Zoroastrianism developed into the major religion theologically, demographically, and politically of iran and central asia between the sixth century bce and the tenth century ce, enjoying royal patronage from various dynasties. This missionary activity shows that zoroastrianism was really a universal religion and not an ethnic religion, limited to one people. They vary by geographical spread, number of adherents, language, hierarchy and, of course, beliefs. They were opposed by the demonic spirit angra mainyu, the head of evil forces in the world. All these texts are embedded in the yasna, which is one of the main. The good guy, which zoroaster wanted us to root for, is ahura mazda. Apr 01, 2015 michael stausberg is professor of religion at the university of bergen and a member of the norwegian academy of science and letters.
Zoroastrianism beliefs at the center of zoroastrianism is god or ahura mazda, the creator of the world. Zoroastrianism has often been noted for its similarity to the monotheistic religions of judaism, christianity and islam. If you are unfamiliar with zoroastrianism i suggest you read nigosians book the zoroastrian faith first and then read this one. Zoroastrians believe in one god, called ahura mazda meaning wise lord. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century bc in. First taught among nomads on the asian steppes, zoroastrianism became the state religion of the three great iranian empires and had a remarkable influence on other world faiths.
It was the official religion of persia from 600 bc to 650 ad. Zoroastrianism is a preislamic iranian religion and one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. She claims much for the faiths influence especially on the monotheistic faiths and much of it appears reasonable, but she generally speaks too confidently from the nature of the sources available. Major features of zoroastrianism, such as messianism, judgment after death, heaven and hell, and free will may have influenced other religious and philosophical systems, including second temple judaism, gnosticism, greek philosophy, christianity, islam, the bahai faith, and buddhism. Within the gathas, the original zoroastrian sacred text, these immortals are sometimes described as concepts, and are sometimes personified. There is not much books available about zoroastrianism in english so this book by the eminent iranologist mary boyce is a great start and valuable resource. Have you ever wondered when popular religions started to develop.
It was created by the philosopher zoroaster, also referred to as zarathustra, and modeled after the pantheon of early iranian gods. It was founded by the prophet zoroaster or zarathustra in ancient iran. This includes the original words of their founder zarathushtra, preserved in a series of five hymns, called the gathas. Other names for zoroastrianism are mazdaism and parsiism zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion.
Zoroastrians are those who follow the teachings of the iranian prophet zoroaster zarathushtra. From these it is clear that he believed in a creator energy which embodied the positive attributes we associate with god. It contains 14 chapters starting from the prehistory of the ancient iranians to present day zoroastrianism and its adherents. Zoroastrianism, the ancient pre islamic religion of iran that survives there in isolated areas and, more prosperously, in india, where the descendants of zoroastrian iranian persian immigrants are known as parsis, or parsees. Crossroads, destinations, and encounters 2011, zarathustra and zoroastrianism 2008, and as editor or coeditor defining magic 20, the routledge handbook of research methods in the study of religions 2011.
His teachings are immortalised in the texts known as the divine songs or gathas which are his account of the divine revelations he experienced. It is a monotheistic and dualistic religion that is against polytheism. Communication between himself and humans is by a number of attributes, called amesha spentas or bounteous immortals. Similarities between zoroastrianism and christianity. This page provides an overview of zoroastrian beliefs, which can be summed.
The religion is also among the oldest religions in the world as its origin can be traced back to the 2nd millennium bce. This book was really innovative and thoughtprovoking at the time since it was written in the form of ritual poems. It was founded by the prophet zoroaster or zarathustra in ancient iran approximately 3500 years ago. It is definitely one of the first monotheist religions. Similarities between zoroastrianism and christianity although these are two different religions, they have many things in common. Michael stausberg is professor of religion at the university of bergen and a member of the norwegian academy of science and letters. Zoroastrianism zoroastrianism beliefs and mythology. The description of zoroastrianism reflects the authors personal beliefs and should be read with a critical mind and a large dose of sound skepticism. Zoroastrianism at a glance zoroastrianism is one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions.
Zoroastrians believe that the world is battle ground. This book covers not just the history of zoroastrianism but also some of its theology and background information crucial to understanding this obscure major religion. It was founded by zoroaster and it believes in one god, ahura mazda. Oct 02, 2009 zoroastrian beliefs about god one god. Scriptures zoroastrianisms scriptures are the avesta or the zend avesta pahlavi avestalaw, zendcommentary. Zoroastrianism important beliefs of zoroastrianism.
But some more recent researches date zoroastrianism to around 1200 b. Oct 02, 2009 zoroastrianism at a glance zoroastrianism is one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. List of books and articles about zoroastrianism online. The zoroastrian book of holy scriptures is called the avesta. This book traces the continuous history of the faith from the time it was preached by zoroaster down to the present day a span of about 3,500 years. The latter represent the basic source of the religion.
What are the basic teachings of zoroastrianism answers. May, 2019 zoroastrianism is also known as mazdayasna. Boyces book begins with prehistory and beliefs, then the majority of the book is zoroastrianism through time. Ahuramazda is the supreme, omniscient and omnipotent god, who symbolizes truth, radiance, purity, order. According to the qissai sanjan, parsis migrated from sasanian. This translates into the triumph of the forces of good over evil. It is aimed mainly at zoroastrians who live outside of iran and india.
Laying the foundation of the religious culture of ancient indoiranians out of which zoroastrianism grew, she gives some basic but comprehensive details as to the zoroastrians religious beliefs and some few facts about zoroaster himself. Zarathushtra eventually came to be regarded as the founder and prophet of the. Its supreme god is aura mazda and its prophet is zoroaster or zarathustra. The founder of the religion was a man named zoroaster, who is viewed as a prophetic figure by adherents. Difference between zoroastrianism and islam difference. He saw other radiant figures too, but could not see his shadow on the ground, a sign which convince zoroaster his vision was authentic. During those centuries it influenced hellenistic, jewish, christian, and muslim beliefs through contact between.
In spite of these, there exist some differences between the two as regards evolution, beliefs and practices. A handful few who fled from iran, after the fall of the sassanid empire, to escape persecution in the hands of the new. The most important texts of the religion are those of the avesta, which includes as central the writings of zoroaster known as the. The similarities between zoroastrianism and christianity. Zoroastrianism is an ancient persian religion that may have originated as early as 4,000 years ago.
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. On the very basic level, zoroastrianism is a dualistic religion. Boyces book is the clearest and most well researched work on zoroastrian religion and is a must for all interested in the relative subject matter. Zoroastrianism is a religion, one of the oldest according to tradition, it was founded by zoroaster after he received a vision in which he was introduced to ahura mazda, and told of the great god and his adversary. What are some interesting facts about zoroastrianism religion. Humata, huxta, huvarshta good thoughts, good words, good deeds. Zarathustra taught that humans are free to choose between right and wrong, truth and lie, and light and dark, and that their choices would affect their eternal destiny. The zendavesta pahlavi texts links zoroastrianism, in spite of its small current number of adherents, has played a huge role in the study of comparative religion. Modern zoroastrian priest wearing mouth cover while tending a temple fire. The avesta consists of fragmentary and muchcorrupted texts. Long ago, zoroastrians believed there were more gods. This book traces the continuous history of the faith from the time it.
Some religions, like christianity, refer to mankind as gods children. May 27, 2005 i have not read that book it is in two volumes i believe, so i cannot judge its arguments, but from a purely historical point of view, if zoroastrianism really said all the aforementioned material before jesus was around and then it traveled to babylon, it does seem like a good argument against christianity. Zoroastrianism is the ethnic religion of the parsi people. As per their beliefs, the purpose of life is to become a master of ashavan and add happiness to this world. Zoroastrianism was made the state religion of the empire, and conversions were actively made to counteract the proselytizing zeal of christians. At the center of zoroastrianism is god or ahura mazda, the creator of the world. For four centuries zoroastrianism was the state religion of the sassanids, and it successfully met the challenge of nascent christianity and, later, of heretical manichaeism. Zoroastrianism or zarathustraism mazdayasna in farsi is a religion founded in ancient iran. The holy book of zoroastrianism is known as the avesta. Its popularity declined when the islamic invaders occupied iran and introduced islam. Zoroastrianism religion in india zoroastrian religious. Zoroastrianism was founded by the prophet zoroaster in the sixth century bce and was one of the first monotheistic faiths in the world.
Some of the main teachings of the zoroastrian religion are. A large part of their population is divided between iran and india. An introduction by jenny rose, demons of the flesh. Not only was it a cohort of the ancient vedic hinduism, but also had a huge influence on the development of judaism and christianity. 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 teaches that there are two gods, one completely good ahura mazda and one completely evil ahriman. Zoroastrianism, ancient preislamic religion of iran that likely. Some scholars say that tenets of zoroastrianism helped to shape the major abrahamic religionsincluding judaism, christianity and. However, it is not simply an explanation of beliefs and practices. Arguably the worlds first monotheistic faith, its one of the oldest religions still in. They are written in various metres and in a dialect different from the rest of the avesta, except for seven chapters, chiefly in prose, that appear to have been composed shortly after the prophets demise. This book was the first, and right now the only attempt to try and present a basic introduction to zoroastrianism. There are well over 4,000 different religions in the world today.
The religion was originated in persia now iran during seventh century bc. Zoroastrianism is the ancient, preislamic religion of persia modernday iran. Zoroastrianism or mazdayasna is one of the worlds oldest continuously practiced religions. This book is useful for the later history of the zoroastrians. Like these three, it teaches belief in one god, a supreme force of good who is opposed by the ultimate force of evil. Avesta, sacred book of zoroastrianism containing its cosmogony, law, and liturgy, the teachings of the prophet zoroaster zarathushtra. Their religious beliefs and practices by mary boyce. What are some interesting facts about zoroastrianism. First taught among nomads on the asian steppes, zoroastrianism. Crossroads, destinations, and encounters 2011, zarathustra and zoroastrianism 2008, and as editor or coeditor defining magic 20, the routledge handbook of research methods in the study of.
Zoroastrianism is one of the most ancient religions of the world. Only the hymns, or gathas, are attributable to zarathustra. Their religious beliefs and practices, hinnels, john, ed. This book traces the continuous history of the faith from the time it was preached by zoroaster down to the present day a span of about 3500 years. At one time it was the dominant religion of iran and adjoining regions. Zoroaster, who lived in eastern ancient iran around bc, created zoroastrianism. Apr 23, 2019 zoroastrianism is arguably the worlds oldest monotheistic religion. Zoroastrianism what is, history, beliefs, characteristics. Nov 06, 2015 thus zoroastrianism is a highly ethical religion in which the choice of good over evil has cosmic importance.
It survives there in isolated areas but primarily exists in india, where the descendants of zoroastrian persian immigrants are known as parsis, or parsees. It centers on the words of the prophet zarathushtra, called zoroaster by the ancient greeks, and focuses worship upon ahura mazda, the lord of wisdom. The earliest records confirming the existence of zoroastrianism are dated back to. The complete guide to left hand path sex magic by ni. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. Zoroastrianism religion in india zoroastrian religious sect. Its adherents beleive that there are two conflicting forces competing for control in our universe. Feb 09, 2017 zoroastrianism is the ancient, preislamic religion of persia modernday iran. Ad 226 under ardashir i, who established the sassanid dynasty and fostered a general revival of achaemenian culture. According to the qissai sanjan, parsis migrated from sasanian empire to gujarat, where they were given refuge, between the 8th and 10th century ce to avoid persecution following the muslim conquest of persia. There are very few zoroastrians in the world today but it still holds an important place. Although the exact date zoroastrianism was founded is unknown, archaeological evidence and linguistic comparisons with the hindu text rig veda suggest that it emerged around 12001500 bce. This article is an attempt to highlight some of the major differences between the two.
Zoroastrianism is one the oldest religions in the world. Zoroastrianism therefore has some similarities with ancient vedic beliefs. I have not read that book it is in two volumes i believe, so i cannot judge its arguments, but from a purely historical point of view, if zoroastrianism really said all the aforementioned material before jesus was around and then it traveled to babylon. Yes, there are quite a few, in fact where i live in california, there are a lot of zoroastrians. Zoroaster taught that the forces of good in the world served the supreme god ahura mazda and his holy spirit spenta mainyu. 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. Their religious beliefs and practices this book, now reissued with a new introduction by mary boyce, is the first attempt to trace the continuous history of the faith from the time it was preached by zoroaster down to the present daya span of about 3,500 years. In the meantime, zoroastrianism spread to western iran and became an established religion. The wiley blackwell companion to zoroastrianism wiley. In ancient times, the modern country of iran was known as persia. One of the most interesting things about zoroastrianism was the teachings of zoraster, the prophet, which was all gathered in a book named gathas. Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet zoroaster also known as zarathustra, in avestan. He is compassionate, just, and is the creator of the universe. Zoroastrianism for beginners guide to the beliefs and.