How do reformist Zoroastrians worship?

[The Emperor of Mankind]

I've been reading about how Zoroastrians worship with regard to functioning fire temples and things like the kushti ceremony or Yasna recitings. But the Wikipedia entry on Fire Temples refers pretty much exclusively to Traditional Zoroastrianism. It doesn't have much info on how the reformist movement engages in worship - particularly since most won't have access to a Fire Temple - either because one isn't present or because they'd probably be forbidden by the local Parsis.

So, yeah.

How do reformists compensate for this? Do you engage in any traditional rituals or liturgies? Do you create your own? Do you improvise rituals or recitations that already exist?

 

[Aupmanyav]

"Progressives generally accept the Yashts and the Visperad texts of the Avesta as obligatory, along with the Gathas. Restorationists refer only to the compositions of Zoroaster, and thus only consider the Gathas, the other texts only having value as far as they elaborate on some Gathic point and do not contradict the Gathic teaching." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism#Modern

I will like to know whether they have separate temples? In Hinduism, we have such reformists in 'Arya Samaj', they have their separate temples. But Hindu fire worship is different. A fire can be lighted in a brick platform or even in an iron receptacle.

Havan Kund

 

[Rival]

Just create my own and worship etc. how I feel comfortable. Quite a few Pagan elements in it.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Just create my own and worship etc. how I feel comfortable. Quite a few Pagan elements in it.

Thank you for answering! If it's not too personal a question; what kind of Pagan elements are mixed in with your worship?

 

[Rival]

Thank you for answering! If it's not too personal a question; what kind of Pagan elements are mixed in with your worship?

It's very nature based and I have strong belief in spirits and sacred places and such

 

[Corthos]

This is how I pray at home. =)

Spoiler: My work in progress

I would have a fire bowl, but having large flames indoors can be health hazard.

Still, I say my Avestan prayers, though maybe in the future I'd like to incorporate more traditional prayers and rituals. I think I will always pray to Ahura Mazda in a personal way, though. That has to do with my Christian upbringing, but it suits me fine. =)

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

This is how I pray at home. =)

Spoiler: My work in progress

View attachment 12906

I would have a fire bowl, but having large flames indoors can be health hazard.

Still, I say my Avestan prayers, though maybe in the future I'd like to incorporate more traditional prayers and rituals. I think I will always pray to Ahura Mazda in a personal way, though. That has to do with my Christian upbringing, but it suits me fine. =)

Oh wow, that is a gorgeous altar you've set up. What do the fruit and the what look like flowers represent? Are they offerings?

Do you say your prayers in English or do you have a transliterated version so you can read them in Avestan?

 

[Aupmanyav]

This is how I pray at home. =)

I like your beautiful little fire-altar. I am sure it pleases Ahur Mazda.

 

[MARCELLO]

Just create my own and worship etc. how I feel comfortable. Quite a few Pagan elements in it.

So,in that case I can be a truly amish while I stand for sallah 5 times a day whilst making seder tables though I am a deist.

Himmm,you are interesting.I love you

 

[Rival]

Himmm,you are interesting.I love you

What makes me interesting?

 

[MARCELLO]

What makes me interesting?

Your redesign of religions to feel better as you have always a reason to put in.

And i am not ashamed of expressing my feelings,this is what i am.

 

[Rival]

Your redesign of religions to feel better as you have always a reason to put in.

And i am not ashamed of expressing my feelings,this is what i am.

Well, I haven't redesigned it as such, I've just put my own philosophies in with it. Other, more dogmatic faiths wouldn't allow for this but Zoroastrianism does.

What do you mean by your second comment? You talking about the 'I love you' statement? Haha.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

or do you have a transliterated version so you can read them in Avestan?

That should say 'recite' or 'pronounce'.

 

[Corthos]

Oh wow, that is a gorgeous altar you've set up. What do the fruit and the what look like flowers represent? Are they offerings?

Do you say your prayers in English or do you have a transliterated version so you can read them in Avestan?

For me, they are representations of life and creation and are offerings. I try to use seasonal fruit (I admit I do prefer pomegranates), and for flowers I prefer local ones I can pick out in the woods (the ones used there are rhododendrons, which are my favorite). As for my prayers, I recite them in Avestan, but I will also read segments of the Gathas in English - especially in context of things going on in my life. =)

I like your beautiful little fire-altar. I am sure it pleases Ahur Mazda.

Thanks! I plan on adding to it over time when I can. I have a long ways to go before I match the epic altar you have in your home! XD

 

[Aupmanyav]

As for my prayers, I recite them in Avestan, but I will also read segments of the Gathas in English - especially in context of things going on in my life. =)

Thanks! I plan on adding to it over time when I can. I have a long ways to go before I match the epic altar you have in your home! XD

Pleasantly surprised that you say the prayers in Avestan. Should be close to Sanskrit. Also, what you have is enough in your altar. However, does this give you some ideas? Let the fire altar to have six sides for six spentas.

 

[Corthos]

Pleasantly surprised that you say the prayers in Avestan. Should be close to Sanskrit. Also, what you have is enough in your altar. However, does this give you some ideas?

You know, maybe some day I'd like to learn Sanskrit. I'm determined to learn another language some day, though it's so different from English (or other European languages), and that won't be easy!

Zoroastrian/Persian imagery is so cool. =) I also love Arabian and Indian styles as well, and I would love to incorporate them more into my Altar.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Sanskrit is easy to learn for anyone whose language is Indo-European. You will see similarities in each word.

 

[MD]

This is how I pray at home. =)

Spoiler: My work in progress

View attachment 12906

I would have a fire bowl, but having large flames indoors can be health hazard.

Still, I say my Avestan prayers, though maybe in the future I'd like to incorporate more traditional prayers and rituals. I think I will always pray to Ahura Mazda in a personal way, though. That has to do with my Christian upbringing, but it suits me fine. =)

That is very beautiful Corthos.