What do Zoroastrians believe?Dualism – good against bad Amesha Spentas
The Amesha Spentas influence everything in our world and our lives. Each person possesses Vohu Mana – the spirit of the good mind. This spirit enables human beings to understand Asha and to judge when their lives deviate from it. Zoroastrians believe that acting in accordance with Asha is the ideal way to live. Zoroastrians strive for:
They believe that by thinking good thoughts, they are inspired to speak good words, which – in turn – lead to good deeds. This belief lies at the heart of the Zoroastrian faith. Renewal The consequence of right actions is khshathra vairya (ideal dominion). An individual who possesses Khshathra Vairya reaches a state of wellbeing called haurvatat. On dying, the person enters a state of immortal bliss known as ameretat. Life after death Heaven and Hell are not physical places. Instead, they are described as timeless states of consciousness – either a state of oneness with Ahura Mazda, or separation from him. Zoroastrians also believe in the progress of sacred time, and that time will eventually end. Zoroastrians do not believe in karma or reincarnation. Wider influence Nature and the environment |
Zoroastrian diversityThere are two main groupings the of Zoroastrian faith. Of these, the Parsees – especially those from East Africa – tend to be more orthodox than Zoroastrians based in Iran. Separated geographically by centuries of history, the two groups are working to harmonise their interpretations. |
How Zoroastrianism developedZoroastrianism was established by Zarathushtra. No one knows exactly when Zarathushtra lived. Zoroastrian tradition says he lived around 600 BCE, but this date is thought by modern scholars to be far too late. Currently, the estimate is that Zarathushtra lived anywhere from 1500 to 1000 BCE. A former priest, he lived in solitary meditation and received his first vision at the age of 30. He lived for another 47 years, teaching belief in a single God – the source of truth. Zoroastrians are mostly of Persian origin, though the break-up of the Soviet Union revealed isolated groups in Central Asia and Armenia. In the 10th century AD, groups of Zoroastrians left Persia and settled in Gujarat, western India, where they became known as the Parsees, derived from Pars – the ancient term for Persia. From India and Iran, Zoroastrians have spread all over the world with communities in England, Australia, Canada, the United States and elsewhere. |
Zoroastrian leadersCopy to follow |
How Zoroastrians worshipPrayer/Worship
Where possible, Zoroastrians use a dedicated prayer room with a fire burning in an urn. They prepare for prayers by washing their hands, face and other uncovered parts of their body. If they do not pray in a Fire Temple, Zoroastrians are obliged to have an oil lamp burning in their household everyday. They untie their kushti and hold it before a source of light (sun, fire or artificial light). They say two prayers: the Ashem Vohu and the Ahunavar. The symbolism of fire Contrary to some beliefs, Zoroastrians do not worship fire itself. Rather, they revere fire as a visible symbol of the inner flame that burns within each person. Diet Dress
Fasting /celibacy Zoroastrians in the UKZoroastrians first came to the UK in the early eighteenth century. The country’s first Indian business – Cama and Company, established in 1855 – was run by a Parsee family. Elected in 1892, the UK’s first Indian MP, Dadabhai Naoroji, was also a Parsee. Although there are small numbers of Zoroastrians elsewhere in Britain and Europe, the London headquarters of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (Incorporated) is the focus for most Zoroastrian activity in the UK. It also houses the UK’s only unconsecrated Zoroastrian place of worship. There are area groups in some parts of the country. Their secretary, chair or president is usually the most appropriate contact. |
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