Zoroastrianism

History

As one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, Zoroastrianism took root in ancient Iran about 3,500 years ago. The founder, Zarathustra (also called Zoroaster) departed from the polytheistic tradition that he was born into, and taught that there was only one God who deserved to be worshiped. Initially, very few could accept the radicalism of Zarathustra’s teachings, but after his death, the spread of his beliefs led to an important period for Zoroastrianism in Western Iran during the Acaemenian Dynasty (549BCE-331BCE) and the Sasanian Empire (224 CE-7th C). With subsequent Muslim invasions during the 7th century, Zoroastrians fled the shores of Iran and founded a new religious community in Mumbai, India. Today, the Zoroastrians who remained in Iran are known as Iranis and those who formed a Diaspora community in India are known as Parsis.

Beliefs

As a monotheistic religion, Zoroastrians entails that there is one, omnipotent God called Ahura Mazda. Associated with Ahura Mazda is the belief that holy attributes encompass Righteousness, Dominion, Devotion, Wholeness, and Immortality. The Gathas (a collection of Zarathustra’s prayers) are accepted as scripture by all Zoroastrians. Traditionalists also accept the Avesta; reformers do not.

Worship and Ritual

While worship plays an important role in Zoroastrianism, adherents stress greater importance on their credo: Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds. Zoroastrians believe that fire symbolizes purity, goodness, sustainer of life, and the light and vitality of God. Thus fire is present in every prayer ritual and ceremony. Eternal fires are maintained in special Fire Temples in Iran and India.

Zoroastrianism Today

At present, Zoroastrianism remains the smallest religion in terms of number of followers. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are 200,000 adherents and in the US, it is estimated that there are 11,000 followers.