Yasna/Bible: Parallelism

The Bridge to Paradise

Parallelisms between the New Testament and the Yasna

Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds

Yasna 34.1:

• Text: “With good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, we shall gain Your favor, O Ahura Mazda.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 7:17: “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
  • Explanation: Both texts emphasize the importance of aligning one’s thoughts, words, and actions with goodness to gain divine favor.

Internal Purity

Yasna 60.5:

• Text: “I praise good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. I keep pure thoughts.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
  • Explanation: Both the Yasna and Jesus emphasize the significance of internal purity and maintaining a pure heart to be in harmony with the divine.

Righteousness (Asha)

Yasna 60.11:

• Text: “May we be those who renew the world! May we purify the world, and may we be blessed with joy. May Ahura Mazda grant us this!”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
  • Explanation: Both texts stress the importance of striving for righteousness (Asha in Zoroastrianism) and the renewal or purification of the world through divine guidance.

Forgiveness and Love

Yasna 34.15:

• Text: “May we have the strength to practice forgiveness, love, and kindness towards all.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
  • Matthew 5:44: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
  • Explanation: Both teachings emphasize the virtues of forgiveness and love, highlighting their importance in ethical and spiritual life.

The Struggle Between Good and Evil

Yasna 30.3-4:

• Text: “Now the two primal spirits, who reveal themselves in vision as the twin spirits, are the better and the bad in thought, word, and deed. And between these two, the wise ones chose rightly, the foolish not so.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”
  • Explanation: Both texts discuss the duality of good and evil and the necessity of making the right choice between them.

Commitment to Righteousness

Yasna 34.15:

• Text: “I strive to be righteous and to bring righteousness to all who come into contact with me.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
  • Explanation: Both teachings emphasize living a life of righteousness and being a model of goodness for others to follow.

Honesty and Integrity

Yasna 31.19:

• Text: “Whoever, O Mazda, is ready to sacrifice with pure thoughts, words, and deeds, shall attain the highest reward.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 5:37: “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
  • Explanation: Both texts emphasize the importance of honesty and integrity in one’s actions and words.

Love and Compassion

Yasna 33.11:

• Text: “We praise the thought well thought, the word well spoken, and the deed well done in accordance with Asha. May we love and cherish all that is pure.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
  • Explanation: Both teachings emphasize love and compassion as fundamental principles of ethical conduct and spiritual life.

The Golden Rule

Yasna 43.1:

• Text: “O Wise Lord, let the good thoughts, words, and deeds of the followers of truth bring us happiness. May we be united in the best righteousness.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
  • Explanation: Both emphasize the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, reflecting the idea of the Golden Rule.

Charity and Helping Others

Yasna 53.2:

• Text: “May we strive to help those in need and protect the righteous from harm, following the path of Asha.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 25:35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
  • Explanation: Both traditions emphasize the importance of charity, helping those in need, and protecting the righteous.

Seeking Divine Wisdom

Yasna 34.9:

• Text: “Through good mind and righteousness, let us seek the wisdom of the Wise Lord. May we live in accordance with His will.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
  • Explanation: Both emphasize the pursuit of divine wisdom and living according to divine principles.

Faithfulness and Devotion

Yasna 46.2:

• Text: “We dedicate ourselves to the Wise Lord, offering our good thoughts, words, and deeds. May our devotion be steadfast.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 22:37: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'”
  • Explanation: Both teachings highlight the importance of complete devotion and faithfulness to God.

Avoiding Hypocrisy

Yasna 53.5:

• Text: “Let us not be deceivers in our thoughts, words, or deeds. May we be true followers of Asha.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 23:27: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
  • Explanation: Both teachings warn against hypocrisy and emphasize the importance of sincerity in one’s actions and faith.

Justice and Fairness

Yasna 31.18:

• Text: “The Wise Lord knows what is best for all. May we strive to act justly and fairly in all our dealings, according to His wisdom.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 7:1-2: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
  • Explanation: Both teachings emphasize the importance of justice and fairness in dealing with others, reflecting divine wisdom and fairness.

Spiritual Vigilance

Yasna 34.15:

• Text: “O Wise Lord, keep us vigilant in the path of Asha. Let us not be swayed by deceit or falsehood.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 26:41: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
  • Explanation: Both emphasize the importance of spiritual vigilance and avoiding deceit or temptation.

Repentance and Forgiveness

Yasna 33.8:

• Text: “We repent our sins before You, O Mazda. May Your forgiveness cleanse us and guide us to the path of righteousness.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Luke 15:7: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
  • Explanation: Both stress the importance of repentance and divine forgiveness as a means to return to righteousness.

Seeking Guidance from God

Yasna 28.5:

• Text: “We seek guidance from You, O Wise Lord, to make our paths straight. May we act according to Your divine will.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
  • Explanation: Both encourage seeking divine guidance and aligning one’s actions with God’s will.

Humility

Yasna 33.14:

• Text: “In humility, we offer our service to You, O Mazda. May our humility bring us closer to Your divine truth.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 23:12: “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
  • Explanation: Both highlight the virtue of humility and its role in drawing closer to divine truth.

Righteous Leadership

Yasna 45.5:

• Text: “May those who lead do so with righteousness and justice, following the path of Asha. Let their leadership be a reflection of Your divine wisdom.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 20:26-28: “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
  • Explanation: Both emphasize the importance of righteous and just leadership, serving others as a reflection of divine principles.

Gratitude and Thankfulness

Yasna 44.16:

• Text: “We give thanks to You, O Wise Lord, for Your blessings and guidance. May our hearts be filled with gratitude.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Luke 17:15-16: “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.”
  • Explanation: Both traditions value gratitude and thankfulness for divine blessings and guidance.

Encouraging Others in Faith

Yasna 34.6:

• Text: “May we encourage others to follow the path of Asha, strengthening their faith and resolve in Your divine wisdom.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
  • Explanation: Both teachings emphasize the importance of encouraging others in their faith and supporting one another in righteous living.

Stewardship of Creation

Yasna 43.6:

• Text: “We recognize the beauty and goodness of Your creation, O Mazda. May we be good stewards of the earth, preserving its purity and abundance.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 25:21: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
  • Explanation: Both emphasize the responsibility of stewardship over creation and being faithful caretakers of God’s gifts.

Trust in Divine Providence

Yasna 34.12:

• Text: “With trust in the Wise Lord, we shall overcome all obstacles. May we never lose faith in Your providence.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 6:25-26: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
  • Explanation: Both emphasize trust in divine providence and reassurance that God will provide for those who have faith.

Peacemaking

Yasna 33.9:

• Text: “Let us be instruments of peace, promoting harmony and understanding among all people.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
  • Explanation: Both traditions highlight the virtue of peacemaking and its importance in spiritual life.

Helping the Needy

Yasna 43.2:

• Text: “We shall extend our hands to the needy and offer support to the vulnerable, following Your example of compassion.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 25:40: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
  • Explanation: Both emphasize the importance of helping those in need and showing compassion to the vulnerable.

Light as a Symbol of Divine Presence

Yasna 36.6:

• Text: “May the light of Ahura Mazda shine upon us, guiding our path and illuminating our hearts with truth.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • John 8:12: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”
  • Explanation: Both use light as a symbol of divine presence and guidance, emphasizing the importance of living in the light of truth.

Righteous Judgment

Yasna 31.13:

• Text: “May we judge with righteousness and wisdom, seeking justice in all our actions.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • John 7:24: “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
  • Explanation: Both stress the importance of righteous judgment and seeking true justice.

Patience and Endurance

Yasna 53.3:

• Text: “With patience and endurance, let us face the trials of life, trusting in Your ultimate justice.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
  • Explanation: Both teachings emphasize the value of patience and endurance in the face of life’s challenges, trusting in divine justice.

Non-Retaliation and Forgiveness

Yasna 31.18:

• Text: “We shall not retaliate against those who wrong us, but instead offer forgiveness and seek reconciliation.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 5:39-40: “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.”
  • Explanation: Both emphasize the importance of non-retaliation and forgiveness, promoting reconciliation over vengeance.

Commitment to Truth

Yasna 31.22:

• Text: “Let us be unwavering in our commitment to truth, rejecting falsehood and deceit in all forms.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
  • Explanation: Both highlight the importance of commitment to truth and the rejection of deceit.

Divine Guidance and Wisdom

Yasna 43.1:

• Text: “O Wise Lord, grant us Your guidance and wisdom, that we may walk the path of righteousness and fulfill Your will.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
  • Explanation: Both emphasize seeking divine guidance and wisdom to live a righteous life.

Joy in Righteousness

Yasna 34.1:

• Text: “May we find joy in righteousness and the pursuit of truth, rejoicing in the blessings of Ahura Mazda.”
• Parallel in Jesus’ Teachings:
  • Matthew 5:12: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
  • Explanation: Both traditions encourage finding joy in righteousness and the pursuit of truth, celebrating divine blessings.

Conclusion

These parallels between Christianity and Zoroastrainism further highlight the shared emphasis on ethical conduct, spiritual principles, and devotion in both Zoroastrianism and the teachings of Jesus. Both traditions promote values such as trust in divine providence, peacemaking, helping the needy, light as a symbol of divine presence, righteous judgment, patience, non-retaliation, commitment to truth, seeking divine guidance, and finding joy in righteousness.

Critical Consideration

These parallels illustrate common ethical and spiritual themes that could arise independently in different religious traditions, reflecting universal human concerns and values. While intriguing, these comparisons should be viewed as part of a broader exploration of shared spiritual principles rather than definitive evidence of direct influence. Further scholarly research and evidence in the future will be an ongoing project for efiretemple.com.