Assignment 3.1 - Answer the questions from page 64 and page 69 in text. For your convenience the questions are posted here as well.
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Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. It was founded by the Prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) in ancient Iran approximately 3500 years ago. Zoroaster was a man who lived in Persia, which is modern day Iran.
At the age of 30 Zoroaster met a being called Vohu Manah (Good Mind). Through him Zoroaster was led into the presence of Ahura Mazda (God) and five other radiant beings, called the Amesha Spentas (Holy Immortals). During a number of visions in which Zoroaster saw Ahura Mazda and his Amesha Spentas; he asked many questions. The answers given to Zoroaster are the foundations of Zoroastrian religion.
For 1000 years Zoroastrianism was one of the most powerful religions in the world. It was the official religion of Iran from 600 BCE to 650 AD. It is now one of the world's smallest religions. In 2006 the New York Times reported that there were probably less than 140,000 followers worldwide at that time.
The Beliefs of the Zorastrians
The six Amesha Spentas are:
Vohu Manah - Good mind and good purpose.
Asha Vahishta - Truth and righteousness
Spenta Ameraiti - Holy devotion, serenity and loving kindness.
Khashathra Vairya - Power and just rule.
Hauravatat - Wholeness and health.
Ameretat - Long life and immortality.
At the age of 30 Zoroaster met a being called Vohu Manah (Good Mind). Through him Zoroaster was led into the presence of Ahura Mazda (God) and five other radiant beings, called the Amesha Spentas (Holy Immortals). During a number of visions in which Zoroaster saw Ahura Mazda and his Amesha Spentas; he asked many questions. The answers given to Zoroaster are the foundations of Zoroastrian religion.
For 1000 years Zoroastrianism was one of the most powerful religions in the world. It was the official religion of Iran from 600 BCE to 650 AD. It is now one of the world's smallest religions. In 2006 the New York Times reported that there were probably less than 140,000 followers worldwide at that time.
The Beliefs of the Zorastrians
- Zoroastrians believe there is one God called Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord). Ahura Mazda is:
- Omniscient (knows everything)
- Omnipotent (all powerful)
- Omnipresent (is everywhere)
- Impossible for humans to conceive
- Compassionate and just
- Unchanging
- The Creator of life
- The Source of all goodness and happiness
- The Amesha Spentas are considered to be divine attributes of God. Just as light rays are emanated from the sun but are not the sun, so the Amesha Spentas are emanated by God but are not God. The Amesha Spentas helped God fashion the world and each is associated with a particular aspect of creation. (Western scholars have likened the Amesha Spentas to the Archangels in Christianity.) Zoroastrians believe that man can know God through his Divine Attributes.
The six Amesha Spentas are:
Vohu Manah - Good mind and good purpose.
Asha Vahishta - Truth and righteousness
Spenta Ameraiti - Holy devotion, serenity and loving kindness.
Khashathra Vairya - Power and just rule.
Hauravatat - Wholeness and health.
Ameretat - Long life and immortality.
- God is worshiped as supreme. Zoroastrians
believe that everything he created is pure and should be treated
with love and respect. This includes the natural environment, so Zoroastrians traditionally do not pollute the rivers, land or atmosphere. This has caused some to call Zoroastrianism 'the first ecological religion'.
- Zoroastrians believe that the elements are pure and that fire represents God's light or wisdom. Zoroastrians are not fire-worshippers.
- Ahura Mazda has an adversary called Angra Mainyu (meaning 'destructive spirit'). Angra Mainyu is the originator of death and all that is evil in the world.
- Ahura Mazda, who is perfect, abides in Heaven, whereas Angra Mainyu dwells in the depths of Hell. When a person dies they will go to Heaven or Hell depending on their deeds during their lifetime.
- Zoroastrians believe that Zoroaster is the prophet of God. Zoroaster himself is not worshipped, but through his teachings man can become close to God by following the path of truth and righteousness (asha).
- Zoroastrians traditionally pray several times a day.
- Zoroastrians worship communally in a Fire Temple or Agiary.
- The Zoroastrian book of Holy Scriptures is called The Avesta, which can be split into two sections:
- The Avesta is the oldest and core part of the scriptures, which contains the Gathas. The Gathas are seventeen hymns thought to be composed by Zoroaster himself.
- The Younger Avesta - commentaries to the older Avestan written in later years. It also contains myths, stories and details of ritual observances.
- Modern Zoroastrians are roughly split into two groups:
- The Iranians, who still live in Iran (ancient Persia) where zorastianism developed
- The Parsis, who are descendants of those who immigrated to India
- The Iranians, who still live in Iran (ancient Persia) where zorastianism developed