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Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism. By: Dawne, Jon, Reb & Vincent. Origins of Zoroastrianism. Persia. Iranian Empire 226-650CE. TimeFrame. 1700BCE - 600BCE. 1700-600BCE Zoroaster (founder of this religion) is thought to have lived during this time period due to his writing style 600 BCE

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Zoroastrianism

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  1. Zoroastrianism By: Dawne, Jon, Reb & Vincent

  2. Origins of Zoroastrianism Persia Iranian Empire 226-650CE

  3. TimeFrame 1700BCE - 600BCE • 1700-600BCE • Zoroaster (founder of this religion) is thought to have lived during this time period due to his writing style • 600 BCE • religion thought to be founded in this year by Zoroastrians

  4. TimeFrame 600BCE - 2006CE • 650CE • Persia invaded by Arabs, many Zoroastrians fled to India, those that didn’t were forced to convert to Islam • 2006CE • Zoroastrians still practicing in India and other parts of the world such as Canada

  5. Zoroaster 628BCE - 551BCE • Founder of Zoroastrianism (Zarathustra in Greek) • Known as Bringer of the Golden Dawn

  6. Zoroaster 628BCE - 551BCE • Polytheism not for Persia • Meditate and search for answer • Answer given when 30yrs old • Preach and teach people for rest of life • Taught about religious purity and social justice • Against corrupt priests/potentates • 551BCE – Zoroastrianism is state religion of Persia despite poor response from people

  7. Key Beliefs Ahura Mazda vs. Angra Mainyu • Ahura Mazda = Lord of the Universe (God) • Angra Mainyu = Evil Spirit (Satan) • These are TWO SEPARATE DEITIES • Spenta Mainyu = Holy Spirit • Answers questions as to why there is Evil in world

  8. Key Beliefs Avesta

  9. Key Beliefs The World • World will have three Eras • Creation • Present Era (Good and Evil mixed) • Frashegird (Doomsday) • Saoshyant • “make existence brilliant” • Similar to Messiah in Judaism • there will be 3 • virgin birth (all three)

  10. Key Beliefs Principles of Modern Zoroastrianism • 5 Modern Principals • Equality of male/female • Cleanliness of Environment • Hardwork and Charity • Condemnation of Oppression of Humans • Symbol of Fire • Core doctrine is “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.”

  11. Key Beliefs The Soul • “Bridge of Separation” • 3 days • Based on deeds • Narrower/wider based on deeds • Narrower until you fall off into the “abyss of hell” • Wider until you reach heaven

  12. Rituals The Death of a Body • Traditional Method • Bodies given to nature • Family hold 3 day vigil • After – taken to Dakhma • When bones pushed into well in centre

  13. Rituals The Death of a Body • Modern Method • Funeral parlour • Ceremony performed with bag for deeds, Sudreh and Kusti • Unclean after soul leaves body • Body disposed of by burial or cremation • If cremation ashes scattered over religious grounds

  14. Rituals Iniation Ritual • Between 7 -15 yrs old • Spiritual birth – Navojte • Given an undershirt called a sudra and a holy cord called a kusti • Always worn • Kusti tied and untied with ritualistic prayers

  15. Symbols Fire • Most important symbol • Appears on many relics • Represents divine presence • Behind fire temple there is a fire continuously burning, maintained by a priest • Signifies continuous presence of Ahura Mazda • Rituals conducted before fire, but do not worship fire

  16. Symbols Faravahar (Farohar) • Face resembles human: connection to mankind • 2 wings with 3 main feathers • Good thoughts, words, deeds • Lower ½ of symbol symbolizes • Bad thoughts, words, deeds

  17. Adherents and Influence • 140 000 Zoroastrians worldwide (current estimates) • Believed to have large influence on other religions • Buddhism/Islam/Judaism/Christianity • In many communities around world (Including Canada) Zoroastrianism is practiced

  18. Interesting Facts • One of oldest existing religions • May have been 1st monotheistic religion • One must be born into the faith • Rarely accept converts, though it DOES happen

  19. Works Cited • Examples of Avestan Manuscripts. http://www.avesta.org/gifs/samples.htm. February 17,2006. • "Interpertation of the Faravahar” http://www.crystalinks.com/faravahar.html. February 19,2006. • Robinson, B.A. Zoroastrianism Founded by Zoroaster. Feb 24, 2005. http://www.religioustolerance.org/zoroastr.htm. February 17, 2006. • Saoshyant.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saoshyant. February 17, 2006. • Henderson, Patti. Exploring World Religions The Canadian Perspective. Toronto: Oxford University Press. 2001. • Wells, Brian. Zoroastrianism. 1997. http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/Zoro1.html. February 17, 2006. • Zoroastrianism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism. February 17, 2006. • Zoroastrianizm. http://library.thinkquest.org/C006238/eng/main_zoro.htm#. February 17, 2006.

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