“Tenets and traditions”

I would like to respond to Dr P. D. Sunavala’s question in "Tenets and traditions” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, January 21, 2008) about why I am so keen on perpetuating a system which according to him is practically defunct. Incidentally, the "Milestones” column in the same issue of your magazine reveals that many Zoroastrians still opt for dakhmenashini.

It is rather ironical that Sunavala should talk about Ervad R. R. Motafaram who says that the Sassanians resurrected Zoroastrianism. These "resurrectors” of the Mazdayasni faith made it obligatory to adopt dakhmenashini. Those who saved the Zoroastrian faith from becoming extinct by coming to India also continued this practice.

The younger generation acknowledges that the system of dakhmenashini needs to be worked on since we have inherited the results of neglect by an entire generation that could not even maintain the existing institutions. It is appalling that despite donors having left behind monies and trusts for their maintenance, matters should have reached such a state of chaos.

The truth is that, like the younger generation, dakhmenashini too has been let down. A system that was practiced by generations is now being called "unsubstantiated!” When some people initiated steps to help strengthen the system, we fought within the community. Personal preferences were pushed forward over Ahura Mazda’s philosophy. Today Zoroastrianism is being turned into a workshop of personal ideas. Instead of maintaining the Zoroastrian philosophy, a coterie is taking advantage of certain circumstances to suit its own agenda.

Achievements won through 2,000 years of sweat and sacrifices have been watered down during the past 100 years or so. The anti-dakhma coterie has mastered the art of jumping from one excuse to another, first raising the bogey of health hazards and then demanding coexistence with the system. Under the guise of being scientific, some people are promoting burial. This has its own problems. Oxidization plays a large role in the decomposing of corpses. A well recognized thumb rule is that a corpse will decompose twice as fast in air than in water and four times faster in air than when it is buried in the ground. Deep burial increases the decomposition time and also makes it impossible to use the same graves again. This is the reason why one finds "mummified” bodies even in European graves during exhumation. Yet another excuse offered is at the emotional level, by promoting individual choice over Mazdayasnism.

In January this year, a leading science television channel showcased India’s people passing on a culture and traditions that are 5,000 years old. India is an emerging global giant, yet its people maintain their roots and practices. They do not, under the garb of change, showcase modernism and belittle their roots. Indian culture has been preserved even in the western world. Indians have managed to maintain their culture and practices in foreign lands.

Some leaders who want to end our systems insist change is necessary and always good. Such claims actually render us rudderless. The Taliban destroys the faith of others and then shouts its propaganda from the rooftops so that what they dislike cannot be strengthened and enjoyed. The same is the case with the coterie which has never been forced to accept dakhmenashini but still cries itself hoarse to discontinue it, using the donors’ trust funds to fulfill these demands. Such acts will result in the next generation adopting strange practices in the name of Zarathushtra, turning Zoroastrian practices into alien ones without even realizing it.

The choice is simple. We must deal with those who do to Zoroastrianism what they would think immoral in other religions. We must remain steadfast in our faith and principles. We must redouble our efforts since we need to undo the results of the neglect during the last 100 years.

Yes, Dr Sunavala, I plead guilty as charged for trying to strengthen dakhmenashini. Why? Because the fault does not lie with the system, it lies in its neglect. The system needs to be strengthened by those who are willing to shoulder the responsibility to protect it, and I am willing to do so since I am a Zoroastrian.

RUSTOM JAMASJI

rustomjam@yahoo.com