THE founder of Zoroastrianism, Zarathushtra, or Zoroaster as the Greeks rendered the name, cannot be ascribed any precise date and dating is a hotly contested issue. Academic opinion, which bases its case on linguistic analysis of the oldest texts, suggests a date roughly around 1500 BCE. Other suggestions, based on Greek sources, arrive at dates as far apart as 6000 BCE and the sixth century BCE.
Ahura Mazda is represented on this earth by men and women who are regarded as fundamentally essential in furthering His work on earth. This makes the procreation of mankind through the bonds of marriage a very meritorious act. One cannot really be a true Zarthusti unless one fulfils one’s most important mission on this earth — procreation and raising of pious children who will bring about Frashokereti (renovation, resurrection). Celibacy is therefore discouraged. Even priests should marry, and only married priests, therefore were enjoined to perform weddings.
The Gathas are the Hymns composed by Zarathushtra about 3,500 years ago. The poetic complexity and beauty of these songs is almost beyond belief. Each Ha (one of the Chapters) has its own symmetric structures; and each verse contains, quite often, parallel structures sometimes coordinated and sometimes contrasting. Since the theology of the Gathas has been discussed often, I shall limit myself to the innovative and lofty religious elements contained in Zarathushtra’s Hymns.
The most revolutionary and far-reaching conception was the shift of focus of religious commitment from the tribal to the individual. Religious commitment is viewed as an act of individual reflection, choice, and active dedication, which has nothing to do with the fact of birth in a community or tribe.
It is indeed a privilege and an honour to be elected Chairman of the World Zoroastrian Organisation, an organisation that has been an important part of my life for over 16 years.I am very pleased to inform you that WZO will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in the Spring of this year.
Through these years, WZO has gone through a lot of changes, always adapting to the needs of the Zoroastrian diaspora.In 1993, WZO led the way by opening its membership to non-Zoroastrian spouses and their children because of their significant contribution to our community, particularly in the West.In the past decade, we have changed our attitudes to disbursing charity from exclusively to Zoroastrians in India to directing it to needy Zoroastrians wherever they are and, on occasions, to deserving non-Zoroastrian causes.
WZO in London celebrated the Nowruz at a Dinner and Dance with an Iranian theme.The evening was a great success with WZO raising approximate £1,000 for its charitable activities.
THE founder of Zoroastrianism, Zarathushtra, or Zoroaster as the Greeks rendered the name, cannot be ascribed any precise date and dating is a hotly contested issue. Academic opinion, which bases its case on linguistic analysis of the oldest texts, suggests a date roughly around 1500 BCE. Other suggestions, based on Greek sources, arrive at dates as far apart as 6000 BCE and the sixth century BCE.
WZO in London celebrated the Nowruz at a Dinner and Dance with an Iranian theme.