Fw: H-Asia: Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity

[Mitra Ara]

In response to Joanna's question on the concept of hell in Indo-Iranian
religions, Zoroastrianism in particular, I like to offer few words.  It is
believed that Zoroaster was the first to teach the doctrines of the Last
Judgment, Resurrection, and Heaven and Hell.  These doctrines became
familiar articles of faith to mankind through borrowings by Judaism,
Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.  The concepts of Hell and Heaven occupy a
noticeable chapter in Zoroaster's thought.  Zoroaster describes hell as a
place of torment: "the dwelling-place of Worst Purpose", where the wicked
soul endures a "long age misery, of darkness, ill food and the crying of
 woe", (Avesta,Yasht 32.13 & 31.20).   Hell is also described as "worst
Existence", "House of the Lies", "House of the Worst Purpose".



Mitra Ara

Ph. D. Student

South Asian Studies

UC Berkeley, California



----- Original Message -----
From: "jkirk" <jkirk at SPRO.NET>
To: <INDOLOGY at liverpool.ac.uk>
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2003 2:40 PM
Subject: Fw: H-Asia: Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity


> I wonder what the experts on this list think of this hypotehsis? I find it
> odd--what is known if anything about Indo-Iranian pre-zoroastrian hells?
> What would be meant here by "Indo-Iranian" anyway? Vedic?  I'm not aware
> that early zoroastrian religion elaborated complex hells as did Indian
> religion at a later time. My guess is that Buddhist hells were simply
> incorporated from Hindu hells.
> Any answers?
> Thanks, Joanna K.
> ===============================
>
> >           H-ASIA
> > **********************
> > From: Karil Kucera <kucera at stolaf.edu>
> >
> > In response to Hugh Clark's thoughts on Mahayana Buddhism and hells in
> > East Asia, one article which [if I recall correctly] proposes an
> > Indo-Iranian source for both the Western and Eastern traditions is by
> > Duyvendak.  I don't have the specific article at hand, so my apologies
> > in advance if this is not the correct citation.
> >
> >
> >  Duyvendak, J.J.L. A Chinese "Divina Commedia". T'oung Pao, 41 (1952),
> > pp. 255-316.
> >
> >  Karil Kucera, PhD
> > Luce Assistant Professor of East Asian Visual Culture
> > Depts of Asian Studies and Art & Art History
> > St Olaf College
> > Northfield,  MN  55057
> > 507.646.3129
>