Zoroastrianism in Khorezm
Many research scholars say that Central
Asia - and in particular ancient Khorezm, is the motherland
of Zoroastrianism and its prophet Zaratushtra. Archaeological
research has linked Zoroastrian doctrine and its cult
of fire and natural elements with religious conceptions
of primitive Khorezmians. For example, the cult practices
connected with the worship of the fertility-image
Anakhita, as well as the worship of natural elements,
and astral symbols. The dualistic conception of natural
phenomenon, in which the same entity or entities (for
example fire and water, or air and earth) can represent
both good and evil, and the emergence of social classes
with inherent conflicts, led to the appearance of
dualistic religion, reflected first in cult ceremonies.
Zoroastrianism became the state religion of three
great empires — the Akheminid, the Persian,
and the Sasakhid, and its practice stretched for almost
thirteen centuries, from the fourth century B.C. to
the seventh century A.D. and dominated much of the
Near East. Therefore, Zoroastrian doctrine can be
considered to be the first world religion, and Zaratushtra
to be one of the first oriental prophets. In the opinion
of religion scholar Mary Bois, «The power and
strength of Iran provided Zoroastrianism with significant
prestige, and some of its most significant doctrines
were borrowed by Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
In the East, Zoroastrianism influenced the development
of the northern variety of Buddhism. The tenets of
this religion were “unique and significant.
They gave its followers the possibility of a purposeful
and enjoyable life.” These positive components,
creatively borrowed by Christianity, and later by
Islam, assisted them in becoming world religions.
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