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Zoroastrian: Zoroastrian Religion
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The motto of the Zoroastrian religion is "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds" (Avesta, "Humata, hūkhta, hvarshta"). Man in his daily life is enjoined to preserve purity of body and soul alike. He is to exercise scrupulous care in keeping the elements earth, fire, and water free from defilement of any kind. Truth-speaking and honest dealing are made the basis of every action; kindliness and generosity are virtues to be cultivated; and agriculture and cattle-raising are prescribed as religious duties. Marriage within the community of the faithful, even to wedlock with blood relatives, is lauded; and according to the Avesta ("Vendidād," iv. 47), "he who has a wife is to be accounted far above him who has none; and he who has children is far above the childless man."
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Zoroastrian angelology is branch of Zoroastrian doctrine that deals with the hierarchical system of divinities introduced by the reforms of Zarathustra (Zoroaster). Those reforms reorganized the multitude of divinities (and divine concepts) of proto-Indo-Iranian religions in a complex order under the supremacy of Ahura Mazda, the Creator of everything.
In Zoroastrian religion, no one has the right to take away the freedom of thoughts, will and choice from anyone. In The Gathas (30-2) Ashu Zarathushtra has reminded us that man is free to choose his way as he wishes... has high hopes for man to use his good mind, along with the help of Ahura Mazda, to reach the right path and happiness.
The practice of Zoroastrian pilgrimage in contemporary Iran is similar to that of pre-Islamic Persia, though practiced on a vastly reduced scale. In the early period of the religion, it seems that the hearth-fire of each family dwelling was used for worship but that around the 4th century BC communal temples began to be constructed. Fire temples were built in villages and cities, and at remote places in the high mountains sacred rocks, caves and holy springs were venerated. Mythological and archaeological evidence indicates that these mountain sites had been pagan sacred places well before the development of Zoroastrianism. The Greek historian Herodotus, writing in the 5th century BC, made the comment about the early Zoroastrian use of their mountain shrines, "It is not their custom to make and set up statues and temples and altars but they offer sacrifices on the highest peaks of the mountains." Over the centuries of use... these natural sacred sites were elaborated and simple temples were built.
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The Zoroastrian religion dates from its prophet Zarathustra, who is reputed to have lived around 1200 BC, though some say 600 BC. He is believed to be the author of the core texts of the Avesta, the main source of Zoroastrian teachings. An Iranian tribal prince became his follower, and so his faith took root and eventually became the state religion of the Persian Empire whose priests were the famed magi. Its doctrines influenced among others the Jews.
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The Zoroastrian Society of Ontario (ZSO) was established in 1971 and is a registered charitable organization in Ontario with less than 100 members in Toronto. Zoroastrianism is the oldest monotheistic religion in the world with its roots in ancient Persia. The basic tenets of the religion can be summed up in 6 words: Good thoughts, good words and good deeds.
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