Zoroastrainism

Unit 3: Religions that Originate in the Middle East/Southwest Asia Zoroastrians in the World Today

Country Population[1][2] Percent Population

India 69,000 0.006

Iran 25,271 0.03[3]

United States 11,000 0.004

Afghanistan 10,000 0.031

United Kingdom 4,105 [4] 0.007

Canada 5,000 0.014

Pakistan 5,000 0.003

Singapore 4,500 0.087

Azerbaijan 2,000 0.022

Australia 2,700 0.012

Persian Gulf Countries 2,200 0.005

New Zealand 2,000 0.045

Total 137,776 - Zoroastrianism Timeline

∗ 1600 BCE – Birth of Zarathustra (or Zoroaster) ∗ But could be 1400 BCE or 628 BCE ∗ 600 BCE – Zorastrianism expands in Iran ∗ 220-650 CE – Zorastrian Sasanid Empire in Iran ∗ 651 CE – Persecution begins under the rule of Arab Muslims ∗ 900 CE – Beginning of migration to India ∗ 1381 CE – Mongols kill thousands of Zoroastrians in Iran ∗ 1640-1720 – Continued persecutions and forced conversions in Afghanistan and Iran (continues into the 21st century) ∗ 18th-21st centuries – Migration of Zoroastrains to N. America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Origins of Zoroastrianism

∗Basis for Zoroastrianism is in Aryan religious traditions. ∗ Gods associated with nature ∗Above all the nature gods was one supreme god ∗ Called Ahura Mazda (or “Wise Lord”)

The Life of Zoroaster

∗ Not much is really known about the true life of Zoroastrianism’s founder, Zarathustra Spitama (or Zoroaster in the Greek translation of his name) ∗ Might have been born into a noble family or a nomadic family or both ∗ Belief says that demons set out to kill the infant Zoroaster but he was protected by powers that watched over him ∗ Eventually he became a priest, married three wives, and had six children

The Life of Zoroaster

∗ As an adult, he began to search for answers to religious questions (sound familiar??) ∗ At the banks of a river, he had a vision of an angel who revealed to him that there was only one true god, Ahura Mazda, and all the other gods were false gods ∗ During the next ten years, Zoroaster had additional visions in which Ahura Mazda revealed further truths to him ∗ While, at first, he had difficulty spreading these revealed truths and converting people, eventually he attracts a large number of followers ∗ Since there were others who resisted conversion, a number of holy wars were fought; one of which leads to the death of Zoroaster within one of his own temples. The Teachings of Zoroaster

∗ The Nature of God ∗ There is only one true god in all the world and his name is Ahura Mazda ∗ Created the world ∗ Invisible and intangible ∗ Ruler of the universe ∗ Ahura Mazda reveals himself to humankind through six modes or methods called Amesha-Spenta (“Holy Immortals”) ∗ Six attributes of Ahura Mazda – 3 male and 3 female ∗ Balance in all things in the universe ∗ Might be the basis for the archangels in Christian or Islamic theology ∗ Ahura Mazda is attended by Yazata (Adorable Ones) that might be considered angels surrounding the throne of god.

The Teachings of Zoroaster

∗ The God of Evil ∗ The world is full of good and evil – so there must be a good god and an evil god ∗ Dualistic or Monotheistic? ∗ Dualism = the belief in two distinct entities contending for control of the universe ∗ Monotheism = the belief that there is one god that accounts for both good and evil ∗ Zoroaster believe that Ahura Mazda was the one supreme god but he had two distinct spirits (angels?) that emanate from him ∗ Spenta Mainyu (the Beneficent Spirit) ∗ Angra Mainyu (the Evil Spirit)

The Teachings of Zoroaster

∗ The two spirits do not exist independently of each other but relate to each other much like the yin and yang of Taoism ∗ The forces of good and evil are both under the control of Ahura Mazda ∗ Angra Mainyu is also known as Shaitin ∗ This is the source of the name Satan ∗ He is surrounded by demons who tempt and torment human beings

The Teachings of Zoroaster

∗ The Nature of Humankind ∗ Humans cooperate with either of the forces of good and evil ∗ Humans were born in a pure, sinless state and could choose, by their own free will, to serve either good or evil ∗ Humans were to be held accountable for their choices ∗ Ethical conduct is preferred to unethical conduct because ethical conduct determines a person’s ultimate destiny The Teachings of Zoroaster

∗ The Destiny of Humankind ∗ Because people have complete free will (freedom of choice), they must stand responsible for their choices ∗ “Evil to Evil, Good to Good” ∗ “Falsehood brings on age-long punishment. And Truth leads on to a fuller, higher life.” ∗ After death, the soul stays with the body for 3 days to meditate on the deeds that were done in life. ∗ On the fourth day, the soul journey’s to the place of judgement ∗ There the Yazata (angel), Mithra judges the soul on the deeds performed in life ∗ These deeds are placed on a scale Teachings of Zoroaster

∗ The Destiny of Humankind ∗ If the good deeds outweigh the bad – ∗ The soul crosses the Chinvat Bridge which is a wide easy path, and is met by beautiful maidens who escort it to heaven ∗ Paradise, or heaven, is a place of beauty, light, and full of noble souls who have lived life according to Zoroastrian ethics ∗ If the bad deeds outweigh the good – ∗ The soul begins to cross the Chinvat Bridge, but the bridge turns on its side and the soul falls off and plunges to hell, tormented the whole way by an old hag (ugly woman). ∗ Hell is a place of unimaginable pain or torment where people who have broken the rules are punished continuously

Zoroastrian Ethics

∗ Zoroastrians have complete free will or freedom of choice to act. ∗ As a result, they have a long list of ethical standards associated with their beliefs. ∗ The basis for most of Zoroastrian ethics and worship is the understanding of the sacredness of the elements of earth, fire, water, and air. ∗ Those people who pollute these elements are punished in hell. ∗ Also important are qualities of truthfulness, charity, justice, compassion, education, and chastity. Zoroastrian Worship

∗ Worship consists mainly of prayers to Ahura Mazda ∗ The only sacrifice made is the burning of sandalwood to sacred flames that burn eternally in Zoroastrian temples ∗ Priests tend the fires and wear masks to ensure their breath does not contaminate the sacred flames ∗ At a certain age (7 years in India, 10 years in Iran), boys and girls are given their sacred shirt (sadre) and sacred thread (kusti) which must be worn at all times except when bathing ∗ Must be tied and untied at least five times a day for prayer

∗ Zoroastrianism Today