Field visit: The Earliest World Religion
Date: Nov 19, 2019 (Tue)
Time: 7.00 p.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Address: 5/F, Zoroastrian Building, 101 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay
Quota per visit: 20
Time: 7.00 p.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Address: 5/F, Zoroastrian Building, 101 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay
Quota per visit: 20
Programme and remarks
7.00 p.m. -7.15 p.m. Welcome by the Priest Ervad. Homyar Nasirabadwala
7.15 p.m. -8.00 p.m. Presentation: the Zoroastrian religion, customs, beliefs, teachings and ceremonies
8.00 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. Interaction
8.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. Observe a prayer session
9.00 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. Q&A
7.00 p.m. -7.15 p.m. Welcome by the Priest Ervad. Homyar Nasirabadwala
7.15 p.m. -8.00 p.m. Presentation: the Zoroastrian religion, customs, beliefs, teachings and ceremonies
8.00 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. Interaction
8.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. Observe a prayer session
9.00 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. Q&A
A brief introduction
The religion of Zoroastrianism was once the state religion of Iran and has survived more than two thousand years until now. The prophet Zoroaster reveals the teachings of the faith -- which consists of explicit monotheistic and dualistic features -- in the 6th century BCE before the other major religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. The religion is still prosperous in India, notably in the area of Mumbai where more than 60,000 Zoroastrians live in . One can become a Zoroastrian only if he or she is given birth by a Zoroastrian father. The Zoroastrian community in Hong Kong has about five hundred members; despite its small size, the community has contributed significantly to the society of Hong Kong.
YouTube clip: Ervad. Homyar Nasirabadwala explains the meaning of the sacred fire, Dec 1, 2018
The sacred fire (left) and sacred undergarment Sedreh (right).
Religious teaching
The Priest of the Hong Kong Zoroastrian community said, "Religion to a man is like water to a fish. It is his element; he lives in it and cannot live out of it." The religion of Zoroastrianism upholds three spiritual principles:
GOOD THOUGHTS
GOOD WORDS
GOOD DEEDS
Some people call the followers of the religion "fire worshipers." Indeed, Zoroastrians do not worship fire at all; they worship Ahura Mazda, the God, through the medium of fire which represents wisdom and serves as the source of light. "Ahura" means creator and "Mazda" means wisdom.
GOOD THOUGHTS
GOOD WORDS
GOOD DEEDS
Some people call the followers of the religion "fire worshipers." Indeed, Zoroastrians do not worship fire at all; they worship Ahura Mazda, the God, through the medium of fire which represents wisdom and serves as the source of light. "Ahura" means creator and "Mazda" means wisdom.
Sir Mody and HKU
Commemoration of Sir Mody in HKU, Oct 12 (photo retrieved from hku.hk)
Sir Hormusjee Mody (1838-1911) was a major donor and principal founder of HKU. He also founded the Kowloon Cricket Club and Sailors and Soldiers Home in Wan Chai. He contributed to the reclamation in the Central district and activated the Hong Kong share and bullion markets. Mody ROad and Mody Square in Tsim Sha Tsui are names after the philanthropist.
References
“Being a Parsi Priest in Hong Kong" interview with Ervad Nasirabadwala: https://zoroastrians.net/?s=agiary&category_name=miscellaneous%2Bagiaries-and-atash-behrams
About Sir Hormusjee Mody, HKU website: https://www.giving.hku.hk/en/Why-Give/Honouring-The-First-Benefactor-Of-Hku.html
About Sir Hormusjee Mody, HKU website: https://www.giving.hku.hk/en/Why-Give/Honouring-The-First-Benefactor-Of-Hku.html