Live and let live

Revered guru Sankaracharya of Kashi Pith opines that Parsis are the only community who know the art of peaceful living with understanding, tolerance, wisdom and loving attitude towards other communities. This is the impression of other communities about us.

We feel ashamed when our community creates conflicts, differences and controversies even over small things. When will we resolve to live peacefully and wisely?

The 100 percent educated Parsis like to argue, resulting in a wide gap between elders and youngsters. Differences of opinion are to be expected, but that does not mean we must have a negative attitude all the time. This creates more splits for vested interests to exploit.

There are divisions in other communities as well, such as Shia and Sunni Dawoodi Bohras among Muslims; Shaivites and Vaishnavas; Jains and Swami Narayanans among Hindus; Catholics and Protestants among Christians. But they co-exist with each other and cordial relations are maintained. Even among Zoroastrians we have groups of behdins and athornans/ostas, Shahenshahis, Kadmis and Faslis, Parsis and Iranis who have agreed to live and let live. The sky will not fall if we have one more group of neo-Zoroastrians who want to introduce changes to move with the times. This group is not in favor of old traditions, traits, tenets and customs but they support the fundamental principles of our religion. Why don’t reformists/liberals live amicably with the orthodox/traditionalists despite differences of view?

Today, after marriage, couples move out to their own apartments as it is no longer possible to live in joint families. But they have cordial relations with their parents and relatives and maintain contact with those members who live abroad.

Can we not bring about peace and friendship, avoiding controversies? Let the liberals have the freedom to their way of life without any interference in ancient traditions and tenets. With the same cordial attitude traditionalists should not bother about liberal changes. Live and let live, is the Zoroastrian culture. Tolerance and understanding were evident in the lives of our forefathers. Why can’t we have the same attitude?

The foundation of the Zoroastrian religion is to make others happy, to gain Ushta-te, joy of the soul. Let us live as a peaceful community with better understanding and thereby preserve our cultural heritage.

NOSHIR DABOO

Ahmedabad