NORTH AMERIC AN MOBEDS COUNCIL infrastructure for investiture of young priests in the western world. The knowledge of the actual languages, such as Avesta, and Pahlavi is desirable, but the proper accent and intonation of the recitation of the prayers are essential. Besides the history, theology and philosophical aspects, the future priest must have some exposure to the study of Comparative Religion, in order to understand the unique features of various Faiths and how they compare with the contemplation of God, and Spirituality in Zarathushtrian religion. To equip them to deal with contemporary ethical issues, some exposure to psychology and sociology as they relate to the prevailing way of life on this continent should also constitute a part of their training. This is a tall order and would require the organization of a body, of priests and laity, of Parsis and Iranian, with sufficient expertise in various disciplines to work in concert and harmony to evolve a curriculum for such an undertaking. The group will constitute an Advisory Council to formulate the Curriculum for Training of Zarathushti Priest (CTZP) or of Mobed (CTOM). It will require proper coordination of time and effort, to bring together the teachers and the disciples at suitable locations, two to three times a year to impart the Global knowledge of both theory and practice of Zarathushtrian Priesthood in North America. The process such as this, will take varying length of time for different persons. It will be the responsibility of the individual to display their preparedness for the commitment. A Committee, selected from among the Advisory Council may, best render the unbiased decision of the candidate’s ability to serve the religion. As an interim measure, such training should be offered to those ordained priests, who wish to further their knowledge and ability to better serve their community. All this cannot be achieved without inspiration and sacrifice. That sacrifice must come, not only from the priests-to-be, but also from the community. This can only happen if the community wants it to happen. In order for the community to express their motivation, the grass-root must lead the way. The community must vitalize the fiscal base. Yes, it is time consuming to think, and even more consuming to put the thoughts into words, but all that is far, far cheaper then putting it all into action. To generate FEZANA JOURNAL Spring 2010
the ecclesiastical infrastructure of this new millennium, to furnish the spiritual enlightenment for the generations to come, can be a monumental task -the project of the millennium. Nothing short of a healthy endowment which can feed a constant stream of funds can fulfill such a dream. For project of this magnitude, the need, the desire and the financial contribution to make it happen, must come from the grass root community. If community wishes, it shall happen. In this world charged with the intense stress of materialism, Spiritual guidance to realize the Divine within, often escapes humanity in general and Zarathushtis in particular. The need of Zarthushti priests trained to expound upon the harmonization, to attune the physical with the spiritual elements of life, to bring into focus the wholeness or completeness - Haurvatat - of a Zarathushtrian way of life is more real in this technocratic age than ever before. One cannot think of a better legacy for the present Zarathushti community to leave, for the enlightenment of generations to follow than to bring an insightful and erudite priesthood into reality. Atha Zamyat yatha Afrinami
REFERENCES (1) Boyce M,
Zoroastrianism, pg 140
(2) Boyce M
Zoroastrianism, pg 98
(3) Ys 33.6 (4) Boyce M,
History of Zoroastrianism, Vol 1. Pg 311
(5) Humbach H, Erbedestan Ch. 5.6,7,8; 6.7 (6) Walsh N.D , Communion with God, pg 102
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