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In the wake of September 11th 2001
terrorist attack on mainland USA, the American public woke up to the
realization of how diverse it had become. Universities and educational
institutions across the nation have started to look at the issue of
diversity and its implication for the US society, in an effort to bridge
the gaps that separates multitude of cultures co-existing in the US. One
such institution is the Claremont Graduate University (CGU) in a Southern
California ─ a well recognized institutions of higher learning in the
state. Claremont University created a Board of Visitors in 2002. Serving
on the board were business people, and well-recognized community leaders.
A number of religion communities were represented including Hindus,
Muslims, Christians, Catholics, and Jews. Multiple ethnicities such as
Chinese, Iranian, and Indian were also represented. One of board’s main
focus was on creating awareness of different cultures and religious groups
that make up the fabric of the United States. Their end goal was to
further the cause of unity and harmony across the whole society made up
all these diverse groups.
Members of the Board sponsored a series of lectures designed to increase
public’s awareness of diverse communities and religion groups in its
midst. After hosting a few of these lectures it was clear major
differences existed that could become possible lighting rods. At that
point, it became clear to the Board that they had to bring these diverse
groups together. More than anything else, this meant finding a bridge
between the Eastern and Western schools of thoughts.
That needed bridge had always existed, but mostly overlooked in recent
history. Aspects of Zarathushtra’s message is the point of commonality in
all of them. A powerful doctrine that influenced Hinduism and Buddhism in
the East, Judaism, Christianity and Islam in the West. The Zarathushti
principles are the bright points of all of today’s religions with massive
followings. Zarathushtra spoke of his religion formulation as the “Good
Conscience,” a religion for all people and not limited to one group. His
thought-provoking message has no commandments or prescriptions. His
world-view guides people of diverse background (race, color, gender) to a
good life and makes it possible to create a truly worldwide fellowship of
humanity.
A
week after September 11th, I composed this short poem for the
benefit of my two sons, a message, praising the Zarathushti beliefs as a
solution to today’s world crisis.
To Parsa and Kourosh,
Imagine, there is a war
and nobody goes there…
Imagine, all the people using Good Thoughts,
Words and Deeds as their only weapons,
Because love and peace are better caught than taught.
Righteousness is the sharpest sword of all.
Radiant happiness is found in bringing happiness to others.
Love, like you have never been hurt before,
Dance, like no one is watching.
Work for the love it and like you don’t need the money,
and discover the pristine Zoroastrian way of life.
Because the darkness of evil will vanish in the bright
Light of the Sacred Fire,
Let the Good Conscience be ushered in and spread wide.
Let us unit in renovating the world in peace and prosperity
Let Progressive Mentality guide us to a brighter future.
Love and Light,
Baba
September 2001
Several public talks have since been organized at CGU featuring
knowledgeable Zoroastrian Scholars. The university has recognized the
importance of trying to bridge today’s diversity in the society at large.
The board has since created a subcommittee focused on Zoroastrian matters.
CGU is currently planning to offer a curriculum of Zoroastrian studies to
doctorate students in the fall of 2004.
[i]
Reproduced from HAMAZOR (publication on the World Zoroastrian
Organization), 2003, issue 3, pps. 22-23. Issue 3 of HAMAZOR was dedicated
to the 3000 Anniversary of Zoroastrianism declared by UNESCO. |
