Readers' Forum
Hidden meaning
As one in his late 50s I am interested in gaining religious knowledge by corresponding with friends in my age group. I also attend lecture programs arranged by some of our institutions.
Recently a friend staying in Vienna informed me via e-mail: "A great scholar of our religion in a research paper has decried the existence of ‘secret and hidden’ things in our religion. Some 60 or 70 years ago this same French scholar had asserted that the Parsi religion is devoid of this sort of approach.”
In contrast, some of our priests and popular writers/speakers maintain that practically every word of our prayers has a "secret and hidden meaning” which is not known to many priests and scholars.
I am puzzled regarding the correct position. The opinions of ordinary journalists would only cause more confusion. I wonder whether some of our learned and experienced scholars could throw some light on this problem on the basis of their study.
Recently a friend staying in Vienna informed me via e-mail: "A great scholar of our religion in a research paper has decried the existence of ‘secret and hidden’ things in our religion. Some 60 or 70 years ago this same French scholar had asserted that the Parsi religion is devoid of this sort of approach.”
In contrast, some of our priests and popular writers/speakers maintain that practically every word of our prayers has a "secret and hidden meaning” which is not known to many priests and scholars.
I am puzzled regarding the correct position. The opinions of ordinary journalists would only cause more confusion. I wonder whether some of our learned and experienced scholars could throw some light on this problem on the basis of their study.
VISPY M. RANJI
vispymranji@hotmail.com
vispymranji@hotmail.com
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