Question 1

Zoroastrians use the date of the coronation of what Sassanian king in 631 C.E.as the first year of their calendar?

Accepted Answer

The Sassanian king who was coronated in 631 C.E. was Yazdgird III and his coronation became the starting point of the Zoroastrian calendar, known as the Yazdgird era. The Sassanian king who was coronated in 631 C.E. was Yazdgird III, and his coronation is considered the starting point of the Zoroastrian calendar. Therefore, the correct answer is D) Yazdgird.

Question 2

In Zoroastrianism, what is the "Spirit of Destruction" called?

Accepted Answer

The "Spirit of Destruction" in Zoroastrianism is called Angra Mainyu. Ahura Mazda is the god of good and creation, Ava Ardvisur is a female spirit associated with waters and fertility, and Spenta Mainyu is a benevolent spirit. The "Spirit of Destruction" in Zoroastrianism is called Angra Mainyu. Ahura Mazda is the supreme god in Zoroastrianism, while Ava Ardvisur and Spenta Mainyu are both positive spirits associated with creation and goodness.

Question 3

The figure in the Zoroastrian symbol of the faravahar depicts:

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

What did NOT happen to Zoroastrians after its territories were conquered by Muslims?

Accepted Answer

While A and B did happen, C is a bit of a trick option - while many Zoroastrians did convert to Islam, it was not most of them. According to historians, the majority of Zoroastrians chose to remain faithful to their beliefs even when it meant facing persecution and discrimination. However, option D is correct: Muslims did consider Zoroastrians as "people of the book," which means that they shared similar beliefs with followers of Judaism and Christianity. As a result, Zoroastrians were generally treated better than other non-Muslim groups in the Islamic empire. This did not mean that they were totally free from oppression, but it did mean that they were able to maintain some degree of religious autonomy and cultural distinctiveness. Zoroastrianism in Iran did not stay strong because most Zoroastrians willingly converted to Islam. However, Muslims did treat Zoroastrians well as a "people of the book," and their religious liberty was not initially restricted. Up to three-quarters of their religious literature was destroyed, and many fire temples were also destroyed, but this happened after the initial conquest.

Question 5

What is the first and basic Zoroastrian scripture?

Accepted Answer

The Avesta is the first and primary scriptural text of Zoroastrianism, containing the teachings and beliefs of the religion. It is believed to have been composed over a period of several centuries, with the oldest parts dating back as far as the 2nd millennium BCE. The Avesta is comprised of several sections, including hymns, prayers, and philosophical treatises, and is considered the most important text for understanding Zoroastrianism. The Avesta is the primary scripture of Zoroastrianism, containing the teachings and rituals of the religion. It is composed of various texts, including hymns, prayers, and philosophical treatises. The Avesta is considered to be the oldest and most authoritative text in Zoroastrianism.

Question 6

In Zoroastrian belief, after a soul ascends to paradise, what spirit leads the soul to the golden throne of Ahura Mazda?

Accepted Answer

According to Zoroastrian belief, after death, the soul is judged by Mithra, the angelic being who helps in the weighing of the soul. If the soul is deemed worthy, it is led by the Good Mind to the golden throne of Ahura Mazda in paradise. The Good Mind is believed to be one of the six divine attributes of Ahura Mazda and is a guiding force for the righteous. According to Zoroastrian belief, the Good Mind or Vohu Manah is the spirit that leads the soul to the golden throne of Ahura Mazda after ascending to paradise.

Question 7

What Persian king changed the policy of tolerating different religions and ethnic groups?

Accepted Answer

Xerxes, unlike his predecessors such as Cyrus the Great who was known for his policy of tolerance towards different cultures and religions within his empire, is historically noted for changing this approach. His reign marked a departure from the policies of tolerance, especially evident in his harsh treatment of the Babylonians and their religion.

Question 8

Zoroastrian moral teachings focus on:

Accepted Answer

Zoroastrianism places emphasis on the battle between good and evil, encouraging individuals to promote good deeds and actions while avoiding evil. This is believed to lead to the eventual triumph of good over evil and the preservation of the individual's soul. Zoroastrian moral teachings emphasize the importance of preserving good and fighting against evil. This is reflected in the belief in a dualistic cosmology with two opposing forces, Ahura Mazda (the embodiment of good) and Angra Mainyu (the embodiment of evil). The goal in life is to align oneself with Ahura Mazda and work towards the preservation and spread of goodness in the world.

Question 9

Who is the "Wise Lord" and the only God worshipped by Zoroastrians?

Accepted Answer

The "Wise Lord" and the only God worshipped by Zoroastrians is Ahura Mazda. Zarathustra was the founder of Zoroastrianism and Ava Ardvisur and Angra Mainyu are deities within the religion, but they are not considered the only God. Ahura Mazda is the only God worshipped by Zoroastrians and is also known as the "Wise Lord". Choices A, C, and D refer to other deities in Zoroastrianism.

Question 10

Modern Iranian Zoroastrians blame the Sassanians for the decline of their religion because Iranian Zoroastrians believe that:

Accepted Answer

Iranian Zoroastrians believe that during the Sassanian period, Zoroastrianism was misused for political purposes by the kings, which compromised its strong moral essence. This led to a decline in the popularity and practice of the religion. Modern Iranian Zoroastrians blame the Sassanians for the decline of their religion because they believe that the strong moral essence of Zoroastrianism was compromised due to its misuse for political purposes by the Sassanian kings.

Question 11

After its role as the official religion of the Persian Empire, Zoroastrianism was then the official religion of what other empire?

Accepted Answer

After the fall of the Parthian Empire, Zoroastrianism continued as a major religion in the Sassanian Empire, which ruled over modern-day Iran from 224 to 651 CE. It was the official religion of this empire, which promoted it over other religions and played an instrumental role in its spread throughout Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. After its role in the Persian Empire, Zoroastrianism became the official religion of the Sassanian Empire. The Sassanian Empire was a Persian empire that existed from 224 CE to 651 CE and is considered the last Persian empire before the Islamic conquest.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a tower of silence?

Accepted Answer

A tower of silence is a circular raised structure built by Zoroastrians for the purpose of exposing dead bodies to be consumed by vultures and other scavenger birds, thus fulfilling their belief in the importance of not polluting the earth, water, or fire with decaying matter. It is not a place of worship, a symbol of morality or a stone figure at the entrance of a fire temple. A tower of silence is a circular stone structure used by followers of the Zoroastrian religion as a place for the exposure of the dead. The body is placed on the platform at the top of the tower and left to be consumed by scavenging birds. This practice is known as "dakhma" or "sky burial."

Question 13

Which of the following statements best describes Zarathustra?

Accepted Answer

Zarathustra is the ancient name of the founder of Zoroastrianism, also known as Zoroaster. Zarathustra is the ancient name of the founder of Zoroastrianism, also known as Zoroaster.

Question 14

The six benevolent, immortal beings who are intermediaries between Ahura Mazda and humanity are called:

Accepted Answer

The six benevolent, immortal beings who are intermediaries between Ahura Mazda and humanity in Zoroastrianism are called Amesha Spentas. The six benevolent, immortal beings who act as intermediaries between Ahura Mazda and humanity are called Amesha Spentas in Zoroastrianism. They are considered to be the divine attributes or emanations of Ahura Mazda. The other options listed are not related to Zoroastrianism.

Question 15

What is the name of the supreme evil spirit in Zoroastrianism?

Accepted Answer

Ahriman is the name of the supreme evil spirit in Zoroastrianism. The supreme evil spirit in Zoroastrianism is called Ahriman.

Question 16

Sam Daruwala is a follower of Zoroastrianism.His ancestors had travelled to India from Iran in the 900s C.E.Sam is most likely a:

Accepted Answer

Sam's ancestors travelled from Iran to India in the 900s C.E., which suggests that Sam is a member of the Parsi community. Parsis are followers of Zoroastrianism who migrated to India from Iran in the 8th-10th centuries C.E. The clue of Sam's ancestors traveling from Iran to India and being a follower of Zoroastrianism points towards him being a Parsi. Parsis are an ethnic group in India that follow the Zoroastrian religion and are descendants of Persian immigrants who arrived in India in the 7th century C.E.

Question 17

Zoroastrianism was the official religion of the:

Accepted Answer

Zoroastrianism was the official religion of the Persian Empire, which was an ancient empire that existed from the 6th century BC to the 4th century BC. It was founded by Cyrus the Great and expanded by his successors, including Darius I and Xerxes I. The religion played a significant role in Persian culture and was practiced by many of its rulers and citizens. Zoroastrianism originated in ancient Persia, and was the official religion of the Persian Empire. It continued to be the predominant religion in the region until the Arab conquest of Persia in the 7th century, after which Islam became the predominant religion.

Question 18

Which of the following is an essential teaching of Zoroastrianism?

Accepted Answer

Zoroastrianism teaches dualism, which is the belief in two equal and opposing forces in the universe, representing good and evil. This means that the religion is monotheistic as it acknowledges one central deity, Ahura Mazda, as the embodiment of all that is good, while evil is represented by Angra Mainyu. Zoroastrianism is a dualistic religion, which means it focuses on the struggle between good and evil. This is seen in the belief in the two primary deities, Ahura Mazda (the god of good) and Angra Mainyu (the god of evil). The other options (polytheism, celibacy, and asceticism) are not essential teachings of Zoroastrianism.

Question 19

The symbol of the faravahar reflects what dimension of Zoroastrianism?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The symbol of the faravahar reflects what...

Question 20

Modern philosopher Karl Jaspers gave this name to the period from 600 to 400 B.C.E.when many religions and value systems were founded.

Accepted Answer

The term "Axial Age" was coined by philosopher Karl Jaspers to describe the period from 600 to 400 B.C.E. when many of the world's major religions and philosophical systems were founded, including Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and the Greek philosophical schools. Jaspers described this period as a turning point in human history, characterized by a fundamental shift in the way people understood their place in the world, the nature of the universe, and the meaning and purpose of human existence. Karl Jaspers named the period between 600 and 400 B.C.E. the "Axial Age" because it marked a significant shift in human thought and values, with the emergence of many influential religious and philosophical traditions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism.

Quiz 9: Encountering Zoroastrianism: The Way of the One Wise Lord