2. Zoroaster The Prophet:
Zoroaster’s birth date is not certain as no accurate
information is present.
The general date by historians is in between 630 to 588
BCE.
No authentic text is present to portray his life but some
sources say that he was trained to be a priest.
Zoroaster had only one follower by the age thirty.
By the age of 42, he had many followers including the
King Vishtaspa.
He’s the founder of Zoroastrianism and his original name
was Zartosht.
3. Ahura Mazda
Ahura Mazda is the name of God in Zoroastrianism
and he’s the sole creator of the universe.
Ahura Mazda is the father of two twin spirits, Spenta
Mainyu and Angra Mainyu.
It is belived that Ahura Mazda is going to come down
on earth and destroy the evil Spirit Ahriman and this
world will live in Peace.
Actually this belief is in every religion that A messiah
is going to come down on earth and fight the evil
spirit.
4. Ahriman:
Ahriman, Avestan Angra Mainyu
(“Destructive Spirit”), the evil
destructive spirit in the dualistic
doctrine of Zoroastrianism.
He is the twin brother of Spenta
Mainyu, the Holy Spirit. Both spirits
were created by Ahura Mazdā, the
Wise Lord and supreme deity of
Zoroastrianism.
5. Zoroastrians pray in a temple and they have
three temples in USA. Most of the temples are
in Iran where Zoroaster was sent by God.
Zoroasters don’t pray to the fire!!!!!
Fire is a sacred symbol in the religion and only
priests can burn it.
6. Festivals:
Noruz or Nowruz – The tradition of Noruz or Nowruz is
believed to have been initiated by Zoroaster himself,
and as such this is considered to be one of the most
important Zoroastrian festivals. This marks the first day
of the New Year for the Zoroastrians.
Some other festivals:
January 16 – Bahman –
January 30 — Sadeh
February 18 –Spendarmad
March 21 — Jamshedi Noruz (Fasli)
March 26 — Khordad Sal (Fasli)
April 8 – Farwardigan
7. Scriptures:
The Zend Avesta: Includes Yasna (Gasthas), the Visperad,
Yasths, Vendidad and other texts and prayer.
8. Zoroasters don’t bury their dead ones. Bodies are left under the sun and wild birds
eat it. After that the dry bones are thrown in the tower of silence.
Below are the towers of silence from Iran and India. You can see vultures around
the body.
This is considered an odd ritual all around the world.
Other countries like, USA have allotted small places for The Zoroasters to throw the
bones.
9. Some Interesting facts about
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism survives in Iran (formerly Persia), where the religion began and is
practiced most in India, where the descendants of Zoroastrian Persian immigrants
live
While Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, it is one of
the smallest today. It is reported that there are less than 200,000 practicing
worldwide.
Many call Zoroastrianism the first ecological religion because followers believe in
the purity and goodness of God’s creation. Therefore, they try to not pollute or
destroy things in nature including rivers and trees.
Zoroastrians who lived under Muslim rule suffered religious persecution in that
conquest—they attempted to eradicate the religion by destroying temples and
burning libraries. Many Zoroastrians were forced to convert to Islam and subjected
to greater taxes, and slowly became the minority religion in Iran
For a thousand year span, Zoroastrianism was one of the most powerful religions
in the world. From 600 BCE to 650 CE, it was the official religion of Persia (Iran).
11. Some famous Zoroastrians
Cyrus Poonawalla: Mr. Poonawalla’s Serum Institute
of India is the world’s largest vaccine producer, making
more than a billion doses each year.
Freddie Mercury: The late lead singer of British rock
band Queen was born Farrokh Balsara to Indian Parsi
parents.
Ratan Tata: A billionaire Indrustiliast and the man
behind the world’s cheapest car.
12. Some Links to famous documentaries and
rituals performed by Zoroasters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPLXnteRDO4
Documentary on Zoroaster and Iran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s1t0hrl4pE
Very informative documentary on the beliefs and philosophy pf Zoroastrianism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlWKusYj8uU
A brief overview to learn about Zoroastrianism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB78CnYJfIY
A fire ritual video.
