Nearly 30 members of the Parsi community attended a weekend workshop for Mobeds — Zorastrian priests — in Sanjan, Gujarat to develop ties among themselves and promote priesthood. Six parent-child duos also participated to enrich their bonds.
Priesthood in the Zorastrian community is a hereditary role. While traditionally men serve as priests, there are a few exceptions where women have served in the role.
The workshop focussed on young Mobeds aged between 13 and 16 years bonding with their parents who are serving as priests. Activities for communication skills, positive training sessions, and simulation exercises were held.
“It was wonderful to see the baton being passed on,” said Binaifer Sahukar, convenor of Empowering Mobeds, the platform that conducted the workshop. “The fathers were talking to the children about their work life, its importance, challenges they face.” A mother-son duo was also present at the workshop.
Sahukar emphasised on parent-child bonding as it ensures the survival of Mobeds. “There are 50 agiaries in the city and four Atash Behrams,” she said. “Given the declining number of Parsi priests, we have to try and retain the few children pursuing priesthood. The best way to do so is by monetising the profession. There has to be some incentive. Our senior priests are overburdened and are like doctors on call — running from one fire to another.”
Sahukar added that the community has to support and effect this change by being more respectful and generous towards priests. “The objective of empowering Mobeds is to elevate their position to that of leaders.”
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/we-must-transform-mobeds-into-leaders-boost-their-numbers/22630214
Reforms are Required. Vada Dastur Must be Common for All Over the World. and He should be qualified in Zoroastrian Theology. All Zoroastrians must be allowed to become priest after rituals and study.
All this is fine. What in my view needs to be done is to give back the dignity to this profession which once it enjoyed. Our Mobeds need to earn a decent salary and make their lives more meaningful. This could possibly be achieved by reducing the numbers of our Fire Temples . The community also needs to adapt to changing times. What is wrong in inducting Mobedyars if there are an
inadequate number of Mobeds?
HIgh Time we accept Women Mobeds. As Zoroastrianism teaches us that women & men should be equal.
Refer to the Yanghe Hatam Prayer
I have nothing against priests but when some practice racism bigotry disrimination against our Zoroastrian Women married outside the religion that is utter down right Sacrilege going againt the very core of our religion.
So indtead of talking or suggesting Stand Up & Deliver!
Any Takers
I’m certainly amused by reading the five aforementioned comments. A couple of strong observations – first off, it appears that we have a regular commentator amidst us for this kind of postings – looks like a full time job for her. Secondly, it appears that the recent “Me Too Movement” sickness has rigorously captured our community as well, and as a result you see such twisted thoughts and suggestions made by both genders.
Now mind you, not everything that I read from my esteemed community members seemed wrong. The ONLY thing that makes a ton of sense from these comments is that the Mobeds need to have higher wages, and that too, not by reducing the number of Fire Temples, but by having the gigantic wealthy Trusts in our community contribute towards this dire need of today. Has anything happened in this respect (i.e. higher wage contribution) by our reputed Trusts so far? I guess not!
You know, reading the above comments simply reminds me of two interesting quotes that may have some relevant message…
“Don’t be so open minded that your brains fall out”, and
“Sometimes it’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt”.
Dear Ervad Jal Dasturs
I am only trying to point out that the Survival of the Zoroastrian Community is dependent on you. AM I wrong in pointing it out.
As Birbal told Akbar:
“:Her EK BEWEKOOF KE SAMNE BRUDHIMAN KO CHUP HE REHANA AKALMANDI HAY”
2nd quote fits our Community perfectly that if you spread the right message then all doubts are removed & the Zoroastrian community can heal
“
Sometimes it’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt”..You hit the nail on the right head
You said it Ervad Jal Dastur!!!! Thank you for admitting your “Priestly Mistakes”
Dear Ervad
I atcleast I have the guts & spine to speak out instead of hiding in my own cocoon
2ndly my Poem “”Happiness to those who seek Happiness for others”poem was accepted by the Smithsonian institute.
3rdlly poem On FREEDOM by the Canadian Musuem of Human Rights
4thly my poem,: I Want To Be Free was published in the Faith Initiative>Embracing Diversity journal UK June 2016
5thly I have emroidered a poem called “”Prayer” posted the photo on this site (Google & u will find
6thlY I am in the process of embroidering my poem on Cyrus Cylinder
7thly Embroidering a quilt of symbols of the world (Places I have visited) For Example the Taj Mahal of Agra etc…
I have seen 95% of India & another 95% of Canada USA Europe & Asia.
I have been travelling since I was 9yrs old. That has taught me respect tolerate Undestand different cultures Traditions etc as wekk treat people with Dignity. Rubbed shoulders with diginitaries etcc…
Need I say More?
Hoping to hear from you Ervad Jal Dastur
Dear Ms. Farida,
The only reason that I’m respectfully responding to your sarcastic comments is that I have been raised a long time ago, to show respect even to people who don’t deserve it; not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of mine.
Allow me to remind you of a small verse from our scripture which when translated says that “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch and do nothing”! Hence just keeping quiet for this matter is not an option for me.
Please don’t incriminate yourself by quoting Birbal. While I know that sometimes silence is more eloquent than words, but in the matter of our religion, as I mentioned, keeping quiet isn’t an option for me and therefore my two comments already on this posting.
You know, the reality of life is that to be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with people – and this is no exception. The fact remains that the further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it – and this is no exception as well.
I know from your past comments on the matter of accepting Parsee girls married to non-Parsees back into our religion, and having women as Mobeds; you’ve been fighting this battle and bickering about this so-called problem for quite a while, and so are other Parsee females, not to mention other reformists as well. My message to you all is this – Remember, when you find no solution to your problem, it’s probably not a problem to be solved, but rather a truth to be accepted. So accept it, and get on with it!
Enough said!
My message to you all is this – Remember, when you find no solution to your problem, it’s probably not a problem to be solved, but rather a truth to be accepted. So accept it, and get on with it!
All I have to say is hiding in one’s cocoon does not solve any problems You are the man of “Cloth”Fighting injustice etc.. but turning a blind eye is not going work. Keeping quiet and being complicit is not wotking
One lady even took the Fatwa court & she won. “Women Power””!
We are not going to give up. Got That!
Allow me to remind you of a small verse from our scripture which when translated says that “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch and do nothing”! Hence just keeping quiet for this matter is not an option for me. Youf quote. but by those who watch and do nothing”
Kindly read this article on http..//www.sciencealert.com
Farida,
I don’t know where to start – the only thing I can say is that I sincerely feel sorry for you.
You wrote a list of things that you’ve done, such as writing poems etc. has no relevance whatsoever on the matter at hand. Besides, if you’re considering them as your accomplishments, I can’t help but shake my head in despair. Insecure people are the ones who would tend to toot their own horn, but in your case, I’m afraid there isn’t anything to toot about either.
Mind you, this doesn’t make you a bad person, you may very well be a decent human being, but such behaviours are usually a manifestation of something else that could only be looked at by medical personnel. I’ve encountered interactions with a couple of people with similar behavioural pattern and hence my suggestion to you. Take it for whatever it’s worth.
Farida, I could comment on a few more things and objectively criticize what I see in your comments, but my Vohu Manah doesn’t allow me to do so. I don’t know how religious you are or not, or for that matter, what is your understanding of our religious tenets and rituals, the only thing I could suggest is one of these days, stand with your eyes closed and TRULY ask Ahura Mazda, whether your thoughts and actions are approvable to Him. I guarantee, if you do this with your heart, you’ll get the answer. In short, STOP MAKING WHAT YOUR MIND WANTS, AND YOU’LL GET WHAT YOUR SOUL NEEDS!
Let me remind you Ervad that my prayers are more powerful than yours, My lecturing me is not going to get you anything.
or anywhere!!!!
t””he only thing I could suggest is one of these days, stand with your eyes closed and TRULY ask Ahura Mazda, whether your thoughts and actions are approvable to Him. I guarantee, if you do this with your heart, you’ll get the answer. In short, STOP MAKING WHAT YOUR MIND WANTS, AND YOU’LL GET WHAT YOUR SOUL NEEDS!””
Why don’t you do the same? |See what your soul needs: understanding respect & dignity & tolerance of others!
Please read & learn
Leadership, the authentic one that comes from the heart, concerns service in favor of others. It is that which carries out personal, family, religious and civil duties with faithfulness; is committed to serving and guiding others rather than dominating them; expresses himself in favor of justice, even when it is not convenient; encourages the disheartened; takes unpopular but indispensable positions; respect the personality and freedom of others; leads a life in harmony with himself and with everything around him; lives and expresses love in all its facets; he knows the depth of his real nature by seizing great inspiration and great vital energy from solitude and silence; puts into practice everything that leads him to grow and be better and not what suits him. And much more.
Great leaders, those who accomplish the greatest good for people, know that to lead means to serve. They find out what others need and strive to live up to their potential.
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Darlene Corbett, LICSW
Darlene Corbett, LICSW 2nd degree connection 2nd
“”Great leaders, those who accomplish the greatest good for people, know that to lead means to serve. They find out what others need and strive to live up to their potential.” Please keep the last 2 lines in mind
Thank you.
I Apologise for being argumentative. Dear Eravad we are never going toseye to eye agree so you stick to your side of the fence & I’ll stick to mine
Woul you be wiling to do a media interview regarding your esteemed views on Zoroastrianism? Hoping to hear from you
Farida,
As the saying goes “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” – being so close-minded and argumentative will get you nowhere in this world.
Also remember, you are free to choose any path you want in this life, but you are NOT free from the consequence of your choice!
With that, I leave you with one and only wish – MAY AHURA MAZDA BLESS YOU!