Zoroastrian Heritage

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Zoroastrian Creed

"On three noble ideals be ever intent:
The good thought well thought,
The good word well spoken,
The good deed well done."



Zoroastrian Way, Purpose and Goal of Life

Way of Life

Amesha Spentas

Eternal Enlightenment - Ageless Wisdom

• The way of life suggested by Zoroastrianism is based on achieving six ideals:
  ‥ a good mind: a positive attitude and gaining wisdom
  ‥ principled living: honesty, honest work, helpfulness, moderation and balance
  ‥ independence: self-reliance and leadership
  ‥ serenity and happiness
  ‥ wholeness: healthy and holistic living
  ‥ an undying spirit.
• Included in the ideal of independence is autonomy: not being beholden to anyone, not being a slave to any dogma, and having the sovereignty to make free and independent decisions - all within the self-elected bounds of ethical values, goodness, and not causing harm to others. The ideal of self-reliance is balanced with helping the less fortunate maintain their independence and dignity.
• This way of life gives effect and meaning to the creed: to commit to a life based on good thoughts, good words and good deeds.
• The effectiveness of a person's beliefs is demonstrated in one's deeds. While praying helps to reaffirm beliefs, a life based on good deeds is prayer in action. Our lives are the temples of our souls.
In short:
• Zoroastrianism lights the path towards an active, meaningful life grounded in wisdom, goodness and wellness.



Purpose of Life

Living as an Ashavan

Goodness in Action

The purpose of life is to work towards achieving the best existence we can envision. Working to achieve the best existence includes striving to achieve individual excellence and excellence for all; working tirelessly and diligently to help build a world free from want, fear, and evil; preserving and protecting the environment.



Goal in Life

Ushta & Armaiti

Abiding Happiness, Spiritual Resplendence, Peace & Serenity

The goal of our lives is to achieve abiding happiness, spiritual resplendence and peace: humanity at peace with itself and an individual at peace with oneself. An expression of abiding peace is serenity.



Goal of Life

Vahishtem Anghuim & Frasho-Kereti
The Best Existence & An Ideal Future
The goal of life on earth is the best existence.



Quotes from Zoroastrian Texts

• "Happiness comes to them who bring happiness to others."
• "Abiding happiness and peace is theirs who choose goodness for its own sake - without expectation of any reward."
• "A thousand people cannot convince one by words to the extent that one person can convince a thousand by action."
• Zarathushtra: "With an open mind, seek and listen to all the highest ideals. Consider the most enlightened thoughts. Then choose your path, person by person, each for oneself."


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July 10-19 - Kadimi Farvardigan
July 15-19 - Kadimi Panji
July 20 - Kadimi Nowruz
July 25 - Amordadgan
August 21 - Shahrivargan
August 9-18 - Shenshai Muktad
August 14-18 - Shenshai Gatha days
August 18 - Shenshai Pateti
August 19 - Shenshai Nowroz
also see Calendar grid.

New:

» Irani Cafes & Bakeries

» Parsees & Iranis Old Photos

» Zoroastrian Wellness &
   Healing Concepts

» Healing Prayers

» Xenophon's Cyropaedia.
   (updated - a must read).
   The Life of Cyrus the Great


» Bakhdhi (Bactria) (expanded)
   » Ai Khanum
   » Sheberghan &
      Yemshi Tepe

   » Talayeh Tepe/Tillya Tepe

» Calendar Overview
   (expanded)


» Kerman Region
   » Maymand Troglodyte
      Village

   » Maymand Photo pages
   » Jiroft Historical Site

» Post Arab Iran History &
   Conditions

   » 650-1400 CE
   » 1500-1800 CE
   » Irani Renaissance
   » Parsi Assistance in Iran


New Downloads:

(pdf files)
» Pithavala's Zoroastrian Year
» Negin Miri's Sassanian Fars
» Astrology & Bundahishn
» Dr. Karanjia's
   Teach Yourself Avestan


Discussion Blog:

» Kangdez - Far Away Land
   Beyond the Sea

» The Great Ocean
   Vourukasha / Frakhvkard /
   Varkash

» Aredvi Sura Anahita & Aban
» Attaining the Age of
   Responsibility & Initiation.
   Kusti.

» Hamazor - United in
   Strength. Handshake &
   Prayer

» Iranian-Aryan Connections
   with Western Tibet


Site Contents - Zoroastrian Heritage

Search Our Site:

Introduction to Zoroastrianism

Home

Legend of the Grain of Wisdom

Overview Simplified: What is Zoroastrianism?
- without references

Overview Expanded: What is Zoroastrianism?
- with references & more Avestan names

- Beliefs & Philosophy

- Creation, Existence & Coexistence

- Moderation

- Wisdom & Choice, Free Will, Reason

- Spirit, Soul, Spiritual Components

- Concepts of Time

- Fravashi. Khvarenah. Farohar or Fravahar

- Spiritual Quest

- Goal in Life - Ushta

- God, Ahura Mazda

- Amesha Spentas - Eternal Beneficent Brilliance

- Way of Life & Ethos

- Enlightenment, Ageless Wisdom

- Environment

- Lush Gardens - Paradise

- Religious Texts. Avesta & Zand

- Mathra / Manthra

- Traditional Name of the Religion

- Labels Placed on Zoroastrianism

- Eternal Flame

Zarathushtra / Zoroaster

Zoroastrians & Heritage

- Demographics. Group Names

- Zoroastrians of India. Parsees & Iranis - Old Photos

- Irani Cafes & Bakeries of India

Persian Gardens

BBC's Taste Of Iran Videos


Worship, Temples & Priests

Worship Introduction. Manthra

Healing Prayer

Fire & Light

Priesthood

Places of Worship

- Outdoor Worship. Khorog Tajikistan

Early Fire Houses and Temples

- Chahar-Taqi Design

- Temple Ruins at Ani, Turkey

- Temple at Surakhani, Azerbaijan

- Azargoshasb Temple Site, West Azerbaijan

Modern Fire Temples

- Atash Bahram

- Agiary, Darbe Mehr

Sudrah/Sudre/Sudreh and Kusti/Kushti

Liturgical Ceremonies

Zoroastrian Pilgrimage sites in Yazd

- Pir-e Sabz / Chak-Chak

- Seti Pir

- Pir-e Naraki

- Pir-e Banu

- Pir-e Narestaneh

- Pir-e Herisht

- Cypress at Abarkuh / Abarqu

Pilgrimage sites - Udvada

Scriptures - Avesta & Language

Avesta Texts

Avesta Compilation & Destruction

Scripture Selections

Gatha Composition by M. Schwartz (pdf)

Manuscripts

Avestan, Iranian, Persian Languages

Aramaic

Old Persian Discovery & Decipherment

Dr. Karanjia's Teach Yourself Avestan (pdf)

Dari - Farudi & Toosarvand (pdf)


Ceremonies. Rites of Passage

Liturgical Ceremonies

Purification, Nahan, Achu Michu, Esfand, Evil Eye

Sace / Ses Ceremonial Tray

Navjote, Sudreh Pooshi. Initiation

Sudrah/Sudre/Sudreh and Kusti/Kushti

Jashan / Jashne - Thanksgiving Ceremonies

Marriage

- Indian Weddings

- Yazdi Iranian Weddings

- Modern Iranian Weddings

Funeral Customs

- Fate of the Soul. Eschatology

- Death Ceremonies

- Mortuaries, Methods, Towers of Silence

- Ossuaries


Festivals. Calendar

New Year - Nowruz

- Pre-Nowruz Festivities

- Nowruz Day Table & Customs

Fire of Spring - Omar Khayyam

New Year's Eve - Pateti

Gahambar / Gahanbar -
    Building Community

Jashne Sadeh @ Fire & Light

Jashne Tirgan @ calendar Grid

Jashne Yalda @ calendar Grid

Annual Festivals Calendar

Calendar

365-Day Calendar Grid

Monthly Calendar Grids

Pithavala's Zoroastrian Year (pdf)


Ancient Healing

Zoroastrian Healing Concepts

Baresman (Barsom)

Haoma (Hom)

Healing Prayer

Useful Plants of Iran (pdf file)

Persian Gardens


Trade & Water

- Aryan Trade

- Sogdian Trade. Silk Roads. China

- Boteh (Paisley)

- Termeh, Heritage Fabric

- Kareez (Qanat) Water Distribution


Art & Music

Western Composers

Avestan Calligraphy video


Early History

Aryans

- Aryan Prehistory

- Legendary History

- Aryan Religions & Wars

- Aryan Homeland in Scripture

- Aryan Trade

- Aryan Homeland Location

- Western Views on Aryans

Pamir-Badakshan Region

- Pamiri Houses

- Pamiri Historical Sites

Turan & Sugd (Sogdiana)

- Turan

- Sogdian Trade. Silk Roads. China

- Sugd (Uzbekistan)

- Sugd (Tajikistan)

Mouru (Margiana)

- Gonur

- Merv

Bakhdhi (Bactria)

- Ai Khanum

- Sheberghan & Yemshi Tepe

- Talayeh Tepe / Tillya Tepe

Nisaya (Nisa). Anau

Haroyu (Aria)

Khvarizem (Chorasmia)

- Location. Saka. Turks

- Dakhma & Kalas

- Ayaz Kalas

- Fire Temples & Kalas

Saka & Scythia

Ranghaya & Western Aryan Lands

- Ranghaya & Kurdistan

- Mitanni

- Hittites

- Hittite Mitanni Treaty

Azerbaijan, Urmia, N. Zagros

- Temple at Surakhani, Azerbaijan

- Azargoshasb Temple Site

- Kandovan - Troglodyte Village

Zagros, Parsua

- Kassites

Mada - Medes & Media

Early Persian & Achaemenian History

Cyrus the Great

- Pasargadae

Cambyses II & Gaumata

Darius I, the Great

Persepolis, Achaemenian Capital

- Gate & Hall

- Palace

- Destruction

- Videos - Persepolis Reconstructed

Videos - Achaemenian Empire

Sassanian History

- Nigin Miri's Sassanian Fars (pdf)

Naqsh-e Rustam Historical Site

- Achaemenians Tombs & Sassanian Reliefs

Behistun Historical Site

Susa Historical Site

Rulers - Timelines

Iran and Persia - The Same?

Greek Persian Connections

- Legendary Connections

- Achaemenian Era Relations & Wars

Early Parsi History

- Escape from Iran

- Landing & Settlement at Sanjan

- Destruction of Sanjan

Post Arab Iran

- Conditions 650-1400s

- Conditions 1500s-1800s

- Renaissance. Benefactors

- Parsi Assistance

Yazd & Kerman Region

- Yazd Region. History. Land. Yazd City

  - Innovative Technologies

  - Zoroastrianism in Yazd

  - Yazd Schools. Markerabad

- Kerman Region

  - Kerman Region. History. Land

  - Maymand - Troglodyte Village

  - Jiroft Kerman Historical Site

Tajikistan Region

Uzbekistan Region

Turkmenistan Region

Shahnameh

Ferdowsi & His Work

Shahnameh's Characters

The Heroes - Story in Brief

Shahnameh in English


References

Greek Classics

Strabo

Herodotus' Histories

Herodotus on Persians

Herodotus on Scythians

Xenophon's Anabasis

Xenophon's Cyropaedia

Ptolemy Bk. 6

The Persians by Aeschylus

History of Persia

Jackson's Persia Past Present (pdf file)

Sykes' History of Persia Vol 1 (pdf file)

Sykes' History of Persia Vol 2 (pdf file)

Markham's History of Persia (pdf file)

Rawlinson: Seven Great Monarchies

Ragozin: Media Babylon Persia & Avesta (pdf)

Parsees & Parsi History

Hodivala's Studies in Parsi History (pdf)

Karaka's The Parsees (pdf)

Karaka's History of the Parsis Vol. II (pdf)

Parsees: National Geographic 1905 (pdf)

Philosophy

Friedrich Nietzsche

- Thus Spake Zarathushtra (text)

- Thus Spake Zarathushtra videos

Zoroastrian Ethics by MA Buch (pdf)

Zoroastrianism

Martin Haug on Zoroastrianism< (pdf)/a>

- Essays: History, Grammar, Avesta (pdf)

- Lecture: Yasna 45 (pdf)

R. C. Zaehner on Zurvan

- Varieties of Zurvanism

- Classical Zurvanism

- Zurvan

Darmesteter Introduction

Other References

Map Gallery

Prehistoric Ages. Categories of Time

Astrology & Bundahishn (pdf)


Further Reading

Einstein & Zoroastrianism on God and Existence

Olympic Flame & Zoroastrianism. Shared Values

Post Classical Western Authors

Friedrich Nietzsche

- Thus Spake Zarathushtra (text)

- Thus Spake Zarathushtra videos

Goethe's Parsi Nameh


Resources & Links

Scriptures and other web resources