Zoroastrianism:  An Introduction
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Those practicing Zoroastrianism worship in what are known as Fire Temples where a fire always burns as the symbol of divine power presence, and purity. Fires may also be burned in services in homes of the believers. Prayers are said in Avestan, rather than in modern vernaculars, since the pronunciation of these sounds has a Mantra-like or meditative quality to them, Zoroastrians receive a white undershirt called a sudreh and a hollow woven cord called a kusti, which are to be worn under their clothing the rest of their life (except while bathing). Several times a day the follower reties the kusti while saying certain fixed prayers.

In addition to meditation and prayer, Zarathustra emphatically stated that "Those who served God best were those who rendered active service to God's creations which include fellow human beings." Service to others is therefore an integral part of Zoroastrian practice.

The Zoroastrianism religion dates back to around the seventh century B.C. and was founded in south-central Agia (Iran) by the prophet Zoroaster, or Zarathustra, after whom the religion is named. The Zoroastrian religion has endured through the many conquests of Persia, and has had a profound influence upon the development of monotheistic ideology in world history. The religion first started to gain wide acceptance during the Achemaenid (Hakhamanian) Empire under Cyrus the Great (550 - 330 B.C.), the first emperor of Persia. The religion began to decline during the rule of the Seleucid Empire (330 - 250 B.C.) after Alexander the Great defeated Darius III and subsequently destroyed the NASKS -- the sacred scriptures of the Zoroastrians.

The Zoroastrians gained strength again during the Parthian Dynasty (250 - 218 B.C.) and reached its height as a state religion during the rule of the Sassanid dynasty (226 - 641) . However, in the seventh century the Arabs conquered Iran and gradually imposed their own religion of Islam. Early in the tenth century, a small group of Zoroastrians seeking freedom of worship left Iran and eventually settled in India, where they are known as Parsis. Due to pressure and coercion from the Islamic government in Iran, many Zoroastrians have converted to the Islamic faith. The Zoroastrian population in Iran is now about 90,000, and some 13,000 now live in North America.

For more information:

California Zoroastrian Center
8952 Hazard Avenue
Westminister, CA 92683
Phone: (714) 893-4737

The Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York
249 Weyman Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10805

Recommended Reading:

The Gathas of Zarathustra: Hymns in Praise of Wisdom, by Piloo Nanvutty
Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, by Mary Boyce

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