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ZOROASTRIANISM

Zoroastrianism is the name of the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathushtra, Zartosht) (ca. 1200 BC). However, the term is a modern term. Historically, the origins can be traced back to the Achaemenid era (648-330 BCE) of ancient Persia; The tribe of the Magi in ancient Media prior to the absorption of the Medes into the Persian Empire (550 BC). But, its clear conservatism and strong traditionalism appear to be manifestations of a cultural attitude that emerged during the Sasanid period (third to seventh century CE).

Subsequent to the fall of the Persian Empire, after which Zoroastrianism was gradually supplanted by Islam, many Zoroastrians fled to other regions in the hope of preserving their religious tradition. Among them were several groups who migrated to Gujarat, on the western shores of the Indian subcontinent, where they finally settled. The descendants of those refugees are today known as the Parsis with a concentration in and around the city of Mumbai (previously known as Bombay). Nevertheless, Zoroastrians in Iran have, like other religious minorities, survived centuries of persecution.

Principles

Ahura Mazda (Avestan, or Ormuzd in later Persian) is the supreme God. He is the beginning and the end, the creator of everything which can and cannot be seen, the Eternal, the Pure and the only Truth. Thus, Zoroastrianism is sometimes refereed as Mazdaism which is the name of the religion that acknowledges the divine authority of Ahura Mazda, proclaimed by Zoroaster to be the one uncreated Creator of all (God). Thus, making Zoroastrianism a monotheistic religion.

The Spenta Mainyu is the source of light and constructive energy personified by Ahura Mazda as well. He is accompanied by the seven Amesha Spentas.

The opposite force is Angra Mainyu which is the source of darkness, destruction, sterility, and death. He is accompaniment by the seven Main Daevas. The resultant discord mirrors the ancient conflict between Good and Evil.

The emphasis on monotheism and its radical dualism, sets it apart from most of the other traditions of the region at that time. Both are closely linked in the Gathas. They are not in conflict with each other, for monotheism is in opposition to polytheism, not to dualism. It is a necessary and logical consequence of monotheism to explain the origins of evil. The basis of dualism is essentially ethical: the nature of the two opposing Zoroastrian spirits, Spenta Mainyu ("beneficent spirit") and Angra Mainyu ("hostile spirit"), who are twin children of Ahura Mazda, results from the choice they made between "truth," asha, and the "lie," druj, between good thoughts, good words, and good deeds and evil thoughts, evil words, and evil deeds. The choices made by the two spirits (Yasna 30.5) lie at the root of Zoroastrian dualism, and they act as a prototype (Yasna 30.2, 49.3) of the choices that face each man as he decides whether to follow the path of truth or that of untruth. The good or evil nature of the two spirits derives from his own moral choice and is not predetermined.

Teachings

The teachings of Zoroastrianism had major influences on the Abrahamic Religions.

Ancient Scriptures

In the Gathas, the most sacred texts of Zoroastrianism and thought to have been composed by Zoroaster himself. Such as the Avesta, and in later sources such as the Bundahishn and the Denkard. The original Avesta dates back to 1400 - 1200 BCE but it was destroyed by Alexander the Great when he invaded Persia. The current version dates from the 13th or 14th century, and contains only a fragment of the original text.

Some of the texts can be read at:



The Yashts section of the Avesta is the principal and most clear evidence available to us regarding the process of zoroastrianization of ancient deities within a new cultural context, dominated by the figure of the supreme god, Ahura Mazda. The Yashts are hymns dedicated to the various beings worthy of worship: Ahura Mazda himself, the Amesha Spentas as a group,



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