Dispel these doubts

As a practicing Parsi Zarathushti I have certain doubts and queries for which I hope to obtain clarifications from scholars or scholar priests, citing scriptural or historic references. In discussions with colleagues it is saddening to find how little we know of the basics of our religion.

In which language are the kusti prayers which we pray daily: Avesta, Pazend or Pahlavi? What are the broad differences in these languages and to what period of time do we attribute each language?

We are rightly proud of the oral tradition maintained zealously by the priestly families for hundreds of years. When was this oral tradition put down in writing?

Which prayers do the Avesta and the Zend Avesta consist of? Is there a discernible difference in the language of each? Is there any development or divergence of thoughts and ideologies? Could an aspiring student list specific differences or divergences between the older Gathas and later Avesta prayers like the Yashts. If there is any major divergence, should the laity be expected to believe and follow the older or the newer versions?

Surely in matters such as dakhme­nashini we need to be provided with scriptural authority by our religious leaders, especially since in the last few decades it has been promoted as the most vital aspect of Zarathusthrianism? Indeed, the Bangalore Anjuman deems it their right to deny membership to anyone who wishes to be disposed of by methods other than dakhmenashini. If this is so primary to Zarathushtrian tenets, let us hear authoritatively from the vada dasturs along with references from our scriptures. If, on the other hand, it is not such a pivotal tenet, can such a clause be allowed to remain, disqualifying honest applicants from becoming members of the city’s anjuman?

There is another pernicious lie doing the rounds — that there was no other religion existing at the time when Zarathushtra propounded his religious reform. Even a casual reader of ancient history will find a number of references to various religions and forms of worship from times immemorial. Countries such as Egypt, Assyria and Babylon appear to have had a culture and religion many of us have heard or read about, so it is ludicrous to claim that no religion whatsoever existed at the time which could have influenced Zarathushtrian teachings and beliefs and to pretend that this crystallized in a vacuum!

The truth is that Zarathushtra was the first to preach a monotheistic religion which struck down the appeasement of many gods by ritual. From his elevated thoughts and extraordinary concepts found in the Gathas we would be completely correct to describe the Zarathush­trian religion as being extraordinarily advanced for that age, as it is even today. The founder of this religion propounded a universal truth. However, thousands of years later we have a group of misinformed bigots in this particular part of the globe suggesting prohibition to this religion for those not born into it. What a travesty of the truth! While we are prepared to go to extremes in praising our religion we forbid it to anyone not born into it — people who understand it, realize it and wish to accept it! Worse, we are even ready to disqualify children of interfaith marriages from entry into the religion and the community, all the while incongruously asserting it as being the best.

Let the educated, truthful and conscience-driven rise up and demote this minority into insignificance. Do not give this minority the exalted title of "orthodox.” They are not. It would also be incorrect to call them fundamentalists. Even that they are not. They are merely religious bigots, and misinformed ones at that. A bigot is defined in the dictionary as a person intolerant of any idea other than his/her own. Worse, the one whose ideas these bigots are intolerant of is our holy founder, Zarathushtra!

Enlightened vada dasturs who have spent years reading, edifying scriptural literature must correct this corrosive religious bigotry and any other deviations promoted in recent years and put our community back on the right track, thereby reflecting their own nobility, high ideals and attachment to truth as true inheritors of Zarathushtra’s teachings.

SHEEROY SUNAWALA

Bangalore