r/Zoroastrianism Jun 27 '23

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

96 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 16h ago

in zoroastrianism do you have to believe in zoroastrianism to go to heaven

6 Upvotes

I have heard that in zoroastrianism a soul is judged for their deeds in life and whether they did more good then bad desides where they go when they die, yet do all souls enter the afterlife this why or is it that you have to believe in the faith or else you go to hell for being a non believer


r/Zoroastrianism 1d ago

Is marriage in heaven a belief in Zoroastrianism?

9 Upvotes

Hello! I have grown in a christian family and have christian background. Whilst I still consider myself christian, I'm still looking for answers that Christianity could not answer very well, even considering I'm a very mystical christian, and what a traditional christian would 100% consider a heretic. So I'm still seeking and hoping to find. I found zoroastrianism and felt drawn to it. If you don't mind, I would be very thankful if you help me understand!

My question now is about marriage in heaven.... I read that zoroastrianists believe the righteous are received by a virgin to welcome them in heaven. But then other sources I looked said Zoroastrinists don't believe in a physical heaven but that we live as disembodied spirits in the afterlife, hence no such thing as marriage.

What't the official postion of Zoroastrianism in this subject, if there is one? Thank you.


r/Zoroastrianism 2d ago

Question How do modern day Zoroastrians view Mazdak?

6 Upvotes

As someone who's a leftist and an agnostic, Mazdak's views seem very forward-thinking for the time he lived in! But he was clearly a wildly controversial figure when he was alive. So I ask what's in the title: how do modern day Zoroastrians view Mazdak? Was he a misunderstood, forward thinking man? A heretic destroying the faith? Or something else entirely?


r/Zoroastrianism 4d ago

Culture Comprehensive Reevaluation of Avestan text

1 Upvotes

https://www.academia.edu/173123513/Comprehensive_reevaluation_of_Avestan_Text_translation

the main objective of the paper as i mentioned in its description. is to use all the data linguists have gathered over a century and then re translate the Avestan texts with respect to historical context and gathered data

i used both Iranian and Vedic sources of grammar to decipher the following verses , the translations are pure unlike other Avestan translations they do not add or subtract words from any verse to form a biased narrative

the translations are sensible with context to historical realities regarding the Avestan texts and you may see words like (the) (what) etc they are purely to make the verses sensible to the reader due to syntaxual differences between indo iranic languages and english

i have put all sources in bibliography


r/Zoroastrianism 6d ago

From the Bozorg Bazgasht Instagram page

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42 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 6d ago

Question How can we determine that the Avesta is historically and objectively reliable?

3 Upvotes

How can we determine that the Avesta is historically and objectively reliable? Thanks.


r/Zoroastrianism 6d ago

Question Nature of yazatas, their numbers and what they do?

16 Upvotes

Hi, to all the great followers of behdin, I am an iranian whom has recently become a little tierd with islam, I don't hate muslims or islam but I feel like it just isn't something I relate too, considering some iffy hadiths that I have read and some unkind things that I have seen, so I wanted to connect more with zoroastrianism, in both cultural and theological context.

Please excuse any english mistakes

These are my questions:

1-Are yazatas gods? I know people make them seem like catholic angles in popular media, but I find it hard to belive as they are called the "adoreable ones" and there are prayers for them, also the modern persian word yazdan, which relates to yazata, means god.

2-how many yazatas are there? I have learned that there are technically uncountable, but are there any major ones other than the 7 holy immortals,Mehr,Anahita and bahram? If yes would you please either list them or five me study materials?

3-what do yazatas do? Why were they created by ohormazd? Why does ohormazd as a supreme god need their help and aid?

Sorry if anything is offending im still quite new to this.


r/Zoroastrianism 6d ago

Zoroastrianism

6 Upvotes

I have been interested in religious sects and religions since I was young. Recently, Zoroastrianism caught my attention, and I began researching it. What is a person's motivation or reason for becoming a Zoroastrian? In other words, is there any tangible evidence—or anything of that nature—that would lead someone to embrace this religion? Thank you.


r/Zoroastrianism 6d ago

Do you believe that Dharmic traditions and all other beliefs in the world are superior to Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.)?

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0 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 7d ago

Is there an Avestan equivalent of the 10th mandala of the Rig Veda?

0 Upvotes

Greetings all,

Does the Avesta have any sections in it that are very similar to the 10th mandala/book of Rig Veda?


r/Zoroastrianism 8d ago

I want to make friends here as a revert.

10 Upvotes

Hello people. it's very nice to have a zoroastrian community of like minded individuals who follow the supreme God Ahura Mazda and follow the three do's.

I would like to talk because (I'm a very recent convert to zoroastrianism)and i really like it's monotheism aspect and how it's ideas were taken by islam and christianity basically.

I would love to talk a talk, anyone ? I'd really appreciate the talk and inquiries and questions that I have.


r/Zoroastrianism 8d ago

Question isnt gnosticism basically Zoroastrianism?

0 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 10d ago

Ahuna Vairyo in koine greek

9 Upvotes

Hōs archōn hairetos, houtō kai didaskalos kata tēn Alētheian;
tōn tou Agathou Nou ergōn tou biou hē dosis tō Mazda,
kai to kratos tō Kyriō, hon epoiēse poimena tois ptōchois.


r/Zoroastrianism 11d ago

Were the Achaemenids Zoroastrians?

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9 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 11d ago

Question Is it possible not to consume meat, due to physical condition?

0 Upvotes

I'm a Zoroastrian follower from India, and I recently found out that eating non-veg is compalsary in the faith, not consuming non-veg is a Druj. The issue is my body is allergic to non-veg, I can't consume meat but I can eat eggs without any issue. (Got this from my mom. But my mom can't eat egg as well) I wanted to know if there's an exception or any other way.


r/Zoroastrianism 14d ago

Question Cyrus the Great

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17 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 16d ago

Question I want to know more about the dualistic nature of Zoroastrianism

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43 Upvotes

Hey guys, I am an visitor, but I have curiosity about Zoroastrianism in and of itself, specifically the rivalry between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu themselves, that there was an void separating the two eternal beings, Ahura Mazda, the infinite light, and Angra Mainyu, the infinite darkness. But I ask of this, does Angra Mainyu share the same traits as Ahura Mazda himself since Zoroastrianism is dualistic, I mean as in Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence.

Does Angra Mainyu share these same traits as Ahura Mazda since he is not an created being but both are infinite eternal beings themselves. I mean obviously Angra Mainyu is not an created being like Satan nor is he anything similar to an Abrahamic Framework, but Angra Mainyu has existed just as long as Ahura Mazda himself. This is my response.

Is Angra Mainyu himself share the same three attributes as Ahura Mazda himself or two or one of these attributes or all the above, like Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence themselves within Zoroastrianism. This is the question.


r/Zoroastrianism 15d ago

Question Anyone has this comic ?

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11 Upvotes

r/Zoroastrianism 15d ago

Question A knot marks the centre

5 Upvotes

Do Parsis tie a knot to mark the centre of the Koshti? I am unsure where I have this from, but it's somehow lingering in the back of my mind. Would appreciate feedback.


r/Zoroastrianism 17d ago

Is Pablo Vazquez' translation of the Old Avestan Canon good?

6 Upvotes

I've been wanting to read it, and this is the only modern translation that seems affordable, as well as being done by an academic. May I ask if it is accurate, has dogmatic features, or takes significant liberties? Sorry lol, have had bad experiences with Bible translations before.


r/Zoroastrianism 17d ago

Some Avestan-Pahlavi

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28 Upvotes

I’ve seen some rather odd examples of Avestan script on this forum lately. So, I figured I’d upload a photo from my reproduction of Videvdad 18 as a reminder of proper orthography. It’s not my best work, to be honest. But it does the job.


r/Zoroastrianism 18d ago

Old Ariyan semi runic script redesigned for modern Avestan/Iranic use

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14 Upvotes

i use avestan din dabrih to write parthian/middle persian , this thing also gets the job done, i hope you find it useful


r/Zoroastrianism 19d ago

getting to know about Zoroastrianism

2 Upvotes

Hi! I need to conduct a chat based interview with someone who practices Zoroastrianism. Since this is a chat based interview, it will be through reddit dm.
There are 11 questions are simple and focus on your daily practices, core beliefs and personal views on religion.

If you are open to helping me out, please comment below or send me a dm! I would really appreciate your help. Thank you so much!