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Founder: Zoroaster (Greek form of his name), or Zarathustra (Persian form of his name) He is thought to have lived from 628 B.C. to 551 B.C.
Religious Texts: Avesta which was composed of the Yasna, Videvdat, and Zoroaster's Hymns. For a link to Zoroastrian texts click here.
View of God: Monotheism
Name(s) of God:
- Ahura Mazda - meaning "Wise Lord"
- Ohrmazd - Ahura Mazda during the Sassanid Dynasty (A.D. 226-637)
Ahura Mazda manifested himself through his "Holy Immortals". The "Holy Immortals" or "Heptad" are as follows:
- Vohu Manah - Good Thought
- Asha - Righteousness
- Ksharthra - Power, Dominion
- Haurvatat - Perfection
- Armaiti - Piety
- Ameretat - Immortality
Teachings:
- There is one God. No being is worthy of worship except Ahura Mazda.
- The Heptad together with Ahura Mazda were known as the "Seven Amesha-Spenta". The Heptad are to be considered the six attributes of Ahura Mazda.
- Ahura Mazda is opposed by a lesser evil being. This being, named Angra Mainyu, will be defeated in the end, but currently seeks to draw created beings away from the teachings of Ahura Mazda.
- Each person must either choose to rightly or wrongly. Rewards await those who make right choices and punishments await those who make wrong choices.
- Fire rituals are to be observed. Zoroaster saw fire as representing the truth and purity of Ahura Mazda.
- Dead bodies must be dealt with by the method of Dakhma-nashini .
- The Laws of the Vendidad should be followed in order to maintain a pure state and in order to avoid an impure state.
- Belief in a coming saviour (the Saoshyant) is common. This saviour will defeat evil.
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