Zoroastrianism Peter Clark

Masuzawa analyzes the different characteristics of a religion that have influenced its placement in the national or universal religion categories. In order to be identified as a world religion, criteria such as “the naming of an extraordinary yet historically genuine person as the founder and initiator or the tradition (Masuzawa, 132)” had to be met. This criterion fits all of the religions that achieved the status of a world religion by the twentieth century other than Hinduism and Shinto (Masuzawa, 133). Another principle was the “recognition of certain texts that could be claimed to hold a

reverence your name, both small and great— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” This passage is a warning to those who defile the earth and so we must behave on earth as we would in heaven.

Zoroastrianism is a type of religion that Darius I and his successors most likely followed. It originated in ancient Iran, and the single god of goodness named Ahuramazda was believed to be in a constant struggle against evil.

In modern times when one thinks of Monotheism, the first religion that comes to mind is Christianity. But what is Monotheism? Monotheism is the belief that there is only one god. But is Christianity the first group of people to believe in one god? The answer is no, monotheism comes a long way. Zoroastrianism was the first monotheistic religion approximately 3500 years ago. The religion was founded by Prophet Zoroaster in ancient Iran. The second monotheistic religion known to man kind is Atenism founded by the Pharaoh Akhenaten. And the third Monotheistic religion is Judaism.

Representatives of all the peoples of the empire—recognizable by their distinctive hair, beards, dress, hats, and footwear— are depicted bringing gifts to the king. In this exercise in what today we would call public relations or propaganda. Zoroastrianism- religion originating in ancient Iran that became the official religion of the Achaemenids. It centered on a single benevolent deity, Ahuramazda, who engaged in a struggle with demonic forces before prevailing and restoring a pristine world.

The scriptures have shown that there are similarities of Christianity, Judaism and Islamic beliefs. The major difference in the writings is the treatment of strangers. In examining the contentious behaviors of the people in the Middle East, both past and present, religious beliefs have played a part in the development of the realm’s history.

The Jewish religion has many key components, which were derived from other religions such as Zoroastrianism. The prophet Zoroaster founded Zoroastrianism in Persia. The doctrines preached by Zoroaster are preserved in his metrical Gathas (psalms), which form part of the sacred scripture known as the Avesta. Zoroastrianism is one of the first monotheistic beliefs in the world. The beliefs are outlined in the Gathas. The basic tenets of the Gathas consist of a worship of Ahura Mazda and an ethical dualism opposing Truth and Lie, which permeate the entire universe.

Zoroastrianism on the other hand is a monotheistic religion, originating in Iran, and has evolved throughout the ages. With approximately 130,000 remaining followers. Zoroastrianism’s early stage, is presumed to have influenced Buddhism, and introduces beliefs of Gods and Devils that have been adopted by other religions such as Christianity, and Islam. The Zoroastrian gods represented elements, aspects of nature, and principles such as justice and obedience. These gods were called daevas meaning (“shining ones”), with higher ranking gods called Ahuras or (“Lords”) with the supreme god Ahura Mazda, being worshipped above all the other gods as the divine creator; through good thoughts, words, and deeds, like the Jainism ahimsa. Zoroastrians believed there was a cosmic battle between good and evil and to support good one must dedicate themselves as spiritual warriors for good.

“The Zinacanteco Indians of Highland Chiapas have drawn on their prehistoric part, their four centuries under Spanish conquerors, and their current confrontation with the modern world in fashioning their present way of life”1. Consequently, it is quite clear that the Zinacantan language, Tzotzil, is affected by this unique blending of cultures. Language is, of course, a key feature of the Zinacantecos' religion, but religion is not an isolated concept in the Zinacantecos' society. It is, indeed, closely related to the economy and the social life in general. Nevertheless, for the purpose of this paper, I will consider it as a distinctive part of the society, even if sometimes, it is inevitable to bind religion with another aspect of life. It

As a scholar taking the class ‘Introduction to World Religions”, I had the opportunity to take part in a culture that is not normally found in the western world. I entered the Mon Buddhist Monastery in Akron, Ohio on October 2nd, 2016 only to be amazed at their way of life. Going into the temple, I knew of the basic religious practices and traditions that the monks and Buddhists had participated in daily. When I was coming up to the monastery, it did not look like anything other than an old brick building, but once we were inside it looked like a recreational area. Somewhere where they would meditate, hold daily activities, and teach the younger Buddhist about their way of life. On the far back wall, there was a stunning shrine dedicated to the Buddha where one would pray. Many figurines were displayed as well as flowers and offerings along it.

Zoroastrianism inspired Judaism, Christianity, and Islam with its teachings of a single God, a dualistic universe of good versus evil, and a final day of reckoning.

"The Navjote is also known as Sedreh-Pushi. This is the initiation ceremony where a child, between the ages of seven and twelve, receives his or her sudreh and kusti and performs the 'Kusti Ritual' for the first time." (BBC) In this ceremony the young person is accepted into the faith, much like a first Communion in Catholicism, or Bar Mitzvah in Judaism the tradition of faith is passed down to the younger generation as they are recognized for the first time as part of the religion's community for the first time.

Persian and Hinduism myths paints both these ancient cultures as having an opposing negative supremacy that is eventually defeated with time, patience, and worship. George Santayana is a mastermind who scripted a website document named “Ancient Myth, Religion, and Philosophy”. Santayana describes Zoroastrianism as a view of time and reality in a battle that will eventually lead to a victory of one opposing force over the other. Santayana also describes Hinduism as being worshipped by either a female goddess or a male goddess. Zoroastrianism’s supreme God Ahura Mazda has been in an ever-lasting battle with a bad spirit known as Angra Mainyu. The idea of a messiah is portrayed as Mainyu’s kryptonite because it “will [eventually] lead the forces of good against evil at the end of time”. Hinduism views men as chief gods and every chief god plays a significant role in the creation of the universe. The chief Gods develop characteristics of being patient and consistent in creating the world because they were in a continuous battle with the evil female gods. Each culture was resilient in facing all odds to worship and live their true destiny.

Zoroastrians are the followers of the Achaemenian prophet or priest Zarathustra (or Zoroaster as the

Zoroastrianism is the teaching of cosmic battle between the good spirit Spenta Mainyu and the evil spirit Angra Mainyu,