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Old Religions

Zoroastrianism
ORIGINS:
- ancient Persia, polytheistic
- Zoroaster (1700- 600 BCE) believed polytheism not meeting needs of people
- went off to meditate on his own
- early attempt at conversion failed but by his death at 77
- received revelation: universe ruled by one god “Ahura Mazda”
BELIEFS
- Ahura Mazda governing Lord of the Universe
- main rival Angra Mainyu   (similar power & represents evil)
- battle between good and evil over 12,000 years
- Ahura Mazda has upper hand and is slightly more powerful
- belief significant: parallels battle between good and evil in everyone
SYMBOLS
- Darkhamas are important symbols in the Zoroastrianism
- They are around, open-air structures with high walls were the deceased body of    
  Zoroastrian is placed
- Another symbol is the sudreh, a white undershirt with a symbolic bag to gather good
  deeds
- it is worn by the body after death

SACRED WRITINGS
Arestan Scriptures: combination of hymns, laws, prayers, theological teachings
CULTURAL IMPACT
- India & Iran: 140, 000 in the world today
- North America: 12,000
- Toronto: 4,000
- Historical Contributions: concepts of life after death, final judgment, redemption, Satan     as God’s rival, may have influenced Monotheism in Judaism
                                                            Jainism
ORIGINS
- Vardhamana Mahavira was born in the northern part of India and lived between the y  
  years 599 and 627 BCE
- he was the founder of Jainism and as he grew up he became more of a believer in non-
  violence
- were Vardhamana Mahavira grew up the main religion was Hinduism
- he felt the religion Hinduism was good but a few changes should be made
BELIEFS
- the main beliefs in Jainism are karma, non-violence, truthfulness, no stealing, sexual purity and non-possession
- people who follow this religion believe that you should treat others how you would like to be treated
- they also believe that every living thing on...