What is Zoroastrianism?
Now, you all may be thing what actually is Zoroastrianism, and why is it so unknown to people? Zoroastrianism is an ancient pre-Islamic religion of Persia which is modern-day Iran which first came into existence in the 6th century BCE. For more than 1000 years Zoroastrianism was one of the most powerful religions in the world, but now it is one of the world's smallest religions consisting of less than 190 000 followers. Zoroastrianism was founded by the prophet Zoroaster in the 6th century BCE. His teachings became the foundation of this Ancient religion. It was said that at the age of 30, Zoroaster had a divine vision of a supreme being while partaking in a pagan purification rite. After this divine vision, Zoroaster began teaching his followers to worship a single god called Ahura Mazda
Explain and describe the role of one god or goddess of the religion.
Ahura Mazda in Zoroastrian beliefs is the source of all good in the universe. They believe that under no circumstances can he be worshipped in an image but rather should be worshipped through sacrificial rituals, prayers, chants, and invocations. He goes by many names that include all-seeing, creator, the giver of prosperity, and Mazda meaning all-knowing. Adherents of the religion believe that Ahura Mazda created both the visible and invisible worlds known as spiritual or material worlds. He promised to protect all people who believe in him. He is benevolent and bountiful and grants the wishes of those who approach him with devotion and submit their prayers with sincerity. He helps the people who follow his teachings compliantly and abstain from evil and help others to remain on the path of righteousness. Ahura Mazda created the Amesha Spentas which are the six immortal beings created in the spiritual realm to protect the world from evil spirits like Angra Mainya who is the originator of death and all that is evil in the world. The Amesha Spentas are believed to be the personifications of the various aspects of Ahura Mazda. These Various aspects are the Vohu Manah Asha Vahishta, Spenta Ameraiti, Khashathra Vairya, Hauravatat, and Ameretat. The Amesha Spentas serve as the ideals of purity and divinity for the human beings that are on earth, which they can actualize within themselves through practice and worship to guard themselves against evil.
What are the principal beliefs of Zoroastrianism?
Although Zoroastrianism is mainly a monotheistic religion it is also a dualistic religion meaning it consists of two basic, opposed, and irreducible principles that account for all that exists. They believe that the world is a combination of Good and evil, Asha meaning truth representing good and druj meaning falsehood representing evil. These two are aspects of life and creation and life cannot exist without the presence of both. Ahura Mazda created these two spirit called Spenta Mainya the good spirit and Angra Mainya the evil spirit. Spenta Mainya is believed...
