“An irreligious act”

I refer to Kersee Kabraji’s lengthy letter "An irreligious act” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, June 7, 2010). Because of his very shallow knowledge of our pristine Mazdayasni Zarathushti religion, Kabraji has nothing worthwhile to quote from or refer to. The following elucidation may, therefore, be deemed appropriate.

The Gathas are mere moral precepts — a "philosophy of life” as he has put it — and do not lay down any principles and practices of our religion. It is important to understand that religion is not merely a course in moral science. It is a complete system for furthering the evolution of our souls in a spiritual world, comprising of three integrated and vital components of maarefat (medium of communication with the divine like our manthric prayers), tarikats (disciplines of rituals) and shariat (injunctions which we are enjoined to obey).

Our Mazdayasni religion was established much before the advent of Zarathushtra and he himself was a follower. Sudreh and kusti were the symbols of our religion during his time too. Atash behrams were established during the much earlier period of Shah Jamshid. Our basic prayers Ashem Vohu and Yatha Ahu Vario date back to times immemorial.

We should not call our ancient, first ever religion by the improper Greek name "Zoroastrianism.” The religion we follow is Mazdayasni, which was established in deep antiquity. And after Zarathushtra refined and revived it with the moral precepts which we call the Gathas, it became known as the Mazdayasni Zarathushti religion since the times of Kai Vishtasp (7,500 BC). This is the religion we follow to this day.

Regarding Kabraji’s point about what the high priests have stated, I would put it in a more specific manner: The children of a Mazdayasni Zarathushti who has mixed his/her genes with that of a non-Mazdayasni by marrying such a person, are not Mazdayasni Zarathushtis and therefore cannot be initiated into the Mazdayasni Zarathushti faith. Kabraji may refer to Vendidad Faragard 18, para 62 wherein it has been stated: "Then Ahura Mazda replied, ‘O! Holy Zara­thushtra, those Madzayasnis who are mixing their seed with non-Mazdayasnis are committing sin.’”

Other matters raised by Kabraji are pointless and do not address the issue of the fictitious navjote performed by the renegade priest. In religious matters a writer is required to have proper knowledge, understanding and clear thinking. Muddled amateurish arguments in a discussion of serious issues concerning the community and its religion make them ridiculous. Ervad KERSI KAPADIA

Singapore

The editors reply

The Encyclopaedia Britannica speculates that "some kind of polytheism with many... gods existed prior to Zoroaster. According to the Encyclopaedia, Mazdaism was a "later Zoroastrian religion of the Sasanian period (AD 224-651)” and questions whether it "genuinely reflected the teachings of Zoro-aster... There are no reliable sources more ancient than the prophet himself.”