Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. It was founded by the Prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) in ancient Iran approximately 3500 years ago.

For 1000 years Zoroastrianism was one of the most powerful religions in the world. It was the official religion of Persia (Iran) from 600 BCE to 650 CE.

It is now one of the world's smallest religions

Zoroastrians believe there is one God called Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) and He created the world.

A few main points about Zoroastrianism:

• Zoroastrians are not fire-worshippers, as some Westerners wrongly believe.
• Zoroastrians believe that the elements are pure and that fire represents God's light or wisdom.
• Ahura Mazda revealed the truth through the Prophet, Zoroaster.
• Zoroastrians traditionally pray several times a day.
• Zoroastrians worship communally in a Fire Temple or Agiary.
• The Zoroastrian book of Holy Scriptures is called The Avesta.
• The Avesta can be roughly split into two main sections:
  • The Avesta is the oldest and core part of the scriptures, which contains the Gathas. The Gathas are seventeen hymns thought to be composed by Zoroaster himself.
  • The Younger Avesta - commentaries to the older Avestan written in later years. It also contains myths, stories and details of ritual observances.
• Zoroastrians are roughly split into two groups:
  • The Iranians
  • The Parsis

The Parsis and the Iranis

A Parsi is a member of the larger of the two Zoroastrian communities. According to tradition, the present-day Parsis descend from a group of Iranian Zoroastrians who emigrated to Western India over 1,000 years ago due to persecution by the majority Muslims. The long presence within Mumbai distinguishes the Parsis from the Iranis, who are more recent arrivals, and who represent the smaller of the two Indian-Zoroastrian communities.

The Basic Principles

The main principle within Zoroastrianism is that there is one universal and almighty God called Ahura Mazda. He is the ultimate creator to whom all worship is directed. Alongside Ahura Mazda is the destructive spirit Angra Mainyu (or Ahriman). Zoroastrians believe that Ahura Mazda & Ahriman are at war at all times, Good vs. Evil and eventually Good will overcome and conquer.

During the time of creation, Ahura Mazda created the Amesha Spentas otherwise known as the Bounteous Immortals that each represents an aspect of creation.

The six Amesha Spentas are:

· Vohu Manah – Good mind and good purpose

· Asha Vahishta – Truth and righteousness

· Spenta Ameraiti – Holy devotion, serenity and loving kindness

· Khashatra Vairya – Power and just rule

· Hauravatat – Wholeness and health

· Ameretat – Long life and immortality

Funeral Practices

It has been traditional, in Mumbai, for dead Parsis to be taken to the Towers of Silence where the corpses would quickly be eaten by the city's vultures. The reason given for this practice is that earth, fire and water are all considered as sacred elements, which should not be defiled by the dead. Therefore, burial and cremation have always been prohibited in Parsi culture. The problem today though is that in Mumbai and Karachi the population of vultures has been drastically reduced, due to extensive urbanization, as well as due to poisoning by an anti-inflammatory drug, which is often given to humans and cattle. As a result, the bodies of the deceased are taking much longer to decompose and this has upset certain sectors of the community. The tower of silence in Mumbai is located at Malabar Hill.

The Navjote (Sedreh Pushi)

The Navjote or Sedreh pushi ceremony is the ritual through which an individual is inducted into the Zoroastrian religion. The term navjote is used primarily by the Zoroastrians of India (the Parsis), while sedreh pushi is used primarily by the Zoroastrians of Iran.

Although there is no age limit, it is common practice for the navjote to take place before a boy or girl reaches maturity. BUT it may not happen before the age of seven years as the child is expected to comprehend the significance of the event.

During the ceremony, the child is made to wear the sacred vest (sudre) and a sacred thread (kusti) for the first time, and to continue for the rest of their lives.

The sudre, and the kusti, are quite important to this ceremony. The sacred clothing signifies parental responsibility as well as responsibility for the one who is undergoing this ceremony. When the child wears the sacred clothes, it means the parents are now obligated to morally and religiously educate the child. If the child commits a wrongful act, it is their responsibility, as they may also take some pride in themselves when their child commits a righteous act. The sacred thread and shirt also teach the child responsibility, as they are to be untied before certain practices, such as prayer, bathing, and before meals, and re-tied, shortly after the task is completed.