Dualism in the Zoroastrian Funeral Traditions

Yıl 2018, Cilt: 4 Sayı: 2, 55 - 80, 20.12.2018

Nevfel Akyar Süleyman Sayar

Öz

The Zoroastrian faith, which has passed through a long and resplendent road to our day, has its own dualism. Unlike gnostic dualism, it does not think of matter as completely bad. Instead, it classifies the assets created/polluted by bad creative power as bad and malignant. This classification causes the perception of pureness/pollution to deeply affects the funeral traditions as well as the whole life of Zoroastrians. In this study, the historical development of the Zoroastrian funerals, the current practices and the contribution of Zoroastrian dualism to these traditions are examined. The influence of dualism in the traditions of the Zoroastrians' famous towers of silence and the feeding of their dead to the birds was discussed.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Dualism, Dakhma, Ossuary, Funerary, Death, Contamination

Zerdüştî Cenaze Geleneklerinde Düalizm

Öz

Uzun ve görkemli bir yoldan geçerek günümüze uzanan Zerdüştî inanışı kendine has bir düalizme sahiptir. Öyle ki gnostik düalizmin aksine maddeye tamamen kötülük yüklememektedir. Bunun yerine kötü yaratıcı güç tarafından yaratılan/kirletilen varlıkları kötü ve habis olarak sınıflandırmaktadır. Bu sınıflandırma temizlik/kirlilik algısının Zerdüştîlerin bütün yaşamlarını olduğu gibi cenaze geleneklerini de derinden etkilemesine neden olmaktadır. Bu çalışmada Zerdüştilerin cenaze geleneklerinin tarihi gelişimi, günümüzdeki uygulamaları ve bu geleneklere Zerdüştî düalizminin katkısı incelenmiştir. Zerdüştilerin meşhur sessizlik kuleleri ve ölülerini kuşlara yedirme geleneklerindeki düalizmin etkisi ele alınmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Düalizm, Dakhma, Astodan, Cenaze, Ölüm, Kirlenme

Kaynakça

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