Zoroastrianism:  An Introduction

Zoroastrianism believes in one God, known by the Avestan name Ahura Mazda (The Wise Lord). Zarathustra, is named after, describes him more specifically as "The one Supreme God, Ahura- Mazda, who is All Wise, All Good, and Eternal conceived ideal creation in accordance with the principle identified with Asha (the truth). The truth represents the true order of the universe. Truth is also righteousness, because righteousness is action according to truth."

The Zoroastrian God is a friend to all, not to be feared. The teachings about Ahura Mazda and the revelations of Zarathustra are expressed in poetic form in the Gathas. Zarathustra emphasized the virtue of righteousness, and his philosophy involves the practice of (1) good thoughts, (2) good words, and (3) good deeds. The events of this world are seen as a contest between the powers of good and evil. Upon death, the soul is believed to cross a bridge, the Chinvat Bridge ("Bridge of the Separator"), which widens to permit easy passage to the righteous but shrinks to a knife-edge for the wicked, so that they fall into a life of hell below.

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