Jain Network 2010 11

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Network

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Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, founded in Iran by Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) between 1500 BCE to 600 BCE. He proclaimed the worship of Ahura Mazda (The Wise Lord) as the source of truth, righteousness, order and justice, and good mind. He called the people to the threefold ethic of good thoughts, good words and good deeds. From tenth century CE onwards, many Zoroastrians migrated to Gujarat and became known as the Parsis. Zoroastrianism has about190,000 followers worldwide and 5,000 in Britain.
Zoroastrians believe in supreme God Ahura Mazda who has made the world with an ethical purpose, free from suffering and evil, and who has laid down responsibility on human beings to assist Him by living a life of righteousness and virtues such as truthfulness, chastity, charity and kindness. He called the people to the threefold ethic of good thoughts, good words and good deeds.
Zoroastrianism is also about action. Zoroastrians work towards improving the local community and society in general. They tend to give generously to charities and are often promote educational and social initiatives. The Parsi community in India is particularly known for its industrious and philanthropic contributions to the Indian society.
Common Values If we analyze the teachings of all the religions, we will find there is much more common. All teach humanity and its values such as non-violence, truthfulness, honesty, care of natural world, humbleness and helping each other for living together as cohesive community, Of course there are few differences, but they are not so great that they can cause conflicts and disharmony amongst the communities. The religious conflicts which we see around us are due to misunderstanding or misinterpretation by a few of their own sacred texts and their teachings, and also due to misinformation about other communities, their culture and faith.
We are living in Britain that has diverse communities, diverse culture and diverse faiths, Global conflicts affect us, but if we wish to live peacefully and happily as Big Society we will have to resolve our misunderstandings about others through dialogue. Dialogues, tolerance and respect for others will help us to live harmoniously with our neighbours in the Multifaith society.
Face to Face and Side by Side: a framework for partnership in our multi faith society: In July 2008 the Government launched a document after consultations with all the faith communities for inter faith interaction and faith communities working together for common good. Face to Face dialogue leads to people developing a better understanding of one another, including celebrating the values held in common as well as acknowledging distinctiveness and Side by Side collaborative social action involves people working together to achieve real and positive change within their local community.
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