Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is an ancient Iranian religion and one of the world’s oldest continuously practiced organized faiths. Founded by the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra) in ancient Iran, it originated perhaps as early as the 2nd millennium BCE. It was the official state religion of several successive Iranian empires—the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian—until the Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century CE initiated its decline.

Today, there are estimated to be between 110,000 and 120,000 Zoroastrians worldwide, predominantly divided into two groups: the Parsis in India (descendants of refugees who fled the Islamic conquest) and Iranian Zoroastrians.

Core Theology and Cosmology

Zoroastrianism combines an eschatological monotheism with a profound cosmogonic dualism.

• Ahura Mazda: The uncreated, omniscient, omnipotent, and benevolent supreme God. He is the beginning and the end, the source of all light, goodness, and the cosmic order.
• Asha: The fundamental principle of truth, “rightness,” and cosmic order that originates from Ahura Mazda and structures the healthy universe.
• Angra Mainyu (Ahriman): The destructive spirit or mentality who is the adversary of Ahura Mazda. Angra Mainyu represents druj (falsehood, deceit, chaos, and destruction).
• The Cosmic Battle: Life is an active battlefield between the forces of Asha and Druj. Angra Mainyu invaded the material world created by Ahura Mazda, introducing death, disease, and suffering. Humans are endowed with free will and have a moral responsibility to actively participate in this conflict on the side of Asha.

Emanations and Divine Beings

• Amesha Spentas: Six “Bounteous Immortals” or archangels that emanate from Ahura Mazda. They govern different domains of the material creation and represent aspects of the ideal moral character.
• Yazatas: Lesser divinities or “beings worthy of worship” (e.g., Mithra, Anahita, Sraosha). They act as helpers and collaborators in maintaining the universe.

Major Texts

The central religious scripture of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta, written in the ancient Avestan language. Its most sacred core is the Gathas, seventeen hymns traditionally believed to have been composed by Zoroaster himself. Later Sasanian and post-Sasanian texts are written in Middle Persian (Pahlavi), including the Denkard and the Bundahishn.

Core Practices and Maxims

• Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta: The central moral maxim: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.
• Veneration of Elements: Zoroastrians maintain a deep reverence for the natural elements—water and earth—and especially fire, which represents the divine light and wisdom of Ahura Mazda.
• Fire Temples: The standard places of worship where perpetual sacred fires are maintained.
• Purity and Ecology: Highly concerned with ritual purity, Zoroastrianism dictates that the corruptions of the world (including dead bodies, seen as a vector of druj) should not pollute the pure elements (earth, fire, water). This historically led to the practice of sky burial in “Towers of Silence.”

Eschatology

Zoroastrian eschatology profoundly influenced later Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). Key elements include:

• Chinvat Bridge: A bridge of judgment navigated by the soul upon death. For the righteous, it is broad and leads to the House of Song (Heaven); for the wicked, it turns to a razor’s edge, dropping them into the House of Lies (Hell).
• Saoshyant: A prophesied world savior born of a virgin who will usher in the end times.
• Frashokereti: The final cosmic renovation where the dead are resurrected, evil is finally purged via a river of molten metal, and Ahura Mazda establishes eternal perfection.