“FAITH IN SUFFOLK”.

Your main sacred text is known as the Avesta.
Religious festivals play an important part in your life,
especially Naw-Ruz (New Year), at the spring equinox.

Your central ritual is the Yasna (cosmic purification),
performed by a priest in a fire temple.

Return to LINKS TO LIST OF ARTICLES ABOUT AND BY ZOROASTRIANS

The winged figure with the torso of a man is a Zoroastrian symbol. It is a fravashi, or guardian spirit. Fravashis (or farahvars) represent the good, the God-essence in people. The fravashi is a recurring symbol in Zoroastrianism. It is carved in the walls of the ancient palace of Persepolis in Iran.

Taken from the Zoroastrian Faith Card in the Diversity Game

ZOROASTRIANS

Zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of Zarathushtra. Although chronology and location are uncertain, it is now generally accepted that he lived c1200 BCE, and that he spread his message in Persia (now Iran). The followers of his tradition, who are mostly now in India after fleeing Islamic persecution in the ninth century CE, are often known as "Parsis", which means "Persians". The main doctrine espoused by Zarathushtra, or Zoroaster as he is sometimes called, was monotheism. This had a major influence on other religions, particularly the Abrahamic faiths.

Despite this monotheism, many of the ancient gods of the Iranian pantheon filtered back into Zoroastrianism after his death as holy spirits, or yazatas. There is also a later strain of the religion that is almost dualist in form, in that it makes the spirit of evil independent of God, and co-eternal with him. Zoroastrianism stresses the free will of all humans to choose good or bad. In this later belief-system, even God, Ahura Mazdah, pronounces his deliberate choice of good over evil. Goodness is therefore never to be taken for granted, but is always something that must be strived for over evil. Zoroastrianism is based on a series of firm binary oppositions - good/ evil, truth/ untruth, order/ disorder.

ABLUTIONS

Hands and faces are washed before worship, and shoes are removed before entering the temple.

CHARITY

Hospitality to strangers, and active concern for the underprivileged are central tenets of Zoroastrianism.

DEATH

Zoroastrians see the world as a transitory abode, and believe that individuals will receive reward or punishment in the afterlife. This is envisioned in two symbols. The first is the Cinvat bridge, or Bridge of the Requiter, which the bad cannot pass, but fall into the mud of the abyss. The second is the image of molten metal, in which souls are tested. It destroys the bad, but to the good it is like a bath in warm milk.

One exceptional belief of Zoroastrianism is that resurrection (Frashkart) at the end of the world will be in spirit and body, and that it will be for all – sinners will be freed from hell. Zoroastrianism holds that the soul of the departed hovers near the body for three days. Death is seen as the triumph of evil, and so a corpse is considered to be polluting. It should therefore be disposed of as quickly as possible.

The traditional method of disposal in India would be to expose the corpse in a "Tower of Silence" (daxma) for vultures to eat. This is because Zoroastrians do not want to pollute fire or earth or water with their bodies. This can create problems for British Zoroastrians, who, if not flying the body back to India, must adopt beliefs to suit available options. Cremation, as the socially acceptable norm in India, is likely to be preferred to burial. Ashes will usually be interred at the Zoroastrian cemetery at Brookwood in Surrey.

Zoroastrian funerals are simple – Zoroastrians believe charity in memory of the deceased is more effective than elaborate, costly funeral rites. Ancestor-worship also plays an important part in Zoroastrianism.

Return to LINKS TO LIST OF ARTICLES ABOUT AND BY ZOROASTRIANS

DRESS

The wearing of traditional symbols of faith has declined, but Zoroastrians may wear the sudreh and kusti. The sudreh is a sacred shirt, like a white vest, symbolising purity and renewal. The kusti is a long cord tied round the waist. It has seventy-two strands, symbolising the seventy-two chapters of the holy book, the Yasna, as well as universal fellowship. The sudreh and kusti are both seen as protection against evil, and are thought of as being the armour and sword-belt of Zoroastrians, arming them for the battle against evil.

EMPLOYMENT

Zoroastrians in Britain are often involved in law and medicine, or the textile trade. 72% of British Zoroastrians have a university degree; so they comprise a very highly educated population.

ETHICS

As in many other religions, "Do in holiness anything you will" is the golden rule. A strict adherence to truth is central to the faith, since lies are thought to belong to the realm of evil. Scrupulous honesty in business dealings is practised.

FAMILY PLANNING

Zoroastrianism is not an ascetic religion – it believes all material things to have been created by Ahura Mazdah for enjoyment. Zoroastrians have reverence for physical things, especially those that are in their purest or most natural forms, such as the elements. It is considered a primal duty to assist life's fertility wherever possible, both within the family unit, and in a wider social context. For early Zoroastrians, this meant being good husbandmen to the land, as well as being parents – farming was revered. However, Zoroastrianism also stresses purity and control, so promiscuity and prostitution are unacceptable. British Zoroastrians almost always have small families – rarely more than two children. Perhaps because of the small numbers of Zoroastrians, and because of their history of religious persecution, resistance to intermarriage is high.

FESTIVALS

There are seven main festivals, each relating to major spirits that are worshipped – the six Amesha Spentas, or Holy Immortals, and Ahura Mazdah himself. These seven spirits together are known as the divine Heptad, and each is responsible for a certain area of creation. The seven festivals culminate with No Ruz, or New Day, which prefigures the New Day at the end of the world when creation will be transformed, and the dead be resurrected. Since different traditions adopted different calendars, the dates of these festivals vary, but No Ruz is usually at the time of the spring equinox, 20/1 March. There are also minor festivals, but it is the observance of these seven that is obligatory.

FOOD

Zoroastrian festivals celebrate the material, so feasting plays an important part. The feasts cross class boundaries, with rich and poor eating together. It is considered a sin to fast, since to do so weakens the body, and also one’s resistance to evil. Often ceremonial foods will revolve around the number seven (such as having seven kinds of dried fruits and nuts), with reference to the divine Heptad. Zarathushtra declaimed against drunkenness, and advocated moderation. There are no specific dietary restrictions, but some Zoroastrians interpret their religion as advocating the avoidance of pork and beef, or as advising vegetarianism.

Return to LINKS TO LIST OF ARTICLES ABOUT AND BY ZOROASTRIANS

NATURE

Zoroastrians have particular reverence for cattle. Additionally, they believe that humankind, as the pinnacle of creation, and the only creatures capable of deliberate choice, should care for the world to the best of their capabilities.

RITUAL

Fire plays an important role in Zoroastrian ritual. It is seen as the symbol of Ahura Mazdah, and also as the formless living symbol of the source of heat and life. Zoroastrians are often called "fire worshippers", but find this deeply offensive.

RITES OF PASSAGE

Before puberty, between the ages of seven and twelve, young Zoroastrians take part in a Navjote ceremony, in which they symbolically take on the responsibility of upholding Zoroastrianism.

Return to LINKS TO LIST OF ARTICLES ABOUT AND BY ZOROASTRIANS

ZOROASTRIANS / PARSEES IN SUFFOLK

A few Zoroastrians / Parsees have made their home in Suffolk. Others come here to study or for other reasons for short periods of time.

In 1925, Kavas Jamas Badshah who was a Parsee, was the Mayor of Ipswich.

In 2010 a Zoroastrian Maritime Student at Lowestoft College attended a SIFRE seminar and told the following:

When the Zoroastrians first fled to India, the ruler said they were not welcome to stay. Their leader asked for some milk and sugar and slowly added the sugar to the milk. “This is how we will be among your people” he said. We will not overwhelm you or do you any harm. Our presence among you will enhance your community.”

Faith and Culture Seminar – Monday 18^th October 2010
Royal Suffolk and Norfolk Yacht Club

Return to LINKS TO LIST OF ARTICLES ABOUT AND BY ZOROASTRIANS