Zoroastrianism Explained

Summary

This script explores Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest religions, with a rich history influencing major belief systems. It delves into the faith's core tenets, including the worship of Ahura Mazda, the eternal struggle between good and evil, and the significance of fire. It also touches on Zoroastrian practices, rituals, and their sacred text, the Avesta. The video highlights Zoroastrianism's impact on society and its followers, such as Emperor Xerxes and Freddie Mercury, and invites viewers to support charities through Tab for a Cause.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest religions, originating in ancient Iran and influencing major religions like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Greek philosophy.
• 🔥 The religion is named after the Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), who received visions from Ahura Mazda, the one true God, and taught the principles of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.
• 🏛 Zoroastrianism was the state religion of three major Iranian Empires, including the Achaemenid Empire, before declining due to invasions and persecutions.
• 🧙‍♂️ The priests known as Magi, who were thought to possess secret knowledge, played a significant role in the religion and influenced the English language with terms like 'magic' and 'magician'.
• 📚 The holy book of Zoroastrianism, the Avesta, contains the Gathas, hymns believed to be composed by Zoroaster, and is one of the oldest scriptures in the world.
• 🕊 Ahura Mazda is the supreme deity, representing wisdom, order, and creation, and is supported by six Holy Immortals known as the Amesha Spentas.
• 💀 Zoroastrians believe in an afterlife with heaven and hell, where the soul is judged based on the balance of good and evil deeds during life.
• 🔥 Fire is a sacred symbol in Zoroastrianism, representing purity and the presence of Ahura Mazda, but is not worshipped itself.
• 🌍 Zoroastrian communities are now spread worldwide, with the largest group in India, known as Parsis, who have significantly contributed to Indian society and independence.
• 🕊 The concept of Asha, encompassing truth, wisdom, and justice, is central to Zoroastrian beliefs, emphasizing the importance of following a righteous path.
• 🌳 Zoroastrianism has a unique tradition of disposing of the dead through the Tower of Silence, allowing vultures to consume bodies and avoid polluting sacred elements, though modern practices have evolved.

Q & A

What is Zoroastrianism and what does the term Mazdayasna signify?

Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest ongoing religions, originating in ancient Iran around 3,500 years ago. The term Mazdayasna, used by Zoroastrians themselves, means 'Worshipper of Mazda' and refers to the central deity of their faith, Ahura Mazda.

Who were the Magi and how did they influence the English language?

The Magi were the priests of Zoroastrianism, known to the ancient Greeks as having secret magical knowledge due to their understanding of complex astronomy. This perception led to the English words 'magic', 'mage', and 'magician'.

How did the Zoroastrian religion influence other major world religions?

Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Greek philosophy by introducing concepts such as a single all-powerful god, a cosmic battle between good and evil, angels and archangels, and a final judgment that purifies the world.

What is the significance of the 'Three Wise Men' in Zoroastrianism and Christianity?

According to the Gospel of Matthew, three Zoroastrian magi visited baby Jesus. These figures, known as the 'Three Wise Men', are celebrated by Christians worldwide on January 6th, symbolizing the recognition of Jesus by non-Christian traditions.

Why did Zoroastrians flee to India, and what is the Parsi community?

After the fall of the Sassanian Empire to Muslim Arabs in the 7th century CE, Zoroastrians faced decline and persecution in Iran. Some fled to India, forming the Parsi community, which is named after Persia, the Indian name for Iran.

What are the core beliefs of Zoroastrianism regarding Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu?

Zoroastrians believe in one uncreated and eternal God, Ahura Mazda, who represents order, goodness, and wisdom. They also believe in Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit and embodiment of evil, who is in constant opposition to Ahura Mazda.

How do Zoroastrians view the afterlife and the concept of heaven and hell?

Zoroastrians believe in a heaven and hell where the soul's deeds are weighed on a scale after death. Depending on the balance of good to evil deeds, the soul either ascends to a paradise of infinite happiness or descends to a place of suffering and misery.

What is the significance of fire in Zoroastrianism and its rituals?

Fire is a sacred symbol in Zoroastrianism, representing purity and the presence of Ahura Mazda. It is used in rituals in front of which priests conduct ceremonies, but it is not worshipped itself.

What is the Avesta and why is it important to Zoroastrians?

The Avesta is the holy book of Zoroastrians and one of the world's oldest scriptures, written in the ancient Avestan language. It contains hymns from Zoroaster, known as Gathas, which are deeply important and form the basis of most Zoroastrian beliefs.

How does the concept of Asha in Zoroastrianism relate to the principles of Good Mind, Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds?

Asha, an ancient Avestan word, encompasses concepts such as truth, wisdom, goodness, and justice. It is the path of Ahura Mazda that Zoroastrians strive to follow. Good Mind, given by Ahura Mazda, allows humans to recognize right from wrong and leads to Good Thoughts, which in turn lead to Good Words and Good Deeds, the core of Zoroastrian belief.

What is the role of charity and good deeds in Zoroastrianism?

Charity and good deeds are central to Zoroastrianism, as they are seen as a way to fight against the forces of evil represented by Angra Mainyu. Zoroastrians are known for their support of orphanages, shelters, and charities, embodying the principle that 'Happiness comes to them who bring happiness to others.'

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Introduction to Zoroastrianism

This paragraph introduces the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, highlighting its historical significance and influence on other major religions and philosophies. It mentions notable Zoroastrians like Emperor Xerxes, Freddie Mercury, and Pallonji Mistry. The video script discusses the origins of Zoroastrianism around 1500 BCE with the Prophet Zarathustra, its former status as the state religion of Iran, and the role of Magi as priests. It also covers the decline of Zoroastrianism after the fall of the Sassanian Empire and the formation of the Parsi community in India, which is now the largest group of Zoroastrians.

05:01

🌟 Core Beliefs and Deities of Zoroastrianism

This section delves into the core beliefs of Zoroastrianism, focusing on the worship of Ahura Mazda, the one uncreated and eternal God, and the concept of the Amesha Spentas, divine beings akin to archangels. It contrasts Ahura Mazda with Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit and embodiment of evil. The paragraph also touches on the complex theological history of Zoroastrianism, including various interpretations and potential heresies, emphasizing the importance of choosing between truth and lies as represented by these divine forces.

10:03

🏔 The Afterlife and Eschatology in Zoroastrianism

The paragraph explores the Zoroastrian concepts of the afterlife, including the Bridge of Judgement and the destinations of heaven, hell, or a medium place based on one's deeds. It describes the process of the soul's journey post-death and the significance of rituals performed by Zoroastrian priests. The text also discusses the eschatological beliefs, including the eventual battle between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu, leading to the renewal of creation and eternal bliss, known as frashokereti.

15:07

🌱 The Three G's and Sacred Symbols of Zoroastrianism

This part of the script outlines the fundamental principles of Zoroastrianism, starting with Asha, a term encompassing truth, wisdom, and order. It explains the role of Vohu Manah, or Good Mind, in guiding humans to make righteous choices. The importance of performing good thoughts, words, and deeds is underscored. Additionally, the paragraph discusses the sacredness of fire as a representation of Ahura Mazda and the significance of the Avesta, the holy book containing the Gathas, hymns attributed to Zoroaster.

📜 Zoroastrianism's Influence and Modern Practices

The final paragraph examines the historical impact of Zoroastrianism on other religions, particularly the Abrahamic faiths, and its role in shaping concepts such as monotheism and eschatology. It also touches on the modern practices of Zoroastrianism, including the use of technology for rituals and the adaptation of burial practices in response to changing environmental and social conditions. The script concludes with a call to action to support charities through the browser extension Tab for a Cause, tying the ancient religion's values to contemporary social responsibility.

Keywords

💡Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is an ancient religion that originated in Iran around 3,500 years ago. It was founded by the prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) and emphasizes the worship of Ahura Mazda, the god of wisdom and order. The video explains that Zoroastrianism was a major religion in Iran for over a thousand years, influencing other major world religions and philosophies.

💡Ahura Mazda

Ahura Mazda is the central deity in Zoroastrianism, representing wisdom, light, and goodness. Ahura Mazda is considered the creator of the world and all good things, and stands in opposition to Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit. The video highlights Ahura Mazda's role in the cosmic struggle between good and evil, which is a core theme of Zoroastrian belief.

💡Angra Mainyu

Angra Mainyu, also known as the 'destructive spirit,' is the embodiment of evil and chaos in Zoroastrianism. This entity is the polar opposite of Ahura Mazda and is responsible for all negative aspects of the world, such as death, disease, and decay. The video discusses how the battle between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu represents the ongoing struggle between good and evil in the world.

💡Asha

Asha is a key concept in Zoroastrianism, representing truth, order, and righteousness. It is the divine law that governs the universe and is associated with the path of Ahura Mazda. In the video, Asha is described as the principle that Zoroastrians strive to follow through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, which are essential for combating evil and promoting harmony.

💡Magi

The Magi were the priests of Zoroastrianism, known for their knowledge of astronomy and considered to have magical powers by the ancient Greeks. The video mentions that the Magi were influential figures in the ancient world and even appear in the Christian tradition as the three wise men who visited the baby Jesus. Their role reflects the broader cultural and religious influence of Zoroastrianism.

💡Fire Temples

Fire Temples are places of worship in Zoroastrianism where sacred fires are maintained as symbols of Ahura Mazda's presence. The video clarifies that while fire is revered as a representation of truth and purity, Zoroastrians do not worship the fire itself. The fire rituals underscore the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and connection to the divine in Zoroastrian practice.

💡Tower of Silence

A Tower of Silence is a traditional Zoroastrian structure used for the ritual exposure of the dead. Bodies are placed on stone slabs to be consumed by vultures, a practice that avoids contaminating sacred elements like fire, water, and earth. The video discusses how this practice reflects Zoroastrian beliefs about death and purity, and how modern challenges have led to alternative methods of body disposal.

💡Frashokereti

Frashokereti is the Zoroastrian concept of the final renovation of the world, where evil is ultimately defeated, and the world is restored to its perfect state. The video describes this as the end-times event where the savior, or Saoshyant, leads humanity in a final battle against Angra Mainyu. This event is central to Zoroastrian eschatology and symbolizes the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

💡Gathas

The Gathas are a collection of hymns written by Zoroaster himself, forming a core part of the Zoroastrian holy book, the Avesta. These hymns are deeply revered and contain the fundamental teachings and philosophical reflections of Zoroaster. The video notes that despite the historical losses of much of the Avesta, the Gathas remain a vital source of Zoroastrian doctrine and spirituality.

💡Parsis

Parsis are members of the Zoroastrian community that fled to India after the Muslim conquest of Iran. This community has played a significant role in Indian society, contributing to various sectors, including business and the fight for independence. The video mentions how the Parsis have preserved Zoroastrian traditions and remain the largest group of Zoroastrians in the world today.

Highlights

Tab For A Cause is a browser extension that donates to charities every time you open a new tab, without any cost to the user.

Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest religions, influencing major belief systems such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Greek philosophy.

Emperor Xerxes, Freddie Mercury, and Ireland's richest citizen Pallonji Mistry are all notable Zoroastrians.

Zoroastrianism originated in ancient Iran over 3,500 years ago with the Prophet Zarathustra.

The religion was the state religion of three major Iranian Empires, including the Achaemenid Empire.

Zoroastrian priests, known as Magi, were thought to possess secret magical knowledge due to their understanding of complex astronomy.

The term 'Magi' is the origin of the English words 'magic', 'mage', and 'magician'.

Three Zoroastrian magi are mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew as visiting the baby Jesus, known as the Three Wise Men.

The fall of the Sassanian Empire to Muslim Arabs marked the beginning of the decline and persecution of Zoroastrianism in Iran.

Some Iranian Zoroastrians fled to India, forming the Parsi community, which is now the largest group of Zoroastrians.

Zoroastrians today are found worldwide, with significant populations in India, Iran, the UK, US, Australia, and Canada.

Zoroaster's life is not well-documented, with estimates of when he lived ranging from 6347 BCE to around 1000 BCE.

Zoroastrianism's core beliefs include the worship of Ahura Mazda, the one uncreated and eternal God, and the battle between good and evil.

Ahura Mazda is supported by six Holy Immortals known as the Amesha Spentas, similar to archangels in Christianity.

Zoroastrians believe in the existence of Heaven and Hell, with the soul's fate determined by its deeds during life.

The Avesta is the holy book of Zoroastrians, containing hymns from Zoroaster and serving as the foundation for Zoroastrian beliefs.

Zoroastrianism has had a significant impact on the development of Abrahamic religions, introducing concepts like a single creator god and a final judgment.

Tab For A Cause has raised nearly a million dollars through internet browsing, supporting various charities including the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

Transcripts

This video is brought to you by Tab For A Cause, earn money for charities of your choice

every time you open a new tab without costing you a thing by downloading the browser extension

from the link in the description below.

What do Emperor Xerxes, Freddie Mercury, and Ireland’s richest citizen Pallonji Mistry

have in common? All of them are Zoroastrians. The ancient religion of Iran. This is one

of the oldest ongoing religions and altered the course of history by influencing Judaism,

Christanity, Islam, and Greek philosophy. But today it has only a fraction of the millions

of followers it once had. So what is Zoroastrianism, what do Zoroastrians believe, and where do

otters fit into it? Well Let’s find out.

Zoroastrianism was born in ancient Iran at least 3,500 years ago. It all began around

1500BCE give or take a few centuries with the Prophet Zarathustra or Zoroaster as the

ancient Greeks called him and so English speakers do too. While we call the religion Zoroastrianism

actual Zoroastrians tend to call it Mazdayasna, meaning Worshipper of Mazda. No not that Mazda,

but it was named after the Mazda that I’ll explain shortly.

Zoroastrianism was the chief religion of Iran for over 1000 years. Between the 6th Century

BCE and the 10th Century CE it was the state religion of 3 huge Iranian Empires. The , of

300 fame, along with the Parthian and Sasanian Empires.

Back then the priests of Zoroastrianism were known as Magi. The ancient Greeks thought

the Magi had secret magical knowledge, since they understood complex astronomy. This led

to the English words “magic”, “mage” and “magician”. The Magi would even show

up in the Bible, according to the Gospel of Matthew, 3 Zoroasterian magi came to visit

the baby Jesus. These 3 wise men as they are known in English are still celebrated by Christians

worldwide on January 6.

Eventually the Sassanian Empire would fall to the Muslim Arabs during their invasion

of Iran in the seventh century CE, which started the decline and persecution of Zoroastrianism

in Iran. Following this in the tenth century, some Iranian Zoroastrians fled to India, forming

the Parsi community, named after where they came from, which the Indians called Persia.

This once refugee community now forms the largest group of Zoroastrians anywhere on

Earth. And they’ve settled in quite well. One of Indian's largest businesses, Tata Group

was founded by Zoroastrians and Parsis played a massive role in winning Indian independence

from Britain.

Zoroastrians can now be found all over the world. Historically they emigrated to areas

such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and parts of Africa such as the island of Zanzibar, where

Freddie Mercury’s Parsi parents would later emigrate from to the UK. In the last 100 years

small Zoroastrian populations have moved to the UK, US, Australia, and Canada.

Today there are about 200,000 Zoroastrians. About 60,000 live in India while the second

largest group of about 25,000 live in Iran.

With a religion being called Zoroastrianism I think it’s time we talked about Zoroaster.

We don't know much about Zoroaster's life. We can't even pinpoint when he lived. The

Greeks thought he lived 6000 years before the death of Plato, so 6347BCEish. While modern

historians place him somewhere around 1700-1000BCE. During this time the peoples of Iran believed

in many different gods, some of which were similar to the gods of their ancient Hindu

neighbours.

What we do know is that Zoroaster was a priest of the pre-Zoroastrian religion of Iran and

that he was outraged with his society. Roving bands of drunken warriors would ravage the

countryside. They pillaged, tortured, and slaughtered at will. The common people lived

in constant fear and misery while the priests obsessed over obscure rituals and sacrifices

that offered little guidance or hope to the suffering. Zoroaster couldn’t stand these

injustices.

When he was 30 years old, Zoroaster went down to a river to fetch water for a ceremony.

There he received a vision from a being of pure light and goodness, Ahura Mazda, who

revealed that they were the one true God. The Truth of how the universe worked was revealed

to Zoroaster and he knew that it was his divine mission to teach his fellow humans about Ahura

Mazda.

So what are the core beliefs of Zoroastrianism? Well.

1 Ahura Mazda & Angra Mainyu

Zoroastrians worship one uncreated, and eternal God, known as Ahura Mazda, which means Wise

Lord. Zoroaster describes Ahura Mazda as the lord of order, something completely good,

loving, infinitely wise and the creator of the world and all good things.

Ahura Mazda is supported by six Holy Immortals known as the Amesha Spentas. These six Holy

Immortals are normally compared to Arch-Angels in Christanity, if that helps you understand

their position a little better. Sometimes there is a seventh Spenta called Spenta Mainyu,

but maybe this is also just the Holy Spirit of Ahura Mazda. Sometimes Ahura Mazda has

a parent called Zurvan, who is Time itself, but this is considered heresy at this point.

Look we don’t have time to get into it. Honestly it’s a very old religion. There

have been a lot of different interpretations over the last 3000 years, I am simplifying

and proving the most common currently accepted beliefs. So keep that in mind, and as always

there is more information in the description below.

Opposed to Ahura Mazda is Angra Mainyu the “destructive spirit” and his evil minions

known as daevas. Angra Mainyu is the complete polar opposite of Ahura Mazda. He is darkness,

deceit, death, and decay. He is a corrupting parasite seeking to destroy Ahura Mazda's

creation and is responsible for all negative things in the world.

Ahura Mazda is light, Angra Mainyu is darkness. Ahura Mazda is the creator, Angra Mainyu is

the destroyer. Ahura Mazda created light, fire, compact Japanese vehicles, joy, humanity,

puppies probably. Angra Mainyu gave the world disease, rust, mould, darkness, and that little

piece of skin that pops up around your nail and hurts so much. WHY ANGRA MAINYU WHY!

Zoroastrians think everything is a battle between these two opposites, Ahura Mazda represents

the Truth. Angra Mainyu, the Lie. Human beings need to choose between the Truth and the Lie.

Which may be difficult because Angra Mainyu can be very deceiving.

Before time began, Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu were separated by an infinite void. They respectively

lived in “infinite light” and within “infinite darkness”.

Then Ahura Mazda created the physical, or Getig, world. Angra Mainyu crawled into this

new world and polluted it. They made the oceans salty, they turned good earth into desert,

killed the first human, made plants wither, and polluted fire with smoke.

We now live in a time Zoroastrians refer to as the Gumezishn, the Mixture. Good and Evil,

Truth and The Lie, both exist together in our world.

But Angra Mainyu’s presence is temporary. They are a stain on the world rather than

a permanent fixture. Zoroastrians see the physical world as a trap that Ahura Mazda

lured Angra Mainyu into. Now trapped in the physical world Angra Mainyu can be defeated

slowly by the good thoughts, good words, and good deeds of humans working with Ahura Mazda.

2 Heaven and Hell

Zoroastrians believe that when a person dies their soul leaves their body. The soul is

then led to the Bridge of Judgement. Above this bridge lies heaven, below hell.

Here, the soul’s good and bad deeds are weighed on a scale

Depending on the balance of good to evil deeds, the soul ascends to heaven, a paradise of

infinite happiness, called the Abode of Song. Or falls down to hell, to suffer quote 'long

age of misery, dark­ness, bad food and the crying of woe'. This is called England….I

mean it is called Duzakh.

There is also a Medium Place for people who were neither good nor evil, where they just

float and experience nothing.

Zoroaster stated that servants as well as masters, can reach Paradise. People would

be judged according to how they had chosen to live their lives, rather than wealth or

prestige.

For Zoroastrians death represents the highest form of pollution. Death only exists because

of Angra Mainyu. Upon the death of a Zoroastrian, a priest will be called to perform a ceremony.

After which the soul of the person will no longer be considered connected to the body.

The family then says their goodbyes, without touching the body and the body will be placed

on a stone slab carried away by special corpse bearers.

Since dead bodies are so polluting Zoroastrians would never think to pollute any of the sacred

elements with it, those being fire, water, earth, etc. . So the traditional method to

dispose of bodies, used for thousands of years has been the Tower of Silence. Within these

open roofed stone towers, located on top of barren hills, bodies will be laid to rest

on stone slabs as to not pollute the earth and then eaten by vultures, normally within

a few hours. The bones are bleached in the sun and quickly disintegrate into dust.

By feeding the birds, the deceased offers up one final good deed of charity before crossing

of the bridge.

However in the 1930s, the Iranian government banned the use of the towers and currently

towers in India are suffering from a shortage of birds due to increased urbanisation and

pollution.

Today many Zoroastrian communities use special burial grounds or have turned to electrical

cremation or even using solar reflectors to harness the power of the sun to break down

the bodies rather than polluting fire.

3 The Apocalypse

The battle between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu will continue for thousands of years. But

eventually a saviour or saoshyant will be born to a virgin mother who will lead people

against the forces of evil and bring about the end times. The Earth will be swallowed

by fire, molten metal will cover everything, the good people will pass through this molten

river while the bad people will burn and be purified.

The gates of hell will open, the souls will be released and redeemed and everyone will

live together in eternal bliss. Honestly it all sounds pretty metal.

Angra Mainyu finally defeated by Ahura Mazda and Humanity's Good Thoughts, Words, and Deeds

will be tossed back into the black abyss they crawled out of and defeated forever.

This Last Judgment/Apocalypse is called frashokereti, meaning “renewal.” As in the renewal of

Ahura Mazda's originally perfect creation.

4 The Three G’s

The most important concept in Zoroastrianism after Ahura Mazda, is Asha.

This is an ancient Avestan word and is difficult to translate. Asha is truth, wisdom, goodness,

justice, perfection, order, and progress rolled into one word. Asha is the path of Ahura Mazda.

Zoroastrians try their best to follow the path of Asha.

To help humanity follow Asha, Ahura Mazda gave them Vohu Manah or Good Mind. This allowed

humans to recognise right from wrong. Good Mind lets us see injustice and feel that it

is unjust. Through Good Mind, Ahura Mazda gave humans free will, this means a lot to

Zoroastrians because choice is extremely important to their beliefs.

From our Good Mind we can have Good Thoughts, and from Good Thoughts follow Good Words and

Good Deeds. Doing Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds is the core of Zoroastrian

belief.

Good Deeds such as taking part in your community, supporting others during tough times, standing

up against injustice, fighting poverty, nursing the sick, and subscribing to educational Youtube

Channels all help in the battle against Angra Mainyu. This is why in India Zoroatrians are

known for their support of orphanages, shelters, and many charities.

Zoroaster said "Happiness comes to them who bring happiness to others."

5 Fire

Zoroastrians see fire as the sacred symbol of Ahura Mazda. It is considered to be pure

and represents the Truth. Inside Zoroastrian Fire temples, their priests conduct all rituals

in front of fire because it shows the presence of Ahura Mazda. But the fire is never actually

worshipped itself. This is very important, Zoroastrians do not worship fire! Zoroastrianism

also isn’t a congressional religion, most worship is done at home and Zoroastrians tend

to go to Fire Temples only during the 7 Holy Days or festivals they have each year.

The most sacred fires in Zoroastrianism need to be made up of fire from 16 different sources,

one of which needs to be ignited by lighting! 6 The Avesta

The Avesta is the holy book of the Zoroastrians and one of the world’s oldest scriptures.

It is written in an ancient language known as Avestan which was the language spoken by

Zoroaster roughly 3500 years ago.

The Avesta contains hymns from Zoroaster himself known as Gathas. These 17 Gathas are deeply

important to Zoroastrians and most Zoroastrian belief is based on them. Due to the violence

Zoroastrians have suffered throughout history only a fraction of the Avesta survives today.

For example, Zoroastrians believe that when Alexander The Great conquered the Achaemenid

Empire, he burned the royal Palace at Persepolis and its library to the ground. Destroying

a complete copy of the Avesta, written in gold on 12,000 goatskins. This might be why

he isn't called Alexander the Great in Iran, but Alexander The Accursed.

Even more of the Avesta was lost during the Arab, Turkic and Mongol invasions of Iran.

Zoroastrians really couldn't catch a break.

You can read the Avesta online for free and a lot of it is extremely beautiful and thought

provoking, but if you're a dunce like myself you’ll love this section about how hedgehogs

known as “The dog with the prickly back” serve Ahura Mazda and turtles have sided with

Angra Mainyu or the following chapter “Atoning for the murder of a water-dog” which is

about how you’ll be punished if you kill an otter. So be like the pricklyboi and water

dog and help fight against evil!

When the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, Cyrus The Great, freed the Jews from Babylon

he not only showed the world the religious tolerance that Zoroastrian rulers would become

known for, but he changed world history at the same time.

For freeing the Jews, Cyrus was praised as a messiah in the Book of Isaiah.

This meant that Jewish thinkers were obviously quite receptive to Zoroastrians and Zoroastrian

ideas.

It is in the Book of Isaiah that Yahweh is for the first time spoken of as the Single

Creator God, like Ahura Mazda.

The Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christanity, and Islam owe a lot to Zoroastrianism. Because

while Zoroaster’s teaching doesn't really sound too revolutionary today. Ideas like

one all powerful god, a cosmic battle between a loving god and their satanic nemesis, angels

and archangels, a heavenly judgement that places a person in heaven or hell, and a final

cataclysmic judgement that would purify the world and bring about the kingdom of God where

the good will live in eternal paradise, which is a Persian word. Were all brand new at the

time. This means that while small today Zoroastrianism has influenced the most sacred beliefs of

billions of people. Even George R R Martin borrowed some Zoroatrian thought to make his

religions in A Song Of Ice and Fire as you can see here.

The religion of the lord of light is based in part on many dualistic religions that existed

in the past. One of those being the Zoroastric...Zoroast...I can never say that.

Zoroastrianism?

Yeah, whatever that is….laughs

Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds are one of the most important things in Zoroastrianism

but they can also be followed by literally anyone. A simple Good Deed you can do today

to improve the world just a little is using Tab for A Cause.

Tab for a Cause is a browser extension that donates to a charity of your choice each time

you open a new tab without costing you a thing.

Almost a million dollars has been raised by Tab 4 A Cause, all just from people browsing

the internet.

And right now with the global Covid-19 Pandemic your tabs can help fund the COVID-19 Solidarity

Response Fund to help fight this virus and maybe allow me to leave my house some time

in the near future.

Tab For A Cause is quick and easy to use just head to tab.gladly.io/cogito/ and start helping

charities with the click of a button.

So those are the basics of Zoroastrianism. It isn't even close to covering everything.

I probably only covered about 1%. One video simply can't cover everything. Religions are

too diverse, too deep, and mean too many different things to different people. But learning even

the basics of anything that millions of people deeply care about gives us an insight into

our fellow humans worldview and I hope you enjoyed it :D

You can find all the sources used in the description. If you liked this content please subscribe.If

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Thanks a lot for watching