Above his desk there is a portrait of Zarathustra, who is believed to have founded the faith in the region of Afghanistan. In a library filled with books about the religion, its history and theology, Mobed Bahram Shahzadi, director of the Westminster fire temple, spends most of his day. However, while its roots extend to at least the 7th century BC, and some scholars date its beginnings as far back as the 16th century BC, most Westerners are not familiar with Zoroastrianism’s primary teachings. For some Westerners, the name of the religion is as familiar as Judaism, Christianity and Islam, also based on a belief in one God. Kulke, Eckehard: The Parsees in India: a minority as agent of social change.What was a flourishing religion in ancient Iran and across the Persian Empire has dwindled through centuries of foreign conquest to be perhaps the smallest of monotheistic faiths.Some historians believe that the Three Wise Men (Magi) who visited Jesus after he was born were Zoroastrian priests. Each Yazata is "worthy of worship" and also stands for a part of the creation. These seven sparks are helped by many "lesser principles", the Yazatas. Each of them represents a part of Ahura Mazda's creation. When Ahura Mazda created everything, he made seven "sparks", called Amesha Spentas ("Bounteous Immortals"). In this way, the Creator interacts with the world. Through Spenta Maniu, Ahura Mazda is in all humans. All good things are represented by Spenta Mainyu, the good spirit which Ahura Mazda created. When this happens, everything that Ahura Mazda created will be together with him again - even the souls of people who died or who were banished.Īll bad things in the world are represented as Angra Mainyu, the "Destructive Principle". They do not believe people should live on their own to find God (for example, in monasteries). This active life is the basis of what Zoroastrians call free will. People also need to do these things in order to be happy. Have good words and good thoughts for others. Everything in the universe is part of this conflict, including humans. There is a conflict between order (which he created) and chaos (or disorder). Zoroastrians worship only him.Īhura Mazda created everything. These are the basic beliefs of Zoroastrianism: Many Zoroastrians now live in the United States. In Pakistan and India, they are called Parsis. Most of them live in Iran, Pakistan or India. Nowadays, there are about 2.6 million Zoroastrians in the world. In the 7th century AD, Persia was conquered by Islamic Arabs, and most Persians became Muslims. Zoroastrianism was the state religion of Persia starting in the 6th century BC, including the Sassanid dynasty. Therefore, the motto of the religion is "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds". Choosing good will lead to happiness, and choosing bad will lead to unhappiness. Zoroastrians believe people are free to choose between good and bad. Zoroastrians believe Ahura Mazda created two spirits: a good one (Spenta Mainyu), and a bad one ( Angra Mainyu). The holy book of Zoroastrianism is the Zend Avesta. The Zoroastrian god is called Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion. Other names for Zoroastrianism are Mazdaism and Parsiism. Zoroaster, who lived in eastern ancient Iran around 1000 BC, created Zoroastrianism.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |