Zoroastrianism
ORIGINS:
- ancient Persia, polytheistic
- Zoroaster (1700- 600 BCE) believed polytheism not meeting needs of people
- went off to meditate on his own
- early attempt at conversion failed but by his death at 77
- received revelation: universe ruled by one god “Ahura Mazda”
BELIEFS
- Ahura Mazda governing Lord of the Universe
- main rival Angra Mainyu (similar power & represents evil)
- battle between good and evil over 12,000 years
- Ahura Mazda has upper hand and is slightly more powerful
- belief significant: parallels battle between good and evil in everyone
SYMBOLS
- Darkhamas are important symbols in the Zoroastrianism
- They are around, open-air structures with high walls were the deceased body of
Zoroastrian is placed
- Another symbol is the sudreh, a white undershirt with a symbolic bag to gather good
deeds
- it is worn by the body after death
SACRED WRITINGS
Arestan Scriptures: combination of hymns, laws, prayers, theological teachings
CULTURAL IMPACT
- India & Iran: 140, 000 in the world today
- North America: 12,000
- Toronto: 4,000
- Historical Contributions: concepts of life after death, final judgment, redemption, Satan as God’s rival, may have influenced Monotheism in Judaism
Jainism
ORIG ...