Asha and Goodness

Dear Ron and Mehran

I believe Zarathushtra's whole point is that the laws of the universe - which at first appear neutral to us - for him and for us as Zoroastrians are GOOD simply because we celebrate that which EXISTS. This is the primary point of being a Mazdayasni, this is at the core of our faith: The fact that something exists, the fact that something gives substance to asha (rather than something which does not exist outside of our mere imagination) adds a quality to it and this quality is the attribute of asha and should be celebrated. So consequently Zoroastrians hold the material and immanent world as sacred.

Just imagine how radically different this worldview is from the degrading view of the world we find in both eastern and western thinking, with their aims to reach extinction or wait for another better world to come. Zarathushtra's ethical imperative is therefore to live within this world, love this world as much as we can (which will in turn make us behave well towards the world) and hold it as sacred. This is not - prinarily - a world of neither suffering nor sin, this is a world we are compelled to positively interact with.

What Zarathushtra THEN adds is the fact that within this world of asha, the capacity to reflect on the world af asha has arisen. This capacity, which we as human beings collectively give substance to, is the other second element of the Zoroastrian celebration. This is why Ahura Mazda has both the Ahura and the Mazda component, used seperately and together. Asha is spread thorughout, our minds also operate within the realm of asha. But Ahura as that which exists and Mazda as the wisdom of that which exists does cover all angles quite nicely, don't you agree? And it also makes Mazdayasna truly unique among religions as it celebrates both that which exists and the capacity to reflect and enjoy that which exists.

Ushta
Alexander

2008/8/10 Ronald Delavega

Ushta Mobedyar

Although I do agree with many things you say below, Asha, its good! In fact not only it is good, but, its benevolent and loving per Jafarey's translation in where Asha is called loving and per the Ashem Vohu where Asha is defined , among other things, as Vohu.

Furthermore when one eliminates evil/wrong one is said to deliver it unto the arms of Asha. You see Asha has an aspect that is ethically neutral, that is, Asha is the Physical laws of the Cosmos which appear to be neutral. (actually they are good as well since they support Creation and make life possible) But, Asha is also the ethical laws of the Cosmos.. The law of rewards (ashi) is part of Asha, for example, as is the Principle of Choice.

Ushta Te
Ron