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Zoroastrianism
(also sometimes known as Mazdaism) was adapted
from an earlier, polytheistic faith by Zarathushtra
(Zoroaster)
in Persia
between 1400 and 1200 BC (although, in the absence of
written records, some scholars estimate as late as 600
BC).
Overview
Zoroastrianism combines elements of monotheism and dualism.
Some modern scholars believe that Zoroastrianism had
a large influence on Judaism
and Manichaeism,
and thus indirectly influenced Christianity
and Islam.
The holy book of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta.
Of the Avesta only the Gathas
(the hymns) are attributed to Zoroaster.
Ahura
Mazda (literally: "the Wise Lord" like the
Sanskrit
"Asura Medha"; later transcription: Ohrmazd,
Ormazd or Ormus)
is revered and worshipped by Zoroastrians as the good
God.
Opposed to Ahura Mazda stands Ahriman
(Angra
Mainyu), who in some traditions is Ohrmazd's
twin brother, in others the twin of Spenta Mainyu; modern
Zoroastrianism considers itself monotheistic and looks
upon Spenta Mainyu and Angra
Mainyu as allegorical personifications.
According to Zoroastrianism, the earth was created by
Ormazd as a battlefield to fight Ahriman (where Ohrmazd
is destined to win approximately 3000 years after Zoroaster,
that is, circa AD 2400).
Human beings have free will to choose between Ohrmazd
and Ahriman, however once this choice is made it is
impossible or nearly impossible to change. Those who
align with Ohrmazd are believed to go directly to Heaven
after death or resurrection (depending on the tradition),
whereas those who align with Ahriman go to Hell
for a period of time before then going on to Heaven.
Unlike Manichaeism,
Zoroastrianism does not associate matter with evil.
On the contrary, material pursuits such as raising a
family and creating wealth are considered to aid Ohrmazd.
"Good thoughts, good words, good deeds" is a common
slogan.
However, Zoroastrianism is not simply the purely ethical
religion it may at first seem. Purification
rituals are important. Indeed a religious Zoroastrian
must constantly be involved in a meticulous struggle
against the contamination of death (which is associated
with Ahriman) and of the many other causes of defilement,
and against the threat - even in sleep - of demons.
Fire
is an important religious symbol, and once started a
ritual fire must be kept continually burning. The dead
are not buried (so as to not defile the soil) or cremated
(as fire is considered sacred), but left for vultures
to devour in specially constructed Towers
of Silence.
History
By the 6th
century, Zoroastrianism had spread to northern
China
via the Silk
Road, gaining official status in a number
of Chinese states. Zoroastrian temples still remained
in Kaifeng
and Zhenjiang
as late as the 1130s, but by the 13th
century the religion had faded from prominence
in China.
In the 7th
century, the Zoroastrian Sassanid
dynasty was conquered by Muslim
Arabs,
and Zoroastrians were awarded the status of People
of the Book by the Caliph Omar,
although some practices contrary to Islam were prohibited,
such as sibling marriages. Before this took place, however,
many thousand of Zoroastrian priests were executed,
hundreds of temples destroyed, and religious texts burnt.
Further, the use of the ancient Avestan as well as Persian
languages was prohibited. Islamic invaders attempted
to distort the teaching of Zardusht by presenting Zoroastrianism
as polytheistic cult thus facilitating the annihilation
of the Iranian culture and its peoples.
Arab invasion and the subsequent repression by Islamic
authorities left the deepest scar in this ancient monotheistic
faith that was once dominant in a region stretching
from Anatolia to Persian Gulf and Central Asia. The
Persecution of Zoroastrians by Muslim rulers of theocratic
Iran continued after the Arabs left; even today, however,
one can find Zoroastrian communities living and practicing
their faith in remote regions of the country.
In the 8th
century, Zoroastrians fled to India in large
numbers, where they were given refuge by Jadi Rana,
a Hindu
king of Sanjan (the modern-day province of Gujarat)
on condition that they abstain from missionary activities
and marry only in their community. Although these strictures
are centuries old, Parsis of the 21st
century still do not accept converts and
are endogamous. The Parsis of India speak a Gujarati
dialect.
The earliest
English references to Zoroaster
and the Zoroastrian religion occur in the writings of
the encyclopaedist Sir
Thomas Browne.
It is widely believed that the Three
Wise Men said to have borne gifts for Jesus
of Nazareth were Zoroastrian Magi.
The Achaemenid
Persian Kings Xerxes and Darius had previously assisted
the Jews
in rebuilding the temple at Jerusalem.
Adherents
Small Zoroastrian communities survive in Iran
and in India
(where they are called Parsis
or Parsees),
totalling 140,000 followers. Iranian Zoroastrians are
called Gabars (a name deriving from the Arabic word
kaffir meaning infidel), but this is a pejorative
term. Some Zoroastrians in Yazd
and Kerman
still speak an Iranian language distinct from Persian.
They call their language Dari (not to be confused with
the Dari
of Afghanistan). Their language is also called Gabri
or Behdinan. Sometimes their language is named for the
cities in which they are spoken, Yazdi or Kermani. Other
small Zoroastrian communities exist in large cities
in the United
States, England
and Canada.
Famous Zoroastrians
One of the most famous Zoroastrians is the late Freddie
Mercury, the frontman of the group Queen.
He was given a traditional Zoroastrian funeral after
he died of AIDS
on the 24th of November, 1991. Famous Indian Parsis
include symphonic conductor Zubin
Mehta, the Tata
and Godrej
industrial families.
See also
Balkh
Mithraism Towers
of Silence
Chak Chak
External links
Zoroastrian
and Vedic connections
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| Zoroastrianism
in India |
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