Zoroaster

Zoroaster was an ancient Iranian prophet and spiritual leader who founded the religion of Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest organized faiths. He is also known as Zarathustra, Zarathushtra, Zartosht, or Zardosht in different languages and traditions. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of world religions, as his teachings influenced later faiths such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Zoroaster's life and date of birth are shrouded in mystery and legend. According to some sources, he was born in Ray, near present-day Tehran, Iran, while others place his birthplace in Airyanem Vaejah, a mythical land in eastern Iran. Some scholars suggest that he lived sometime between 1500 and 1000 BCE, while others date him to the 7th or 6th century BCE. He is said to have been a priest of the ancient Iranian religion who had a vision of Ahura Mazda, the supreme god of wisdom and truth, who appointed him to preach a new message of monotheism and ethical reform. Zoroaster's teachings are preserved in the Avesta, the sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism, which include the Gathas, a collection of hymns composed by Zoroaster himself in the Old Avestan language. The Gathas express Zoroaster's vision of a cosmic struggle between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit of evil and falsehood. Zoroaster taught that human beings have a free choice to support either side through their thoughts, words, and deeds. He also introduced the concepts of heaven and hell, judgment after death, resurrection, and the final restoration of the world. Zoroastrianism became the official state religion of the ancient Iranian empires, especially under the Achaemenids (550-330 BCE) and the Sassanids (224-651 CE), and spread to other regions such as Central Asia, India, and China. However, it declined after the Arab-Muslim conquest of Iran in the 7th century CE, which resulted in persecution and conversion of many Zoroastrians. Today, Zoroastrians are a small minority in Iran and India, where they are known as Parsis or Parsees. They also live in other countries such as Pakistan, USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Zoroaster's legacy is evident in many aspects of culture and civilization. He is considered to be one of the first philosophers and prophets who advocated rationality, morality, social justice, environmental protection, and human dignity. He is also revered by various religious groups such as Baháʼís, Manichaeans, Mithraists, Ahmadiyyas, and Yazidis. His image and name have inspired many artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers throughout history.