The tiny but fractious Parsi community of Bombay is riddled with self-created controversies. There is a debate about the dwindling number of Zoroastrian priests due to the reluctance of potential new initiates to take up the family profession. There is also a complaint that many of the novices tend to memorize the Avesta prayers by rote, without making any effort to understand their meaning. They are referred to, rather uncharitably, as "mumbling priests.” There is also the ongoing and never ending battle between the "traditionalists” and the "reformists.”
On the subject of priests, it is my opinion that there are already too many. How many priests does a microscopic community like ours need, after all? Moreover, far from providing spiritual salvation, these "mumbling priests” are affording lay Parsis an opportunity to salve their religious conscience at very little effort to themselves. Why bother to try and understand your faith when you have a battery of priests mouthing incomprehensible phrases on your behalf? Anyone who has witnessed during the muktad prayers three platoons of priests, side by side, mumbling unsynchronized sets of prayers would have to be really naïve to believe that the resulting cacophony of sound would be pleasing to Ahura Mazda or Zoroaster. A short simple prayer said from the heart would bring one greater spiritual rewards.
The harsh reality is that a majority of Parsis, particularly those living in Bombay, have failed in their fundamental duty as followers of Zoroaster; a philosopher and saint who preached tolerance above all things. For me, being a Zoroastrian is a matter of pride and happiness because I belong to a religion that does not forbid this and that but encourages its followers to adhere to the basic tenets of good thoughts, good words and good deeds — and then go out and enjoy themselves. That, in a nutshell, should be the overriding principle.
It would also override petty controversies like who can or cannot be considered a Zoroastrian. Why give these priests and self-styled "experts” that authority anyway? It is certainly not a mandate passed down by the Prophet. The true scholars of the Zoroastrian religion (not necessarily Parsis) have repeatedly shown that the Gathas, recognized as the one authentic record of Zoroaster’s teachings, pay no importance to issues like conversion and proselytizing. Indeed, these things are rarely mentioned. And yet these "authorities” continue to divide an already dwindling community with these trivialities for no other reason than to satisfy their overweening ego. It is politics at its most venal level. And what do the "enlightened” Parsis do? They fall right into the trap by taking sides and demeaning a community that was once renowned for philanthropy, enterprise and staying above petty squabbles.
Coming to the war of the factions, two particular groups that periodically invite the ire of the "reformists” are certain trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and the grandiosely-named World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ). Personally, I endorse the prevailing and unflattering opinion of these two groups held by the "reformists.” However, I would like to respectfully submit that the frequent attacks on them are not only failing to penetrate their rhinoceros hides, but may actually prove to be counter-productive. The attacks give them an opportunity to project themselves to a distressingly large proportion of gullible Parsis as martyrs to the "cause.” Moreover, the attacks are merely serving to inflate their already bloated egos.
These gentlemen have shrewdly set themselves up as "defenders of the faith” who are heroically deflecting the "irreligious” arrows shot at the ancient faith of Zoroastrianism by "radical free thinkers” (like me). Their insidious and self-serving seeds have already found fertile ground with a majority of Parsis, who have neither the time nor inclination to understand the joyous and tolerant religion gifted to them by Zoroaster, but are quite content to take as gospel truth what they are told by their "leaders.” The best course of action would be to ignore these "saviors” with the contempt they deserve.
The tragedy of today’s Parsis is that they expend a lot of infructuous time and energy debating matters which have no bearing on the spiritual and physical well being of the community while ignoring important issues. I have nothing against Parsis enjoying good drink, good food and sound sleep. Zoroastrianism is a celebration of Ahura Mazda, after all. But if some of them have nothing constructive to contribute toward the religion, they would be doing the community a great service by shutting their collective mouths.
The enemy is not out there, my friends. He is within us.
FIROZE HIRJIKAKA
leonardo8_99@yahoo.com