Britney Vaughn
REL 231
Midterm #1
Zoroastrianism was created by the prophet Zoroaster, which is also known and derived by
the Greek form of Zarathushtra (or Zarathustra). Zoroaster was believed to have been born in
NW Persia and he was crowned at the age of 30.
1
Zarathustra worshipped only one deity, Ahura
Mazda. Ahura Mazda was the one true god and believed to mean “light” and “wisdom”.
Mazda’s creation is said to ruminate from the Holy Spirit, Spenta Mainyu as well as six other
lesser entities. Ahura also expects all humans to follow good religion, to follow him alone, and
for the ones who do not follow his rules of expectations, they are given punishments in Hell.
Angra Mainyu is the opposite of Ahura, Angra wishes to undue all of Ahura’s creations. Angra’s
meaning behind his name is said to possibly mean, “Destructive mind/spirit” and tries to destroy
the Earth. Angra Mainyu attempts to pollute the water, corrupt man and seek out the destruction
of Ahura Mazda, making Zoroastrianism the first religion where there is one god that is opposed
by one evil figure constantly trying to destroy his work. Not only is Zoroastrianism the first
religion with one good god and one evil god, but it is also a religion that highly influences
Judaism, and Christianity.
In Zoroastrianism, corpses are considered the ultimate impurity. The corpses cannot be
buried, burned, or buried at sea because they defile the earth, fire, and water. Instead, wild dogs
and birds of prey will pick the corpses clean to avoid corpse contamination and anyone who eats
a human corpse forfeits his life. If a person has touched a corpse or been contaminated by the
corpse demoness, Druxs Nasus, then the “Washing of the Nine Nights” Ritual must be
1
Zoroaster and His World (1947); R. C. Zaehner, The Dawn and Twilight of Zoroastrianism (1961)
completed. This means that they must recite verses from the Avesta, drink consecrated bull’s
urine mixed with a pinch of fine ash and bathe the body in consecrated bull’s urine as well. Drux
Nasus would normally appear in the form of a fly and could be scared away by the mere glance
of a dog.
The afterlife of Zoroastrianism states that the soul will stay with its body for three days
after death. If the soul is wicked, then the soul will experience all the evil it has inflicted during
those three days. The Chinvat Bridge spans the chasm of Hell to Paradise and is spoken about in
the Arda Viraf, “Afterward the width of that Chinwad bridge became again nine javelin-lengths.
(2) With the assistance of Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, I passed over easily, happily,
courageously, and triumphantly, on the Chinwad bridge.”
2
If a person is evil, then the bridge will
become razor thin and the person will fall but if a person is considered righteous, then they shall
enter Paradise. Later on, in the years, Zoroastrianism views will change, and a judgment bench is
spoken about being at the end of Chinvat with three judges who weigh a person’s words,
thoughts and deeds. A resurrection of the dead is spoken of, but the details were never expressed
as to how exactly that could come to be. The Arda Wiraz is a tour through Hell composed around
the 6th century CE and 85 out of the 101 chapters give vivid descriptions of the tortures received
in Hell for the ones who sin again Ahura Mazda. Some college scholars theorized that Dante
Alighieri might have known of the Arda Viraf and used it as sculpting model for his Inferno. “It
should be noted that hell is not an eternal punishment according to the Zoroastrian religion, but
only until the renovation of the world (Frashegird)”.
3
One punishment noted in the Arda Viraf is
2
“The Book of Arda Viraf.” Zoroastrian Hell, n.d., 3–36. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1t88w0t.8
3
“The Book of Arda Viraf.” Zoroastrian Hell, n.d., 3–36.
a man whose tongue was gnawed on by a worm, when asked what crime he committed, Srosh
the pious and Adar the angel said, “This is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, spoke
many lies and falsehoods; and, thereby, much harm and injury were diffused among all
creatures.”
4
For a person who does not acknowledge his children, the punishment was the soul of
a man to have several children fall at his feet and scream, whilst demons tore into him like wild
dogs.
Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Judaism have certain similarities such as, God and
Satan, angelology, immortality, and general impression. “Zoroastrianism has had some effect on
Judaism and subsequently on Christianity is hard to deny in light of the foregoing. The scholars
do not agree on the extent of Persian influence, but Jews and Christians should not fear study;
discovery of truth can never conflict with Ultimate Truth of God. The Creator and Sustainer
could very well have revealed some truth to Persians. After all, His Spirit works how and where
He will. We should rejoice rather than cower at any extended and broader revelation.”
5
With this
all being said, and with noticing how the similarities are obvious, it is clear that Zoroastrianism
heavily influenced Christianity and Judaism.
4
The Book of Arda Viraf.” Zoroastrian Hell, n.d., 3–36.
5
Applegate, Lloyd R. 2000. “Zoroastrianism and Its Probable Influence on Judaism and Christianity.” Journal of
Religion & Psychical Research 23 (4): 184.
http://search.ebscohost.com.ezphcc.vccs.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=8638189&site=ehost–
live&scope=site.
Bibliography
Zoroaster and His World (1947); R. C. Zaehner, The Dawn and Twilight
of Zoroastrianism (1961)
“The Book of Arda Viraf.” Zoroastrian Hell, n.d., 3–36. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1t88w0t.8
“The Book of Arda Viraf.” Zoroastrian Hell, n.d., 3–36.
