1. Zoroastrianism
A Brief Introduction

2. The Farohar is a Zoroastrian guardian spirit
The Farohar is a Zoroastrian guardian spirit. This panel includes an inscription in English and Persian with the three tenets of Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds, as well as the Roman Numerals symbolizing the Ten Commandments.

3. Overview Ahura Mazda (Supreme God) Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek)
Three main cultural eras:
Common heritage with India
Ancient Near-Eastern Cultures (Persian Dyansties)
Post-Islamic
Zartoshti (Iran)
Parsis (India)
Only about 140,000 today

4. Significance
Historical links with Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism
Key religious ideas
ethics
eschatology
personification of evil (Angra Mainyu)
exposure of bodies to birds of prey
historical influence (on other religions)

5. The “Classical” Period
Zarathustra/Zoroaster ( BCE); he’s credited with writing the Gathas (part of the Yasna, part of the Avesta scriptures)
Before second millenia BCE the “Aryan invasion/migration” -- (this is controversial, especially in Orange County)

7. The Achaemenian Era (ca. 600-331 BCE)

8. Influence on Israel (et al)?
Satan as God’s rival
life after death
sequence of world ages
final judgement
redemption

9. Parthian Era (246 BCE-226 CE)

10. Sasanian Era ( /642 C.E.)

11. Omayyad Caliphate

12. Persian Empires Achaemenian: Parthian: Sasanian:
Emphasizes Ahura Mazda
Zarathustra ??
Parthian:
Emphasizes Mithra
Sasanian:
rise and rejection of Mani
cultural interaction with Buddhists

13. Observances Ethics/Morality Hereditary Priesthood
Fire temples (agiari)
Exposure of Corpses (in chilpik)