Message of The Mobed Association on occasion of Zarathustra’s death anniversary

 Amordad Correspondent: Following is text of the message of The Mobed Association, Tehran, to Amordad bi-weekly newspaper, on the occasion of Zarathustra’s death anniversary.
Amordad has delivered a copy of the message to the Zoroastrian news site for inserting in the site.  We draw your attention to this message, as herebelow, without any change in the wording:
“Message of the Head of Mobed Association, Tehran, on occasion of Zarathustra’s death anniversary, to Amordad bi-weekly newspaper -  2nd Day 1387 (22nd Dec 2008) equal to the year 3746 of Zoroastrian religious calendar.
3699 years ago, on such a day, the great Messenger of Iran was martyred by the enemies, at the age of 77, while praying in the Balkh fire Temple, located in the Balkh State of today’s Afghanistan and previously Iran, after serving a life full of righteousness, war with wicked thoughts, based on knowledge seeking wisdom and wakeful conscience.
Zarathustra’s thoughts are reflected (and preserved) in the Gathas and in Yasna and in books containing Avesta and the principals  penetrated among the people, and all through full-of-hardships-history of Iran it was protected by Mobeds and religious people, until today.
Ashu Zarathustra had discovered that a very precise law and system rules over nature which works in a unique harmony.  He named this power “Asha”. He came to know that due to possessing two eternal and unique powers of “wisdom” and “conscience” mankind is distinguished from other creatures, and with this knowledge of the law of nature, can participate in the evolution and prosperity of the universe and change the negative powers to positive.
He came to know of the oneness and incomparableness of Ahur Mazda, the God of life and wisdom and came to the discovery that evil is only created by the thoughts of mankind and does not exist.  He discovered that whatever is good and progressive in the world is created by those possessing “Human”, “Vahuman” and “Sepentaman”.  He learned from Ahura Mazda that though the act and behavior of mankind is in his own hands, but on the other hand, nature’s reaction is inevitable and based on the law of Asha.  Therefore, we “wish to be among those who guide people towards virtues, and righteousness and lead the world towards prosperity and progress” (Gathas).  With will and effort, and by thinking and working together, with other seekers of the good and the right, we can reach our righteous goals.  With an iron will, Ashu Zarathustra, together with his wise followers, the Moghan group, succeeded to defeat ignorance and superstition with the help of knowledge, and b y enlightening the minds could win over darkness.
Zarathustra’s religion has 9 principals: 1- Belief in Ahura Mazda, the one and only God, 2- Belief in the prophecy of Zarathustra, 3- Belief in the heavenly world and eternity of the soul, 4- Belief in Asha (righteousness, purity and love for God), 5- Belief in the equality of human beings, 6- Belief in the 7 stages of Zarathustra’s mystic knowledge (Amshaspandan), 7- belief in charity, 8- belief in Sepanta (holiness), 9- belief in the power of mankind to drive the world towards progress and prosperity.  In other words, these principals teach us to think globally, act nationalistic and live as a Zoroastrian.
The very human power and thoughts of this only Iranian prophet not only deeply impressed the thoughts of Iranians but also influenced other religions and learned men of the world, to an extent that all through history our ancestors have abided by these heavenly principals and have been able to found a civilization and culture that became famous all over the world and became the most human and glorious civilization, both from the material and immaterial point of view, thus bringing everlasting glory and honor for Iran and even for the whole world.
Since mass media, including the bi-weekly Amordad can influence public opinion, we hope tht all those active in Amordad perform their duties responsibly and with commitment and like always, even more than ever, act as true followers of Zarathustra, and follow the path towards righteousness and goodness.
We, as Mobeds, who are trying to uplift the spiritual level of our community, should commemorate the death anniversary of Ashu Zarathustra and pay our tribute to all servants of our community, including man and woman, the aged, the youth and children and wish all health and long life.
Wisdom may prevail, conscience be awake, and righteousness may win.

Mobed Dr ardeshir Khorshidian
Head of the Mobed Association of Tehran