Zoroastrianism was founded
by Prophet Zoroaster in ancient Iran today Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan approximately
3500 Years ago. It believe to be world’s one of oldest monotheistic religions.
(BBC_UK, 2009) The exact time when Zoroaster lived has not confirmed yet but
it’s believed to be between 600BC to 1500 BC; therefore his living time is
varying on this document.
Zoroaster
was an Iranian prophet, was born in ancient Iran (Possibly today’s Afghanistan)
according to some text left from his time, it seems to be that he was born into
a Bronze Age where people used to worship many gods. He was a family man
and had three sons and three daughters and his wife’s name was Huvova.
Zoroaster’s death not mentioned in Avesta (Zoroastrian Holy book) but on
Shahnameh (Book of Kings) which was completed on 1010 CE Ferdowsi mentioned that he was killed
in city of Balkh the capital of Iran at the time, on war between China and
Iran. (Heritage_Institute, 2007-2012)
The
Gathas which contains seventeen hymns believe to be composed by Zoroaster
himself around 1200 BC. (Avesta_Org, 2012)
Good
words
Good deeds
ü Air, water, earth and fire.
In
Zoroastrianism despite the Abrahmimc religion woman was not created from left
Ribs of a man (Adam and Eva). Zoroastrianism believe that the man and woman was
created at the same time and both promised their wise lord (Ahura Mazda) that
their children will help the Wise Lord to fight against the evil spirit.
(read-legends-and-myths, 2012)
ü Equality of all,
regardless of sex, race, or faith or religion.
ü Respect and
kindness towards all existing. Condemnation of the oppression of mankind,
brutality against animals and sacrifice of animals.
ü “Environmentalism:
Nature is central to the practice of Zoroastrianism and many important
Zoroastrian annual festivals are in celebration of nature: New Year on the
first day of spring, the water festival in summer, the autumn festival at the
end of the season, and the mid-winter fire festival”.
ü “Hard work and
charity: Laziness and sloth are frowned upon. Zoroastrians are encouraged to
part with a little of what would otherwise be their own.
ü Loyalty and
faithfulness to family, settlement, tribe, and country."
(The-environmentalist_org, 2012)
Religion influenced by
Zoroastrianism as follows:
Western Abrahamic:
· Judaism
· Christianity
· Islam
Eastern Dharmic:
· Hinduism
· Buddhism
· Jainism
· Sikhism
(The-environmentalist_org, 2012)
ü "Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed
world-religions, and it has probably had more influence on mankind, directly
and indirectly, than any other single faith." “- Mary Boyce,
Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices (London: Routledge and
Kegan Paul, 1979, p. 1)”
ü "Zoroaster was thus the first to teach the
doctrines of an individual judgment, Heaven and Hell, the future resurrection
of the body, the general Last Judgment, and life everlasting for the reunited
soul and body. These doctrines were to become familiar articles of faith to
much of mankind, through borrowings by Judaism, Christianity and Islam; yet it
is in Zoroastrianism itself that they have their fullest logical coherence....” -
Mary Boyce, Op. Cit. p. 29. (Avesta_Org, 2012)
ü
Friedrich
Wilhelm Nietzsche German philosopher, Poet and cultural critic on his book, Thus Spoke
Zarathustra says. "Zarathustra was the first to see in the struggle
between good and evil the essential wheel in the working of things."
(Heritage_Institute, 2007-2012)
"Persian
belief was reorganized by the prophet Zarathushtra according to a strict
dualism of good and evil principles, light and dark, angels and devils. This
crisis profoundly affected not only the Persians, but also the subject Hebrew
beliefs, and thereby (centuries later) Christianity." (Zarathushtra_com,
2012)
"It
is thought by many that this doctrine `Zoroastrianism' was a source of
influence for both Eastern and
Western beliefs - Hinduism and Buddhism in the East, and Judaism and
Christianity in the West." (Zarathushtra_com, 2012)
King Cyrus the Great
· (539 B.C) His name is motioned over 22 times on
bible old. (Cocherell, 2012) His name is mentioned in Koran as Zolqarnain.
· Alexander the Great tribute Cyrus the Great by
visiting his tomb. (livius_org, 2012)
· The Cyrus cylinder, which is an ancient record “has now been recognized as the world’s
first charter of human rights. It is translated into all six official languages
of the United Nations and its provisions parallel the first four Articles of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” (Human_Right_com,
2008-2012)
· Freddie Mercury (Farookh Bulsara) is the most well
known Zoroastrian / Parse; In United Kingdom he was born in Zanzibar Tanzania
05.Sep.1945. And “25 years later in
London under the name of Freddie Mercury he was fronting the now legendary rock
group named Queen” (Queenonline_com, 2012)
· “Nina Wadia - Born in Bombay on 18th December 1968,
Wadia is an accomplished actress of Parsi descent. “ (Mademan_com, 2012) She
has played role in several British Drama currently she is acting on Easterners
as Zainab Massoud.
ü Mazda the world
class Japanese car said on Mazda’s official web site that the name of their car
divers from Ahura Mazda which is the name of God in Persian and Zoroastrians
religion.
“We
have interpreted Ahura Mazda, the god of wisdom, intelligence and harmony, as
the symbol of the origin of both Eastern and Western civilizations, and also as
a symbol of automobile culture” (Mazda_Com,
2012)
ü One of Indian
biggest family business is TATA Group which was establish on mid 19 century is
belong to Zoroastrians / Parse family from Gujarat. Tetley tea is also
owned by Tata Group (Blogs_reuters_com, 2011)
Although Zoroastrianism is
one of the smallest and oldest monotheist religions in the world but by the
some research I have done on this document it is the most influential religion
to other religion especially on Ibrahim’s religion such as Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. Zoroaster’s teaching has influenced the ancient Greek
and Modern world philosopher. As well as our daily life directly or indirectly
has be influenced by his teachings. Zoroastrianism gave the same right to men
and women and also it’s an eco friendly religion. Also as in Zoroastrianism men
and women they have the same right therefore Zoroastrians believe that
both been created at the same time, despite other religion saying men was
created first and then women was made from man lift ribs. (Adam and Eva)
1.
BBC_UK, 2009. BBC_RELIGIONS. [Online]
Available
at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/history/zoroaster_1.shtml
[Accessed
20 NOVEMBER 2012].
2.
Avesta_Org, 2012. Avesta_Org. [Online]
Available at: http://www.avesta.org/gathas.htm
[Accessed
21 November 2012].
3.
Heritage_Institute,
2007-2012. Heritage_Institute. [Online]
Available at: http://www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/shahnameh/index.htm
[Accessed
21 November 2012].
4.
Cocherell, B., 2012. CYRUS: GOD'S ANOINTED SHEPHERD. [Online]
Available at: http://www.bibleresearch.org/articles/a2pws.htm
[Accessed
24 November 2012].
5.
livius_org, 2012. Alexander and the tomb of Cyrus. [Online]
Available at: http://www.livius.org/aj-al/alexander/alexander_t23.html
[Accessed
24 November 2012].
6.
Human_Right_com, 2008-2012.
United_for_Human_Rights. [Online]
Available at: http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/brief-history/cyrus-cylinder.html
[Accessed
24 November 2012].
7.
Queenonline_com, 2012. About_Freddie_Mercury. [Online]
Available at: http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/members/freddie-mercury/
[Accessed
24 November 2012].
8.
Mademan_com, 2012. Nina-wadia_Bio. [Online]
Available
at: http://www.mademan.com/chickipedia/nina-wadia/
[Accessed
24 November 2012].
9.
Mazda_Com, 2012. Vision. [Online]
Available at: http://www.mazda.com/profile/vision/
[Accessed
24 November 2012].
10. Bible_Suit, 2012. Exodus_3_NIV_1984. [Online]
Available at: http://niv.scripturetext.com/exodus/3.htm
[Accessed 26 November
2012].
11. Zarathushtra_com, 2012. Influence of Zoroastrianism on other religions. [Online]
Available at: http://www.zarathushtra.com/z/article/influenc.htm
[Accessed
27 November 2012].
12. The-environmentalist_org.
(2012, November 29). Environmentalist.
Retrieved November 29, 2012, from The-environmentalist_org:
http://history.the-environmentalist.org/2007/04/zoroastrianisms-influence-on-judaism.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HistoryOnTheEnvironmentalist+(History+on+THE+ENVIRONMENTALIST)?&lang=en_us&output=json&session-id=e8d02318
