The Wondrous Circle of Life – part 1

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The Wondrous Circle of Life – part 1

Roj Khorshed Mah Meher, 1380 Yz.

Where do we come from? Why are we here? What do we need to do here? Where will we go? These are the essential and existential questions asked by all at some point or other in our life. Great philosophers and thinkers have applied their immense intellect to come up with answers that may satisfy our urge to know the reality behind this earth. A famous musician and singer wrote eloquently:

From the day we arrive ...

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25
FEB
9

Circle of Life, Zarathushtrian facts

How to come to terms with a tragedy – part 1

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How to come to terms with a tragedy – part 1

Roj Din Mah Amardad, 1380 Yz.

Tragedies have a habit of sneaking up on us. One minute we are laughing, content and full of plans for the future. An occasional visit to the doctor, a casual observation, a blood report, the next moment, brings all this to an end. Our carefully built edifice based on our best laid plans, years of hopes and aspirations – all comes tumbling down. Rare is the person who has not looked up to his Creator ...

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9
JAN
8

Tackling Tragedy, Words of Wisdom

The Ilm-e-Khshnoom SkyDrive digitization project

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The Ilm-e-Khshnoom SkyDrive digitization project

Roj Khorshed Mah Ardibehesht, 1380 Yz.

A great hurdle to the serious student of our religion and its mystic side has been the acute shortage of good and reliable books. The great surge of printing books happened at the beginning of the 20th century. However, these books have been long out of print or stored in libraries inaccessible to the normal student.

In case of Khshnoom, the experience was no better. Despite a huge output of books, magazines, newspapers and articles, many ...

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28
SEP
14

Events, Khshnoom books, Zarathushtrian facts

The real meaning of the 5 Nyaeshes

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The real meaning of the 5 Nyaeshes

Roj Aneran Mah Fravardin, 1380 Yz.

The Prayers of the Khordeh Avesta can be categorized into two main groups – Nyaeshes and Yashts. Those who may have noticed the curious incidence of having Khorshed Nyaesh as well as Khorshed Yasht may have wondered at this. Why have a Nyaesh as well as a Yasht for the same Yazata? Our scholars and religious teachers have not been able to give a plausible and reasonable explanation for this anomaly. However, when this query ...

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17
SEP
38

Five Nyaeshes, What is prayer

When the souls come a-visiting

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When the souls come a-visiting

Roj Ashishvangh Mah Spendarmad, 1379 Yz.

 

Ten days before the Parsi New Year, fire temples around the city are dotted with roses and other flowers. One can see Parsi families dressed in spotless white, heads covered with scarves or caps, proceeding solemnly to their Agiaries with their hands full of floral offerings.

Parsis believe that during these ten days – called Farvardegan in Pahlavi or Muktad in Gujarati – the ruvans or souls of their dear departed visit the Earth. It is ...

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8
AUG
46

Muktad, Zarathushtrian facts

Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 3

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Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 3

Roj Fravardin, Mah Dae 1377 Yz.

Continuing our series of beautiful sayings from the Pahlavi word “Datistan i Menog i Khrad”, here is another priceless gem:

The Wise One asked the Spirit of Wisdom: “is Wisdom better, or skill or goodness?”

The Spirit of Wisdom replied: “That Wisdom, with which there is no goodness, should not be regarded as wisdom.

And skill, with which there is no wisdom, should not be regarded as skill.”

A man may have multiple degrees or doctorates, but still be ...

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3
JUN
3

Words of Wisdom, Zarathushtrian facts

Does the Zarathushtrian religion teach only Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds?

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Does the Zarathushtrian religion teach only Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds?

Roj Fravardin, Mah Adar, 1377 Yz.

Very often we hear anybody and everybody repeating this line: ‘Our religion is very simple – Good Thoughts, good words and good deeds’. But how many Parsis have stopped to wonder on what these words really mean? Is religion only about this? Does the Zarathushtrian religion have a monopoly on good thoughts, words and deeds? Do other religions not teach the same thing said in maybe a different manner? Then why do we harp on ...

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4
MAY
7

Good thoughts, words, deeds, Zarathushtrian facts

Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 2

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Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 2

Roj Amardad, Mah Adar 1377 Yz.

Continuing our series of beautiful sayings from the Pahlavi word “Datistan i Menog i Khrad”, here is another priceless gem:

The Wise One asked the Spirit of Wisdom: “is charity better or truthfulness? Or thanksgiving or wisdom? Or perfect mindedness or contentment?”

The Spirit of Wisdom replied: “For the Soul, charity is better; and for the entire world – truthfulness. And unto the Yazads – thanksgiving; and for the body of man – wisdom. And for all ...

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22
APR
3

Words of Wisdom, Zarathushtrian facts

Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 1

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Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 1

Roj Khorshed, Mah Meher, 1377 Yz.

I had written about the Pahlavi work Datistan-i-Menog-i-Khrad or “Opinions of the Spirit of Wisdom” in my last post. This is a catechism (question and answer session) written by an unknown author, who identifies himself only as ‘danag’, meaning ‘wise one or sage’, possibly a scholar-Dastur somewhere around the 5 th century AD. Unfortunately, we do not have the complete book with us. The existing manuscripts end abruptly after the 62nd question. The format of ...

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26
FEB
3

Words of Wisdom, Zarathushtrian facts

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