Amesha Spenta

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The phrase “Amesha Spenta” is from the Avestan language and means “Holy Immortals.” The phrase also refers to the “divine sparks” of God.

Zoroastrianism
These divine sparks, six according to Zoroastrianism, are referred to in Yasna 47:1.

    1. Vohu Manah (Good Purpose, Good Thought)

    2. Asha Vahishta (Best Truth, Right, Order)

    3. Khshathra Vairya (Desirable, Power, Dominion, Kingdom of God)

    4. Spenta Armaiti (Holy Piety, Devotion)

    5. Haurvatat (Wholeness, Health)

    6. Ameretat (Long Life, Immortality)

Having aided in the task of creating the world, the Six enter as guardians into their own separate creations, being thus both transcendent and immanent.
Encyclopedia of World Religions, 1999, Merriam-Webster, Inc.

Some have referred to the Amesha Spenta as Archangels that were created by Ahurah Mazda which govern creation. Three are identified as being male, while three are identified as being female.

The individual Amesha Spentas are typically represented in iconography as human beings dressed in traditional Zoroastrian attire of cloak and cap. They are often accompanied by the physical element with which they are related. While Vohu Manah, Asha, and Kshathra are consistently of neuter gender in Avestan grammar, they are traditionally considered masculine. Armaiti, Haurvatat, and Ameretat are invariably feminine.
— New World Encyclopedia

One of the functions of the Amesha Spenta is to wage war against Ahriman (evil one).

Vohu Manah is identified as “the spirit of divine wisdom, illumination, and love. He guided Zoroaster’s soul before the throne of heaven. He welcomes the souls of the blessed in paradise.
— Textual Sources for the Study of Zoroastrianism, edited and translated by Mary Boyce, 1984, University of Chicago Press

Manichaeism
Within Manichaean context the phrase “Amesha Spenta” refer to the Five Tabernacles (ܚܡܫ ܫܟܝܢܬܗ khamesh shkhinatei) – emanations of Abba d’Rabbuta in the Living Spirit – which include:

  • Hauna (Reason, ܗܘܢܐ )
  • Madeya (Mind, ܡܕܥܐ)
  • Reyana (Intelligence, ܪܥܝܢܐ)
  • Mahshabta (Thought, ܡܚܫܒܬܐ)
  • Taryita (Understanding, ܬܪܥܝܬܐ)

Monijiao (Manichaean) Buddhism
The same Five Tabernacles are referred to as the “Five Great Ones” (五种大) within Monijiao (Manichaean Buddhism):

  • 相 xiāng (Phase)
  • 心 xīn (Heart)
  • 念 niàn (Idea)
  • 思 sī (Thought)
  • 意 yì (Meaning)

— Manual of Monijiao Buddhism, 2012, Monijiao Educational Trust, Taiwan

Denewar and Uighur

The ancient Denewar and Manichaean Uighur communities of the Religion of Light followed the pattern of thought concerning the Amesha Spenta as that of their Buddhist counterparts.
— From a lecture by Prof. Yar, Los Angeles, CA, 2013

Resources

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