Zoroastrianism



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Vocabulary of
Zoroastrianism

Ahura-Mazda: The supreme deity, creator of the world, the principle of good.

Amesha-Spenta: One of the seven archangels.

Ancra Mainyu: The evil creator, archenemy of Ahura-Mazda.

Avesta: The sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism.

Dakhmas: The towers of silence where the Zoroastrians dispose of their dead by leaving the bodies partially uncovered to be eaten by vultures. This practice keeps the soil and water from being contaminated with dead flesh.

Fire Temple: The place where fire worship is carried on. An important practice in present-day Zoroastrianism.

Gabras: The name given Zoroastrians by Muslims. The term denotes an infidel.

Vivedat (Venidad): A portion of the Avesta containing magic spells and prescriptions for purification.

Vohu Manah: The archangel also known as good thought.

Yasna: The most important portion of the Avesta, Zoroastrianism's sacred scripture.

Zend-Avesta: A third century A.D. commentary on the Zoroastrian scriptures (Avesta) is known as the Zend. The combining of the two is called the Zend-Avesta.

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last modified on Friday, October 24, 2008