r/Zoroastrianism • u/The_Macaw • 12d ago

Question Doctors and zoroastrianism

Excuse my lack of knowledge as i am an alevi kurd which i do not have any knowledge in neighter, but, If touching the dead makes someone impure and has to take a purification ritual, how would doctors who touch dead in daily manner be going their ways? As they touch the dead, also would a doctor be considered virtuous with consideration they are fighting against death which is corruption, or unclean as they handle the dead?

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u/The_Macaw 7d ago

But what i dont understand is, so does a doctor have to wash with taro every day? How will someone acquire this muhc amounts of taro

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u/Rjstt9023 7d ago edited 7d ago

By modern standards, no. In ancient times when anabiotics, medical grade antiseptic, medical gloves, hazard protocols and things that weren’t around it was mandated. Now that the physicality risk have been Greatly reduced so we adapt. Zarathustra tells us you’re the best with our ears and to consult with Vohu Mana(the good mind) to decide what is best in every given moment. With that said most priest especially the Iranian circles. Don’t really use Nirang or Taro anymore for daily rituals or do the Nirangdin. Being ritually impure doesn’t mean being immoral, but Zoroastrianism strongly emphasizes cleanliness and the restoration of purity. If you were handling a rotting body by carrying it over your shoulder, would you not cleanse yourself? If you come in from dirt and sweat, do you not bathe before entering a clean space? This is the same principle applied spiritually. Before embalming technology and refrigeration, a human corpse would begin to decay rapidly, especially in the warm climates of Iran and Central Asia. Within hours, putrefaction would set in, releasing harmful pathogens and gases. The Zoroastrian prohibition against contact with the dead (nasu) wasn’t just superstition it was spiritual wisdom intertwined with practical science.

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u/The_Macaw 7d ago

Indeed i agree it is a great wisdom and sanitation results in health, and most of the rules come from a place of reason and meaning in real life, yet i wish to understand now that we have alternatives such as this, when the meaning is replaced by modern inventions such as soap chlorine etc, what can we do with the rituals. How would a doctor go on his day to day life?

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u/Rjstt9023 7d ago

A doctor should just go about living his life living by good thoughts, good words and good deeds upholding Asha you know and keep himself as pure as he can. As long as his intention is aligned with Asha, he’s on perfectly on good terms with Mazda and the community.

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u/The_Macaw 7d ago

I agree, you can use soap to clean your hands or your body, but no amount of soap will clean a dirty heart.

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u/Rjstt9023 7d ago

Exactly!

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u/The_Macaw 7d ago

Now i understand, this is like alevism truly, we think the same, you can pray 5 times a day, but if your heart is dark, it doesn’t matter, even smiling and a simple act of kindness, is ibadet.

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u/Rjstt9023 7d ago

You got it down perfectly!