Contents Preface 9 Acknowledgements 10 Conventions 11 1. Introduction Two Authors 13 The Other 15 Hierarchical relationships 16 From scholarly observer to agent in the field? 17 Representation and polyphony 19 The of Bombay 20 Daxmeneslnl 21 Is there a Zoroastrian theology? 22 2. Zaraöustra 27 Sacred Scriptures and Recitations 28 Parsi - an ethno-religious category 30 Religion (Den) and Rituals 32 3. Concepts Related to Death Rituals 3.1 Conception of Human Beings 34 Creature, and responsible individual 34 The physical body: Tanu 35 The Soul: Urvan 36 The Fravasi 36 The Daenä 41 3.2 "Spiritual Beings" 41 Mazda 41 Angra Mainyu () and Drüj 43 Amasa Spantas 44 46 Fire (Atas) (Guj.) 47 3.3 Individual Eschatology 49 Introduction 49 Helplessness and Insecurity 49 The journey of the soul 51 3.4 Purity and Impurity 59 4. Ritual Context 4.1 Doongervädl - the Parsi Funeral ground in Bombay .... 65 Aesthetic and ecological qualities 65

Bibliografische Informationen digitalisiert durch http://d-nb.info/1008461873 The Funerary Ground 66 The Buildings 68 Debates 70 4.2 Ritual Participants 71 Priests 71 Qualification and Disqualification 73 Dasturs 74 Prestige and Authority 75 Nasäsälärs 76 Laymen (Behdlns) 77 4.3 Liturgical times (gähs), Inner and outer Rituals 78 The liturgical times of the day 78 Inner and Outer Rituals 78 4.4 Freestanding Ritual Elements 80 Homage to the fire 80 Pädyäb-Kusti 80 Obligatory Prayers (Farziyat prayers) 82 Asam Vohü and Ya6ä Ahü Vairyö 83 The term Bäj, taking and leaving the Bäj 85 5. Death Rituals and their Theological Interpretation 5.1 Introduction: Description of Rituals 88 5.2 Before death 90 5.3 Immediately after the moment of death 93 5.4 Preparations for the Funeral 95 5.5 Rituals from the Washing up to the beginning of the Funeral 98 Sackär (Washing and Dressing the Body) 98 Sade Nähn 100 Drawing the Kasas 100 Sagdid (Viewing of the Dog) 101 5.6 Interim Period 102 Prayer Vigil 102 Sejdö I (Final Homage) 103 End of the Interim Time: Preparations for the Funeral . . . 104 5.7 Funeral (Päidast) 105 Geh-särnü (Gä6ä Recitation) 105 Sejdö II (Final Homage) 107 Procession to the Daxma 108 Disposal in the Daxma and Concluding Stages of the Funeral Ceremonies 109 5.8 After Päidast on the First Three Days following Death ... in General Description in Saros nu Patru 113 Bäj dharna of Saros, and Vandldäd 115 5.9 Rituals on the Third Day 116 Üöamnä (I) -'Pad-ruz' 116 Pai Mozd Ceremony 119 5.10 Rituals on the Fourth Day 120 Üöamnä (II) 'Pachli ratnu' and Pai-Mozd Ceremony (II) . . 120 Inner Liturgies in an Agiäry - The four Dron/ Bäj rituals. . 120 Äfrinagän of Dahman Yazad 121 Äfrinagän of Ardäfravas and Faroxsi 122 Stüm no Kardo 123 Yasna and Bäj dharna of Ardäfravas 125 Stüm no Kardo during Rapiöwin gäh and Uzerin gäh. ... 125 5.11 From the Tenth Day onwards 125 Individual dates of death rituals 125 Calendar dates of death rituals 126 5.12 Muktäd 126 Time 126 Place 128 Preparations 129 Ceremonies 129 Daily priestly Ceremonies 131 6. Zoroastrian Death Rituals: Break and Continuity 6.1 Break and Continuity 133 6.2 Demarcation and De-spatialisation: Constructing Break . . 134 6.3 The Outlasting of Death and the Link to the Dead: Constructing Continuity 136 Perceptions of Continuity 136 Continuity as the 'framing' of break within die ritual complex 137 Break and continuity in the body-soul relationship 139 7. Epilogue Ritual Practice 142 Interpretations 143 Polyphony 144 Conclusion 145 8. Appendices 8.1 Abbreviations 147 8.2 Glossary 148 8.3 Bibliography 160 8.3 Picture Credits 172 8.4 Index 173