Parade of faiths

Led by Ervad Kaivan Antia in full priestly regalia, the Zoroastrian contingent comprising seniors dressed in daglis and garas with some younger members of the faith made its entry to the strains of Thus Sprach Zarathustra. Believed to be the representatives of the world’s first monotheistic religion, the Zoroastrian team led the parade of faiths and traditions at the opening plenary at the Parliament of World Religions (PWR) held in Melbourne from December 3-9, 2009.

Antia was accorded the traditional gum leaf welcome by the Wurrunjeri senior Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy of the indigenous Kulin Nations. He reciprocated by giving her three twigs of sandalwood and a sprig of pomegranate leaves. "The sonorous strains of Yatha and Ashem echoed across the plenary hall making for an auspicious beginning to the Parliament,” notes a detailed write-up on the six-day event sent by Arnavaz Chubb of Victoria. At the interfaith gathering "innumerable presentations were made in an endeavor to share knowledge and wisdom, to hear each other and above all, to heal the world,” she adds.

The Zoroastrian participation at this event was spearheaded by the Zoroastrian Association of Victoria (ZAV) with Perviz Dubash being appointed coordinator to oversee this event at the local level. Rohinton Rivetna, a trustee of the PWR council and veteran of many past Parliaments provided the guidance and knowhow from Chicago.

The panel on "Zoroastrianism: its stewardship for all creation ­— the animate and the inanimate” saw participation from Dr Homi Dhalla of Bombay, Rashna Ghadiyali from Chicago, Homi Gandhi from New Jersey, Pervin Mistry who considers herself an international citizen with Rivetna as moderator. Speaking at the second panel on "Zoroastrians: their Imperative to be Bridge Builders,” were Dr Dolly Dastoor from Montreal, Dr Sam Kerr from Sydney, Kayzad Namd-arian and Dubash from the local Australian contingent with Chubb serving as moderator.

Singled out for individual presentations were Dhalla who shared his views on "The Many Faces of Peace,” "Sharing Wisdom in Search of Inner and Outer Peace;” and "The Zoroastrian Ethos of Compassion.” Kerr too spoke on the last subject whilst Ghadiyali contributed to "Sharing the Zoroastrian Environmentalist Faith: Building Bridges with Indigenous Communities.” As commented Chubb, "It was heartening to see the near capacity turnouts for virtually all Zoroastrian presentations. It was even more heartening to answer the well informed queries of many interested non-Zoroastrians.”

Zoroastrians would invariably attend the segment on Daily Morning Prayers and Worship conducted by Chubb along with Antia and Ervad Armin Dumasia. Another interesting session was the demonstration of the daily kusti ritual and an explanation on the salient features of the jashan ceremony. At several of the evening plenaries Zoroastrians participated by presenting blessings or brief statements.

In the PWR exhibit area ZAV had rented space and set up a stall display on Zoroastrianism that was well visited during the Parliament. There were Zoroastrian publications for sale as also literature for free distribution. "Thanks here are due to Nadish Naoroji, Keki Rabadi, Perviz Dubash, Adil Dubash, and Dina McIntyre” who provided an informative booklet entitled Small Bouquets from the Teachings of Zarathushtra for free distribution. This booklet carried contributions by Dr Farhang Mehr, Dr Kaikhosrov Irani and McIntyre. ZAV had put together an informative booklet Zoroastrianism the religion of ancient Iran as revealed by the Prophet Zarathushtra. Describing the effort as "a huge success,” Chubb noted that ZAV volunteers fielded many enquiries from an "interested and knowledge thirsty public…

"The perception that Zoroastrianism is a dead or dying religion was strenuously challenged by the vibrant and enthusiastic turnout of both overseas and local Zoroastrians… Many knew and acknowledged the contribution of Zoroastrianism to other faiths and saw Zoroastrians to be very essential to ongoing interfaith dialog. To those whose experience of Zoroastrians or Zoroastrianism was only confined to history books, it was a pleasant surprise to see us as living, practicing members of a dynamic faith.”

Through song, music and dance, the living vibrancy of several traditions was spectacularly portrayed. "But this aspect of the Zoroastrian tradition was sadly lacking at the Parliament,” regretted Chubb, observing, "There is abundant talent within the Zoroastrian community. It is imperative that this is harnessed and presented at such gatherings. A tradition without music, song and dance is only partially alive.”