________________
Glimpses of World Religions
to pray for a long temperate life not for enjoyments or 'indulgence', but for doing good deeds upto the end for rendering service to the people.
112
Zoroastrian life means a life full of devotion to God, in which we are told to give much more attention to what is 'good' rather than what is liked or loved, to the soul rather than to the body. One should spend the money acquired from the society for the welfare of the society, in the society only. The Parsis are more interested in universal welfare. This religion, thus, shows the way of going towards God through the medium of social service of the people.
The Zoroastrians are optimistic, have faith and are associated with joy and wit or humour, with optimism. The sense of humour is more distinctly found amongst the Parsis. They believe, of course, that humour should be ethical or religiously permissible. This religion is in favour of and advises material progress also. There is a desire to see that the people become more happy, more cultured and more prosperous.
Religious tolerance is quite natural to this religion. All religions are roads to the acquisition of God, and so the Zoroastrians welcome what is the best in other religions and culture. The Zoroastrians opine that we should not believe in the adage "what is mine, that much is fine", but "what is fine is mine". Many instances of their tolerance are handy.
From the very ancient times, this religion has given due freedom to the ladies. The status of ladies was, in some matters equal to that of the gentlemen. This Dharma also stands for the praising or worshipping of women in general and virtuous women in particular. The chief virtues of a woman are purity and chastity, they believe.
This religion insists on cleanliness. The cleanliness of house (home), street, the well etc. are strongly expected. Whatever things
