Founded by prophet Zoroāster in ancient Persia (present day Iran)
about 3,500 years ago, Zoroāstrianism is one of the world's oldest
monotheistic religions. For about 1,000 years after its foundation, the
religion remained one of the most influential faiths in the world, and
it was also the official religion of Persia from 600 B.C. to 650 A.D.
The adherents of Zoroastrianism are known as the Zoroastrians.
The Zoroāstrians regard Ahurā Mazdā to be the creator of all the good things in the universe, aša, which the evil, druj tries to destroy. This represents the ongoing conflict between good and evil forces existing simultaneously in the universe. However, Ahurā Mazdā does not pervade the material world as he is assumed to be the 'uncreated creator', but can be worshiped through a host of other lesser divinities called the Amesha Spentas and the Yazatas. The place of worship of the Zoroāstrians is the Fire Temple, known as the Agiāry. However, contrary to popular belief, Zoroāstrians are not worshipers of fire. According to their faith, fire symbolizes the light and wisdom of God, and hence is the purest of all elements.
The sacred book of the Zoroāstrians, the Avestā, contains holy scriptures, and consists of their sacred writings. There are two sections of the Avestā viz., the Avestā consisting of 17 hymns believed to be composed by Zoroāster; and the Younger Avestā that comprises commentaries, myths, and detailed descriptions of various ritual practices. Wedding is a religious ceremony in the Zoroāstrian faith, wherein a man and a woman, preferably of the same religion, are united. Wedlocks outside the faith are highly discouraged.
Today, the highest concentration of Zoroāstrian adherents is in India, where they are commonly known as Pārsis. India has some 70,000 Zoroāstrians, followed by 20,000 in Iran, 11,000 in the United States, and 10,000 in Afghanistan.
The Zoroāstrians regard Ahurā Mazdā to be the creator of all the good things in the universe, aša, which the evil, druj tries to destroy. This represents the ongoing conflict between good and evil forces existing simultaneously in the universe. However, Ahurā Mazdā does not pervade the material world as he is assumed to be the 'uncreated creator', but can be worshiped through a host of other lesser divinities called the Amesha Spentas and the Yazatas. The place of worship of the Zoroāstrians is the Fire Temple, known as the Agiāry. However, contrary to popular belief, Zoroāstrians are not worshipers of fire. According to their faith, fire symbolizes the light and wisdom of God, and hence is the purest of all elements.
The sacred book of the Zoroāstrians, the Avestā, contains holy scriptures, and consists of their sacred writings. There are two sections of the Avestā viz., the Avestā consisting of 17 hymns believed to be composed by Zoroāster; and the Younger Avestā that comprises commentaries, myths, and detailed descriptions of various ritual practices. Wedding is a religious ceremony in the Zoroāstrian faith, wherein a man and a woman, preferably of the same religion, are united. Wedlocks outside the faith are highly discouraged.
Today, the highest concentration of Zoroāstrian adherents is in India, where they are commonly known as Pārsis. India has some 70,000 Zoroāstrians, followed by 20,000 in Iran, 11,000 in the United States, and 10,000 in Afghanistan.
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
No comments:
Post a Comment