Zoroastrianism FounderOriginLocation Zarathushtra Zoroaster 1500 1000 BCE Middle

Zoroastrianism

Founder/Origin/Location • Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) • 1500 -1000 BCE • Middle East/Persia

Holidays/Clothing/Holy Book/Branches • Noruz – New Year • Khordad Sal – birth of Zoroaster • Dress – kusti (thread) & sudre (shirt) • Holy Book – Avesta • Branches – Gabars (Iraq) and Parsis (India)

Creation Myth/God • Ahura Mazda created all • God is Ahura Mazda – monotheistic, omnipotent, omniscient, creator & sustainer • Ahura Mazda is friend of believers & protects good from evil; humans are to help God make the world a better place

Holy Cities/Today/Hierarchy/Other Supernatural Beings • Fire Temples • 200, 000 believers mostly in Iran & India • Suppressed & Persecuted and are declining in # • Women are treated equally • Angra Mainyu – Evil being; Amesha Spentas – angels

Basic Beliefs • Everyone is free to choose between good & bad • Fire is symbol of Ahura Mazda • Humans are born pure, not as sinners • Judgment Day • Life on earth is opportunity for souls to refine their character • Dead matter is impure • Material world is battleground between good & evil

Rituals/Rules/Rites of Passage • 3 Commandments – Good thoughts, Good deeds, Good Words • No inter-religious marriage • No cremation or burial – leave body for vultures in tower or for natural disintegration • Fire & water are purification agents • Pray 5 x/day • Yasnas – sacrificial rituals performed by priests in fire temple • Navajote – initiation ceremony for boys & girls

Salvation/Afterlife • Three Commandments • Help in battle against evil • Soul remains for 3 days and nights and then departs to spiritual realm • Heaven/Hell