Zoroastrianism developed into the major religion theologically, demographically, and politically of iran and central asia between the sixth century bce and the tenth century ce, enjoying royal patronage from various dynasties. The oldest zoroastrian religious scripture, as preserved at present, is known as the avesta. It is hard to state that christianity didnt come from this ancient religion who has its roots in n. The languages name comes from the avesta, the holy book in the zoroastrian religion.
Their religious beliefs and practices, hinnels, john, ed. Zoroastrianism, the worlds oldest monotheistic religion. According to tradition, it was founded by zoroaster after he received a vision in which he was introduced to ahura mazda, and told of the great god and his adversary. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. Zoroastrianism is arguably the worlds oldest monotheistic religion.
Zoroastrianism, the smallest of the worlds great religions, is also one of the oldest. Zoroastrianism was the state religion of three persian dynasties, until the muslim conquest of persia in the seventh century a. During those centuries it influenced hellenistic, jewish, christian, and muslim beliefs through contact between. Other names for zoroastrianism are mazdaism and parsiism. It was founded by zoroaster, also known as zarathrustra, though many of the traditions in the religion have roots that go back centuries earlier. An introduction to zoroastrianism the british library.
Oct 02, 2009 zoroastrianism at a glance zoroastrianism is one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. This map shows the hearth and diffusion of hinduism. The zend is the commentary on the teaching and the avesta is the original teaching in the holy book. For four centuries zoroastrianism was the state religion of the sassanids, and it successfully met the challenge of nascent christianity and, later, of heretical manichaeism.
Before the invasion of alexander and the islamic conquest of iran there were a total of 21 books followed by zoroastrians called nasks. Zoroastrianism now has an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 worshipers worldwide. A section of this avesta is known as the khordehavesta which means the smaller or selected avesta. The oldest part is the gathas, which includes a collection of hymns and one of the oldest examples of religious poetry attributed to the prophet zoroaster ca. Displayed is a page from the gathas, in the middle persian language pahlavi, and its translation into modern persian. At the dawn of creation, twin primal spirits manifested themselves. Zoroastrianism in jesus day, the zoroastrianism was called by various names not zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is an ancient persian religion that may have originated as early as 4,000 years ago. It was founded by the prophet zoroaster or zarathustra in ancient iran. The holy book of zoroastrianism is the avesta, which contains the gathas, or the seventeen hymns by zoroaster, and the the younger avesta, which includes commentaries, myths, ritual descriptions, and more.
List of books and articles about zoroastrianism online. Zoroastrianism enters recorded history in the mid5th century bce. The basic beliefs and history of a religion is often found in its sacred or revered texts. Ahura mazda, he says, created a pair of twin spirits as his sons. Avesta is the name the mazdean mazdayasnian religious tradition gives to the collection of its sacred texts. Only approximately onequarter of the original is extant. It does not flow either quickly or smoothly, but boyce masterfully puts order into that imperfectly documented flow the fresh reader into zoroastrianism will be helped greatly by the forward section of this volume in that forward, she. Zoroastrianism at a glance zoroastrianism is one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. The way the way of good the way of good thoughts, good words, good deeds mazdayaznan mazdaworshipping the good religion the pure. There are less than 190,000 followers of zoroastrianism worldwide.
The holy book of zoroastrianism 1 the word probably means the injunction of zoroaster 2. The text includes magical rituals found in the neopagan religion known as wicca. Ad 226 under ardashir i, who established the sassanid dynasty and fostered a general revival of achaemenian culture. According to zoroastrianism, followers can pray as often as they like. Its other salient feature, namely dualism, was never understood in. This book traces the continuous history of the faith from the time it was preached by zoroaster down to the present day a span of about 3,500 years. Zoroastrianism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Zoroastrianism is the monotheistic faith established by the persian prophet. This includes the original words of their founder zarathushtra, preserved in a series of five hymns, called the gathas. The holy book of zoroastrianism the word probably means the injunction of zoroaster. The holy book of zoroastrianism is the zend avesta zoroastrianism is also dualist. May 27, 2005 i have not read that book it is in two volumes i believe, so i cannot judge its arguments, but from a purely historical point of view, if zoroastrianism really said all the aforementioned material before jesus was around and then it traveled to babylon, it does seem like a good argument against christianity. Zoroaster, who lived in eastern ancient iran around bc, created zoroastrianism.
The religion of jesus was not judaism the religion of jesus was mazdayaznan i. The purple represents christianity, the orange represents islam, and the green represents buddhism. Avesta zoroastrian scripture britannica encyclopedia britannica. Zoroastrianism, third edition traces the history and beliefs of zoroastrianism and its followers determination through centuries of persecution and hardship into the present day. Qiginatingover 3500 years ago in 3ri1ze age culture on the asian steppes, it became the state. Zoroastrianism download books, sacred, spiritual texts. So, what are the holy books of the five major world religions. It centers on the words of the prophet zarathushtra, called zoroaster by the ancient greeks, and focuses worship upon ahura mazda, the lord of wisdom. Zoroastrianism, in spite of its small current number of adherents, has played a huge role in the study of comparative religion. Other names for zoroastrianism are mazdaism and parsiism zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion.
Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Its religious core is a collection of songs or hymns, the gathas, thought to be in the. At the heart of avestas scriptural core are the gathas. This missionary activity shows that zoroastrianism was really a universal religion and not an ethnic religion, limited to one people. Zoroastrian texts the zoroastrian sacred text is the avesta book of the law, a fragmentary collection of sacred writings. The holy book of zoroastrianism is the zend avesta. Zoroastrianism zoroastrianism is the religion of the followers of zarathustra or zoroaster, an ancient persian prophet who lived some time between 3000 bce and 600 bce. Apr 03, 2016 it is hardly more than a century ago that the western world, already often enriched by the treasures of the east, received another gift, a contribution from persia, and a new text deciphered was added to our list of sacred books of ancient nations this was the avesta, or zendavesta, the bible and prayer book of zoroaster, the prophet of ancient iran. The holy book of zoroastrianism is called the zend avesta. Arguably the worlds first monotheistic faith, its one of the oldest religions still in.
It does not flow either quickly or smoothly, but boyce masterfully puts order into that imperfectly documented flowthe fresh reader into zoroastrianism will be helped greatly by the forward section of this volume in that forward, she. The religion of jesus was not christianity the religion of jesus was not judaism the religion of jesus was mazdayaznan i. Zoroastrianism as a religion was not firmly established until several centuries later. According to the qissai sanjan, parsis migrated from sasanian empire to gujarat, where they were given refuge, between the 8th and 10th century ce to avoid persecution following the muslim conquest of persia. It was founded by the prophet zoroaster or zarathustra in ancient iran approximately 3500 years ago. Zoroastrian refugees, called parsis, escaped muslim persecution in iran by emigrating to india. First taught among nomads on the asian steppes, zoroastrianism became the state religion of the three great iranian empires and had a remarkable influence on other world faiths. This book is useful for the later history of the zoroastrians. A very interesting discussion of zoroastrianism, an ancient persian religion and how it influenced judaism and hence christianity and islam. These are seventeen hymns considered to have been composed by zoroaster himself. The zoroastrian book of holy scriptures is called the. We provide the complete text of the extant avesta, the most ancient scriptures of zoroastrianism, as well as many pahlavi scriptures. The content of the canon includes material from many ages. Sikh holy book photograph by charles meacham, my shot sikh holy book waheguru, oh the love he obtains from everyone.
Some historians believe that zoroastrianism, along with similar philosophical revolutions in south asia were interconnected strings of reformation against a common indoaryan thread. The religion of zoroastrianism is closest to vedic religion to varying degrees. The holy book of zoroastrianism is known as avesta which consists of a collection of sacred text. Zoroastrianism is often referred to as the earliest christianity. The book begins by exploring the basic principles and uniqueness of zoroastrianism, then talks about its history, its avesta holy book, its transitions over time, its philosophies, and its rituals and rites of passage.
The religious texts of the zoroastrian faith of ancient persia are referred to as the avesta. Guide to the ancient religion of zoroastrianism, including history, modern practices, beliefs and worship. Religious texts are to be found in the avesta, which is the holy book of zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is the most difficult of living faiths to study, because of its antiquity, the vicissitudes which it has undergone, and the loss, through them, of many of its holy texts. Most of the texts in these archives are extremely rare. It was founded by the prophet zoroaster approximately 3500 years ago. The iranian and indian zoroastrian communities in which the religion has thrived without missionary efforts or vast numbers of believers is also explored. Not only was it a cohort of the ancient vedic hinduism, but also had a huge influence on the development of judaism and christianity.
Vohu manah led zoroaster to the presence of ahura mazda god and five other radiant beings, which are called the amesha spentas holy immortals. What is the name of the holy book of zoroastrianism. Apr 10, 2015 zoroastrian texts the zoroastrian sacred text is the avesta book of the law, a fragmentary collection of sacred writings. The description of zoroastrianism reflects the authors personal. Marjan measured bahars unpredictable temperament according to the ancient and treasured zoroastrian practice of gastronomic balancing, which pitted light. Founded more than 3,000 years ago by the prophet zarathustra, it flourished in ancient persia during the time of the persian empire. The latter represent the basic source of the religion. Although the exact date zoroastrianism was founded is unknown, archaeological evidence and linguistic comparisons with the hindu text rig veda suggest that it emerged around 12001500 bce. Avesta, the bible of zoroaster wikisource, the free online. Zoroastrianism has about 150,000 believers in india, 60,000 in iran, where it is actively suppressed, and perhaps 50,000 in the rest of the world. Its also a sacred language because the texts are written in it an. This unique illuminated book of psalms, alternating between hebrew and persian, is a modern work produced in tehran to highlight the importance and value given in iran to all abrahamic faith traditions.
It is composed in the avestan language and it is only known and attested because of that. Only one of these nasks remains complete, called the vendidad. It is light and sketchy, giving only facts the author deem relevant. Oct 02, 2009 vohu manah led zoroaster to the presence of ahura mazda god and five other radiant beings, which are called the amesha spentas holy immortals. The wicca movement proliferated in early 20th century england, and has now spread across large parts of the englishspeaking world. That which has survived is basically the liturgical material which continued in use in regular worship. I have not read that book it is in two volumes i believe, so i cannot judge its arguments, but from a purely historical point of view, if zoroastrianism really said all the aforementioned material before jesus was around and then it traveled to babylon. Avesta, the bible of zoroaster wikisource, the free. February 1, 2007 zoroastrian texts translated with notes by prods oktor skj.
Religion a thousand years of the persian book exhibitions. Iran there are numinous roots written primary for the scholar and the serious researcher, this is of no exception. Zoroastrianism places more emphasis on the importance of leading an active life by cultivating pure thoughts, using good words and doing good deeds which are necessary to live a peaceful and happy life and in keeping the evil out of the doorstep. It also acknowledges two competing principles representing good and evil.
Zoroastrians believe ahura mazda created two spirits. This map shows the hearth of every religion that is expected to be shown in this project. It also includes information about the avestan language, and other useful information for students of zoroastrian religion. Zoroastrianism is an ancient iranian monotheistic religion with a history spanning over 3,500 years, that survives to the present day. This image shows the diffusion of not one but two religions. Scholars have long acknowledged the contributions of zoroastrianism to other faiths, including judaism, christianity, islam, and buddhism. Zoroastrianism is the ethnic religion of the parsi people.
Professor almut hintze explores its history and some of the key components of the religion. Eirciv 102a, spring 2006 vi february 7, 2006 basic bibliography some useful literature boyce, m. The book concludes by exploring the internal and external problems that must be solved in order to keep the religion alive. Sikhs reach to touch a chest containing a copy of their holy book, the guru granth sahib, as its carried into sachkhand sri hazur sahib, a temple in nanded, during the celebration of the books consecration.
Zoroastrianism in jesus day, the zoroastrianism was called by various names not. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation etc. Apr 25, 2017 the avesta is the holy book of the zoroastrians, and contains the religions sacred scriptures. This is the book of daily prayers of the zoroastrians. Avesta, sacred book of zoroastrianism containing its cosmogony, law, and. Waterhouse outlines the basic tenets of zoroastrianism and then points out the many similarities between this most ancient of religions and judaism. Zoroastrianism was made the state religion of the empire, and conversions were actively made to counteract the proselytizing zeal of christians. It quickly spread to the north west as well as the south east. Zoroastrian sacred sites approach through the great desert to chak chak the primary religion in iran today is the shia sect of islam but the far older faith of the prophet zoroaster is still openly practiced, particularly in the central and northwestern regions of the country. Overview the ancient religion of persia founded by the prophet zarathustra c.
It is hardly more than a century ago that the western world, already often enriched by the treasures of the east, received another gift, a contribution from persia, and a new text deciphered was added to our list of sacred books of ancient nations this was the avesta, or zendavesta, the bible and prayerbook of zoroaster, the prophet of ancient iran. Zoroastrianism is a preislamic iranian religion and one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. Zoroasters original concept of ahura mazda is found in what are believed to have been his own discourses, the gathas, which form the opening section of the avesta, the holy book of zoroastrianism. The zoroastrianbiblical connections influence of zoroastrianism in other religions. Zoroastrianism the phenomenon of death, or nonlife as it is called in the zoroastrian holy scripture the gathas, is a concept accompanying the advent of creation. Marjan measured bahars unpredictable temperament according to the ancient and treasured zoroastrian practice of gastronomic balancing, which pitted light and against dark, good against evil, hot against cold. Though zoroastrianism was never, even in the thinking of its founder, as insistently monotheistic as, for instance, judaism or islam, it does represent an original attempt at unifying under the worship of one supreme god a polytheistic religion comparable to those of the ancient greeks, latins, indians, and other early peoples. Compiled over many centuries, the avesta was not completed until persias sassanid dynasty 226641 ce.
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