Zoroastrianism

The Founder: Zarathustra

Founded by the prophet Zarathustra (in Greek Zoroaster) about 1800-1600 BCE. Zoroaster was a priest among his people, but became convinced of the need for religious reform when he was in his teens. When he was 33, he had a vision, and spent the next 20 years trying to convince others of his message with little success. Eventually, he convinced Kavi Vishtasp, a local ruler, of the correctness of his teaching and he converted the whole royal family and court. Zarathustra died in his 70s, when he was slain by a soldier from an invading army.

Looking at the picture of Zarathustra, can you make any connections on any ideas that you know about religion?

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?

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.

What types of rites are covered in this reading?

Towers of Silence