleasures. This approach allowed Zoroastrians to appreciate the material world, unlike the ascetic traditions in other religions. Zoroastrians were encouraged to partake in life’s offerings, including alcohol, as long as it was done in moderation and holiness. Excessive indulgence was discouraged, emphasizing a middle path that upheld moral integrity.
The Zoroastrian approach contrasts with asceticism found in religions like Buddhism or Christianity, where material wealth or indulgence may be seen as sinful. In Zoroastrianism, the world is viewed as a temporary, good creation of Ahura Mazda, where individuals can enjoy life while remaining morally responsible. This balanced perspective sets Zoroastrianism apart from religious traditions that emphasize renunciation or rejection of worldly pleasures.
Practical Morality in Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrian ethics are pragmatic and grounded in everyday life. They promote a straightforward moral code centered on good thoughts, words, and deeds, rejecting extremes of self-denial or heroism. The Zoroastrian ideal is to live in harmony with asha (truth and order) by performing good deeds and avoiding "the Lie," which represents all falsehood, sin, and moral corruption.
Unlike religious teachings that emphasize unconditional forgiveness, Zoroastrianism offers a more cautious approach to dealing with enemies. Those who follow “the Lie” are viewed as enemies of truth and righteousness, and forgiveness is not always advised. Zoroastrians are warned against quickly reconciling with such adversaries, comparing them to “black snakes” that cannot forget past wrongs. This outlook stands in contrast to Christianity’s command to "love your enemies" or Buddhism’s call for compassion toward all beings. Zoroastrian ethics prioritize maintaining moral integrity and fighting against evil rather than practicing unconditional reconciliation.
Zoroastrian View of the World
Zoroastrianism presents a positive view of the material world, which is seen as inherently good because it is a creation of Ahura Mazda. The material world is not regarded as sinful, as in some other religious traditions. Instead, Zoroastrians are encouraged to appreciate life’s pleasures, provided they do so with moderation and in alignment with their ethical responsibilities. The guiding principle, “Do in holiness anything you will,” emphasizes that freedom and enjoyment must be balanced with truth and righteousness.
Zoroastrianism’s focus on moderation and practical ethics highlights its commitment to living a balanced, virtuous life. This approach avoids extreme renunciation or devotion, instead promoting steady moral integrity through the simple yet profound values of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. This ethical system allows for a harmonious coexistence of personal enjoyment and moral responsibility, encouraging Zoroastrians to live in accordance with the divine order while engaging with the world in a positive and meaningful way.
Link for Class: https://youtu.be/ggAasbI-2iI
Link for PPT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V_JKFibiKTtjn2vJq3BWwVfxpy0qhvaR/view?usp=sharing
Zoroastrianism has good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, as the principles. These principles promote good deeds and demotes the bad deeds. The six divine qualities connect the humanity to the Divinity. this religion also considers the material worlds as a moderate one. It's all depends on us how we want to lead our lives.
ReplyDeleteThe core of Zoroastrian ethics lies in the simple yet profound mantra of "good thoughts, good words, and good deeds," inspiring a life of moral excellence, compassion, and beneficial actions.
ReplyDeleteThe Zoroastrianism ethical is an practical . Their ethics are based on good thoughts , good words and good deeds which help them to connect with divine quality .It seems similarity with the Christianity i felt .
ReplyDeleteI was inspired by the understanding on the world as goodness as a whole. They see goodness in all thus makes them to embrace everyone without any distinction.
ReplyDeleteThe emphasize on personal responsibility in a cosmic battle between good and evil is seen. It balances moral integrity with the enjoyment of life’s pleasures, rejecting extremes like asceticism.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrianism follows moderation which means a balanced approach towards Pleasure, Wealth and Material enjoyment. This helps for living a balanced and virtuous life.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrianism’s focus on moderation and practical ethics highlights its commitment to living a balanced, virtuous life. this sentence reminded me of the Ignatian Spirituality, Principles and Foundation where he Emphasizes Discernment which helps us to balance our desires.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrianism focus on the practical ethics. And those who lie are considered as enemies. They have principles of good thoughts, good deeds, good words.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the dualistic of life, Zoroastrian ethics gives more important to inculcate values of Divine Being, such as good thoughts, good words and good deeds. Ultimately, this helps to fight evil spirits within us.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrianism says that the material world is good because it is created by Ahura Mazda. It encourages for having moderate pleasure and lead a virtuous life.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrian ethics is good thoughts, good words and good deeds; these reflects the practical way of moral life. It reminds me of the sentence, what you think you become. Also, Christianity says love you enemies and Buddhism says compassion. All say live peaceful life by observing oneself constantly.
ReplyDeleteFrom this topic what I learnt is, Zoroastrian ethics tells about cautious relationships, balance between enjoyment and responsibility, and maintaining integrity, contrasting with unconditional forgiveness in other religions.
ReplyDeleteThe ethics of Zoroastrianism are founded on reality. Their morality is based on kind behaviours, words, and thoughts that enable them to relate to the divine quality. It appears to resemble the Christianity I encountered.
ReplyDeleteThe central ethics of zoroasirianism are good thought, good words and good deeds.it is encouraging to live a moral life.
ReplyDeleteI think the ethical life in Zoroastrianism involves actively choosing to promote truth and goodness while rejecting falsehood and evil, known as drug. It emphasizes personal responsibility, urging individuals to use their free will to make morally upright choices, not just for their personal salvation but also to support the collective victory of good over evil in the world.
ReplyDeleteEvery religion is influenced by the society from which it originated, and they are created to improve the spiritual and social life of the people in that society. Initially, Zoroastrian ethics had an aristocratic tone, where morality became linked with values of nobility, dignity, and honor, reflecting the ideals of the ruling class. However, the spiritual battle between good and evil is a dominant feature in the religion.
ReplyDeleteUnlike religious teachings emphasising unconditional forgiveness, Zoroastrianism offers a more cautious approach to dealing with enemies. Those who follow “the Lie” are viewed as enemies of truth and righteousness, and forgiveness is not always advised. At this point, I feel that Zoroastrianism teaches us to live a practical life.
ReplyDeleteI find Zoroaster's ethics compelling, especially the principles of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. They inspire my commitment to justice and compassion in daily life.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how Zoroastrianism beautifully blends enjoyment with moral responsibilities, creating a fulfilling life that resonates with a sense of purpose and balance.
ReplyDeleteThe dualistic worldview, with its stark contrast between good and evil, reinforces the importance of making conscious choices aligned with righteousness. This ethical system offers valuable insights into the nature of morality and the human condition.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrianism emphasizes good thoughts, words, and deeds. Its focus on moderation and practical ethics promotes a balanced, virtuous life.
ReplyDeleteInspired by the understanding that the world is inherently good, I believe that goodness exists in everyone, which leads us to embrace all people without distinction.
ReplyDeleteIt is a new learning that in contrast to religious doctrines that prioritize unwavering forgiveness, Zoroastrianism presents a more skeptical stance toward adversaries saying that those who adhere to "the Lie" are enemies of righteousness and truth, and forgiveness is not always suggested. Zoroastrians are advised against making hasty amends with these foes, likening them to "black snakes" that are incapable of forgetting wrongs done in the past. Religious teaching can sometimes be a wonderment.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Zoroastrianism advises caution with enemies, seeing those who follow 'the Lie' as threats to the truth. Unlike Christianity, which teaches to love your enemies, Zoroastrianism emphasizes being wary of liars.
ReplyDeleteThe principal aspects of Zoroastrian ethics are good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. The teaching points to a dualistic worldview in which good and evil are at war, the individual should choose the path of righteousness, and contribute toward the triumph of good over evil.
ReplyDeleteI find so much depth in Zoroastrianism beliefs and ideas. The good thoughts, good words, and good deeds and the moderation in everything is the root of all religions.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrian ethics is quite similar to the ethics fo Buddhism. Modernization and practical ethics captured my attention
ReplyDeleteI find Zoroastrian ethics to be deeply inspiring. The emphasis on good thoughts, good words, and good deeds aligns with my own faith's teachings about morality and virtue. The Zoroastrian concept of asha is similar to the Catholic concept of righteousness and living according to God's law.
ReplyDeleteSomething interesting is that The Zoroastrian ideal is to live in harmony with asha (truth and order) by performing good deeds and avoiding "the Lie," which represents all falsehood, sin, and moral corruption.
ReplyDeleteIt focus on the battle between good and evil, resonates with my values of personal responsibility, truth, and the need to actively promote justice and righteousness in society.
ReplyDeleteThough Zoroastrianism is an old religion, yet is has a strong foundation of ethics that is good thought, words, and deeds. Because these are the fundamental foundations which can determine the results of our actions to be either good or bad depending on our choices and at large influence the society.
ReplyDeleteThe Zoroastrian ethics suggest good thought, good word and good deeds which lead one towards peaceful life avoiding the evil and many other religious we can find the same ethical teaching.
ReplyDeleteit is very relevant to my life journey, Moderation was a key principle in Zoroastrian ethics, emphasizing the balanced enjoyment of life’s pleasures.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrianism's unique blend of moral integrity, moderation, and personal responsibility fosters a balanced and virtuous life, distinct from other religious traditions.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrian ethics emphasize a practical moral code based on good thoughts, words, and deeds.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrian ethics are built on the principle of “good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. Indeed, my thoughts and words and deeds are good to good people.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrianism does not promote unconditional forgiveness. Though I do not agree this statement or idea, it showcases the reality of humans.
ReplyDeleteZoroastrian ethics focus on "good thoughts, good words, and good deeds." They encourage moderation and moral integrity, viewing the material world positively while aligning with divine qualities and truth.
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