Man-made traditions

The decision of Ervad Homi Kotwal of the Navsari Atash Behram to be buried instead of being consigned to the dakhma has merited a quarter page report in the secular press. It is rather pathetic that the only time Parsis make it to the national media is when the community is embroiled in some controversy which outsiders probably regard as a storm in a teacup. And who can blame them?
The brouhaha about disposal of the dead has been kept boiling far too long by people like former Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Khojeste Mistree and Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal who have set themselves up as the sole arbiters of Zoroastrian religious traditions. They refuse to acknowledge that a system that was formulated millennia ago as an efficient method of disposal of dead bodies without contaminating the elements no longer works in an urban environment. I doubt very much that adopting a more practical system would offend the Prophet. But then, it suits these "authorities” to instill fear in community members that unless they follow the mandated practice, their souls will not reach the Almighty.
The reality is that these "religious” traditions and rituals were not ordained by Zarathushtra but are man-made — or, more accurately, priest made. It is common sense that the abode of the soul in the afterlife will be determined by the manner in which a person has lived life while on earth — and definitely not by the mumbling prayers of a few priests — and that too, only in a place of their choosing.
The fundamental malaise affecting the community — and one which is contributing directly to our rapidly dwindling numbers — is the assertion that all Parsis are Zoroastrians, and vice versa. Hence other adherents of our ancient religion who have preserved the faith for centuries are not even recognized. This explains the ridiculous signs outside our agiaries: "Admission for Parsi Zoroastrians only.” This exclusivity which defies reason — and finds no mention in the Gathas — is illogical. It stands to reason that any Prophet would strive to spread his message and religion to as wide a swathe of the population as possible and not restrict it to a privileged group.
The Zoroastrian (not Parsi) community worldwide numbers in the thousands and is in no danger of extinction. Indeed, "outsiders” who profess a genuine interest in our religion — and afford it far greater respect than the lip service many of us provide — should be welcomed and not shunned. They would infuse fresh life into our religion and keep it vibrant. What do we do instead? We shun and bar Parsi women who have been accepted into the faith by virtue of having a navjote ceremony and refuse to acknowledge their children from non-Parsi fathers. Again, none of these self-serving practices are mentioned in the Gathas but have been formulated by priests down the centuries to consolidate their powers.
Schemes like "Jiyo Parsi” are cosmetic gestures that will not save our community. Only a change in mindset can accomplish this. We must learn to think for ourselves and refuse to be swayed by the so-called religious authorities.
FIROZE HIRJIKAKA
leonardo8_99@yahoo.com