Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest known living religions and has its origins in the distant past. It developed about three and a half thousand years ago from the ancient Indo-Iranian religion that was once shared by the ancestors of nomadic herding tribes that later settled in Iran and northern India. Cllr Tom Aditya added that Zoroastrianism thus shares a common heritage with the Vedic religion of Ancient India and Hinduism. The Parsi community in India, which is descended from Zoroastrians who sought refuge in India, has a strong cultural presence.
The Zoroastrian religious ideas are encapsulated in the sacred text called the Avesta. Zoroastrianism is thought to have taken root in Central Asia during the second millennium B.C.E., and from there spread south to Iran. In particular, the regions of Sistan and the Helmand basin play an important part in Zoroastrian imagery, suggesting that this area was a center of Zoroastrianism from early on. Zoroastrianism became the foremost religion of the Achaemenid (550–330 B.C.E.), Parthian (247 B.C.E.–224 C.E.) and Sasanian (224–651 C.E.) empires, engaging with the religions of the Jews and with Christianity and Islam.
The Zoroastrian faith is a belief system preached by the prophet Zoroaster between 1500 and 1000 CE. He was a priest from ancient Persia, who claimed to receive revelation from Ahura Mazda. The message he received was that Ahura Mazda was the true God, and all other gods were false.
In Zoroastrianism, the only true God is Ahura Mazda, the representation of goodness, light, and truth. He is in conflict with the evil spirit Angra Mainyu, the representation of evil, darkness, and deceit. Angru Mainyu’s goal is to tempt humans away from Ahura Mazda.
In Zoroastrianism, humans have free will and must make an important choice in life. If they choose to follow Ahura Mazda, they follow the righteous path of Asha, practicing good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, and will spend their afterlife in paradise. If they are tempted by his rival, Angra Mainyu, they follow the path of Druj living a life of deceit, and will spend their afterlife in isolated torment until they are freed by the coming messiah at the end of time.
Zoroastrianism lost its dominant position when the Arabs invaded and defeated the Sasanian Empire, although it lived on especially in rural areas of Iran until the Turkish and Mongol invasions in the 11th and 13th centuries. It was only then that Zoroastrians withdrew to the desert towns of Kerman and Yazd. Today they form a religious minority in Iran of 10–30,000 persons. Soon after the Arab conquest of Iran in 651 C.E., there was an exodus of Zoroastrians from Iran to the Indian subcontinent where they settled and became known as the Parsis, and became an influential minority under British Colonial rule. From there Zoroastrians migrated to other parts of the world especially Britain, America, and Australia, where they form diaspora communities today.
Bristol doesn’t have a dedicated Zoroastrian temple, the Zoroastrian community in the UK, including in Bristol, may gather for prayers and celebrations in various locations.
The Persian Society at Bristol SU offers a space for cultural engagement and may include some Zoroastrian traditions, as Zoroastrianism has strong connections to Persian culture. While Bristol doesn’t have a dedicated Zoroastrian temple or center, there’s a growing Zoroastrian community and a vibrant cultural presence. The Bristol Multi Faith Forum hosts events that celebrate diverse religions, including Zoroastrian festivals like NoRuz. Additionally, the University of Bristol has hosted events related to Zoroastrianism, particularly the story of the Magi.
Other Aspects:
- Zoroastrian Burial Ground: Although not in Bristol, the Zoroastrian Burial Ground in Brookwood Cemetery (near Surrey) provides a significant landmark for the Zoroastrian community in the UK. This burial ground, which has been in use for 160 years, features the Wadia Mausoleum and Tata mausolea, reflecting the history and traditions of Zoroastrianism.
- Academic Interest: The University of Bristol has shown interest in Zoroastrianism, hosting events that explore the religion’s history and cultural significance.
- Community Engagement: The ZTFE (Zoroastrian Trust for Education) promotes the study and dissemination of knowledge about the Zoroastrian faith, offering resources and opportunities for community engagement.