- 1. The Avesta is the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, founded by the prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) in ancient Persia around the 6th century BCE. The Avesta comprises a collection of texts written in the Avestan language, which is an ancient Iranian language related to Sanskrit. It is divided into several main sections, including the Yasna, which contains the liturgical texts; the Visperad, which is a supplement to the Yasna; and the Vendidad, which outlines laws, mythological narratives, and purification rituals. The Avesta emphasizes the duality of good and evil, representing the eternal struggle between Ahura Mazda, the supreme god, and Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit. It also provides insight into the moral and ethical tenets of Zoroastrianism, advocating for truth, righteousness, and the importance of individual choice in the fight against chaos. Though much of the original text has been lost over the centuries due to invasions and the decline of the Zoroastrian community, the surviving fragments reflect the rich spiritual and philosophical heritage of this ancient faith, influencing other religious traditions and contributing to the broader discourse on the nature of divinity and the human condition.
What is the Avesta?
A) A Buddhist meditation manual
B) The primary collection of Zoroastrian religious texts
C) An ancient Egyptian book of the dead
D) A Hindu epic poem
- 2. In which language is the Avesta written?
A) Sanskrit
B) Avestan
C) Pahlavi
D) Greek
- 3. Who is considered the founder of Zoroastrianism?
A) Zarathustra (Zoroaster)
B) Buddha
C) Confucius
D) Mahavira
A) Astronomical calculations
B) Rules for temple construction
C) Hymns attributed to Zoroaster himself
D) Zoroastrian creation myths
- 5. Which part of the Avesta contains liturgical texts?
A) Khordeh Avesta
B) Yasna
C) Visparad
D) Vendidad
- 6. Which text deals with purity laws and demons?
A) Gathas
B) Yashts
C) Vendidad
D) Siroza
- 7. What is the name of the Zoroastrian supreme deity?
A) Angra Mainyu
B) Mithra
C) Verethragna
D) Ahura Mazda
- 8. What is Asha in Zoroastrianism?
A) A type of sacrifice
B) The underworld
C) A ritual fire
D) Cosmic order and truth
- 9. Which being represents the destructive spirit?
A) Angra Mainyu
B) Mithra
C) Ahura Mazda
D) Vayu
- 10. What is the Khordeh Avesta?
A) A book of daily prayers
B) A commentary on the Gathas
C) A collection of myths
D) A book of prophecies
- 11. Which Amesha Spenta represents good thought?
A) Haurvatat
B) Vohu Manah
C) Asha Vahishta
D) Spenta Armaiti
- 12. What is the Frashokereti?
A) A creation story
B) The final renovation of the world
C) A type of prayer
D) A purification ritual
- 13. Which text contains invocations to 30 divinities?
A) Yasna
B) Siroza
C) Gathas
D) Vendidad
- 14. What role does fire play in Zoroastrian worship?
A) Used for animal sacrifice
B) Symbol of destruction
C) Represents the underworld
D) Central symbol of divine purity
- 15. Which being is the yazata of contracts?
A) Anahita
B) Mithra
C) Tishtrya
D) Verethragna
- 16. What are the Amesha Spentas?
A) Ritual objects
B) Holy immortals or divine attributes
C) Demonic beings
D) Ancient prophets
- 17. What is the primary ethical triad in Zoroastrianism?
A) Good thoughts, good words, good deeds
B) Prayer, fasting, almsgiving
C) Faith, hope, charity
D) Truth, non-violence, celibacy
- 18. Which text describes the creation of the world?
A) Yashts
B) Bundahishn
C) Visparad
D) Vendidad
- 19. What is the Chinvat Bridge?
A) A temple entrance
B) A mythical weapon
C) The bridge of judgment after death
D) A ritual fire altar
- 20. Which being is the yazata of victory?
A) Verethragna
B) Mithra
C) Rashnu
D) Tishtrya
- 21. What is the primary purpose of the Vendidad?
A) To combat evil and impurity
B) To record history
C) To predict the future
D) To describe cosmology
- 22. Which part of the Avesta contains hymns attributed to Zoroaster?
A) Yasna
B) Gathas
C) Visparad
D) Vendidad
- 23. What is a fire temple called?
A) Agni Mandir
B) Fire Shrine
C) Atash Behram
D) Light Temple
- 24. What is the sacred thread worn by Zoroastrians?
A) Kushti
B) Hijab
C) Yajnopavita
D) Tallit
A) A ritual spoon
B) A head covering
C) The sacred shirt worn by Zoroastrians
D) A prayer book
- 26. What is Haoma in Zoroastrian ritual?
A) A sacred plant used in rituals
B) A sacred animal
C) A type of prayer
D) A ritual fire
- 27. What is the name of the Zoroastrian community in India?
A) Sikhs
B) Parsis
C) Buddhists
D) Jains
- 28. What is the central moral concept in the Avesta meaning truth/order?
A) Haoma
B) Asha
C) Druj
D) Mithra
- 29. What is the name of the sacred fire in Zoroastrianism?
A) Vayu
B) Sraosha
C) Agni
D) Atar
- 30. What are the hymns to various divinities called in the Avesta?
A) Yashts
B) Gathas
C) Staota
D) Manthras
- 31. Which divine being represents obedience in the Avesta?
A) Ardvi Sura
B) Sraosha
C) Mithra
D) Rashnu
- 32. Which being represents the divine glory in the Avesta?
A) Rashnu
B) Khvarenah
C) Vohu Manah
D) Sraosha
- 33. What is the name of the Zoroastrian spiritual double or guardian spirit?
A) Urvan
B) Fravashi
C) Daena
D) Mainyu
- 34. What is the name of the Zoroastrian initiation ceremony?
A) Upanayana
B) Navjote
C) Baptism
D) Bar Mitzvah
- 35. Which ancient Persian king is associated with Zoroastrianism?
A) Cyrus the Great
B) Alexander the Great
C) Ashoka
D) Julius Caesar
- 36. What is the name of the Zoroastrian concept of divine attributes?
A) Archangels
B) Bodhisattvas
C) Amesha Spentas
D) Virtues
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