A Comparative Study of Salvation in Buddhism and Zoroastrianism

Buddhism and Zoroastrianism are two important religious traditions each of which have proposed theories about man's condition in the world and have shown some paths to achieve salvation. Based on Buddhism, the source of human suffering is desire and ignorance which leads to reincarnation, and the main goal is salvation from the cycle of reincarnation and attainment of power. Achieving this goal is somewhat different in the two main Buddhist sects, Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada takes the path of Arhat, and Mahayana the path of Buddhism. In Zoroastrianism, the principles of the theory of salvation include getting rid of the consequences of wrong deeds, words and thoughts and reaching the paradise of Ahura Mazda, which is achieved through having faith in Ahura Mazda, having good thoughts, words, deeds and repenting with the help of Amshaspandan (angels) and saviors. This study compares the doctrine of "salvation" from the perspective of the two transcendent and Mahayana Buddhist sects with the doctrine of "salvation" in the Avesta, the sacred text of Zoroastrianism.