Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is an ancient, pre-Islamic religion that was founded in Persia, today’s Iran. Zoroastrianism can be found in random parts of Iran, but is more flourished in India today. In India Zoroastrianism is known as Parsiim and its followers are known as Parsis.
Zoroastrianism was founded in the sixth century BC by the Iranian prophet Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism contains characteristics of both monotheistic and dualistic religions. The concepts of one god, judgment, and heaven and hell are most likely influenced by the major Western religions. Zoroastrianism was the official religion of the Persian Empire, but it almost completely disappeared after the Muslim invasion in 637 AD.
Some of today’s Zoroastrians practices include a coming of age ritual. When a child reaches the age of seven in India or the age of ten in Persia they must be initiated. At this initiation ceremony they receive the sadre (shirt) and kusti (girdle) that they must wear for the rest of their lives. Zoroastrians must practice the three commandments of Zoraster: good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. Zoroastrians are also advised to live ethical, balanced, and harmonious lives. In Zoroastrianism, fire is a sacred symbol of god. Zoroastrians are expected to preserve the purity of fire. Zoroastrianism also has a unique way of dealing with the dead. They do not bury or cremate the dead, but rather place the dead body in an open round structure called dakhma. They allow vultures and other flesh eating birds and animals to eat the body. Zoroastrianism also does not allow marriage out of the religion for ethical and spiritual reasons.
Today Zoroastrianism is a minority religion and struggles to survive and keep its identity.