Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

RELIGIONS

ZOROASTRIANISM

/ Origin : 7th Century Founder Global Following Global Spread Predominant

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* Religion of the Iranians in primitive form with many deities. * Zarathusthra brought a new, universal concept of religion. * Religion not based on superstitions, but on a universal call for better life with truth, light and goodness.

B.C. Place: Persia ZARATHUSTRA 2,71,000 - .006% All Continents

India Followers : Parsis NOS . in cooo)

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Latin America

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Oceania Eurasia

Fire is the Divine energy which lies at the root of all creation and is derived from Ahura Mazda.

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CODE OF CONDUCT * A life to achieve good towards one's fellow men - "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds" (Humara, hukta, huva- rshta, "manashni, gavashni, kunashni". FESTIVALS * Jashan : A Jashan is a celebration of an event, be it happy or tragic, with prayer followed by a sacramental meal. Jashans are performed at Jamshedi navroze (March 21) the Zoroastrian New Year; at Khardad Sal (the Prophet’s birthday); at the Farvardegan (celebration in honour of the Fravashis of the righteous); at the Meherangan (in honour of Meher. the Angel of Mercy). DIVINE POWER Ahura Mazda - Supreme Creator and Ruler of the Universe. Aspects of Godhead Asha, the Divine Law, Truth, Righteousness and Justice. Vohu Mana, the good Mind. Kshathra, the Power and Majesty of Ahura Mazda. Kshathra-Vairya, the creative activity. Aramaiti, Divine Devotion. CEREMONIES The Navjote * The initiation ceremony which takes place between 7-15 years witnessed by parents, relatives and friends. * Performed early in the morning. * The child first given a ceremonial bath ( nahw ) and made to chew the leaf of a pomegranate (wisdom) and drink a little Haoma juice. * Every child taught the Kusti prayers and its meaning as also how to tie the Kusti (sacred thread) on the Sudra (sacred shirt) before the ceremony. * The sacred fire is lit with sandalwood and incense and placed in an Afarghan (fire censer). * The child wears a white pyjama ( ijar) and the upper part of the bare body is wrapped in a shawl or white cloth. * Certain prayers are recited in unison and the priest invests the child with the Sudra. * The priest, holding the Kusti and the child's finger in his own, and the child chant the Kusti prayers together, ending with Fravarane (the confession of faith). * The Kusti wound thrice round the waist to signify dedication to the service of Ahura Mazda. * The first knot tied on the word shyaothenenam (action) and the Ahuna Vairya prayer recited twice. * Dedication consists in loving and serving Dhrigu (the poor) to establish the Kshathrem-chaAhurai (the sovereignty of Ahura) in the world.

* Parsis means man from Pars or Fars (ancient PARSA, Greek PERSOPOLIS, South Iran). * ZOROASTER Greek rendering of Zarathusthra. * Persian state religion from 550 - 330 B.C. CHRONOLOGY

Kayanian Dynasty (2000 - 700 B.C.) c 2051 B.C. - Kair Kavate (Kai Kavad) c 2033 B.C. - Kava Usha (Kai Kaus) c 1997 B.C. - Kava Husravah (Kai Khusrau) c 1979 B.C. - Aurvataspa (Lohrasp) c 1961 B.C. - Kava Vishtapa (Kai Gushtarp) Achaemenian Dynasty 700-675 B.C. - Achaemenes 675-640 B.C. 640-600 B.C. 600-590 B.C. 590-559 B.C. Teispes Cyrus Aryaramues Cambyses I Arsames Hystaspes Cyrus II the Great Cambyses II Darius the Great SECTS

* 1970 - Following a controversy on the correct chronological time of the New Year festival the Indian Parsis split into two sects : Shehenshahis (93%): New Year 19th of September. Kadmis (7%): New Year 19th of August. Faslis : A third group arose recently and celebrates New Year on 21st of March. SCRIPTURES * The Avesta, Parsi's Holy Book. - Yasna (Book of sacrifices). - Yasts, sacrificial songs and hymns - like prayers. - Videvdad (Vendidad), priestly book of law and code of purification. - Visperad , a collection of prayers and liturgical texts. * Gatha Ahunavaiti, on freedom of choice. * Gatha Ushtavaiti, on supreme bliss. " Gatha Spenta Mainya, on the holy spirit. * Gatha Vohu Kshathra, on the Good Kingdom. " Gatha Vahishtoishti, on sovereign desire. OCCUPATIONAL STRUCTURE Clergy - Athravans - Guardians of the fire. Warriors - Athaeshtars - He who is standing on a war chariot.

Peasants - Actrya - He who cultivates land. Artisans - Huiti - One who produces objects.