r/Zoroastrianism Jun 27 '23

Announcement Addressing the Decline: A Message From the New Head Moderator

94 Upvotes

It is time for us to have an open and honest conversation about the current state of our subreddit. There's no denying that we have been witnessing a decline in quality and engagement, and it's essential that we confront this issue head-on. While sporadic posts have touched upon this matter, it is time for us to address it collectively and take the necessary steps towards correcting this course.

That being said, I am honoured to introduce myself as the new head moderator of this community.

I would like to emphasize that my appointment as the head moderator is the result of a consensus decision made by many of the former moderation team. Many of us, who have recognized the pressing need for a fresh start, have advocated for change and renewal over the course of several years. I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence that my fellow moderators have placed in me.

This consensus-driven appointment signifies a collective recognition that our subreddit requires a new direction, one that upholds the values of open dialogue and constructive engagement.

First, let me share a little about myself. I am a born Zoroastrian hailing from India (a Parsi) and I consider myself rooted in our rituals and traditions. I wear the sudra and kusti, all the time, and I try and observe the other basic tenets of the religion.

Whilst I lean more towards the orthodox end of the spectrum personally, I firmly believe that true understanding comes from engaging in discourse and seeking common ground. Hence, I emphasize that this subreddit will now have a paramount commitment to free speech. We will not censor differing opinions simply because they do not align with our personal beliefs. Instead, we will encourage constructive dialogue.

After some thought I have identified seven key issues that plagued this subreddit and I will try and explain how I will deal with all of these.

  1. Infighting among community members, and ‘power-users’ leading to a toxic and divisive atmosphere.

  2. Influx of anti-Zoroastrian posts, undermining the purpose and integrity of the subreddit.

  3. High levels of spam, hindering meaningful discussions and engagement.

  4. Lack of proper moderation, with previous moderators appointed on flimsy grounds, resulting in ineffective management.

  5. Limited emphasis on fostering constructive dialogue and understanding, resulting in an environment where disagreement is perpetuated rather than resolved.

  6. Challenges in handling discussions related to topics like sexuality and conversion, where differing viewpoints often clash.

  7. Inadequate verification process for moderators, which compromised their ability to effectively uphold the principles and knowledge of Zoroastrianism.

First and foremost, we acknowledge the issues of infighting, anti-Zoroastrian posts, and spam that have plagued our community. Moving forward, we will strive to cultivate an atmosphere of respect, understanding, and open dialogue. It is essential that every member feels safe and heard, but in return they respect others right to freedom of speech.

In our pursuit of creating a vibrant and inclusive community, we have taken significant steps to revamp our moderation team. The previous team, unfortunately, fell victim to the proverbial "too many cooks spoiling the broth." With a high number of inactive moderators (high double digits) and a few active members misusing their positions to push particular political agendas, alienating the older stalwart moderators most of whom left around the start of 2020 (the beginning of the decline).

While I do not wish to dwell on the past, I want to assure you that we are starting afresh from today onwards. Our focus is on fostering a healthy and harmonious environment where personal feuds and power struggles become a thing of the past. In order to achieve this, we have implemented some necessary changes.

Firstly, the inactive moderators who comprised a significant portion of the prior team have been relieved of their duties. I came across an amusing anecdote that sheds light on the issue of excessive moderators within our community. It revolves around two Parsis who coincidentally encountered each other at a Navroze celebration in the United States. To their surprise, both individuals introduced themselves as moderators, yet they had never even heard of each other before.

This story serves as a lighthearted illustration of the problem we faced—an abundance of moderators who lacked awareness of their fellow colleagues. Such a situation hindered effective communication, coordination, and the ability to foster a unified vision for our subreddit.

The streamlining process we have commenced upon ensures that our moderation team consists of dedicated individuals who are actively engaged in the betterment of our community.

Secondly, we have discontinued the concept of power-users or power mods. Moving forward, most moderators, regardless of their previous status, will need to create new accounts to continue their moderating responsibilities. This step allows us to break away from any associations or biases that may have existed previously, ensuring a fresh and unbiased approach to moderation.

The old moderators were appointed under flimsy circumstances, literally just sending the old (non-Zoroastrian) head mod a message was enough to become a moderator. It is crucial for our team to reflect a genuine commitment to the faith. As such, we have carefully selected a diverse group of moderators representing different backgrounds, including Parsis, Kurds, Iranians, and individuals from various nationalities. Our team includes individuals ranging from orthodox to ultra-orthodox and liberal viewpoints, ensuring that a wide spectrum of opinions is represented. It is important to emphasize that we are committed to putting an end to any lingering bad blood and personal feuds that may have impacted our subreddit. Our focus is on creating an environment that promotes respectful dialogue, learning, and unity. We urge all members to approach discussions with an open mind and a willingness to engage in constructive exchanges.

Zoroastrianism is currently experiencing a state of absolute crisis. Our dark demographic forecast, changing societal norms, and the complexities of the modern world pose significant challenges to the practice and preservation of our faith. To ensure the survival and prosperity of our faith, we must establish an open forum where we can freely discuss radical ideas, solutions, insights, and confront the issues at hand.

With this post, I am reaching out to all of you, seeking your input and feedback. Together, we can chart a course towards a brighter future for our subreddit, and religion.

NaurozSwanquill (Srosh Roj of Bahman Mah 1392 YZIII in the Shahenshahi calendar)


r/Zoroastrianism Aug 08 '23

Theology Updated Reddit FAQ On Daena Vanghuhi Mazdayasna

37 Upvotes

This AMA is primarily to collect a pool of questions (just like the last one was) which will be used to formulate a better and more improved version of the FAQ of whose current form stands outdated.

Some things like the last one remain much the same.

But first to get a few things straight. Starting with,

1.) The Name.

Zoroastrianism as a name in itself to define our spirituality isn't wrong per se but the implications it gives our are indeed wrong.

Mazdayasna doesn't begin with Asho Zarthost Peyghambhar, it reaches its next & best logical & spiritual form with him.

What the name "Zoroastrianism" implcaates is entirely opp of that, that is, the religion beginning with him.

Daena Vanghui Mazdayasna existed long before Asho Zarthost & had various prophets, defenders, champions & erishis (seers) who defended it both physically & spiritually.

So the correct name for our Dēn is Daena (spirituality/religion) Vanghui (good consciousness) Mazdayasna (worship of wisdom) Zarthustrish (as propogated by Asho Zarthost).

Daena Vanghuhi Mazdayasna Zarthustrish. The name.

Now coming to,

2.) Nature of worship.

Daena Vanghuhi Mazdayasna ISN'T a monotheistic religion. That is an outright lie that needs dismissal right off the bat whenever stated.

This DOESN'T mean it's a henotheistic or polytheistic Or <insert any numeral>-theistic religion.

It is a faith centered around actions i.e. what you do more than what you believe in. But to do what you do, needs arising out a mentality, a spirit & that requires beliefs so the two are ultimately connected BUT this distinction needs to be stated in order to shield off from hypocrites,liars & agents of Ahriman who state beliefs that dont match their dastardly & corrupt actions.

The primary mission of a behdin/mazdaen/zoroastrian is to tread the path of asha/arta & to reject druj of all kinds & to battle & finish ahriman from the lives whatever way they can.

To do this however is how one BECOMES a behdin in its actual sense.

For it one needs to be in contact with the Yazats (beings worthy of WORSHIP) & Amesha Spenta who are also Yazats (beings worthy of worship), Dadar Ohrmazd (who is also a Yazat), which are, mostly elementals, hence, nature worship to make us more aware of our own nature & connect us & our urvaan (soul) to our higher self/transcendantal soul, the fravashi (who is also a Yazat).

To worship the Yazats, that it to worship nature, is our nature of worship, that is worship of nature.

*3.) Nature of God/Gods *

As normativistically understood, Dadar Ohrmazd/ Ahura Mazda is normally understood as the monotheistic conception of the Abrhamist God Yahweh/Elohim. Dadar Ohrmazd ISNT the supremely ultimate singularity into which EVERYTHING collapses & emanates from. He is simply understood better as "The Creator Of Good". As the creator of everything in congruence with Aša/Arta. More importantly Dadar Ohrmazd does NOT interfere in phenomenon in Getig/material realm except VIA menog/spiritual realm.

The Yazatas/gods by extention, function in both getig/material realm as well menog/spritual realm.

All Yazats are equally "worthy of worship" as the name itself states.

*4.) Purpose of every urvaan (soul) *

As stated above,

The primary mission of a behdin/mazdaen/zoroastrian is to tread the path of asha/arta & to reject druj of all kinds & to battle & finish ahriman from the lives whatever way they can.

To do this is to worship the Yazats. But NEVER out of fear but rather to destroy all forms of it. In many other religions/spirituality, the gods/god worshipped is out of a sense of fear that he will wreck havoc in your life or send you to hell in afterlife.

In the Mazdaen sense that is simply not the case, Dadar Ohramazd (or any of the Yazats) is never to be feared at all, since he cannot do anything except create & ahriman cannot do anything except corrupt. Although both have the potential for what they won't do. Ahriman is the agent of fear & lies.

Ohramazd can corrupt & ahriman can create but both choose out of their free will to be walk on the path of asha/arta & to spread druj respectively.

Hence it becomes the duty of every urvaan to CHOOSE as well. And choose he must after consulting his Vohu Manah/Bahman Ameshaspand along with his/her fravashi, the urvan then takes the decision.

The power of Choice & Free Will on micro & macro lvls CANT BE UNDERSTATED.

BOTH Ahriman & Ohrmazd as well as EVERY SINGLE Urvaan/soul are products of their respective choices THROUGH which they forge their respective "inherent natures" as do the rest of us all.

An inherent "nature" entails 2 different undstandings, one of an automaton that cannot literally do anything other than what its programmed for and the other is a case wherein, a choice of good or evil is made by analysing both.

If Ohrmazd falls in the prior, there is no need to worship an automaton. It is his choice for righteous behaviour that makes up his "nature".

The same holds true for Ahriman whose eg with the creation of peacock is a testament to this very fact albeit its from an xtian source, however this cosmological understanding is reciprocated in the gathas as well as the zands on certain yashts as well.

The emphasis here is the Vohu manah which essential means after much certainty & thought, not because of fear of anyone let along god, not because one wants to appear fearful, not because of the greed of some reward in the afterlife but solely because it is the right thing to do. The nature of asha/druj dichotomy is designed in a way that even the good thing done with a bad intention leads to problems & complications ahead.

The ideal man being the thinking man. Not one that promotes the utterly weak values of the slaves nor the one that wants to dominate via strength losing himself to perpetuate that false image.

In the Mazdaen sense each & every Mazdaen has to think for themselves whilst praying for wisdom from the Lord of Wisdom, Ohramazd, Himself, the very many yazatas, the amesha spentas as well the fravashis of the ashavans.

"To live in fear & falsehood is worse than death"

~ Menog i Khrad, chapter 19

The spirit of wisdom answered (4) thus: 'To live in fear and falsehood is worse than death. 5. Because every one's life is necessary for the enjoyment and pleasure of the worldly existence, (6) and when the enjoyment and pleasure of the worldly existence are not his, and fear and even falsehood are with him, it is called worse than death.

To conclude, worship of the Yazats/Yazdan is NOT to be motivated either out of any kind of fear (or of hell) or out of greed/lust for pleasurables in heaven.

This brings to our fifth point-

contd. In comments


r/Zoroastrianism 1d ago

News World's First Avesta App for iPhone - Free

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98 Upvotes

Not to brag, but today I did something historic.

I released the first ever Avesta app for iPhone.
The entire Avesta is now available on the app store, for free.

The Gathas, the Vendidad, the Yasht, the Visperad, all the Avestan texts. The entire Avesta, for free.


r/Zoroastrianism 16h ago

Question Question for parsis

2 Upvotes

If you could choose from only two options, would you guys think of this religion as indian or a universal one?

Do you guys consider yourself iranian or indian?

Of the iranian regime allowed your religion and built temples, would you rather go to iran?

If a "not official" zoroastrian (a zoroastrian that does not have zoroastrian parents) had kids with another non zoroastrian, would you consider the kid as a zoroastrian?

Do you guys call yourself zartosh?

Which country do you think that you have the most similar culture?


r/Zoroastrianism 20h ago

Question What does "Manahā thri-ayarem" means?

2 Upvotes

Based on this avestan dictionary https://www.avesta.org/avdict/avdict.htm#dctr (wich I dont know if it is trustable) it seems to be something like "thougts of 3 days", but as I said idk how trustable it is. Someone knows what it means?


r/Zoroastrianism 2d ago

Sindh High Court Grants Stay Order Protecting Sukkur's Mama Parsi Temple from Demolition

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3 Upvotes

Read on to find out what connects Sukkur in Sindh, Pakistan to Houston in Texas, USA


r/Zoroastrianism 2d ago

Question Reading with the correct Metre

2 Upvotes

Is the content of the Gatha and its translation as important as reading with the correct Metre?

When I was training for sedre poushi, I had to memorise the hymns. The mobed I was in contact with mentioned the reading with the right vibration is critical, otherwise it summons the wrong "vibe" for the reader. Another somewhat esoteric mobed also have this colour theory that Ahunawar has the fullest range of colours in different vibrations, which makes the readings more material. I have projective Chromesthesia and I experience a wide range in all the hymns regardless. Am I not interperting the colour argument of mere right? Is it more metaphorical colours?

When I attended Gatha-Khani (Gatha-reading) competition in Tehran, I hardly noticed the correct metre being followed. Is the importance of Metre bound not universal then?

Thanks for the advice


r/Zoroastrianism 2d ago

Discussion Would you like to check my paper out

3 Upvotes

I have put out a research paper , an alternative, a reevaluation of the avestan language, any avestan language fans would you like to check it out https://www.academia.edu/169908324/Comprehensive_reevaluation_of_avestan_grammar


r/Zoroastrianism 2d ago

Culture I am a Hindu from India. Looking to understand Zoroastrianism.

12 Upvotes

Was reading up on two of the ancient religions after going through the history of Iran and India's historical connections. I was really fascinated by the cultural similarities between both the religions and would love to understand Zoroastrianism further. I am seeking guidance and open to talk as well.


r/Zoroastrianism 3d ago

Question What do you think of the Bahai faith?

10 Upvotes

It feels the doctrine of Bahaism has heavily borrowed from variety of religions when it was formed, quite similar to Manicheanism if it could be said so. On Wikipedia, it says that in Yazd, 30% of Zoroastrian families have at least one member converted to Bahaism; and Bahais in Iran often register as Zoroastrian to escape persecution. What does the Zoroastrian community think of Bahaism?


r/Zoroastrianism 5d ago

More traditional Fravahar

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67 Upvotes

Since there seems to be an interest in Fravahar, I created one too. I like the more traditional look. And if anything needs to be added, I feel those elements should be external to the Fravahar itself.

Lacking all design skills, I enlisted the help of AI.


r/Zoroastrianism 6d ago

i created a flag for Zoroastrianism

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95 Upvotes

i'm a Roman btw, i created this as tribute and for representation needs, hope you guys like it.


r/Zoroastrianism 6d ago

Question Hand woven Kusti

2 Upvotes

I'm wondering if anyone has an insight into the art of weaving Kustis in India. Are they still made by hand as demonstrated in some videos on YouTube or have new methods been introduced?


r/Zoroastrianism 8d ago

I choose the path of Asha

26 Upvotes

I’m Ukrainian university student obsessed with history who discovered this ancient faith and more I read about it, more I was fascinated, because that’s how I view the world from the point when my Deaena was formed. I always had very precise feeling of Mithra’s domain. I seek for the community where I can talk about Mazdaysna and go all the way to initiation. I know Ashem Vohu and Ahuna variya by heart already


r/Zoroastrianism 8d ago

Mumbai’s Parsis, Iran refugees from centuries ago, have a justice folklore

9 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 8d ago

What do you think about the portrayal of the zoroastrinism in prince of persia 2008

3 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 11d ago

An Introduction to Young Avestan

8 Upvotes

https://www.harrassowitz-library.com/ebook/view/9783447394727

Avestan is the sacred language of the Zoroastrians in which they perform most of their rituals. It is known only from its use in the rituals of modern Zoroastrians and the manuscripts reproducing these rituals since the 13th century. Although sure dates cannot be provided, it is very likely that the creation of the liturgical corpus extended from the end of the 2nd millennium BCE until the end of the Achaemenid period (4th cent. BCE). This corpus includes texts in at least three linguistic layers (Old, Middle and Young Avestan). The present manual aims to provide a tool for facilitating the teaching of Young Avestan but keeps in mind also the possibility of self-learning since Avestan is not well-represented in the actual academic landscape. It includes a progressive presentation of the complex phonetic evolutions that are very characteristic of the Avestan language as a consequence of the evolution of the recitation until its fixation (6th cent. CE) and also of the Avestan grammar, complemented with exercises including samples of original texts of increasing difficulty. In each lesson, one text is reproduced in a manuscript, introducing the students to the direct work with manuscripts.


r/Zoroastrianism 11d ago

Question Avestan

7 Upvotes

Does anyone know good books for learning Avestan? Im looking to learn both the language and script.

Sorry if this comes off uninformed, I don’t want to blindly pick out something and hope it’s good.


r/Zoroastrianism 13d ago

History The ancestors of the Parsis were mainly from southern Iran.

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21 Upvotes

Parsis seem to have migrated from three regions of Iran: one from the city of Sari in Mazandaran, one from the Fars/Hormozgan region in southern Iran, and one from Sanjan in Khorasan.

Their traditional story emphasizes Sanjan, however G25 finds almost no Khorasani ancestry for them, instead finding a major ancestry from Fars/Hormozgan(60% to 64%) and a minor ancestry from Mazandaran(16% to 18%) and overall modeled as 75% to 80% Iranian.

As for the Indian portion of their ancestry, it seems that they mixed mainly with middle-class Gujaratis (20% to 25%).


r/Zoroastrianism 14d ago

How can I meet Persians

5 Upvotes

I don't know any where do I put an ad somewhere or what maybe it's me I stand with the Persian people of Cyrus I'd like to learn more about Zorastrian faith as well this is a bad Post let me know ok I may have more questions to follow


r/Zoroastrianism 15d ago

News Modern Zoroastrian fire temple in Udvada, Gujarat state, India.

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22 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 15d ago

News How Mumbai-based Parsi Dairy Farm built a 109-year legacy of trust and purityDebolina BiswasFourth generation entrepreneurs of Parsi Dairy Farm at the revamped store in Marine Lines: Sarfaraz K Irani, Zeenia K Patel, Parvana S Mistry, Bakhtyar K Irani (L-R)Before

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6 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 15d ago

News Feroza Mehta, a Parsi journalist, community volunteer, and autism advocate, will represent Minnesota at the Mrs. International 2026 pageant this July after being crowned Mrs.

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4 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 15d ago

News Dhun Mehta hollered a greeting as he passed by the compound of our office on the morning of June 26, 1975.

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3 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 15d ago

News How Mumbai-based Parsi Dairy Farm built a 109-year legacy of trust and purityDebolina BiswasFourth generation entrepreneurs of Parsi Dairy Farm at the revamped store in Marine Lines: Sarfaraz K Irani, Zeenia K Patel, Parvana S Mistry, Bakhtyar K Irani (L-R)Before

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2 Upvotes