Readers' Forum
Spirit of tolerance
Ever since I can remember, the name of Dastur Maneck Dhalla, beloved high priest of the Parsis of Karachi, has always been uttered with affectionate reverence by my parents. His books on Zoroastrian theology and civilization have pride of place amongst the books on our religion. So when I recently discovered his Homage Unto Ahura Mazda tucked away behind two larger books I felt I was in the presence of a great and kindly soul.
Each chapter in this little book is an exposition of verses from our religious texts — exquisite gems of spiritual thought. His exposition of Yasna 45.1, Yasna 32.9 and Yasna 31.18 has great relevance for our small community and the world at large.
In Let None Nurse Intolerance he states: "Intolerance and bigotry and dogmatism are the bitterest enemies of religion upon earth… Teach me, my God, to see that I have no right to impose my own way of thinking upon others. Teach me to acknowledge and honor the right of all to pray and worship and sacrifice in their own way. Let me not be a purist and regard those as irreligious who regard not formalism. Keep me free from sectarian spirit, and give me strength to root out from my heart bigotry and fanatic zeal. Teach me to discern true religion from religiosity. Fill my mind and heart, Ahura Mazda, with the spirit of toleration.”
I would like to share these thoughts with Parsiana’s readers.
ABAN MUKHERJI
mukherji.aban@gmail.com
Each chapter in this little book is an exposition of verses from our religious texts — exquisite gems of spiritual thought. His exposition of Yasna 45.1, Yasna 32.9 and Yasna 31.18 has great relevance for our small community and the world at large.
In Let None Nurse Intolerance he states: "Intolerance and bigotry and dogmatism are the bitterest enemies of religion upon earth… Teach me, my God, to see that I have no right to impose my own way of thinking upon others. Teach me to acknowledge and honor the right of all to pray and worship and sacrifice in their own way. Let me not be a purist and regard those as irreligious who regard not formalism. Keep me free from sectarian spirit, and give me strength to root out from my heart bigotry and fanatic zeal. Teach me to discern true religion from religiosity. Fill my mind and heart, Ahura Mazda, with the spirit of toleration.”
I would like to share these thoughts with Parsiana’s readers.
ABAN MUKHERJI
mukherji.aban@gmail.com
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From the archive