________________
CONFLUENCE OF OPPOSITES
283 Prasad which plainly teach metempsychosis without qualification or reserve. The Mazdakyahs, a sect of the Magi, openly professed belief in transmigration (see Haug's Essays on The Parsis, p. 15).
These authorities clearly point to the continuity of life after death, and to its transmigration into different conditions, till with the aid of the purifier (the Holy Ghost, i. e., tapas) it can effect its escape from subjection to death, when it rises up to the Holy Abode of the Blessed, as pure and purified Effulgence of Spirit, Holy, Immortal and Divine in all respects.
As for tnpas, the weaklings of our day are all, 'more or less, eager to maintain that it is undesirable, and the Parsis are no exception to the rule, as is evident from the following from Mr. Kapadia's Teachings of Zoroaster (page 44): "Unlike other religions, it condemos fasting or total abstaining
from food as a wicked and a foolish act, which injures
and enervates the body." 2. "......he who...... has done good deeds, is born as a king, minister, ruler or a rich man; so that he may reap the fruits of good deeds....... Those griefs, troubles, and disease which befall kings during their enjoyments are due to the evil deeds of their previous birtb....... The lion, the tiger, the leopard, the panther, the wolf, and all other ferocious animals which cause injury to other animals...... were previously men possessed of authority and digpity ; while those animals which are now killed by men were their ministers, servants and helpers, and did evil deeds ander their instructiong and with their help, and caused pain to harmless and innocent animals (Nama Mibabad, 67, 68, 69 and 71). i
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org