"An open house”
This refers to the report on Asha Vahishta, The Zoroastrian Centre, recently established in Poona with a dadgah fire ("An open house,” Parsiana, January 7, 2018) and the superfluous controversy created by fringe elements.
I am no religious scholar but all that I want to know is whether it is imperative that five bois be offered every day in a dar-e-meher.
I would also like to know if in a dar-e-meher it is essential to engage a priest to place the offerings by devotees before the fire.
There is a Vadi Daremeher in Navsari where navar ceremonies are conducted. Though it is called a Vadi (Main) Daremeher, no boi ceremony is conducted in any of the gahs and if some Zarathushti wishes to offer sandalwood, he or she can do so personally without the services of a priest. What is the difference between the holy fire at Asha Vahishta and the one at Vadi Daremeher?
The editors reply
Dadgahs do not require an officiating priest. Bois may or may not be offered. In many adarans also, the boi is offered less than five times a day due to the paucity of priests.
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Though marriages within the community are desirable, sadly we cannot stop the trend of interfaith marriages. The Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism (ARZ) has established Asha Vahishta, The Zoroastrian Centre, in Poona ("An open house,” Parsiana, January 7, 2018) to address these problems, and fulfill the needs of the families of intermarried men and women of the community who are denied their legitimate right to practice their religion.
The rule favoring out-married males has existed for over a hundred years. Now when out-married women raise their voice against this gender bias the traditionalists are demanding that even the children of intermarried males should not be initiated into our faith. When three generations of mixed blood has entered the community, is it possible to segregate them? We have to confer the same rights to the females that men enjoy.
Dadgah fire at Asha Vahishta, The Zoroastrian Centre in Poona
We should have great respect for all religions but believe that the religion that we are born into is the only religion for us. We can study other religions to enhance our knowledge, become better Zoroastrians, better human beings. The religion that we are born into is like a mother whom we can never desert. Hence, we should not accept conversion. We have a distinct ethnic identity, a social status that can be kept alive through the Zoroastrian heritage when at least one parent is a Parsi Zoroastrian.
The traditionalists assert that in the absence of complex ceremonies to consecrate the holy fire, Asha Vahishta cannot be called an agiary, or even to be linked to Zoroastrianism. Even though it may not be called an agiary, it is a place of worship as it serves a humanitarian cause.
The sanctity of a place is created by people who pray there with love and devotion. Zarathushtra declared that religion has its true significance in moral values and not in rituals of worship. He preached his sermons from the bank of a river. No fire was consecrated, no complicated ceremonies were offered. The simple truth revealed from the wise mind in a very simple language touched the hearts of his devotees, purifying their minds and removing doubts and suspicion. As a visionary he knew that what was relevant then will become obsolete and outdated. While the reformists believe in marching with time, the traditionalists are hooked to the old outdated dogmas.
The unique feature of the Zoroastrian religion is that it directs us to the path of freedom: to make a moral choice and be free from blind observation of meaningless practices. Only by following the principles of our great religion can we avoid conflicts, establish peace and harmony and live like true Zoroastrians. A reformist has as much faith in prayers and rituals as the traditionalists have, and the traditionalists also follow the same principles of righteousness.
We all want to live in peace but not in unity. The traditionalists wanted the reformists to leave. Now when the liberals have established their religious center open to all, the traditionalists should send their blessings, visit if they want, but not criticize. The reformists should remain humble and focused, for this is not a victory to be celebrated but an effort to proffer a peaceful solution. Maybe one day we shall celebrate when we can all forget the differences, and live, pray and love each other. Till then, live and let live.
PIROJA JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@yahoo.com