About Zoroastrianism
Who are the Zoroastrians?
Zoroastrians are the followers of the great Persian prophet Zarathushtra (known to the ancient Greeks as Zoroaster), who lived and preached the first monotheistic religion in the world approximately 3,500 years ago.
Who was the Prophet Zarathushtra?
Zarathushtra, whose family name was Spitama, lived in ancient Iran. He received a Divine revelation at the age of 30, which he composed into Divine Songs (or hymns), called the Gathas. These hymns are incorporated in the Zoroastrian scriptures, called the Avesta.
What did the Prophet Zarathushtra preach?
Belief in One God: Zarathushtra was the first prophet to preach a monotheistic religion. He revealed to mankind that there is only One Supreme, Eternal, Omniscient God, whom he referred to as “Ahura Mazda” (“Ahura” means “Lord” and “Mazda” means “Wisdom” in the Avesta language). Ahura Mazda is the Lord of Wisdom and Lord of all Creations.
Existence of Good and Evil (Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu): Zarathushtra preached that good and evil do not stem from Ahura Mazda, but rather by the existence of “Twin Spirits” which are opposite in nature. The Good Truthful Mind (Spenta Mainyu), and its antitheses the Evil Lying and Angry Mind (Angra Mainyu) which is manifested by the lack of observing the Good Path. The contradictory and opposing forces began with the beginning of life of the Universe and will last until the end. “Spenta Mainyu” promotes growth and progress whereas “Angra Mainyu” promotes destructions, decay and death.
Freedom of Choice: Zarathushtra preached that every human being must decide to choose between good and evil out of his or her own free will. However, those who follow The Good Truthful Mind (Spenta Mainyu) will receive rewards and blessings; whereas, those who stray away from this Path will have to bear the consequences. Zarathushtra urged his followers to fight and overcome the Evil Lying and Angry Mind (Angra Mainyu) and restore the world back to its perfect state, pristine state, free of evil influence (“Frashokereti”).
Code of Ethics: The basic tenets of the Zoroastrian religion is lead a life of Good Thoughts, (“Humata”), Good Words (“Hukta”) and Good Deeds (“Huvarashta”) in this world in order to assist Ahura Mazda and to receive eternal blessings in the spiritual world.
The After Life Doctrine: Zoroastrians believe that upon physical death, the soul is judged at the “Bridge of the Separator”. Based on the consequences of the soul’s actions during life, it will receive either rewards or punishments. The righteous soul will ascend to the abode of joy and light, “The House of Song” (Heaven), while the wicked soul will descend to gloom and darkness, “The House of the Lie” (Hell).
Resurrection: At the end of time, when the promised conquest of good over evil happens, all souls will be cleansed and resurrected and the world will be restored to perfection. Evil will be utterly vanquished and “Ahura Mazda” will be omnipotent and reign in “Endless Light”.
How did Zoroastrianism influence Major Religions?
For close to a thousand years, from 560 BC to 652 AD, Zoroastrianism was the state religion of three mighty Persian Empires, namely, Achamenians, Parthians and the Sassanians. At its zenith, the Persian Empire stretched from the river Indus in India to the Aegean Sea in Greece. Over the long span, Zoroastrianism is believed to have influenced post-exilie Judaism with its concepts of heaven and hell; its angelology; individual judgment; a Messiah (“Saoshyant”) to come for a final restoration; a final judgment; its apocalyptic tradition and the events leading up to the final war between the good and the evil forces; the resurrection of the souls and the ultimate triumph of good over evil; and restoring the universe back to its perfect divine stage. These beliefs have consequently been include through Judaism into Christianity and Islam. It is also known that Zoroastrianism influenced the ancient philosophers Plato and Aristotle in the West and Mahayana Buddhism in the East.
How did Zoroastrianism service after the fall of the Persian Empire?
In 636 AD, the last Zoroastrian king, Yazdegerd III, was defeated by the invading Arab armies causing an end to Zoroastrianism as the state religion of Persia. Zoroastrians in Iran had to choose between accepting the new Islamic faith of the conquerors or face persecution. Many Zoroastrians decided to leave Iran, rather than face persecution or conversion. Some went to China, but a vast majority settled down in India. These Zoroastrians were later referred to as Parsis in India because they were originally inhabitants of the province of Pars (or Fars) in Persia. During the British Empire, the Parsis prospered as traders and merchants and were renown for their honesty and integrity. They played a vital role in the Indian independence struggle and were instrumental in the creation of a modern India. Zoroastrians in India, Pakistan, Iran, and in the western Diasporas have continued playing leading roles in the area of philanthropy, science, technology, commerce, trade, education and health care.
What is the present status and approximate Statistics of Zoroastrians?
The survival of the Zoroastrian religion is remarkable when one considers the devastations it has suffered in the course of conquests, the destructions of its scriptures, the persecution of its priests and followers, forced conversion, and more recent tribulations of doctrinal disputes, loss of culture, and assimilation.
The worldwide Zoroastrian community numbers approximately 150,000 to 200,000 people. The largest concentrations of Zoroastrians remain in Iran and India. Outside of these two nations, the largest congregations of Zoroastrians are based in Toronto, Canada, and London, UK. There are at present about 20,000 Zoroastrians in North America, the largest population density being in the Greater Toronto Area (approximately 4,000 to 5,000).
What are some of the Zoroastrian ceremonies and rituals?
Some of the Zoroastrian ceremonies are:
“Navjote” or “Sudreh Pushin” ceremony: This ceremony is performed when a child is initiated into the faith. The new initiate is invested with a sacred under shirt, called Sudreh, and a sacred girdle, called the “Kushti”.
Wedding ceremony: This ceremony includes benedictions and blessings by priests in front of a congregation.
Death ceremony: These ceremonies and rituals are performed for three nights until the dawn of the fourth day when the soul is believed to travel to the spiritual world.
Zoroastrians respect all the creations of Ahura Mazda and these are symbolically represented during the ceremonies. Fire, heat energy or light is considered to represent purity and a source of life. Zoroastrian ceremonies are always consecrated in the presence of a fire in a special container (“afargan”), which is a symbol of Ahura Mazda and presents a medium between the physical and spiritual world.
What are some of the Zoroastrian festivals?
“Navroz” or “Now-ruz” (“Nav”/“Now” = new; “roz”/“ruz” = day): New Year; this day is usually celebrated on March 21st by those who follow the seasonal calendar, or mid-August by those who follow a Sovereign calendar.
Khordad Sal: Birthday of the holy prophet Zarathushtra, celebrated on the sixth day after New Year (Nowruz).
Zarathushtra’s death anniversary: This day is observed on the 11th day of the 10th month of the Zoroastrian calendar.
Gahambars: These are six in number and are thanksgiving celebration, to thank Ahura Mazda for creating Sky, Water, Earth, Plants, Animal and Mankind. These are celebrated at appropriate times during the year.
Where can I get more information about Zoroastrian religion?
There are numerous book available on Zoroastrian religion written by Western, European, Greek, Persian, Indian and scholars, as well as various informative Internet sites, and we hope that you will peruse them to learn more about the religion of the Prophet Zarathushtra and his followers.
Tribute to Zoroastrians by Mahatma Gandhi, “Father of India”:
“I am proud of my country, India, for having produced such as a splendid Zoroastrian stock, in numbers beneath contempt, but in charity and philanthropy, perhaps unequalled, certainly unsurpassed.”