Zoroastrianism

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1) Explain the meaning of Zoroastrianism and related terms

Zoroastrianism is the term used for those of the ancient Persian monotheistic
religion. It is also an Indo-European term that has been accepted by the
worshippers and scholars, as this is a common way that religions are named by
Indo-Europeans for the ease of identification of its founder. This name was
derived from its founder, Zarathustra or Zoroaster in the Greek language.
Related terms are the Faravahar, Mazdayasnian religion, Ahura Mazda and the
Parsis. The Faravahar is the name of the symbol of Zoroastrianism. It means—
Divine Glory—that stresses morality. Mazdayasnian religion is the ancient name
of Zoroastrianism. Ahura Mazda is the one all-powerful god that the Zoroastrians
worship and the name means—Wise Lord. The Parsis is the name of
Zoroastrians who are relocated in India in 900 AD.

2) Outline how Zoroastrianism developed over time into what it is today

Zarathustra was born during ca. 630-550 BC. There are those a few scholars and
traditional Zoroastrians that date it back to 7500 BC, but the first date is more
commonly accepted among historians. Zarathustra saw the polytheistic religion
he was among as mistaken and he had a vision that led to the development of a
monotheistic religion. The spread and great growth of this religion happened
during the existence of the Persian and Sassanian empires during 550 BC-650
AD. During the rise of these empires Zoroastrianism shaped the political world
and the society to be more tolerant of other beliefs systems and this was a good
policy as far as acceptance of the new conquerors by the conquered during the
rise of these empires, consequently Zoroastrianism followed in that growth as
well. However, overtime starting with the rule of Xerxes of Persia the Zoroastrian
characteristic of tolerant behavior ceased and internal political and religious
struggles lead to the decline of these empires and again so followed
Zoroastrianism. When the arrival of Islam, 650 AD to present, made its way into
the regions of where Zoroastrianism grew, Islam became the vehicle for which
great persecution or conversion of Zoroastrians took place. Ancient information
and scriptures lost to burnings in the attempt eradicate that philosophy was near
successful. The eventual dispersion of Zoroastrians to India led to the
development of two groups of Zoroastrians—Iranian and Parsis. Today, these
two sects still exist and have their differences, but dwindling numbers in the
religion have caused them to more tolerant of each other, especially in shared
common holidays and festivals.
3) Explain the essential Zoroastrian teachings of monotheism and moral dualism

Zoroastrianism monotheism is the belief in one all-powerful god, Ahura Mazda,

however there are other spirits that accompany him that represent attributes the
he espouses and that demands of all people to follow to have a better judgment
after their lives on Earth has ended. Moral Dualism is the notion of universe is
made up of two spiritual competing forces—the Bounteous Spirit that chose to be
truthful in thoughts, words and deeds and the Deceitful Spirit that chose to be the
antithesis of the Bounteous Spirit. With this choice, in Zoroastrianism, humans
are commanded to make the better choice for the good—“Let those who act
wisely choose correctly between these two, not as evil-doers choose” (Yasna
30:3).

4) State the main ethical precepts of Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrians believe that Ahura Mazda is fighting cosmic battles against evil. He
is surrounded by six spirits that personify his goodness and they mediate Ahura
Mazda’s goodness to humankind. So, Zoroastrians believe that the battle to
choose evil over good within themselves in not limited to that, it is also the fact
that when they commit actions fueled by these mediated personifications of
Ahura Mazda’s goodness, they are indeed fighting demons, but also against
Angra Mainyu himself, who is the devil character against Ahura Mazda.
“Zoroastrians hold to values of speaking and acting truthfully, being faithful to
Ahura Mazda and doing what is good in the world” (World Relig 3). An interesting
ethic that concerns very much is of a social issue. Since the religion has been in
decline, as far as numbers, Zoroastrians are requiring its followers to marry
within the religion, except incest. To marry outside is to be ostracized and your
children will not be recognized or accepted into the religion. This is called the
faith of kindred marriage. However, there is push back through “reformist” who
are willing to accept these mixed marriages.

5) Outline the way Zoroastrians worship and observe rituals

A) The Fire Temple

a. Three types of fires of where the worship is mainly focused upon
i. The Appointed Fire
1. Two priest involved for two hours
2. Small temples have this fire
3. Two other greater fires in bigger temples
ii. Fire of Fires
1. Gathering and mingling of one sacrificial fire
a. Representative of these four groups
i. Priest, soldiers & civil servants, farmers &
herders and craftsman & labourers
iii. Highest fire—Fire of Victory
1. Gathering of sixteen fires of sixteen sources
 2. Thirty-two priests involved
3. One year long consecration of fires
4. Requests made to Ahura Mazda not made before these
two higher fires
B) Worship
a. Worshippers offers wood for fire, but priest is only allowed to place the
wood in the fire
b. Priest where facial cloth as to not breath on fire to contaminate it
c. Priest do not preach or teach, but to offer prayers and sacrifice
d. No instruments, no singing, only musical chanting of scriptures and
prayers by Priest
C) Other Rituals
a. Navjote for young Zoroastrians when they turn seven (India, Africa,
Europe and North America) and ten (Iran)
b. Navjote is the initiation into Zoroastrianism. A white shirt & the Kusti, a
sacred cord
c. The Kusti—a sacred cord tied around their waste to indicate the
lifelong commitment to keeping the tenets of Zoroastrianism

6) State the main features of Zoroastrian life around the world today, especially in
North America
Most Zoroastrians can be found in India, the next grouping, in Iran. The smaller
groups are in areas of East Africa and Great Britain. In North America, there are
twenty thousand followers and most are from India. Zoroastrians began arriving
to North America in the mid-nineteenth century just before America’s Civil War. In
1929, in New York, the first Zoroastrian congregation was formed by seven
followers. Until the immigration laws were relaxed during the 1960’s, many more
Zoroastrians came to North America for a better life and I’m sure that the
freedom to practice their religion was the most important reason of all.
Nowadays, the Zoroastrian organization that have formed are working to
establish a greater presence in North America by maintaining their culture,
languages, dress, food, and festivals. Temples have cultural centers to educate
their followers in the Zoroastrian tenets and focus on maintaining their religious
presence.