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Zoroastrianism was founded by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) in Persia around 1200 BC (refer to Mary Boyce). Persia at that time followed an aboriginal polytheistic religion. Zarathustra may have preached the first monotheistic religion, the single supreme god of which was Ahura Mazda.

In India, Zoroastrians are known as Parsis (alternative spelling Parsees). The term "Parsi" means "Persian", (Pars being the name for Zoroastrian Persia). By the same token, the original Zoroastrians in today's Islamic Iran are to be considered "true" Parsees.

Zoroastrian beliefs include a concept of good and evil as a dualism. This dualism can take one of two forms: a cosmic dualism between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu (an evil spirit of violence and death), or an ethical dualism residing in human consciousness.

The holy book of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta, which includes the teachings of Zarathushtra written in a series of seventeen hymns called the Gathas. The Gathas are highly abstract sacred poetry worshiping Ahura Mazda. They promote a comprehension of righteousness and cosmic order, concepts of social justice, and stress the need for individual choice between good and evil. The rest of the Avesta was written at a later date and deals with religious rituals, the practices of worship, and other traditions of the Zoroastrian faith.

Zoroastrians worship by prayer and ceremonies conducted before a sacred fire which is intended to symbolize the presence of Ahura Mazda. They are encouraged to dedicate their lives to a three-fold path: "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds." Zoroastrianism does not generally accept converts, although some members dispute this, based on the following statement in the Kalame-e-Din: "Din Be Rast, Va Dorost, Ke Khodai, BAR KHALK, Ferestade....". The literal translation is: "The Right Religion, the Correct Religion, that God, FOR THE PEOPLE, has sent...". "FOR THE PEOPLE" is correctly interpreted to mean "FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC", ie. any individual is free to practice the religion in its original form, as it is practiced in Iran today. Nowhere in the Avesta or other Zoroastrian scriptures is it stipulated that the religion is off-limits to converts. The notion of not allowing converts is the product of fertile imaginations of self-appointed guardians of the faith in India.

See also: Hinduism, Buddhism, Manichaeism

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-<b>Zoroastrianism</b> was founded by [[Zarathushtra]] (Zoroaster) in [[Persia]] around 660 BCE.  Persia at that time followed an aboriginal [[polytheistic]] [[religion]]. Zarathustra may have preached the first [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] religion, the single supreme [[god]] of which was '''Ahura Mazda'''.
+<b>Zoroastrianism</b> was founded by [[Zarathushtra]] (Zoroaster) in [[Persia]] around 1200 BC (refer to Mary Boyce). Persia at that time followed an aboriginal [[polytheistic]] [[religion]]. Zarathustra may have preached the first [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] religion, the single supreme [[god]] of which was '''Ahura Mazda'''.
-In [[India]], Zoroastrians are known as '''Parsis''' (alternative spelling '''Parsees''').
+In [[India]], Zoroastrians are known as '''Parsis''' (alternative spelling '''Parsees'''). The term "Parsi" means "Persian", (Pars being the name for Zoroastrian Persia). By the same token, the original Zoroastrians in today's Islamic Iran are to be considered "true" Parsees.
 Zoroastrian beliefs include a concept of good and evil as a [[dualism]].  This dualism can take one of two forms: a cosmic dualism between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu (an evil spirit of violence and death), or an ethical dualism residing in human [[consciousness]].
-The [[sacred text|holy book]] of Zoroastrianism is the [[Avesta]], which includes the teachings of Zarathushtra written in a series of five hymns called the [[Gathas]]. The Gathas are highly abstract sacred poetry worshiping Ahura Mazda. They promote a comprehension of [[righteousness]] and cosmic order, concepts of social justice, and stress the need for individual choice between good and evil. The rest of the Avesta was written at a later date and deals with religious rituals, the practices of worship, and other traditions of the Zoroastrian faith.
+The [[sacred text|holy book]] of Zoroastrianism is the [[Avesta]], which includes the teachings of Zarathushtra written in a series of seventeen hymns called the [[Gathas]]. The Gathas are highly abstract sacred poetry worshiping Ahura Mazda. They promote a comprehension of [[righteousness]] and cosmic order, concepts of social justice, and stress the need for individual choice between good and evil. The rest of the Avesta was written at a later date and deals with religious rituals, the practices of worship, and other traditions of the Zoroastrian faith.
-Zoroastrians worship by [[prayer]] and ceremonies conducted before a sacred fire which is intended to symbolize Ahura Mazda. They are encouraged to dedicate their lives to a three-fold path: "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds." Zoroastrianism does not generally accept converts, although some members dispute this.
+Zoroastrians worship by [[prayer]] and ceremonies conducted before a sacred fire which is intended to symbolize the presence of Ahura Mazda. They are encouraged to dedicate their lives to a three-fold path: "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds." Zoroastrianism does not generally accept converts, although some members dispute this, based on the following statement in the Kalame-e-Din: "Din Be Rast, Va Dorost, Ke Khodai, BAR KHALK, Ferestade....". The literal translation is: "The Right Religion, the Correct Religion, that God, FOR THE PEOPLE, has sent...". "FOR THE PEOPLE" is correctly interpreted to mean "FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC", ie. any individual is free to practice the religion in its original form, as it is practiced in Iran today. Nowhere in the Avesta or other Zoroastrian scriptures is it stipulated that the religion is off-limits to converts. The notion of not allowing converts is the product of fertile imaginations of self-appointed guardians of the faith in India.