Zoroastrianism

INTRODUCTION
> Zoroastrianism is an ancient Persian religion that may
originated 4000 years ago.
> Zoroastrianism was the state religion of the three Persian
dynasties until Muslim conquest of Persia in 7th century.
> The Iranian prophet and religious reformer Zoroaster is
regarded as the founder of the religion.
> Zoroastrianism contain both monotheistic and dualistic
features.
 Zoroastrianism now has an estimated 100,000 to 200,000
worshipers world wide .
 Fire along with water are seen as the symbols of purity.
 Zoroastrians place of worship are called fire temples.
One GOD
Zoroastrians believes in one GOD called Ahura Mazda,
means wise lord.
The creator of life all goodness and happiness.
GOD is worship as supreme.
Zoroastrians believes that everything GOD created is pure
and should be treated with love and respect.
This includes the natural environment so Zoroastrians
traditionally do not pollute the rivers, land and
atmosphere.
ZOROASTER & GOD
 Zoroastrians believes that Zoroaster is the prophet of GOD.
 Zoroaster is himself is not worshiped but according to Zoroastrians
man can become close to GOD by following the path of truth.
 At the age of 30 Zoroaster had a divine vision whilst bathing in a river
during a pagan purification right. on the bank of river he saw a
shining being made of light who revealed himself as Vohu Manha,
means good mind.
 Vohu Manha led Zoroaster to the presence of ARHUM Mazda.
 This was the 1st of the number of the visions in which Zoroaster saw a
ARHUM Mazda and during each vision he asked a number of
question.
 The answer given to Zoroaster are the foundation of the Zoroastrian
religion .
AMESHA-SPENTAS
 During the 1st vision Zoroaster saw ARHU MAZDA and 6 other
divine immortals known as the AMESHA-SPENTAS .
 AMESHA-SPENTAS are emanated by GOD but not GOD.
 They help God the fashion world and each is associated with
particular aspects of creations.
 The 6 Amesha-Spentas are FOLLOWING:
 (VOHUMANAH) good mind and good purpose.
 ( ASHA VAHISHTA) truth
 ( SPENTA AMERAITI) holy devotion, loving and kindness.
 ( KASHATRA VAIRYA) power and just rule.
 (HAURA VATAT) wholeness and heath.
 (AMERETAT) long life and immortality.
GOOD AND EVIL
in Zoroastrianism ARHURA MAZDA has an Adversory
called Angra Mainyu or Ahriman. Means ( destructive
spirit)
ANGRA Mainyu, the is the originator of death and all that
is evil in the world.
AHURA MAZDA who is perfect abides in heaven where as
ANGRA MAINYU dwells in the depth of hell.
The followers of the AHURA MAZDA will go to heaven,
and the followers of the ANGRA MAINYU will go to hell.
Dualism in the Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrians dualism is the one of the most debated
aspects of the Zoroastrianism in the west.
Dualism in Zoroastrianism is the existence of complete
separation of good and evil.
Cosmic dualism meaning the opposing forces within the
universe.
Moral dualism meaning opposing forces within the mind.

Cosmic dualism
cosmic dualism refers to the on going battle between good
and evil.
ANGRA MAIYU is not God but the destructive energy that
opposes God creative energy
SPENTA MAINYU vs ANGRA MAINYU . ANGRA
MAINYU continues to attack making the pure world
impure.
Aging, sickness, famine, natural disasters, deaths and so
on are resulted due to ANGRA MAINYU.
Revonation and judgment
Zoroastrians also includes beliefs about the renovation of
world and individual judgment, including the resurrection
of death.
Zoroastrians believes in the day of judgment.
When a person dies they will go heaven or hell as
depending on the deeds during their life time.
Those who posses good thoughts goods words and good
deeds will go to heaven. And those who possess evil deeds
will go to hell.
> The most important texts of the religion are the Avesta
which includes the as central writing of Zoroaster.
Sky burials
Zoroastrians gave their dead sky burial, they built circular,
flat top towers called DAKHMAS or tower of silence.
Their corpses were exposed the vultures under the bones
were picked and cleaned and bleached.
The interior of the DAKHMAS is built in 3 concentric
circles one each for men women and children.
The morning of the 4th day after death is marked by the
most solemn observance in the death ritual for it is then
that the departed soul reached next world and appears
before the deities who are to pass judgment over it.
AMESHA SPENTAS
Zoroastrian symbol
ZOROASTER
DAKHMA ( tower of silence)