Otoman Zar-Adusht Ha'nish

Otoman Zar-Adusht Ha'nish (December 19, 1856 - February 29, 1936) was the founder of Mazdaznan, a neo-Zoroastrian or Mazdakism revivalist religious movement with an emphasis on dietetics and breath work.

Press Coverage

 * "Disciples of Dr. Otoman Zar-Adusht Hanish thronged Carnegie hall to hear his final Sunday lecture in New York on the hidden mysteries of Mazdaznanism. There were baldheaded men who expected to learn how to grow hair in a night, women who wanted to drink of the fountain of perpetual youth. Everybody was assured that sickness and death are entirely unnecessary. 'What are we here for? Where did we come from? Where are we going?' asked the master, dramatically. 'We are here so that we may be happy and have just what we want in the world and the next. And it is our own fault if we don't have things just our way.' It was a nice, comfortable sort of doctrine. Everybody liked it. The only trouble was, the adept was not specific enough. 'You must live for health and peace and comfort,' declared Dr. Hanish from his armchair on the platform, 'and according to the laws of nature. Remember that breathing is life. If you know how to breathe you can do anything and live forever. Never get excited. Look out for yourself first. You will get it in the neck if you don't. Take everything that is coming to you. 'Bathing is the curse of the earth. Cleanse the body by rubbing. You wash away all the oils and secretions of the body when you bathe.' Among foods the inspired one recommends violets."
 * "Disciples of Dr. Otoman Zar-Adusht Hanish thronged Carnegie hall to hear his final Sunday lecture in New York on the hidden mysteries of Mazdaznanism. There were baldheaded men who expected to learn how to grow hair in a night, women who wanted to drink of the fountain of perpetual youth. Everybody was assured that sickness and death are entirely unnecessary. 'What are we here for? Where did we come from? Where are we going?' asked the master, dramatically. 'We are here so that we may be happy and have just what we want in the world and the next. And it is our own fault if we don't have things just our way.' It was a nice, comfortable sort of doctrine. Everybody liked it. The only trouble was, the adept was not specific enough. 'You must live for health and peace and comfort,' declared Dr. Hanish from his armchair on the platform, 'and according to the laws of nature. Remember that breathing is life. If you know how to breathe you can do anything and live forever. Never get excited. Look out for yourself first. You will get it in the neck if you don't. Take everything that is coming to you. 'Bathing is the curse of the earth. Cleanse the body by rubbing. You wash away all the oils and secretions of the body when you bathe.' Among foods the inspired one recommends violets."