"Zoroastrian branch?"

For a moment, a group of people were stunned, looked at each other, and fell silent.

No way, as experts and scholars, they know very well. Every religion, in the process of growing and developing, will inevitably encounter ...... The case of division.

Not only religion, but also academic thought, basically this is the case.

For example, Confucianism......

Within Confucianism, there are so many schools that I am afraid that even Confucian disciples may not be able to count them clearly.

Religion is naturally like this.

In the world, the major religions are basically divided.

The reason is simple, the founder of the religion died, and his disciples or inheritors, for various reasons...... Well, most of it is for the sake of profit, so I will explain the meaning of the founder according to my own understanding.

In order to compete for the right to speak in their favor, no matter how big a religion is, it will also go to split. However, everything remains the same, and by and large everyone still thinks that they are the same religion.

It's just that the branches are different, and there are some minor differences.

However, there are so many branches of the major religions that no more knowledgeable expert can claim to be able to exhaust everything and discern the origin of each branch......

Now the old expert said that this was a branch of Zoroastrianism, and everyone was silent, just looking at each other with an expression of listening to the teachings.

"Just look at the other side. ”

At the same time, the old expert pointed to the opposite side and smiled: "There are other murals there." ”

The crowd looked......

The other murals are also religious motifs.

It's the same portrait of the god here, and it's the same huge god on the other side.

It's just that the image of that god, whose facial features are more hideous, is wrapped in a raging black flame all over his body, like an evil god. The forehead of the evil god is also inlaid with black Gobi stone.

And the slave gods around the evil god are also in a similar shape.

At first glance, someone's eyes lit up and he muttered, "I remember that Zoroastrianism is a theological monotheism and a philosophical dualism...... Their religious doctrine is mainly to worship fire, light, and the sun, and worship them as the main gods. ”

"The Supreme God, who created the world and fire, belongs to the good gods. But on the contrary, there is also an evil god, which represents darkness and evil, and seduces mankind to fall. ”

The man said, "The good gods fought fiercely against the evil gods, and in the end it was the good gods who defeated the evil gods and won the final victory, leading mankind into the kingdom of light, justice, and truth. ”

Judging from these characteristics, it is more in line with the religious characteristics of Zoroastrianism. It's no wonder you think it's a Zoroastrian religious site......"

"Yes, the dualism of good and evil, this is the mainstream idea of Zoroastrianism, and it is also the highest ideal of their religion. ”

The old expert nodded and smiled: "But this branch, the doctrine is just the opposite...... If you look closely, you should be able to find some clues. ”

“…… What?"

Everyone was shocked and somewhat surprised.

Light defeats darkness, and justice defeats evil, which has been the universal value of the general public since ancient times.

Only those who cater to this mainstream value will have the opportunity to grow and develop. On the contrary, they will definitely be despised and even suppressed. The difference between orthodox religion and cults is here.

Looking at the mural again, judging from the situation, it is clear that it is the power of the evil gods, and it is much more powerful than the good gods.

The entire cave wall, at least two-thirds of the area, belongs to the evil god's sphere of influence. It seems as if the evil god has won a landslide victory......

"See. ”

The old expert smiled: "This branch, which is different from orthodox doctrine, belongs to the victory of the evil god over the good god. To put it mildly, within their religion, this branch also belongs to the category of heresy. ”

"For heresy, it must be shouting and shouting and killing, and even those in power directly ordered to be blocked. ”

The old expert said slowly: "So, in ancient times, this branch could only operate underground. This is also the reason why this religious site, built underground, is obviously not visible. ”

"How so?"

The others were surprised: "It's strange to believe in evil gods." Even if it's ...... Some extreme religions will not admit that the gods they believe in are the embodiment of evil......"

Perhaps, this has something to do with the environment at the time. ”

"I have studied the origin, development, and decline of Zoroastrianism, which was born in Persia in the fifth and sixth centuries B.C. The founder of the religion, named Zoroaster. So when we say Zoroastrianism, we should mean Zoroastrianism. ”

"At that time, Persia belonged to the environment of the Cult of the Gods. In order to unify Persia, the rulers of the time began to vigorously support the monotheistic religion founded by Zoroaster, and Zoroastrianism became the state religion of Persia. ”

But by the fourth century B.C., Alexander the Great of Greece had conquered Persia, and Persia had entered the Hellenistic era, and Zoroastrianism had been dealt a heavy blow. ”

The veteran expert explained: "In this case, some religious people have shaken their faith in orthodox doctrine. They feel that it is right that a good god cannot defeat an evil god, and that an evil god rules the world......"

Therefore, the doctrine of this branch is that the world has sunk and life has no meaning, and it is better to die and throw yourself into the arms of the evil gods than to suffer and help the abuse. ”

The old expert shook his head and said, "There are still some teachings, which are very dark and cruel, so I don't need to say more." Anyway, this branch at that time, seduced many people to death. Even the Greek rulers, unable to look at it, ordered a strict ban on transmission. ”

"I didn't expect such an extreme doctrine to come from Central Asia. ”

The old expert was amazed: "The most incredible thing is that this branch still has believers in the local area. And depending on the situation, these believers also know that they are not allowed to be mainstream, so they spread it secretly. ”

"Not surprisingly, this place ......"

The old expert looked left and right, and made a final decision: "It should be their temple." ”

"Temple?"

The crowd was amazed and amazed.

"Yes, the temple, the place of sacrifice. ”

The old expert swore that "it is a place where religious ceremonies are held, and where believers meet." ”

"Look at this place, so secretive, you can also know where you came to Dunhuang, this branch of religion, is not welcomed by everyone, forcing them to hide underground and quietly assemble. ”

“…… Sounds like a good idea. ”

"It's just...... Why before, I had never heard of Zoroastrianism having this branch? ”

"Zoroastrianism is itself a minority. This branch is a niche within a niche, and it's normal if you haven't heard of it. ”

"A small and unpopular people, but there are also financial and material resources to hollow out the underground? Such a big project, I'm afraid it's not a task that a few people or a dozen people can complete......