Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is a religion founded by a priest named Zarathustra Spitma or Zoroaster far back in the 1200BCE, with the principle belief of an almighty God or “the One” Ahura Mazda and the context of a cosmic battle between the good and evil forces.

During the era prior to Zoroastrianism, the Persian (known as Iranian today) were believes in polytheistic religion. It is believed that in this era many social problems had occurred due to these beliefs and practices. At the same time, Zoroaster born into a family with a father named Pourushaspa and mother named Dughdova. At the age of twenty he left home, and after many years of wondering in search for the right religion, he finally found a purification festival. Zoroaster went down into the river to purified himself, and he had a vision of Vohu Mannanh that led him to the almighty Ahura Mazda. This was the moment Zoroaster heard the teaching of Ahura Mazda, was blessed and became the prophet of Zoroastrianism. At first, Zoroaster struggled with the new faith trying to get people to accept his religion. He called upon the almighty Ahura Mazda for help and inspiration before fleeing from his homeland to preach his teachings in the neighbouring land Bactria, the land of the Ruler called Vishtaspa. Zoroaster teaching had impressed the king who was so pious that he made Zoroastrianism into the state religion. Under the influence of the pious king, beliefs and practices of Zoroastrianism were widely spread to many other parts of Iran. However, during his preaching in Bactria, Zoroaster got assassinated and passed away at the age of seventy-seven.

In 331 BCE Alexander the great conquered Iran. Many temples, priests and sacred scriptures were destroyed. Fortunately e...

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...ching is signified on the basic practices of doing good deeds, practice good thoughts, saying good word. By enhancing these good actions we create a world which is said to be non violent and non suffering, a world that we can call heaven.

Bibliography:

Haug, Martin, Edward William West, and E. P. Evans. Essays on the sacred language, writings, and religion of the Parsis. Amsterdam: Philo Press, 1971.

Jones, Lindsay. Encyclopedia of Religion. Vol. 6. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005.

Miles, M. Dawson. The Ethical Religion of Zoroaster (New York: Macmillan, 1931),

Solomon, Robert C., and Kathleen Marie. Higgins. A passion for wisdom : a very brief history of philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.

Zaehner, R. C. The teachings of the magi : a compendium of Zoroastrian beliefs. New York: Oxford University Press, 1976.