ZANT August 2011 Newsletter

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

ZANT August 2011 Newsletter ZANTZANT NEWSNEWS A Publication of Zoroastrian Association of North Texas www.zant.org August 2011 ZZZOROASTRIAN CCCALENDAR ZANT E VENTS IIINSIDE THIS IIISSUE • 8/09/11 to 08/18/11: Muktad Upcoming Events 2-4 Prayers • 08/07/11: Fravardigan Jashan • 8/13/11: Anand Bazaar (K) Shenshai New Year Gala • 8/14/11: Muktad Jashan 4 • 08/09 to 8/18: Muktad (S) • 8/19/11: Shenshai New Year • 8/20/11: New Year Gala • 08/14 to 8/18: Hamaspatadaya Past Events/Quick Points 5 • 8/28/11: ZANT Ladies Club Gh (S) Luncheon Out Kids and Youth Corner • 08/18/11: Pateti (S) 6 • 9/04/11: ZANT front entrance • 9/11/11: Children and Teen • 08/19/11: New Year (S) Community Contributions 7-8 Religious Class • 08/24/11: Khordad Sal (S) • 9/11/11: Gen. Body Meeting Muktad Prayer Names • 9/18/11: Z Games • 08/29 to 09/02: Maidyoizare- 9 maya Gh (K) BBBOARD OFOFOF DDDIRECTORS MESSAGE FROM THE ZANT PRESIDENT President Zal Parakh On behalf of the board I would like to wish everyone a stellar Navroze and a Vice President great Khordad Sal. We are pleased to have Boman Godiwalla be our ZANT Saghar Behroozi Board Communications Liaison to the community and encourage you to com- Treasurer Pearl P. Balsara municate your input to the board through him. Additionally, we welcome feedback through the messaging capability on the Secretary Khurshid Jamadar ZANT web-site. We welcome your input and feedback as it helps us align our efforts to what the community finds of importance. Social Director Delnaaz Irani It is indeed heartening to see the Center being utilized by the community and becoming a focal point for the community. We thank Monaz Karkaria and Director Afsaneh Samiya Navroz Siganporia for organizing and conducting our first youth camp, which Director Boman Godiwalla was quite a success and enjoyed by all who participated. Please review the details in this newsletter for the upcoming General Body Meeting. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 271117 Wishing all of you a cool summer… Flower Mound, TX 75027-1117 - ZANT Board ZANT Center : 1605 Lopo Road Flower Mound, TX 75028-1306 We welcome and encourage feedback from our community. Please send comments or suggestions to [email protected] or mail to ZANT, P.O. Box 271117, Flower Mound, TX 75027 ZANT News - August 2011 1 UPCOMING EVENTS CHILDREN & YOUTH SEWING & ART/ ANAND BAZAAR CRAFT CLASS When: Saturday August 13, 2011 Please stay tuned in the September Newsletter for Time: 5:30pm to midnight the next Sewing & Art/Craft Class. Where: 1000 Lone Star Parkway Grand Prairie, TX 75050 WOODWORKING CLASS Come and celebrate India's Independence Day at Anand Ba- Please stay tuned in the September Newsletter zaar and help raise funds for ZANT. Anand Bazaar is one of for the next Woodworking Class. ZANT's biggest fundraisers. It is these fundraisers that help defray some of the costs of ZANT activities... so please do- nate your time and $$$$$$$. We need volunteers and dona- tions for making this event successful. Please contact Khur- shid MUKTAD PRAYERS The last ten days of the Zoroastrian calendar are set aside for remembering and revering the fravashis. According to Zoroastrian beliefs, every human being has a fravashi which is all good, and it is the essence of Ahura Mazda in each person. During the muktad prayers, we invite the fravashis of all good people, both living and departed to visit us. And we place vases with water and flowers representing the Amesha Spentas called Khordad and Amardad as a special reminder of the fravashis of our dear family members who are no longer alive. Peaceful surroundings filled with prayer make the fravashis feel welcome, and they in turn give the congregation their blessings. It is an oppor- tunity to remember our ancestors, give thanks for the gifts we have received and renew our commitment to lead a good life. As has become our tradition, we will have “humbandgi” – collective prayers, where we read a few short prayers with their translations amidst the muktad table laden with flowers. This year we will be using our beautiful and serene prayer room in our ZANT Center for these holy days. PLACE: ZANT CENTER DATE & TIME: August 9, 10, 11, 12 at 7:00 p.m. August 13: 11:30 a.m. August 14: Jashan at 4:30 p.m. August 15, 16, 17, 18 at 7:00 p.m. PLEASE BRING: Vases and flowers, and any food you wish to offer. In keeping with traditions followed in the agiaries, no photographs will be displayed. DAILY DINNER: To make it convenient for the attendees, we are arranging for a dinner dish every evening, which will be provided by various families. Therefore we are seeking volunteers to provide this. Please call Anahita Sidhwa to sign up. Additionally, please call Anahita and let her know if you will be staying for dinner so that we can plan accordingly. MUKTAD JASHAN AND DINNER: We will have our Muktad Jashan and Dinner on Sunday August 14th at 4:30 pm . Please plan to join us for the prayers. If you wish to have the names of your dear & departed mentioned at our prayer ceremony, please fill in the attached form and mail it to the address on the form before the due date to avoid any delays. We are catering the dinner from "Al Markaz"; Chicken biryani and a side dish. If you want a vegetarian meal please do mention when you send your confirmation. Only people with prior vegetarian confirma- tion will be served special meal!! The cost is $10 per adult members, $20 per adult non-members & kids 4-9 years $7 . Mail your checks addressed to "ZANT" to our P.O. Box. If you wish to join us for dinner please RSVP before Wednesday, August 10 to Delnaaz Irani. ZANT News - August 2011 2 UPCOMING EVENTS (C ON ’T) SHENSHAI NEW YEAR ZANT LADIES CLUB (ZLC) When: Friday August 19, 2011 When: Sunday August 28, 2011 Time: 7:00 pm Time: 1:00pm Where: ZANT Center Where: Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill We wish all our community members who follow the 2103 N. Central Expressway Shenshai Calendar a Very Happy & Prosperous New Richardson, TX 75080 Year! We invite everyone to join us in celebration of the Shenshai New Year at our ZANT Center on Friday Au- ZLC meets on the last Sunday of every month - All gust 19th at 7:00 pm . We will have a short Humban- ZANT ladies are welcome! dagi prayer followed by a catered dinner. Arnavaz Vak- Based on your feedback, our next event will be a lunch haria will cater the dinner of "dhandar & shrimp patio". outing at Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill. The cost for The cost is $7 for adults and $5 children under 10 buffet lunch is $15.16/person (includes drink and years . If you wish to join us for dinner please RSVP to tax). The ZLC event organizers for this outing are Delnaaz Irani by Tuesday, August 16th. Delna Godiwalla & Naazneen Johnson. To RSVP please contact Delna Godiwalla. The September event is a Mexican Fiesta on Septem- ber 25th . The October event will be on October 30th GARDENING—Planting Flowers at ZANT for Wine tasting. All ZANT Ladies who would like to Center receive an e vite invitation for all future ZLC events Calling all ZANT members and friends to volunteer! please e-mail your request to Mary or Nina DiLucci. While getting sweaty and dirty, we will joke, enjoy mu- Ladies, please send us your ideas for future events! sic, develop camaraderie & beautify our center. We will be planting flowers at our Center’s front entrance. When: September 4 th Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Z GAMES Location: ZANT Center Date : Sept. 18, 2011 (Sunday) 1605 Lopo Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028 Location : ZANT Center Please bring with you garden gloves & hand trowel Time : TBA (all day event) (small spade). If you are coming, please RSVP via e- Age : No bar mail to Neenaz. Cost : Members & Kids - $ 7 ; Non-Members - $ 15 Ice cream treats at the end! (for food & game supplies) RSVP : By Sept 11, 2011 to Pearl Are you ready for some fun? Are you ready to help your Team win? ZANT has several games lined-up for a day GENERAL BODY MEETING of FFF (Fun, Friends & Food) We are looking for par- ticipants in all age groups…..Our plan is to have several teams. Each team will have participants from various We would like to invite you all to join us for a very im- age-groups. Team members will compete in games for portant General Body Meeting on Sunday, September their resp. age-groups & earn points for their Team. In 11th at 1:30 pm . At this meeting we will be presenting order for us to prepare & have adequate supplies for our ZANT Center operating rules & policies. All mem- games for all participating age-groups, it is very impor- bers will receive the documents prior to the meeting. If tant that you RSVP ASAP to Pearl by September 11, there are any questions please don't hesitate to call any 2011. Board member. Hope to see you all there!! ZANT News - August 2011 3 SHENSHAI NEW YEAR GALA We are delighted to have received many reservations for our Gala. We know some of you have been out of town and are just are getting back; So come on, send in your reservation and join us for our Shenshai New Year Gala! The date is set, Saturday, August 20, 2011 and the venue is going to be the Holiday Inn & Suites at LBJ and Preston Road .
Recommended publications
  • Farvardin Yasht Contents Fravashi Is Generally Translated As the “Guardian Spirit/Angel.” It Occurs for a Total of 539 Times in the Extant Avesta
    Weekly Zoroastrian Scripture Extract # 136 – Who were all these Stalwarts of our Religion? - Corroboration from Aafrin-e-Rapithwan with Farvardin Yasht for a few of them! Hello all Tele Class friends: Afargaan, Farokshi, Satums, Baaj – Prayers for our dear departed ones I grew up in Tarapur in a Panthaki’s family and on each anniversary occasions of dear departed ones of family or of our Tarapur Humdins, usually referred to as the day of Baaj, the following four prayers were performed in the name of the departed: Afargaan, Farokshi, 3 Satums and a Baaj. During the Muktaad days, these prayers were performed for all the departed ones whose Behraa (vessels) were placed on the Muktaad tables. In current scenario in India, especially during the Muktaad days, very few Atash Behrams/Agiaries perform all these prayers for all dear departed ones. In North America, except for the major cities, only Afargaan and may be Satums are performed for the dear departed ones. In these prayers, Farokshi is nothing but the Farvardin Yasht with Satum No Kardo in front of it. In this WZSE, we will cover some very interesting facts about some contents of the Farvardin Yasht. Farvardin Yasht Contents Fravashi is generally translated as the “Guardian Spirit/Angel.” It occurs for a total of 539 times in the extant Avesta. Of these, 353 times (65.5%) are in the Farvardin Yasht. This Yasht (Veneration) is devoted to Fravashi. It is the longest Yasht in the extant Avesta with 157 verses. The Meher Yasht, in honor of Mithra, the deity of light and Pasture land, is the second with 145 verses, and the Aban Yasht, in honor of Aredvi Sura Anahita, the River Deity is the third with 132 verses.
    [Show full text]
  • Myth of Simorghian Mithraism (Mehrparasti) by Masato TOJO, Ph
    New Religio-Cultural Movement in Iran & Japan Myth of Simorghian Mithraism (Mehrparasti) By Masato TOJO, Ph. D. Mithraeum Japan Version information: ⇐Official Site 1st 2006 Nov 17 Fri. 8th 2008 Jul 01 Tue. 9th 2009 Apr 27 Mon. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to my friend Dr. Jamshid Jamshidi for his kind and rich suggestions. His long research and deep understanding of both Iranian and Japanese culture enables me to write this article. Myth of Simorghian Mithraism (Mehrparasti) ――Mithraic myth of the Simorghian culture―― CONTENTS Objectives 1. Preliminary Note 2. Myth 2. 1 The Mundane Egg 2. 2 Birth of Mitra 2. 3 Birth of the World 2. 4 Birth of Creatures 2. 5 Creatures were split into Three Groups 2. 6 Transmigration of souls 2. 7 History of the Humanity 2. 8 King Yima and the Long Winter 2. 9 Glorious Governance of King Yima 2. 10 Mirs 3. Glossary 3. 1 Simorgh 3. 2 The mundane egg 3. 3 The Cosmos 3. 4 Spheres, planets and fixed stars 3. 5 Vourkaša Sea 3. 6 Fravashi of the world 3. 7 Mt. Harā 3. 8 Êran-vēj 3. 9 Vara 3. 10 The rim mountains 3. 11 Cinvat bridge Appendix 1. Rig Veda A1. 1 Hymn 2.27 A1. 2 Hymn 3.27 A1. 3 Hymn 5.59 Appendix 2. Mihr Yasht A2. 1 Worship A2. 2 Mithra’s eight friends A2. 3 Mithra’s dwelling A2. 4 Keep contract, do not lie A2. 5 Do good governance A2. 6 Mithra’s rulership of the World Appendix 3 Hellenistic Sources A3.
    [Show full text]
  • A Brief Exposition of Spirituality in Zoroastrianism -Kersey H
    A brief Exposition of Spirituality in Zoroastrianism -Kersey H. Antia Spirituality takes different forms in different religious philosophies. Almost all religions emphasize the need for good deeds but some may prescribe certain pre-requisites such as believing in the prophet as Savior or the Son of God, or believing him to be the sole legitimate prophet on earth, or believing in the theory of reincarnation, or in a God involved in the history of survival of a particular race. In Zoroastrianism, while a belief in Zoroaster as a prophet is self-evident, what is crucial in attaining spirituality is applying his teachings in actual practice. It is not surprising therefore, that the name often used for Zoroastrianism in Avesta and Pahelavi is the Good Religion or the Mazdayasni (One-God-Worshipping) Religion. What then are Zoroaster’s teachings for attaining spirituality? Zoroaster’s Teachings on Attaining Spirituality I, for one, find a very short and sweet answer to this question in the very words of our prophet as so well expressed contained in Yasna 34.1: “Let us fully emulate the ways of Lord Ahura Mazda, the way he himself has attained immortality, Asha, Good Rule and Perfection. Let us fully realize them in our own being and in our own life in full measure.” The same sentiment is explained in the beginning stanza of Spentomaiti Gatha (Yasna 47.1) but here in one stanza, as nowhere else in the Gathas, all the seven Amesha Spentas are mentioned along with Spenta Mainyu, the Beneficent Spirit or Godly Mentality. Of all the religions of the world, only Zoroastrianism, in addition to coining a name for the All Knowing God, Ahura Mazda - perhaps the first time in the history of mankind, also delineates seven attributes of Ahura Mazda called Amesha Spentas, Beneficent Immortals.
    [Show full text]
  • The Zoroastrian Sanitary Code
    100 = 00o -in = o ICO M ZORO. i^^^^^^m SANrnAR I w^^^^^"mm^ Presented to the LffiRARY of the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO by WiUard G. Oxtoby ft ? V^/'f? \ ^l^!i^l^ >1<YSH^^H ^^l^ h[\l'HR M'^(/fl ^?^b t\i >H^^l^.3i) \mH[ CH>MI<1 >l[:>^l ^cil: ^i Mi^^^^ ^Jtci'H?:? jjiHi^ n^sjHi ^Ho tibIriiHHi^^i$lu ZOROASTRIAM SANITARY CODE. (M^( 41MHI 2H^ 5)^ Raw .^5v"-H^i ^ii Wnm^i ^^l6ll W'3l5^ <MIHI^[ CH">{1 ^miMl ^l^ ^, "^ ^Wcft Clio 3\ >{1 il^^n^ \^^V9 ^Hl'O ^"^AHI ^^ ^(11 i^-lR dH^ ^.iSC-ft 5HiM^mi 5ni=i^. @MC-ft ^IQil'O il^lni< ^'^Wll^ 2HI ^[^<m i\(^^ ^^cl^l =HiMHm( ^%iiii 'ilife ^m[^ n m'l<{\ ?isci>ii =ir*^r ^H[\i b<\ wtlc-^ll ^cil. 2Hm y>cl( Vict ^Jj(V ^^l^l (H^lW 5Hlo?\l (^ni, ^ ^i. ^*>i ^^- '^ 5h., ^^ ilo ^Ul^lfc) 'I^^I'VS^ ^t^^; %H. (*> 6E"?'-'^ US '^j-uc^ .jV-n3>i-*'^^ -ei^-wa) .)yo)j*e^-"W ^"^^1? ciH ^ici~ 'd^ ^"^i^i!^ Sh"^! cf^<;-^^ (^'ii, 5^15;^ M^'s s^^ ^(v^n^i J/I^l ^cll: " ^il^ HlJs^^ll The Zoroastrian Sanitary Code 'll^^l ^^l^l 5HMl^ clMRHl ^. cil <H>MlH^l l^cil ^Ici ( Systematically ) c-t>Hmi s^vl^ rim. lii<^s "il'-Mcil \kn ^qisvlMl ^H^IH 5H^ cl'si^dl (Sanitary) ml-ll ^I3l>^[-^41 "^ ^ R'HH-ll ^sil^l ^i^ 5Hl^ rt<|l. "Ilfcl '-HI XwiCHldl >il^l 5HIHR la SM^ <^mill ^^ ^. -m^ ^ ct?.<V C-I3ldl e^iR^i %IR ^$fl C-l>HH^l ^^* ^Icl cil ^ \^m[^ '^AimiM ^[^{m <vqi 1 o^^[ %^[ (\) Mit^n, (;t) (^Hi, jvt^i^ (3) i*i\ ^^ 3R>{1'{1 5H^^, (Y) ^i.^5ii;\ ^iciiX,^Pt -i <*^qi CHIHS ov^Ml, (m) ^R15j, (0 ^ictl ^iSli 5H4 d^i (3Ml?ll Vk^l{\ ^\[l<{ mM.
    [Show full text]
  • Sarasvati-Croat Cultural Interactions During the Transition from Neolithic to Metals Age (Ca
    Sarasvati-Croat cultural interactions during the transition from Neolithic to Metals Age (ca. 6500 BCE to 1 st millennium BCE) Part 1d Behistun rock and inscription referring to Harauvatish 1 Behistun inscription, 6 th cent. BCE [Ancient Near East Behistun Inscription by Jon Bartlett] http://www.georgefox.edu/academics/grad/wes/bst550/jbartlett/BI.html [1.6] Says Darius the king: These are the countries which came to me; by the grace of Auramazda I became king of them; Persia, Susiana, Babylonia, Assyria, Arabia, Egypt, the (lands) which are on the sea, Sparda, Ionia, [Media], Armenia, Cappadocia, Parthia, Drangiana, Aria, Chorasmia, Bactria, Sogdiana, Ga(n)dara, Scythia, Sattagydia, Arachosia, Maka; in all (there are) 23 countries. [Column 1 Text Source: The Behistan Inscription of King Darius Translator: Herbert Cushing Tolman Publisher: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 1908] Trilingual inscription on face of a gorge beneath panel of sculptures Text: Column 1 2 10 xshâyathiyâ : âha : adam navama : IX : duvitâparanam : vavam : xshâyathi 11 yâ : amahy : thâtiy : Dârayavaush : xshâyathiya : vashnâ : Auramazd 12 âha : adam : xshâyathiya : amiy : Auzamazdâ : xshaçam : manâ : frâbara : th 13 âtiy : Dârayavaush : xshâyathiya : imâ : dahyâva : tyâ : manâ : patiyâisha : vashn 14 â : Auramazdâha : adamshâm : xshâyathiya : âham : Pârsa : Ûvja : Bâbirush : A 15 thurâ : Arabâya : Mudrâya : tyaiy : drayahyâ : Sparda : Yauna : Mâda : Armina : Kat 16 patuka : Parthava : Zraka : Haraiva : Uvârazmîy : Bâxtrish : Suguda : Gadâra : Sa 17 ka : Thatagush : Harauvatish : Maka : fraharavam : dahyâva : XXIII : thâtiy : Dâra 18 yavaush : xshâyathiya : imâ : dahyâva : tyâ : manâ : patiyâita : vashnâ Column 3 76 nâ : abava : ima : tya : manâ : kartam : Harauvatiyâ : thâtiy : Dârayavaush : xshâ (3.75-6.) Darius the King says: After that the province became mine.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Name of God Mithraism and God Believers Sect
    151 IN THE NAME OF GOD MITHRAISM AND GOD BELIEVERS SECT EHSANİ, Sohrab İRAN/IRAN/ИРАН (( When swords sound is heard, when horses nostrils are shaken ... when bows string is wistling and releasing the sharp arrows. do the great gods, mithra and ormuzd help us)) << Mehr yasht >> Mithraism have had some followers in IRAN and other countries for centuries. after christ prophetic mission, Mithraism were defeated by Christionity and its. Followers in new christion lands were prosecuted and their temples were destroyd. After Islam and its spreading in IRAN through different ways, Mithra who has been worshiped along the Zoroaster was abandoned. After Arab muslems attacking IRAN and capturing it, inspite of intensive preventing by muslem governors, new Iranian muslems did their Pre-Islam customs which distincted them from other and at the same time was a negative resistance against new governors. Gradually after appearance of religious sects, because of social, political and economic factors particularly after mongol attack Mithraism effects were appeared. Some of these sects have been also affected by manichaean and Mazdaism. God believer is a religion sects affected by Mithraism in IRAN which has been formed and spreaded specially in west country. The followers live in different parts of IRAN because of some different factors. They believe in Imam Ali, not as God but he is not a part from God and they believe that God supreme being has been appeared in Ali. Their best time was from Soltan Ishagh age (8th century AH). He was one of their greatest which is known as creator and recognizer of this sect.
    [Show full text]
  • Gahanbar Panjeh
    ZANTZANT NEWSNEWS A Publication of Zoroastrian Association of North Texas www.zant.org March 2012 ZANT EVENTS ZOROASTRIAN CALENDAR INSIDE THIS ISSUE 03/03/12: ZLC Breakfast Upcoming Events 2-4 03/11&12/12: ZANT Youth 3/2: Mehrgan Jashan [S] lock-in 3/12-3/16: Ayathrem Gh [S] Vohu Manah Gems 5 03/11/12: Children/Teen 3/16-3/20: Panjeh Gh [F] Religious class 3/20: NouRooz [F] Youth Corner 6 03/11/12: Vohu Manah Group Key Card Access 7 03/17&18/12: Gahanbar Panjeh Article 8 03/21/12: Nourooz Meet & Greet Kids’ Corner 9 03/24/12: Nourooz Function 03/31/12: Woodworking Class Treasurer’s Corner 10 04/06/12: ZANT Camping BOARD OF DIRECTORS MESSAGE FROM THE ZANT BOARD President Zal Parakh O Ahura Mazda, God Omniscient, witnessing all the beauties of nature You have created, we feel happy, and feel the urge to turn especially to You. We Vice President Saghar Behroozi bow our heads, and raise our hands up. We ask for Your guidance through Your gifted progressive mind. Treasurer Pearl P. Balsara God Omniscient, we thank You for all You have granted us. We thank You for all You shall grant us. We shall remain praising You and preserving Your Secretary Khurshid Jamadar creation. We want to serve, as long as we can, our own selves, our families, our neighbors, our countrymen, and our fellow human beings on this good Social Director Delnaaz Irani earth. We shall serve them all through righteousness and with wisdom. We shall join hands with every good man and woman to unite in mind and body, Director Afsaneh Samiya and to cooperate in thoughts, words and deeds in order to create an ever-new, ever-progressive, and ever-better world.
    [Show full text]
  • The Symbol of Zoroastrian Religion
    THE SYMBOL OF ZOROASTRIAN RELIGION - Was designed during the reign of Achaemenian Dynasty, 600-500 B.C. Cyrus and Darius the Great were the two well-known kings of that dynasty. - The head represents wisdom which is emphasized in Zoroastrian religion. Ahura Mazda (The Supreme Creator) means The Wise Lord. - The raised index finger indicates one God. - The ring in the other hand means honoring contracts. Mithra which was the god of light with his seat being the sun, also was the supporter of sanctity of treaties. - Wings with 3 layer of feathers symbolize Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds. - The large circle represents this world of matter. - The two supports are the two natures of man (angelic and animal.) - The skirt is the worldly attachment. The message of this symbol is that with recognition of one God, with use of wisdom and trustworthiness and wings of Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds the angelic side of man could free him from the world of matter and lift him towards God. ZOROASTER - BAHA'U'LLAH'S ANCESTOR A transcript of audio-cassette from series WINDOWS TO THE PAST by Darius K. Shahrokh, M.D. ZOROASTER - BAHA'U'LLAH'S ANCESTOR A transcript of audio-cassette from series WINDOWS TO THE PAST by Darius K. Shahrokh, M.D. This presentation, which is a window from my heart, is dedicated to the memory of my father, Arbab Kaykhosrow Shahrokh, whose over thirty years of dedicated service as the leader and representative of the Zoroastrian Community of Iran elevated the status of that persecuted and impoverished minority from ignominy of being called infidel fire-worshippers and untouchables to the height of being considered the honorable descendants of original Persians, the noble ones.
    [Show full text]
  • Mithra Mithraism Christmas Day & Yalda Complete
    MITHRA, MITHRAISM CHRISTMAS DAY & YALDA K. E. Eduljee Zoroastrian Heritage Monographs Time saving Truth from Falsehood and Envy. Falsehood holds the mask of deceit in his hand. A 1737 painting by Francois Lemoyne (1688-1737). The artist suffered from severe depression and killed himself the day after he completed this painting. In the Zoroastrian scriptures, the Avesta, Mithra is the guardian of truthfulness, keeping one’s word and the bonds of friendship. Zoroastrianism presages a world when goodness will overcome evil, and truthfulness will overcome deceit and the Lie. Every person needs to do her or his part to enable that goal to be reached – and to battle falsehood at every step. This monograph is dedicated to the memory of my mother Katayun Eduljee née Katayun Kaikhoshro Irani. Her brother, Darius Kaikhoshro Irani’s leadership and motivation have inspired my study and writing. Detailed edition First edition published, November 2015. This second edition published, November 2016 by K. E. Eduljee West Vancouver, BC, Canada The monograph has been published in two versions: 1. Complete version with notations and source texts, 2. Abridged version without notations and source texts. For further enquiries and pdf or printed copies: [email protected] www.zoroastrianheritage.com This pdf copy in full form may be distributed freely. © K. E. Eduljee No part of this book may be reproduced in any other form without permission from the author, except for the quotation of brief passages in citation. Zoroastrian Heritage Monographs VII. References MITHRA, MITHRAISM, CHRISTMAS DAY & YALDA CONTENTS PART I – MITHRA & MITHRAISM............................................................................ 1 1. Who is Mithra?......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • History of Zoroastrianism
    History of Zoroastrianism by Maneckji Nusservanji Dhalla High Priest of the Parsis, Karachi, India idha apãm vijasâiti vanghuhi daena mâzdayasnaish vispâish avi karshvãn yâish hapta. "Henceforth from now may spread The Good Mazdayasnian Religion Over all the zones that are seven." NEW YORK OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS LONDON TORONTO, 1938 TO KHAN BAHADUR KAVASJI HORMASJI KATRAK, O.B.E. at hvo vangheush vahyo nâ aibijamyât ye nâo erezush savangho patho sîshoit ahyâ angheush astvato mananghaschâ haithyeng âstîsh yeng â shaetî ahuro aredro thwâvãns huzentushe spento mazdâ. "May that man attain to better than the good Who helps teaching us the upright paths of blessedness Of this material world and that of the spirit -- The veritable universe wherein pervades Ahura -- That faithful, wise, and holy man is like unto thee, O Mazda." Zarathushtra CONTENTS PAGE BIBLIOGRAPHY xix ABBREVIATIONS xxix INTRODUCTION xxxi PRE-GATHIC PERIOD From the earliest times to about 1000 B.C. CHAPTER I. THE SOURCES 3 The data of information -- The Avestan Nasks -- The Pahlavi, Pazend and Persian sources -- Parsi- Sanskrit and Gujarati sources -- Oriental sources -- Occidental sources -- Inscriptions, coins and tablets as the last source of information. II. AIRYANA VAEJAH 8 The Stem-land of the Aryans -- The Indo- Europeans -- The Indo-Iranians. THE GATHIC PERIOD About 1000 B.C. III. ZARATHUSHTRA 11 Zarathushtra doubts to know -- Zarathushtra seeks silent, solitary seclusion -- Zarathushtra yearns to see Ahura Mazda -- Zarathushtra longs to commune with Ahura Mazda -- Zarathushtra is fined with an intense fervour of enthusiasm for prophetic work -- People marvel at the new prophet -- Zarathushtra definitely breaks with the religion of his forefathers -- The hostile Daevayasnian priests -- Friendless and forlorn, Zarathushtra flees to Ahura Mazda -- Zarathushtra's teachings win the ear of the royal court -- Zarathushtra's mission.
    [Show full text]
  • Significance of Number 5 in Zoroastrianism
    SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBER 5 IN THE ZARATHUSHTRIAN RELIGION by Ervad R. R. Motafram 5 is one of the significant numbers in the Zarathushtrian religious thought. There are 5 Gahs or periods of a complete day, 5 Gathas of the Zarathushtrian scripture, 5 invisible principles in the human constitution, 5 metallic wires in the performance of Baj ceremony. NUMBER 5 IN ASSOCIATION WITH ANGEL SRAOSHA But it is in relation to angel Sraosha that prime importance is accorded to number 5. In any prayer or ceremony in propitiation of Sraosha, always 5 Yatha Ahu Vairyo are recited, and it is significant to note that Sraosha stands for humanity; he is the leader of creations ("Salaar i daamaan"), and the protector of mankind in both the worlds (Larger Sraosha Yasht-25). Now, number 5 stands midway between 1 and 10 signifying thereby two-fold aspect, one, that man has acquired control over the lower kingdoms, and two, he has to unfold his hidden powers in the course of his spiritual development in order to effect atonement with God. It is in the second aspect that Sraosha plays a significant role in that the aspirant draws an inspiration from the angel Sraosha, who is depicted, as 'daeno diso' or 'the teacher of religion', and in strict obedience to divine commandments, typified by Sraosha, he is well-set towards his attainment of the final objective. Also, number 5 refers to the fifth principle in the human constitution viz. mind, and to the fifth great race viz. the Aryan race whose progenitor, according to the Avesta, was Gaya Maretan (Farvardin Yasht-87).
    [Show full text]
  • Zoroastrians (Zarathushtis) and Parsis
    1 of 4 ZOROASTRIANS (ZARATHUSHTIS) AND PARSIS Essence of Divinity Within Each One Of Us Farohar / Fravashi / Fravahar History: Zoroastrians, also known as Zarathushtis, are followers of the Prophet Zarathushtra (ancient Greeks called him Zoroaster) who started the faith in ancient Persia (present day Iran). Scholars believe that Zoroaster existed from before 6000 BC to 600 BC ! Greek historians have placed Zoroaster in much earlier times whereas European sources quote later dates, typically around 1400 BC to1200 BC (1). Other sources, place Zoroaster’s life approximately at 1000 BC (2) or before the rise of Achaemenid dynasty in Persia around 550 BC (3). (See Appendix on Page 4 for more details) From a chronological perspective, Zoroaster preceded Jesus Christ, Gautama Buddha and Prophet Mohammed by several centuries. It is not clear whether Moses (1500 BC to1200 BC) received the Ten Commandments before, during or after Zoroaster’s existence. The Hindu scripture, Bhagvad Gita, was written around 1000 BC (1). “ Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world religions, and it has probably had more influence on mankind, directly and indirectly, than any other single faith … some of its leading doctrines were adopted by Judaism, Christianity and Islam …” — Mary Boyce, Professor & Zoroastrian scholar, University of London (1,7). The Parsis: Zoroastrians of Persian decent, who migrated from Persia to India under the threat of religious persecution from Islamic invaders, became known as the Parsis. Although, originally, the Zoroastrian inhabitants of Iran were known as Parsis (from the province of Pars in Iran) the term today is commonly used to describe the immigrants who landed in India in the seventh century.
    [Show full text]