This paper is a critical examination of the guiding principle in Zoroastrianism on renunciation and worldly engagement. The religious ideal of an ascetic, hermit, mendicant, mystic, monk, and recluse, typical in other religions, has no counterpart in Zoroastrianism. The reason for this difference, I shall argue, derives primarily from the basic ideals and concepts of virtue and righteousness in Zoroastrianism. In fact, virtue and righteousness is equated with pleasure, enjoyment, upholding the Good Principle, and helping the world in its progress towards perfection - not with self-denial, self-sacrifice, self-injury, or the abandonment of the world, all of which assist the Evil Principle.
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