Zoroastrianism: Good thoughts, good words, good deeds

1. Zoroastrianism: Good thoughts, good words, good deeds Global I Honors: Spiconardi

2. Zoroaster [Zarathustra] • As a young man, Zoroaster had visions and conversations with divine beings. • He wanted to answer the question: Why should so much suffering and chaos exist in the world? • He began to wander & preach that Persians should making sacrifices to minor deities and treat animals more humanely in sacrifices.

3. Beliefs • Monotheistic • There is one true god: Ahura Mazda • Ahura Mazda is all good and all powerful • Only he is worthy of being worshipped • He is the creator of all that is seen and unseen • Good vs. Evil • Good is represented by light, fire, & water • Evil is represented by darkness • Ahura Mazda’s twin AngraMainyu [Ahriman]was banished from heaven and sent to hell where he reigns as the principle of evil

4. Beliefs • Asha vs. Druj • Asha = The Truth • Druj = Lies • All humans have a choice to either do good or evil and will be judged by these choices • The Book of Life • All your actions are recorded, so you can be judged when you die • After death, your soul reflects for 3 days on your life • You are then judged by 3 Zoroastrian figures: Mithra, Sraosha, & Rashnu • If you good deeds & thoughts outweigh your bad ones, then your soul is taken to heaven

5. Beliefs • The Three Eras of the Universe • Creation • The Present World • Good and evil battle and the world is gradually transformed into heaven’s likeness • The Separation/Final Judgment • Once good wins over evil, the two entities will be separated and everything will be purified by goodness (even the occupants in hell will be released)

6. Beliefs • The Savior • A Saoshyant will be born of a virgin from the lineage of Zoroaster • The Saoshyant will raise the dead and judge everyone in the final judgment • Sound familiar anyone? Yes? Now check this out…

7. Beliefs • The Cult of Mithra • Ahura Mazda sends Mithra from heaven to redeem the earth • Mithra is born on December 25 • Mithraism competed with Christianity for followers in the first century of the Common Era • Cult of Mithras was more popular, especially with Roman soldiers • Eastern Orthodox Christianity borrowed many of the cults practices

8. Beliefs Where have you heard the term magi before? • The Magi • Zoroastrian priests • Absolved [forgave sins] • Dealt out atonement & repentance

9. Beliefs The Tower of Silence Zoroastrians believe the dead body is unclean Also believe cut hair and nails are too A demon enters a dead body and contaminates everything it comes in contact with Bodies are placed on a top of a tower where the sunlight and birds of prey dispose of the body

10. Practices • Fire is the symbol of divinity, so all ceremonies are performed in front of a fire • Spring Equinox is the most important holiday in the Zoroastrian calendar • Symbolizes return of warmth and rebirth • Can worship in a temple or at home • No requirement to worship in a temple • No proselytizing • Religion should be unique to a given tribe

11. Zoroastrianism Today • Mostly practiced in India • Less than 200,000 followers worldwide • Considered the most influential religion by many historians (especially it’s influence on the Abrahamic religions) • Followers are called Parsi today