Zoroastrianism,
pronounced zawr oh AS tree uh nihz uhm, is a religion founded between 1400 and 1000 B.C.
by a Persian prophet named Zoroaster. Zoroaster is the Greek form of the Persian name
Zarathustra, which means He of the Golden Light.
Beliefs. Zoroastrianism teaches a belief in one god, Ahura Mazda, who created all things.
Devout people must seek and obey Ahura Mazda, who will judge everyone at the end of
worldly time after their bodies have been resurrected.
The heart of Zoroastrianism is the belief in a battle between good and evil. Zoroaster
taught that the earth is a battleground where a great struggle is taking place between
Spenta Mainyu, the spirit of good, and Angra Mainyu, the spirit of evil. Ahura Mazda calls
upon everyone to fight in this struggle, and each person will be judged at death on how
well he or she fought. Each person should be dedicated to fighting for good thoughts, good
words, and good deeds.
Zoroaster composed several hymns called Gathas that were collected into a sacred book
known as the Avesta. These hymns are the only record of what Zoroaster believed, in his
own words.
Some scholars believe that traces of Zoroaster's theology can be found in the concept of
Satan as the personification of evil (Angra Mainyu). They also find similarities between
the Zoroastrian belief in Fravashirs (guardian spirits) and the angels of Western
religions.
History. Little is known of Zoroaster's life. Scholars believe he lived between 1400 and
1000 B.C. in what is now northeastern Iran. But Zoroastrian tradition teaches that he
lived between the early 600's and the mid-500's B.C. He left his home in search of
religious truth. After wandering and living alone for several years, he began to have
revelations at the age of 30. In a vision, he spoke with Vohu Manah, a figure who
represented the Good Mind. In the vision, Zoroaster's soul was led in a holy trance into
the presence of Ahura Mazda.
In the years after his revelations, Zoroaster composed the Gathas and spread the teachings
of Ahura Mazda. Zoroaster's conversion of Vishtaspa, a powerful ruler, strengthened the
new religion. According to the Avesta, Zoroaster was assassinated at the age of 77.
Zoroastrianism thrived in Persia from about 550 to 330 B.C., when the religion seems to
have lost some of its vitality. The Muslim conquest of Persia in the mid-A.D. 600's led to
a further decline in the practice of Zoroastrian rites and rituals. However, several
groups continued to observe the religion's traditions. These groups have carried the faith
into the present in Iran, India, and other countries. In India, the followers are called
Parsis. Modern Zoroastrians read from the Avesta, practice traditional purification
habits, and attend rituals at fire temples. Fire is important in Zoroastrianism as a
symbol of Ahura Mazda. |
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