Zoroastrianism

Founder/Origin/Location Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) 1500-1000 BCE Middle East/Persia

Holidays/Clothing/Holy Book/Branches Noruz – New Year Khordad Sal – birth of Zoroaster Dress – kusti (thread) & sudre (shirt) Holy Book – Avesta Branches – Gabars (Iraq) and Parsis (India)

Creation Myth/God Ahura Mazda created all God is Ahura Mazda – monotheistic, omnipotent, omniscient, creator & sustainer Ahura Mazda is friend of believers & protects good from evil; humans are to help God make the world a better place

Holy Cities/Today/Hierarchy/Other Supernatural Beings Fire Temples 200,000 believers mostly in Iran & India Suppressed & Persecuted and are declining in # Women are treated equally Angra Mainyu – Evil being; Amesha Spentas – angels

Basic Beliefs Everyone is free to choose between good & bad Fire is symbol of Ahura Mazda Humans are born pure, not as sinners Judgment Day Life on earth is opportunity for souls to refine their character Dead matter is impure Material world is battleground between good & evil

Rituals/Rules/Rites of Passage 3 Commandments – Good thoughts, Good deeds, Good Words No inter-religious marriage No cremation or burial – leave body for vultures in tower or for natural disintegration Fire & water are purification agents Pray 5x/day Yasnas – sacrificial rituals performed by priests in fire temple Navajote – initiation ceremony for boys & girls

Salvation/Afterlife Three Commandments Help in battle against evil Soul remains for 3 days and nights and then departs to spiritual realm Heaven/Hell