The holy book of zoroastrianism is the zend avesta. Though zoroastrianism was never, even in the thinking of its founder, as insistently monotheistic as, for instance, judaism or islam, it does represent an original attempt at unifying under the worship of one supreme god a polytheistic religion comparable to. The zoroastrian faith is one of the worlds oldest religions, one that could date back as far as 1200 b. The iranian and indian zoroastrian communities in which the religion has thrived without missionary efforts or vast numbers of believers is also explored. Yet if it does not survive, the traditions of my parsi ethnicity go with it. At the dawn of creation, twin primal spirits manifested themselves.
Zoroastrianism is arguably the worlds oldest monotheistic religion. The iranian prophet and religious reformer zarathustra flourished before the 6th century bcemore widely known outside iran as zoroaster, the greek form of his nameis traditionally regarded as the founder of the religion. It survives there in isolated areas but primarily exists in india, where the descendants of zoroastrian persian immigrants are known as parsis, or parsees. What is a good book movie on zoroastrianism zoroaster. Thank heavens that of the few books we have, boyces book is among them. Middle persian and pahlavi works created in the 9th and 10th century contain many religious zoroastrian books, as most of the writers. Zoroastrianism, like judaism, christianity, and islam, is a religion of a book or rather a religion of texts. The religion was then later named after its founder and became the official religion of the persian empire.
The religion nearly died out after alexander the great sacked persepolis in 330 bce, but it rose again during the early sasanian dynasties 229379 ce and flourished for four centuries until islam replaced it in the 7th. Its name comes from the prophet zoroaster or zarathustra and its supreme identity is aura mazada or ormuz the wise lord, which is why it is also known as mazdeism. Avesta zoroastrian scripture britannica encyclopedia britannica. The ancient preislamic religion of persia that survives there in isolated areas, and more prosperously in india, where the descendants of zoroastrian persian immigrants are known as parsis, or parsees. Zoroaster rejects all but one of the forms of sacrifice practised by the indoiranians, and keeps only sacrifice by fire. Zoroastrianism was once a dominant religion during the persian empire around 559bc to 651ac and considered as the most powerful religion during the time of jesus. Zoroastrianism or mazdayasna is one of the worlds oldest continuously practiced religions. Zoroastrianism was the state religion of three persian dynasties, until the muslim conquest of persia in the seventh century a. Founded by the iranian prophet and reformer zoroaster in the 6th century bce, zoroastrianism contains both monotheistic and dualistic features. The follower is called parsi because the religion arrived in india from persia. The zorastrian holy book is called the avesta and it is a compilation of all zoroastrian prayers, which were composed over several centuries, some dating back to more than 3500 years. In the sassanid theology, ahriman was opposed to ohrmuzd ahura mazda, not to spenta mainyu. Dec 12, 2007 zoroaster was a religious reformer of ancient persia now iran and the founder of the preislamic religion of zoroastrianism, zoroaster was a religious reformer of ancient persia now iran and. The holy book of zoroastrianism is the zendavesta, and within that.
Jafarey foreword good conscience, the religion of zarathushtra, is, historically, the first and foremost monotheistic religion in the world. Zoroastrianism also goes by the name parsiism, a name derived after parsis, a group of ancient iranians or persians, who migrated to india in the 7th century ad after the fall of sassanid dynasty to escape persecution in the hands of islamic invaders who. Zoroaster appears in the bahai faith as a manifestation of god, one of a line of prophets who have progressively revealed the word of god to a gradually maturing humanity. Zoroastrianism derives its names from its founder zarathushtra, the persian prophet, whom the greeks referred as zoroaster. Cranmerbyng, edited or wrote many of the books in the wisdom of the east, was a member of the indian zoroastrian community, and his personal insights into the religion are invaluable. Zoroastrianism this religion was founded in the year of c. It had a major influence on other religions and is still. I will always keep my the zoroastrian faith book handy as my reference source.
Biography of zarathustra, founder of zoroastrianism learn religions. Very few reliable historical documents are available to shed light on the life of the religions founder either. Other names for zoroastrianism are mazdaism and parsiism zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion. This religion of persian origin will sow the moral basis of the duality between good and evil for the future religions and civilizations of the west and the east. In presentday iran, significant communities of zoroastrians who take their name from the founder of the faith, the remarkable religious reformer zoraoster still pr. Zoroastrianism contains both monotheistic and dualistic features. He has been a major figure in the history of world religions, in large part because of his apparent monotheism, his purported dualism, and the possible. Zoroastrianism, the worlds oldest monotheistic religion. Zoroastrianism religion in india zoroastrian religious. Sep 30, 2019 because the religion has no specific founder, its difficult to trace its origins and history. The archaemenians were a pious zoroastrian family and they ruled their kingdom justly and efficiently. So fire becomes, in zoroastrianism, the sacred symbol of truth.
The zoroastrian holy book, called the avesta, was written in the avestan language, which is closely related to vedic sanskrit. History of zoroastrianism avesta zoroastrian archives. Zoroastrianism is one of the worlds great ancient religions. What is known comes mainly from the gathas, a collection of songs or hymns that is central to the avesta, zoroastrianisms sacred book. Centuries before dantes divine comedy, the book of arda viraf described in vivid detail a journey to heaven and hell. Younger avestan periods of the history of zoroastrianism. Zoroaster thus shares an exalted station with abraham, moses, krishna, jesus, muhammad, the bab, and the founder of the bahai faith, bahaullah. After reading this book, i am able to talk to others about this religion as i have a good base, and i am ready to take the next step in ordering another book, maybe the avesta itself or the prayer book, to delve deeper into zoroastrian understanding. A small religious community, which exists mostly in mumbai, is zoroastrianism. Zarathushtra also spelt zarathustra, or zoroaster as he is known in the west, is the founder of the religion that came to be known as zoroastrianism. The alternative, less common englishlanguage form zarathushtra is a modern rendering of the avestan pronunciation. Zoroastrianism now has an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 worshipers worldwide. Oct, 2011 while political and military leaders come and go, religious figures seem to endure throughout the ages, which is why millions of people still venerate them hundreds or even thousands of years after theyve died. Certain hot, or garm, personalities tend to be quick to temper, exude more energy, and prompt all others around them to action.
Zoroastrianism religion in india zoroastrian religious sect. A brief introduction to zoroastrianism commisceo global. Biography of zarathustra, founder of zoroastrianism. He served as an inspiration to millennia of philosophers, including those of classic greek, judaism, islam, and christianity, to as recently as friedrich nietzsche 18441900. Zoroaster was a religious reformer of ancient persia now iran and the founder of the preislamic religion of zoroastrianism, zoroaster was a religious reformer of ancient persia now iran and.
Zoroastrianism is perhaps the worlds oldest continuing nonpantheistic religion. Zoroastrian religion zoroaster is a greek word that comes from the avestan name of the zarathustra, also known as the zartosht and zardosht in persian, and zarathost in gujarati among others. And since the 19th century ce, the institutionalized zoroastrianism means the final institutionalized version of the good religion. Zoroastrianism eventually became the official religion of ancient persia and its distant subdivisions from the 6th century bce to the 7th century ce. In presentday iran, significant communities of zoroastrians who take their name from the founder of the faith. These are seventeen hymns considered to have been composed by zoroaster himself. The founder zarathustra the zoroastrian religion dates from its prophet zarathustra, who is reputed to have lived around 1200 bc, though some say 600 bc. What some people might find it enlightening to know, however, is that not everyone who was responsible for starting a religion set out to do so. Bbc culture the obscure religion that shaped the west. Zoroastrians believe people are free to choose between good and bad. The book contains the hymns in praise of ahura mazda and rituals to be performed during festival. The zoroastrian book of holy scriptures is called the avesta. Zoroastrianism, ancient preislamic religion of iran that likely influenced the. He was having a difficult time so he moved to the more accepting land of king vishtaspa where his ideas were accepted as the official religion.
The new persian dynasty of the sassanids ad 224651 established zoroastrianism as the state religion of persia. Hinduism is unique in that its not a single religion but a compilation of many traditions and. Boyce did possess ample expertise to motivate and present the history and doctrines of zoroastrianism in plentiful detail. Zoroastrianism is ranked with judaism, christianity, and islam among the higher religions originating in the middle east 1. Zoroastrianism was the dominant world religion from 559 bce to 651 ce, and was thus the most powerful world religion at the time of jesus. It is not known how the religion spreads through iran to become, eventually, the official religion of the achaemenid dynasty. He has been a major figure in the history of world religions, in large part because of his apparent monotheism, his purported dualism, and the possible influence of his teachings on middle eastern religions. Zoroastrianism was founded in persia ancient iran around 3500 years ago by the prophet zoroaster, or zarathustra. But the current population shows a continuous decline in numbers with only.
Bcad 224, cults of foreign gods flourished along with zoroastrianism. But like other religions, it also has continually changed from its pristine purity to the present institutionalized form of zoroastrianism. At the heart of avestas scriptural core are the gathas. Flawed though it may be, it is an invaluable overview of the history of zoroastrianism from the. As the child of a female zoroastrian i cannot follow the religion, even if i wanted to. Other names for zoroastrianism are mazdaism and parsiism.
It was founded by the prophet zoroaster in ancient iran approximately 3500 years ago. Zoroastrianism, in spite of its small current number of adherents, has played a huge role in the study of comparative religion. Zarathushtra eventually came to be regarded as the founder and prophet of the. Religion a thousand years of the persian book exhibitions.
Zoroastrian name of the religion is mazdayasna combining mazda with the avestan language word yasna which translates to worship and devotion only. It was founded by the prophet zoroaster or zarathustra in ancient iran. Jul 16, 20 the founder zarathustra the zoroastrian religion dates from its prophet zarathustra, who is reputed to have lived around 1200 bc, though some say 600 bc. Zarathushtra lived and preached in the ancient land of airyana vaeja, or aryan land. Zoroastrianism what is, history, beliefs, characteristics. Zoroastrian dietary laws, animal friendship and stewardship to say that dietary laws are not part of the original zoroastrian teachings and that all kind food. Waterhouse outlines the basic tenets of zoroastrianism and then points out the many similarities between this most ancient of religions and judaism. Little is know about the religion and its history till 549 bce when the persians led by cyrus the great of the archaemenian family conquered western iran and founded the first persian empire.
It centers on the words of the prophet zarathushtra, called zoroaster by the ancient. In the meantime, zoroastrianism spread to western iran and became an established religion. No doubt these restrictions are later aberrations not befitting the lofty ideals and teachings of the religion. Feb 09, 2017 zoroastrianism is the ancient, preislamic religion of persia modernday iran. Religion with its origin in ancient iran, which exist even in modern times. Though zoroastrianism was never, even in the thinking of its founder, as insistently monotheistic as, for instance, judaism or islam, it does represent an original attempt at unifying under the worship of one supreme god a polytheistic religion comparable to those of the ancient greeks, latins, indians, and other early peoples. Marjan measured bahars unpredictable temperament according to the ancient and treasured zoroastrian practice of gastronomic balancing, which pitted light and against dark, good against evil, hot against cold.
Zoroastrianism, known to its followers as the zarathushti din zoroastrian religion, developed from the words, ideas, beliefs, and rituals attributed to a devotional poet named zarathushtra later middle persian or pahlavi. It survives there in isolated areas but primarily exists in india, where the. The latter represent the basic source of the religion. Zoroaster was born into a polytheistic religion similar to early hinduism in northeast iran or southwest afghanistan. The book was completed during the sassanid dynasty. Zoroaster is credited with authorship of the gathas as well as the yasna haptanghaiti, hymns composed in his native dialect, old avestan, and which comprise the core of zoroastrian thinking. Zarathustra, iranian religious reformer and prophet, traditionally regarded as the founder of zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is an ancient persian religion that may have originated. Ascribed to the teachings of the iranianspeaking spiritual leader zoroaster, it exalts an uncreated and benevolent deity of wisdom, ahura mazda, as its supreme being. Top 10 religious figures and religious founders in history. Zoroastrianism the phenomenon of death, or nonlife as it is called in the zoroastrian holy scripture the gathas, is a concept accompanying the advent of creation.
Apr 25, 2017 the avesta is the holy book of the zoroastrians, and contains the religions sacred scriptures. Nov 21, 2009 the devotional poet zoroaster, known as zarathushtra to ancient iranians, is regarded as the founding prophet of zoroastrianism. Difference between zoroastrianism and islam difference. With all the forms in view, a follower of the good religion is a zarathushtrian, zarathushti, zartoshti, zoroastrian, mazdayasni, or behdin. The qissai sanjan is a tale of the journey of the parsis to india from iran.
Zoroastrian refugees, called parsis, escaped muslim persecution in iran by emigrating to india. Zarathustra zoroaster was a religious leader, philosopher, and the founder of zoroastrianism, a monotheistic religion which recognizes the competing. What is the name of the holy book of parsis and when was. As the religion of zoroastrianism develops, after its founders death, ahura. Zarathustra, also known as zoroaster, was an ancient religious leader and philosopher born sometime between about 1700 bce and 600 bce, who is credited with founding zoroastrianism. The good religion and the institutionalized zoroastrianism. History of zoroastrianism including thus spake zarathustra, wise men of. Zarathustra, also spelled zarathushtra, greek zoroaster, born traditionally c. Avesta, sacred book of zoroastrianism containing its cosmogony, law, and.
This includes the original words of their founder zarathushtra, preserved in a series of five hymns, called the gathas. Zoroastrianism is the ancient, preislamic religion of persia modernday iran. Avesta is a repository of oral texts, transmitted orally in fixed linguistic form until it was written down. The prophet, who lived in what is now eastern iran or afghanistan. The zoroastrian scriptures are called the avesta, and the ancient language in which they are. Zoroastrianism, the religion of ancient persia, was founded by the prophet zarathustra any time from 1500 bce to 1200 bce the wellrepeated estimate of 600 bce has been disproven. He is believed to be the author of the core texts of the avesta, the main source of zoroastrian teachings. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
There are, likewise, scattered passages in the vedas, brahmanas, smriti, and puranas that refer to the iranians and their religion. Zoroaster proclaimed that ahura mazda was the supreme creator, the creative and sustaining. A very interesting discussion of zoroastrianism, an ancient persian religion and how it influenced judaism and hence christianity and islam. The founder of zoroastrianism was zoroaster, who lived in eastern ancient iran around bc. Originally printed in the january february 2003 issue of quest magazine. Zoroastrian refugees, called parsis, escaped muslim persecution in. Thanks for the a2a zoroastrianism is one of the worlds great ancient religions. By 650 bce, the zoroastrian faith, a monotheistic religion founded on the ideas of the philosopher zoroaster, had become the official religion of ancient persia. The devotional poet zoroaster, known as zarathushtra to ancient iranians, is regarded as the founding prophet of zoroastrianism. The founder of zoroastrianism, zarathustra, preached around 600 bce a monotheistic religious message, much of which is found in the central collection of religious texts, avesta. Zoroastrianism is one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. It is a multitendency faith centered on a dualistic cosmology of good and evil and an eschatology predicting the ultimate conquest of evil with theological elements of henotheism, monotheismmonism, and polytheism. Zoroastrians believe ahura mazda created two spirits.
The king and his queen, hutosa, heard zoroaster debating with the religious leaders of his land, and decided to accept zoroasters ideas and made them the official religion of their kingdom. Zoroastrianism, third edition traces the history and beliefs of zoroastrianism and its followers determination through centuries of persecution and hardship into the present day. This is a short study of the zoroastrian religion, part of the wisdom of the east series. Zoroaster, a prophet who lived in modernday iran, is viewed as the founder of. Ahura mazda also known as ohrmazd, ahuramazda, hormazd, and aramazd is the avestan name for a divinity of the old iranian religion who was proclaimed the uncreated god by zoroaster, the founder of zoroastrianism.
Jan 21, 2020 the zoroastrian religion was the creed of the achaemenid kings including cyrus, darius, and xerxes ca. The avestas surviving texts derive from a single master copy produced during the sasanian. It was the official religion of persia from 600 bc to 650 ad. Judaism under the exile was influenced by zoroastrian teachings and furnishes us with points of resemblance between the.
365 1159 1450 1407 282 1485 1226 1267 694 425 8 1202 591 937 399 1336 1223 583 662 1011 146 642 561 276 1012 527 393 1286 1378 212 973 709 519 165 69 894 298 864 143 1217 1237