Yazdanism

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been finding out about Yazdanism, a religion of the Kurdish peoples, and it contains two main branches: Yazidism and Yarsanism. I found out about Yazidism first. After that came Yarsanism, with the followers known as Ahl-I Haq, the People of the Spirit, or Ahl-i Haqq, the People of Truth. I shall write about these on separate occasions, so now I shall just talk about the overview of Yazdanism: the Cult of Angels.
   The first thing one finds out is that Haq, the Universal Spirit, created the world with seven good angels and seven evil ones. Both good and evil, it is believed, are necessary for the world to exist. In particular, the qualities of knowledge and awareness depend on this syzygy.
   It is also believed that Haq is largely detached from the material world, though the founders of all the religions show Haq’s continual involvement. For Yazdanis, there is no issue with other religions, or even that they don’t do things ‘correctly’. It is viewed that all religions are made up of the same elements, though religions arrange these elements differently, and religions will stress certain elements more than others.
   In reference to life after death, they believe in reincarnation. Then, at Perdivar, the Final Judgement, the righteous, i.e. those that are good, will join Haq. Those that are unrighteous are destroyed with the rest of the material world. The Yarsanis have more to say on this topic.
   Another theme is of Khadir, a being that lives in ponds and grants people wishes, who drank from the Fountain of Life. Shrines with ponds are dedicated to Khadir, and the ponds have turtles that symbolise Khadir’s long life. Khadir also has a festival in spring, although eh exact date differs according to the community, because nature is renewed.
   As these beliefs are usually quite secretive, it isn’t entirely possible to give a complete picture of this wondrous religion. Thus, there is only one more piece of information that I can share. Yazdanism has influenced, and has been influenced by, many religions, including Christianity, Gnosticism, Judaism, Islam and Zoroastrianism.

Soon to come are Yazidism and Yarsanism.