Selections from Zoroastrianism’s Sacred Book “Sad Dar”: Chapters 82-100, Part 1 of 2

Zoroaster was a vegetarian and out of respect for all life, He forbade animal sacrifice. He also prophesied an ultimate Savior of the world who would come at a future time to restore a Heavenly existence on Earth. “Sad Dar,” which means “Hundred Doors,” is a Persian book that offers 100 chapters of guidelines within Zoroastrian teachings.

CHAPTER 83 “With us the keeping of fast is this, that we keep fast from committing sin with our eyes and tongue and ears and hands and feet.” “Since I have spoken in this manner, and have brought forward the fasting of the seven members of the body, that which, in other religions, is fasting owing to not eating is, in our religion, fasting owing to not committing sin.”

CHAPTER 86 “The eighty-sixth subject is this, that it is not proper to kill a beaver; but, if they see it in any place, it is necessary to take it up and carry it to running water. For, in the commentary of the Vendidad it is ranked as a great sin for the killer; and, as to every one who kills a beaver, the source of his seed becomes exhausted.”

CHAPTER 89 “The eighty-ninth subject is this, that Ohrmazd [Ahura Mazda] keeps watch when any one, through imposition (‘hilat) and unawares, eats dead matter, or gives it to one of the good religion, or throws dead matter upon one of the good religion. While his will and command are, that it is necessary that such a person should undergo the Barashnom ceremony, and accomplish repentance before the spiritual chiefs and high-priests. So that, after that, one may indicate to him the sin in these actions, and he may perform the retribution which the high-priest mentions, in order that, owing to this, his sin may depart. […]”