Zoroastrianism

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Zoroastrianism
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Religion of Ancient Persia
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Sofreh-e Haft Cinn--cloth of seven dishes
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Zoroastrianism

• Zarathus(h)tra (Zoroaster)sixth century BC?
• Received visions to serve as Ahura Mazdas (wise
  Lord) spokesperson and prophet
• Protested against abuse of authority and
  oppression of dominant cult and priesthood
• Oral tradition gathashymns ascribed to
  Zarathustra himself. Passed down by Magi,
  written later in the Avesta

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Zoroastrian Beliefs

• Dualism
• Ahura Mazda (Spenta Mainyu-(holy spirit)) vs.
  Aura (Angra) Mainyu (destructive one or Angry
  Man).
• Asha (order, righteousness) vs. druj
  (evil)
• Worship 1. Right intention 2. Truly spoken
  words 3. Correctly performed rituals (good
  thought, word, and act)
• Free choice no predestination or determinism
• Judgment Chinvat Bridge of the Separator
• Resurrection
• Seven stage creation

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Zoroastrian Beliefs
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Zoroastrian Ritual

• Purification in fire temples
• Yasna Sacrifice (bread and milk) before the
  fire while portions of the Avesta are recited

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Zoroastrian Ritual

• Naujote Initiation rite
• Age of puberty (9)free-will choice
• First public donning of the badges of the
  religion sacred shirt and cord

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Tower of Silence

• Dakhma tower of silence to avoid contact with
  dead bodies
• Fire, earth, and water are sacred creations that
  cannot be polluted

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Dakhma
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Fire Temple
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Fire Temple-Yazd
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