Contemplation & Sound: Zarathushti Tradition 4.7.21

Rothko Chapel

Over the next year, each Twelve Moments will highlight the role of music and sound in spiritual practices, and how these practices sustain us in the face of current challenges and injustices. For the month of April, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Zarathushti tradition, led by Kaemerz Dotiwala of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston. This session was focused on The Gathas, seventeen hymns composed by poet-prophet Zarathushtra around 1200 BCE that form the core of Zarathushti liturgy. About the Twelve Moments series Since 2005, the Rothko Chapel has shared a monthly contemplative practice featuring different spiritual and faith traditions. Taking place on the first Wednesday of each month from 12-1pm, this series engages teachers and religious leaders from the greater Houston community, providing opportunities to learn more about specific traditions and participate in a contemplative practice. About the presenters The Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) was established in 1976 to promote the religious, social, and cultural aspects of the Zoroastrian faith. ZAH is fortunate to have in the local Mobeds (priests) who conduct religious services, ceremonies, and rituals; numerous individuals whose serve on executive boards and committees (i.e. youth, sports, Sunday school, religious services, outreach,Golden Group & Library) provide leadership and vision to growing community and countless active members who through their participation, initiative, and hard work are committed to building a strong community. Kaemerz P. Dotiwala is the President of Mazda Yasni Zarathushti Dar-E-Meher Funds, a non-profit organization established to construct the first consecrated Dar-E-Meher (Fire Temple) in the Western World. Kaemerz has been a resident of Houston since 1975 and is one of the founding members of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston. He has served on its Executive Committee for many years and presently serves as its Chairperson on the Outreach Committee. Kaemerz teaches Sunday School and has been instrumental in founding the Zoroastrian Association Of Houston Youth Group. He has served on the Zoroastrian Association of Houston's Building Fund Committee, and chaired its Fund Raising and Finance Committee. Kaemerz was a Founding participant of The Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) as well as the representative from ZAH. Kaemerz also served as the first Chairperson of FEZANA’S Zarathushti, Unity and Welfare Committee. This committee was instrumental in resettling Zarathushti refugees from Iran in North America.