Zoroastrianism Overview and Beliefs

Zoroastrianism Overview

• Zoroastrianism is a religion
• Followers are called Zoroastrians
• Religion involves beliefs about the universe, its creation, and a moral code governing human actions.

Key Beliefs

• Created by a god named Ahura Mazda
• Evil entered the world after creation
• The world exists in a state of both good and evil
• The ultimate goal is to defeat evil
• Humans play a vital role in the fight against evil
• Rituals are performed to support the good forces
• Humans will be rewarded or punished after death based on their actions
• History has an end, with good being rewarded and evil punished
• Zoroastrianism developed the idea of a savior and resurrection of bodies.

Origin of the Name

• "Zoroastrianism" comes from "Zoroaster"
• Zoroaster is considered the founder of the religion
• "Zoroaster" is derived from the Greek "Zoroastres"
• "Zoroastres" translates to Zoroaster's original name: Zarathushtra

Zoroastrianism in History

• Originates thousands of years ago
• Survived numerous hardships
• A religion that was held in high esteem by the Greeks and Latins.

Zoroastrianism Nowadays

• 2012 census: approximately 111,000 Zoroastrians worldwide

• Main concentration: India (61,000)

• Iran (estimated 15,000 – difficult to measure)

• Other countries like UK, USA, Canada also have Zoroastrian communities, mostly of Indian or Iranian background (people identifying as Parsis )

• Conversion is not possible

• Diaspora started in the 1800s and continues

• Canada: approximately 6,500 Zoroastrians; approximately 8% of the global population

• Ontario has significant concentration

• Two Main Zoroastrian associations (Zoroastrian Society of Ontario, Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation) have facilities located in Toronto and Oakville Ontario

Zoroastrianism and Western Culture

• Known in the West for over 2,500 years
• Held in high regard in ancient Greek and Latin culture
• Ancient texts linked remarkable knowledge to Zoroaster and the Magi (Zoroastrian priests).
• Interest in Zoroastrianism in Europe intensified from the 1600s onward
• Modern study started in the 1700s
• Active academic research continues today.

Main Lessons from the Study of Zoroastrianism

• The importance of religious faith
• Zoroastrian faith has helped them preserve their identity amid numerous hardships.

Birth of Zoroastrianism

• Originated in the Eastern Iranian World
• Pre-Islamic period in the Iranian world
• The main religion in the Iranian world before the Islamic period.

Impact of Zoroastrianism

• Interacted with other religions throughout history
• This interaction potentially explains similarities between Zoroastrian beliefs, doctrines, and practices, and those of other religious traditions

Iranian World

• Area inhabited by Iranian peoples (those speaking Iranian languages)

Iranian Languages

• Old Iranian languages: Old Persian, Avestan
• Middle Iranian languages: Middle Persian, Parthian
• New Iranian languages: New Persian (Farsi), Kurdish, Pashto

The Pre-Islamic Period

• The period before the Sassanian empire ended (651 CE)
• The Islamic period started after this date.
• Many Zoroastrians stayed in their homeland, other moved.
• Those that migrated are often located in the Indian continent.

BCE/CE

• BCE stands for "Before the Common Era"
• CE stands for "Common Era" (beginning in the year 1 CE – the conventional date for the birth of Jesus Christ)
• Dates before 1 CE are ordered in their descending numerical order (negative).
• Dates in the Common Era are ordered in ascending numerical order.

The Iranian Peoples and the Indo-Iranian Group

• Iranian peoples are part of the Indo-European ethno-linguistic group
• Indo-Aryans and Iranians originated as a single group (Indo-Iranians)
• These groups potentially shared a common language and religion
• Indo-Iranians originated around central Asia in the 3rd millennium BCE (likely)
• Divided into Indo-Aryans and Iranians eventually
• Indo-Aryans migrated to the Northwest of the Indian subcontinent
• Iranians settled into the Iranian territory (between 12th and 10th century BCE?)

Background of Zoroastrianism

• Iranians established a religion after split from Indo-Iranians
• This religion is known as the "traditional Iranian religion"
• Many of the principles of the Indo-Iranian religion were maintained and possibly even updated.

Order and Deceit

• Religion emphasized a combination of order and deceit
• Underlying cosmic existence
• Order underpinned the universe's natural processes (seasons, days, and human life)
• Rituals adhered to Order
• Deceit manifested as evil in the universe and bad ritual performances

View of Time

• The traditional Iranian religion adopted a cyclical view of time.
• History viewed as a repeating cycle of events
• No definitive end to history

Polytheism

• The traditional religion preserved the worship of many gods (polytheism), which was a key tenet of the Indo-Iranian religion.

Zoroastrianism and The Traditional Iranian Religion

• Zoroastrianism maintained concepts of both Order and Deceit as central to its world view.
• Zoroastrians call Order "asha" and Deceit "druj"
• Zoroastrianism features monotheism (the belief that there is only one God) and the belief in one God (Ahura Mazda) in contrast to the traditional Iranian's polytheism
• Zoroaster is believed to have introduced several reforms to the traditions from the Indo-Iranian religion, which involved a more linear view of time in comparison to the cyclical view upheld by the traditional Iranian religion.
• Changes were possibly the result of a gradual evolution, or due to Zoroaster's unique ideas and reforms..

Explore the key tenets of Zoroastrianism, a major world religion that emphasizes the duality of good and evil. Learn about the founding figure, Zoroaster, and the moral framework guiding Zoroastrians in their faith. This quiz offers insights into the rituals, beliefs, and historical context of Zoroastrianism.