Zoroastrianism Is A Monotheist Religion

Zoroastrianism is religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster in ancient Iran approximately 3500 years ago. For a lengthy period of time Zoroastrianism was one of the most powerful religions in the world, today it is one of the world’s smallest religions. At one point in time it was the official religion of Persia from 600 BCE to 650 CE. Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions which I will compare to Hinduism in things such as sacred writing, beliefs and worships. Out of the numerous religions in the world today, Zoroastrianism has found its own niche in some people’s lives. Zoroastrianism fits the definition of religion by worshiping their God Ahura Mazda. They have a structured system in place for faith and worship.
It has a sacred history that is intended to explain the meaning and origins of life. Their holy book of scriptures is called The Avesta, and they traditionally pray several times a day. Zoroastrians worship in a Fire Temple or Agiary. Zoroaster was the prophet that founded Zoroastrianism.
It is said that during the vision Zoroaster was led by Vohu Manah to the spirit of the Zoroastrian God Ahura Mazda and the Amesha Spentas. Zoroaster asked questions during the vision and the answers given are the foundations of the Zoroastrianism religion. This vision that Zoroaster experience would be the first of many that would found the religion of Zoroastrianism. Translated as Holy Immortals, Amesha Spentas are emanated by Ahura Mazda. The Amesha Spentas are similar to the Archangels in Christianity. Ahura Mazda has an adversary in Angra Mainyu. While Mazda is perfect and good, Mainyu is flawed and destructive. He is the embodiment evil and he resides in the depths of
hell. Zoroastrians believe in a single powerful God, Ahura Mazda. He is opposed by an evil spirit in Angra Mainyu. They have to choose whether to follow Mazda and lead a life of good or to follow Mainyu and lead a life of evil and deceit. The Persians overthrew the Median court of Western Iran in 549 BC. Led by Cyrus the Great, they tried to rule justly by the Zoroastrian law of Asha which is truth and righteousness. Cyrus the Great made no attempt to try and impose the Zoroastrian beliefs upon the people of his subject territories. The Jews benefited from this as Cyrus allowed them to return to Jerusalem from exile. Darius the Great showed the same tolerance as his predecessor Cyrus. He was later defeated in battle by Alexander the Great and Zoroastrianism as a whole took a devastating blow. Islamic Arabs invaded Persia in the 7th century and had an even bigger disastrous effect of Zoroastrianism than Alexander the Great did. Zoroastrianism and Hinduism are very different religions. There isn’t much in common between the two. Unlike Zoroastrianism, Hinduism was not founded by one single individual. Both religions do have sacred writings or texts. Zoroastrianism has The Avesta and Hinduism has Shruti. The Avesta contains the law, liturgy and cosmogony of Zoroastrianism. Shruti compromises the central cannon of Hinduism. Zoroastrians and Hindus both believe that you should live life in a good and positive way. Zoroastrians believe this because their God is the source of all goodness and happiness and is in a battle against evil. They believe that if you live your life in the manner their God Ahura Mazda intended then you will be accepted into Heaven when Mazda eventually destroys the evil of this world. “Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice Ahisma or non-violence. All life is sacred because all creatures are manifestations of the Supreme Being” (bbc.co.uk). Hindus believe in karma and reincarnation. If you live your life in a good and positive way in Hinduism then you will have good karma that you bring along with you in each reincarnation of your life until the cycle of rebirth has come to an end and you obtain moksha. Zoroastrianism beliefs has a concept of God that involves dualism. A constant battle between good and evil in which the former is guaranteed victory. Zoroastrians have a monotheistic belief while Hinduism is not entirely monotheistic. Hindus do share the same belief that one God created the universe just like Zoroastrians. The difference is Hindus also worship multiple other Gods. No Zoroastrian ritual or ceremony is performed without the fire being present. They are not fire worshipers but do believe that fire represents God’s light or wisdom. Zoroastrians can choose whether to pray, unlike Hindus who are required to pray or perform rituals up to three times a day. Zoroastrians perform many communal worship due to the enormous amount of seasonal festivities they have. They traditionally pray several times a day. Some Zoroastrians wear a Kusti while praying Hindus primarily worship individually rather than communally. They make personal offerings to their God. Many Hindus have shrines in their homes where they make their offerings and worship. Zoroastrianism and Hinduism both partake in purifications. Zoroastrians engage in purification rituals while making prayer. Hindus purification is a bathing that is performed during the Kumbh Mela festival at Allahabad once every 12 years. Rituals are performed in both Zoroastrianism and Hinduism.
They also perform the Yasna, which is a sacrifice of the sacred liquor (Haoma) and is celebrated before the sacred fire while reciting parts of the Avesta. Hindus rituals begin before a baby is even brought into this world. After a Hindu couple is married, a prayer called Garbhadana is performed. It is recited so each couple fulfills their responsibility to continue the Hindu religion. During the third month of pregnancy a ceremony called Punsavana is performed for the strong growth of the fetus. During the seventh month the Simantonnyana is performed. Prayers are offered for the healthy mental development of the child. Once the child is born, they perform another ritual where they put honey in the child’s mouth and whisper the name of God in the child’s ear. This ritual is called
Jatakarma. Zoroastrians and Hindus both have a large amount of festivals and holy days that they celebrate. Zoroastrians are given the impression of being a joyful religion due to the amount of celebrations they have. One of the most important festivals in Zoroastrianism is the Six Gahanbars, which is six feasts Zoroastrians have throughout their calendar. These feasts are One more important festival for Zoroastrians is the Noruz, which is their New Year. It is also celebrated as the seventh feast. Hindus also have a festival where they celebrate the New Year called Diwali. It is the biggest and brightest of all Hindu festivals. Celebrated during four days, with each day separated by a different tradition. Cremation is a part of both Zoroastrianism and Hinduism. Zoroastrians believe that as soon as the breath leaves the body it becomes impure. Decaying matter such as a corpse is sacrilege. Traditionally the corpse is laid out on a tower exposed to the sun and to be eaten by birds of prey. These days those practices are becoming impractical and Zoroastrians are opting to be cremated. Hindus also have their bodies cremated after going through a series of rituals. The Bone Gathering ritual is performed