Zoroastrianism By Lexi Areeba and Danica Origins l

Zoroastrianism By: Lexi, Areeba, and Danica

Origins l l l Began in Azerbaijan, Iran Founded in 600 B. C by Zarathushtra Practiced mostly in Iran

Founder Zarathushtra l l Lived in Azerbaijan in Iran Religious reformer in Persia (modern day Iran) Known as Zoroaster Spent life teaching and preaching

Key Figures Ahura Mazda l l l Supreme deity, Creator, Lord of the Universe Leader of the Amesha Spentas Battles to rid world of evil and darkness Angra Mainyu l l Rival of Ahura Mazda Evil spirit of death and violence

Key Figures Cont’d Amesha Spentas (Beneficent Immortals) l l l Seven divine beings belonging to Ahura Mazda Messengers/connection between God and man Help God and man fight Angra Mainyu for peace and justice

Key Beliefs l Purpose: to help God make the world a better place to live l There are two deities: - Ahura Mazda represents pure goodness - Angra Mainya represents pure evilness l Deities are rivals l Goodness is more powerful and prevalent but cannot abolish evilness.

Key Beliefs Cont’d l l l Have free will Those who do good can be peaceful and happy Belief system - Parallels good and evil tendencies within every person - Provides an answer to: If God is good, why is there evil in the world?

Key Ceremonies Jashan Ceremony l Thanksgiving ceremony reenacts moment of creation (world in harmony) Nirang-din Ceremony l Creates the Holy Nirang l Nirang is foundation of other sacred rituals l Good in the world increases, evil decreases

Key Ceremonies Cont’d Coming of Age Ceremony l Parsis initiated at age 7 in India, age 10 in Persia l Receive Sadre and Kusti Yasna Ceremony l Haoma (sacred liquor), milk, bread, meat, animal fat offered to Ahura Mazda l Ritual purification l Priests recite the Avesta (the sacred writing)

Symbol - Fire l l l Most important symbol Places of worship called Fire Temples Represents the divine Is forever burning in Fire Temple Three types of fires: - Royal fire in only four temples - Adaran fire in most temples - Dadgah fire in the home

Symbol – Symbolic Garments Two types are worn: l Sudre (the armor of God) - white cotton garment - worn at all times except when bathing l Kusti (the swordbelt of faith) - 72 threads composed of lamb's wool - made by priest's wife and blessed

Symbol - Faravahar l l 2 nd most common symbol Unsure of its meaning and representation Ancient theory: - Represents the King's Authority in terms of its divine origins. Today: - Reminds people of purpose in life (to create a union with God)

Key Rituals Purification Ritual l Keeps mind, body and environment pure to defeat evil l 3 types of purification: - Padyab (ablution) - Nahn (bath) - Bareshnum (dog’s left ear is touched by the followers, dog's gaze casts evil spirits away)

Key Practices Burial of the Dead l Bodies of the dead given back to nature (sunlight and vultures dispose of corpse) l Brought to a Dakhma for Dakhma-nashini l Rich and poor died in same manner = people equal in the eyes of God.

Key Practices Cont’d Worship l Takes place at fire temple l 5 daily prayers or hymns said before fire

Timeline l 600 B. C. : Zoroastrianism spreads in Iran l 640 B. C: The Arab Invasion l 1000 B. C. : Aryans arrive in Iran from central Asia l 1600 B. C. : Zarathushtra is born

Timeline Cont’d l 936: Zoroastrians immigrated to Gujarat in India l 1381: Mongol Ruler Timur Lenk invaded Iran killing thousands of Zoroastrians l 1719: Afghan invaders massacre thousands of Zoroastrians in Kerman l 1878: The first fire Temple is built in America

Timeline Cont’d l 1882: Jaziye (a kind of tax for non-Muslims) is abolished in Iran l 1960: First World Zoroastrian Congress held in Tehran l 1979: Religious freedom granted to Zoroastrians l 1990: The Zarathushtrian Assembly is established in the United States

# of Adherents in the World l World population of Zoroastrians is 150, 000 - 100, 000 in India - 17, 000 in Iran - 12, 000 in North America - 20, 000 outside of Persia and India

Influence in the l l st 21 Century Contributed to major Western religions - Christianity - Judaism - Islam Important concepts - redemption, final judgment, life after death, Satan as God's enemy, resurrection, souls, heaven and hell

st 21 Influence in the Cont’d l l Century Jewish theory influenced by the post-Babylonian period in exile Small, noticeable religious community offers religious education classes, ceremonies, and receptions

Key Terms/Definitions l l l Persian: - a group of people that mostly live in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Monotheistic: - A religion in which only one God is worshipped Jaziye: - A kind of tax for non-Muslims Parsis: - Indian community of practicing Zoroastrians Gabars: -Iranian community of practicing Zoroastrians

Interesting Facts l l l First monotheistic religion Pray at a Fire Temple and believe fire is the symbol of God, but they never pray to fire Prevalent in later monotheistic religions - Islam, Judaism, Christianity Themes such as good and evil, hell, and a messiah originated from Zoroastrianism World's oldest continuing non-judgmental religion