Zoroastrianism

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Introduction

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:

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)

The ethical creed of Zoroastrian:

Good thoughts 

Good words

 Good deeds


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Four Elements of Zoroastrianism:

ü  Air, water, earth and fire.  

Zoroastrianism View on women:

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)

Basic Zoroastrian precepts

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:

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)

Western view of Zoroaster and Zoroastrianism:

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)

ü  Joseph Campbell

"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)

ü  John R. Hinnell

"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)

Famous Zoroastrian (Parsi) in the world and United Kingdom:

Ancient:

 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)

Modern:

·         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.

Businesses owned or influenced by Zoroastrians:

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)

Conclusion:

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)

REFERENCES:

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