Dr. Jahanian's Corner

Teachings of the Zarathusthra

12/6/2021

By Dr. Daryoush Jahanian, M.D.

The religion of Zarathushtra by one estimate is approximately 3800 years old. As old as it is, how can it apply to our life today? Before answering this question we have to find out how a religion can bind itself to its birthplace and stall in time. One way is by presenting superstitious concepts that over time will be refuted by science and at the same time, through demanding submission or blind faith, impose restrictions on free thinking. The other is by setting a strict religious code as immutable divine laws descended from God; within this context enforcing hard rituals and dispensation of rigid commands and taboos that may interfere with the details of daily life including diet, dress and appearance. These religions over time will face challenges to their practice. For example, laws have to be amended or replaced according to the time, environment and needs of society. Religious laws however are considered as the words of God and immutable even if inapplicable to our time and needs. Consequently, for the followers there will be a dilemma: what to do with those laws?

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Spenta Mainyu

12/6/2021

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By Daryoush Jahanian, M.D.*

Zarathushtra often references the intellectual faculties for self-realization and to remind us of our responsibilities in making decisions. They include: Mind, Wisdom, Conscience, Intellect, Spenta Mainyu, Will-Power and Soul (48-4), in order to guide us to the right thoughts, teachings, intentions, choices and deeds (45-2). In Yasna 30 and 45, he reminds us to adhere to our Spenta Mainyu when making decision and determining our destiny.

Spenta Mainyu has been variously translated as: Progressive Mind (A.A. Jafarey), Benevolent Spirit (S.Insler) and Bountiful Spirit (D.J. Irani). The present writer has interpreted it as Intuitive Insight. For the ease of understanding here, Benevolent Spirit will be used, as translated by Insler. The word spirit, however, is to be construed within the context of the spirit of freedom, or perhaps phenomenon. The real meaning of Mainyu needs more definition. Zarathushtra, in Yasna 30, recommends that on the Great Event of Choice, we adhere to Spenta Mainyu. But what exactly is Spenta Mainyu?

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Zarathushtra: His World Views and the Evolution of Society

12/6/2021

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By Daryoush Jahanian, M.D.

The teachings of Zarathushtra have to be perceived through the text of the Gathas. It would be misleading to draw conclusions by preconceived views, interpreting them through the later Avesta, or the perspectives of Abrahamic religions.
Zarathushtra's perception of the living world is based on the realities of existence, which he calls Truth or Asha. He does not resort to mythology and superstitions.
According to those teachings, the only perfect entity is the Wise Lord, Ahura Mazda, who is the Lord of life and wisdom, and the creator and sustainer of the universe. Ahura Mazda is an abstract entity that must be realized in the mind and is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. The Wise Lord is perceived as the wisest, most far-seeing, and best judge who cannot be deceived (Y45/4). Ahura Mazda comprises the highest spiritual and moral values to be matched by perfect humans. These ideal qualities, known as the Divine attributes, are: wisdom, truth and justice, inner strength and good rule, peace and love, wholeness and evolution, and immortality.

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Women in the Avesta Era

12/6/2021

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By Dr. Daryoush Jahanian

In recent years, some authors, basing their conclusions on the genders of the Amesha Spentas, the divine attributes of God in the Zarathushtrian religion, have concluded that for Zarathushtra, men and women are equal, though at least one individual writer has expressed an opposite view. It is important to remember that Avestan words, like some contemporary languages, have masculine, feminine and neuter genders.

These authors suggest that the first three, Vohu Manah (good thinking), Asha (truth), and Khshathra (spiritual power) are masculine and the last three, Aramaity (serenity), Haurvatat (wholeness), and Ameretat (immortality) are of feminine gender. Therefore even in the deity system, the equality of man and woman is intended. Another author contends that Vohu Manah, who governs the mind, is superior to Aramaity and consequently this is the proof of the superiority of the male gender over the female.

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The Gathas, A Reanalysis

8/2/2021

By Daryoush Jahanian, M.D.*
(This article is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Ali A. Jafarey)

I have studied various translations of the Gathas in English and Persian, I have taught them in religious classes. Throughout my dedicated study, I have always struggled with one mind-boggling issue. The thoughts and concepts reflected in the Gathas were far beyond the farming and herding society of their era. How could these advanced notions develop during that time period? I noticed that, from the beginning, various translators of the Gathas have similarly struggled with this contrast. Earlier, some of them tried to adjust their translations to the environment and time. These translations contained a lot of issues regarding pasturelands and domestic animals. But these translations still did not answer the question of how, in that society and time, the advanced concepts of liberty and freedom of choice could develop. Then, some scholars took a more drastic approach by trying to move the date of the Gathas.