Where was Zoroastrianism located?
The Zoroastrian religion was the official religion of the Persian Empire, probably from the time of Cyrus the Great (c.600 BCE) until the Muslim conquest of Persia (c.632 CE). At the height of its influence, the Zoroastrian religion was practiced in an area stretching from Armenia to Southern Arabia, and from Palestine in the west eastward to India, and into Central Asia.
Looking at the map of the Persian Empire, what can we hypothesize about the impact that it had? What religions may Zoroastrianism influence?
The Zoroastrian Scriptures
The holy writings of the Zoroastrians are known as the Avesta. Much of the Avesta was written after Zarathustra’s time and is written in a different language from the one he spoke. The parts written by Zarathustra himself are known as the Gathas. As time passed the language of the Avesta became difficult for people to read and commentaries (known as Zand) were composed for each book of the Avesta, explaining it in more understandable language. Due to the wars, and particularly due to the Muslim conquest of Iran, many of the books of the Avesta were lost. In some cases the Zand was preserved (e.g., the Bundahishn is preserved in its Zand only).
Of the three Zoroastrian scriptures, which one to you think best describes Zarathustra's ideas? Explain.
The Zand
Sects
Several centuries after the Muslim conquest of Iran, a group of Zoroastrians fled persecution by sailing to India. In India, the Zoroastrian community was called Parsees (Persians), and they eventually settled in the area around Mumbai. The Zoroastrians who remained in Iran are sometimes called Iranis to distinguish them from the Parsees. In recent times, Zoroastrians have established thriving communities in many countries, including Britain, Canada, and the United States. Estimates vary, but there are probably about 250,000 Zoroastrians in the world today.
Zoroastrians
India
Iran
Iranis
Parsees
Central Tenets
Traditionally, Zoroastrians are very concerned about purity. A devout Zoroastrian will take considerable care to prevent the spread of pollution. The forms of pollution, which concern Zoroastrians, could be something as simple as sewage in a river or protecting themselves from contact with blood, puss, or carrion.
PURITY
Which pictures show purity?
How could this impact the followers?
How could this impact the followers?
Sacred Rites
Zoroastrian children enter into formal observance of their religion usually around age eight, when Navjote or Sudre-Pushn is celebrated. At this ceremony, the child is given a white shirt to wear, and a sacred cord. Traditionally, the shirt and cord would be worn daily for the rest of the Zoroastrians' life, but in many instances today they are only worn when going to worship.
Until recently, Zoroastrians were neither buried (on land or at sea) nor cremated. Instead the bodies were exposed in Dahkmas, or “Towers of Silence”, where vultures would eat the flesh from the bones. In this way, Zoroastrians felt, their deaths would not pollute the fertile earth, the pure water, or the fire, which is a symbol of Ahuramazda.
Until recently, Zoroastrians were neither buried (on land or at sea) nor cremated. Instead the bodies were exposed in Dahkmas, or “Towers of Silence”, where vultures would eat the flesh from the bones. In this way, Zoroastrians felt, their deaths would not pollute the fertile earth, the pure water, or the fire, which is a symbol of Ahuramazda.
What types of rites are covered in this reading?
Towers of Silence
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ReferencesThe reading was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Pictures were provided by Bookcreator.
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What do you know about Zoroastrianism?
What more do you think there is to know?
What more do you think there is to know?
