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Description of

Ritual

Origin of the Ritual

  • Death is a time where evil temporarily overpowers the good while they see death as a force that is equal and fair.
  • "Demon" in the body contaminates everything it comes in contact with
  • The soul is never gone
  • Rules were made to dispose the body without contaminating the elements and to dispose the body in a natural way
  • Meant to be simple and clean
  • Meant to focus on the disposal of the body and the good of the soul.

  • The ceremonies, rituals and prayers that are conducted following the death of a person are called in geh sarnu.
  • If the death is anticipated, family and friends are called along with the priest who will recite the patet.
  • When the person passes away, the body is removed to a mortuary that consists of a bathing room and a hall where the washed body is placed and prayers are conducted.
  • Body is washed in gomez and water.
  • Everything that will come in contact with the body is cleaned.
  • Visitors are not allowed to touch the body.
  • The Sagdid ritual is done at least three times.

Zoroastrianism

  • After the viewing section, the body is passed over to professional corpse-bearers.
  • The corpse is wrapped tightly with white cloth and is placed in a shallow hole on the ground for one day
  • Circles are drawn around the corpse
  • The corpse is moved to the dakhma, or Tower of Silence
  • One of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world
  • Founded 3500 years ago by the prophet Zoroaster and for 1000 years, it was one of the most powerful religions in the world.
  • Zoroastrians believe in one God called Ahura Mazda
  • All elements (water, fire, air, and earth) are pure
  • Fire represents God's light and wisdom
  • Clothes and cloth are removed before placing the body on the platform
  • Vultures come to eat the bodies

Bones are placed in the pit of the dakhma

Zoroastrian

How the practice changed over time

  • Population of vultures have declined
  • Use of solar panels
  • No access to dakhmas

Symbols, Arts and Objects

"The Spiritual Teachings of the Saviors".

  • Fire is often associated with the death ritual because it is considered the cleanest substance on earth and can never be contaminated by the dead body.
  • Fire is also kept burning in a vase with fragrant sandalwood and frankincense.
  • The "Kusti", a sacred thread made of 72 fine, white and woollen threads to represent 72 chapters of the Yasna, is wrapped around the waist.
  • Gomez was used symbolically to disinfect the body, as well as keep the rest of the premise clean.
  • Three "kashas" or deep circles drawn with a metallic bar or nail to show that the ground within the circle is set apart strictly for the dead body.

Literature and Scripture

  • The Zoroastrian's book of Holy Scriptures is called The Avesta.
  • The Venidad is a section that has the instruction for liturgical ceremonies.
  • Two family members will seat themselves close to the body and one of them will whisper the ashem vohu and yatha ahu variyo prayers into the deceased's ear.
  • The prayers for the deceased - primarily the yasna that includes the gathas - are recited by two priests. During the recital of the yasna's ahunavaiti gatha, the priests stand on the outer circle.

Significance of the Ritual

Hilary Nguyen, Pamela. Phan, Jessica Rodrigues

Ms. Darmanin

HSP3U1

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

  • Physical purity is strongly connected with spiritual purity
  • Focus on keeping the evil away
  • Bodies are contaminating the elements
  • Fire drives off corruption and disease

Zoroastrian Death Ritual

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