Timeless Paths of Enlightenment

Ancient religions continue to inspire us with their practical approach to answering eternal questions about evil, suffering, and destiny. In Hinduism, life is portrayed as a dynamic process, where every action and thought becomes an integral part of an endless cycle of reincarnations. Here, the goal is not merely contemplation, but an active pursuit of a profound understanding of the universe’s moral order, which helps to overcome the illusions of the world and achieve liberation. At the same time, Zoroastrianism enlivens the image of the world as an arena of constant struggle between good and evil, where every person becomes a participant in this noble battle. Supported by the force of a supreme principle, followers of Zoroastrianism strive to assist the deity in establishing justice, emphasizing the importance of an active life stance and a personal contribution to the cosmic order.

Ultimately, unlike many modern dogmatic systems, ancient traditions do not offer a static set of rules but a living, continuous process of self-improvement and the fight for justice, which becomes a source of inspiration for the modern individual.

What features of ancient religions, such as Hinduism and Zoroastrianism, might attract the modern person and how do they differ from contemporary religious concepts?

Ancient religions like Hinduism and Zoroastrianism attract the modern individual with their attempt to answer fundamental questions about the nature of evil, suffering, and human destiny through a holistic, practical approach to life. In Hinduism, for example, great importance is placed not only on reflecting on the nature of the world but also on living in accordance with the eternal moral order. This is evident in the statement:
"Hinduism is of a practical rather than a speculative nature. It is not so much a philosophy or an exercise for the refined mind as it is a practical way of life. Hinduism is an attempt to determine the cause of evil and suffering in the world and, having answered this question, overcome them. As noted above, each philosophical school in India has its own individual characteristics, yet despite this, there are religious-philosophical categories that nearly all schools of Hinduism share a belief in. Hindus believe in an eternal moral order in the universe, in a just law that governs the lives of humans and gods."
(source: link txt)

This perspective implies that life is seen as an arena of constant moral actions with recurring cycles of reincarnation, where the ultimate goal is liberation (nirvana) achieved through deep understanding and the overcoming of worldly illusions. In contrast to many modern religious concepts, in which salvation is often connected with the establishment of fixed commandments or a dogmatic structure, Hinduism offers a multifaceted approach to inner development, where the path to a higher state can vary and adapt to the abilities and inclinations of each person.

Zoroastrianism, on the other hand, presents a unique cosmogonic view focused on the eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil. Here, every person is seen as a participant in this great battle, and salvation from evil is achieved through supporting the supreme deity, Ahura Mazda:
"In the Indo-Iranian tradition from which the Zoroastrians adopted the teaching of the fravashis—what they called the souls of deceased ancestors who, from the afterlife, looked after their descendants... The main purpose of a Zoroastrian's life is to help Ahura Mazda in his struggle against the forces of evil."
(source: link txt)

The contrast between ancient religious systems and modern religious concepts lies in that the latter often represent the world in a more static and orderly form with fixed dogmas, whereas ancient traditions emphasize the constant movement and cyclicality of existence—whether through the recurring reincarnations in the case of Hinduism or the eternal conflict between the forces of good and evil in Zoroastrianism. This approach allows the modern person to find in these systems answers not only to the question of the causes of suffering but also to how one can overcome the limitations of one’s existence, viewing life not as an end point but as a continuous journey of movement and development.