Iranian Traditions and Zoroastrianism

Iranian traditions are based upon the investigation of the pre- literary history of the Iranians using comparative philology as a method of determination. Since the primary language is yet identified, Frye deduces that the best means of discovering its origin would be to start from the Indo-European language, as this approach will give “the most adequate explanation of the divergences found in all of the language of the family”. The central idea is basically to acknowledge the unity of language supposedly brought a unity of social and religious beliefs.

The study of Indo- European religions had developed partly as a result of Dumezil’s theories which Frye reveals to be a mixture of belief and scepticism among today’s scholars. The next revelation lead him tot the Aryans as he was able to postulate an Indo-Iranian unity from related vocabulary, grammar, religious and social concepts from a common origin. Frye managed to show parallel concepts between the Iranians and tribal singers into one unified epic composed the Indians without any discernible chronology as various stories of different dates. These concepts of Indo-European existence proved to be very controversial as it was all relative to other distant classifications and divergences.

Zoroastrianism has a long oral tradition. Its prophet Zarathustra lived before the Iranians knew how to read or write. The Avesta, their collection of Holy texts, was set down in a particular invented alphabet around the fourth and fifth centuries. There was no real historical data or scriptures on Zoroaster’s arrival and most about him is known from the Gathas which are the attributions of the prophet himself.

Zoroastrians believed that the world was created in 7 stages. The major deities are organized into a Trinity, the three great ethical beings, similar to the Christian religion - Ahura Mazda or "Wisdom", Ahura Mithra or "Covenant", and Ahura Varuna or "Oath". Zoroastrians has a bit similarity with Christianity and Islam in my point of view, as it has the same understanding of one God and the belief of eternal life after death. Much of the texts speak about the struggles one has to make to remain good and pure. Even though some people might think Zoroastrianism as monotheistic way but many scholars today points out its lack of information.