Need Info Regarding Organ Donation

At the outset, kudos to Anahita and to the team of Parsi Times, for making interesting reads and enlightening the community with varied issues and concerns, week after week.

Reading the article ‘To Donate Or Not To Donate’ by Mr. Noshir Dadrawala in PT issue dated 26th August,2017, was very enlightening. Being interested to acquire further information on the subject I wish that Mr. Dadrawala or any reader or person acquainted with the subject, especially from the medical/legal fraternity, enlightens the community with more info vis-a-vis the process of donating

one’s organs after death – does one need to make a will for the purpose, etc – for furtherance of medical science or actual replacement of an organ to any person in need irrespective of caste, colour or creed.

Full name of organisations and contact details will be very much appreciated. Thanking you in anticipation.

-Pervez Dee
(Navroze Baug)

 

 

Re: On Free Will

Thank you for your thoughts on Free Will. Our free will is not unlimited but circumscribed by the level of one’s development. A prisoner is free to walk in any manner, but cannot leave his cell. You should encourage your readers to move from good thoughts, words and deeds to better thoughts, words and deeds by self-development, so that we exercise our free will more wisely and effectively. This will ensure our survival and growth, which is in jeopardy at present. Nature sidelines races which do not evolve to promote its plan for the future.

Once we act using our free will, the outcome is our destiny over which we have no control. That is why we are advised to not be attached to the outcome of our actions. Attachment is the main cause of anxiety, fear and worry, affecting our well-being adversely.

-Fali Engineer
(www.houston.theosophical.org)

 

 

Re: Editorial On Free Will

Finally, someone has mentioned – though not strongly enough – that ‘Free Will’ is the main essence of our Zoroastrian religion! Thank you for that in your editorial last week.

I usually ask myself and others (rather peevishly), which religion teaches bad thoughts, bad words and bad deeds? We have no exclusive dibs on them?  That it is the belief in one God and free choice that are unique to Zoroaster’s teachings; that in every thought, word or deed one has the choice to adopt the right path or the wrong path, to attain the desired result.

I believe if every Zoroastrian consciously applied profound thought to each word or deed it would bring a resolution to many of the challenges the Parsi community is faced with worldwide and bring more harmony into the fold. Among the priests and laity who know me and who teach Zoroastrianism, most would consider me more traditional than liberal. But if ‘Ushta-te’ is the credo I/we are taught to espouse, then who am I to determine anyone else’s path to happiness?  After all, they have, as you so correctly stated… Free Will!

Thanks again and all good wishes.

-Zinnia M. Khajotia
(Colaba)

 

 

‘Destiny’ Is Not Part Of Zoroastrian Ethos

O holy Spirit, Grant Thou by means of the soul’s holy fervour,
And by righteousness point out to both the good and the erring people
The joy of heavenly and happy acumen!

The main thrust of Zarathushtra’s teaching is formation of mind and salvation of soul. Editor Anahita points out in her last week’s editorial that Zoroastrianism is not conditional. She rightly writes, “We are not expected to starve or indulge in any form of mental or physical penance,” or as she very succinctly puts in that it is not an, “…or else be condemned” faith. We are enjoined to enjoy all the fruits of life that Dadar Ahuramazda created for us, but in moderation. Overindulgence is an anathema to Zoroastrianism. In fact the only fasting that Zoroastrianism encourages is fasting from sin. Otherwise in our prayers we not only ask for a cultivated and active soul, but also good nourishment, material wealth and abundant glory. However, acquiring material wealth cannot be at the cost of goodness, righteousness and honesty. It would be tragic if man, in quest of immense wealth, loses his soul by evil doings.

Anahita also talks of Destiny. Destiny is not a part of Zoroastrian ethos. Zoroastrianism tries to elicit in humans the appreciation of goodness by good thoughts, good words and good deeds through enlightenment, which leads a person to the path of righteousness. Destiny or giving in to fatalism would mean collapse of the man’s ability to work hard, come up in life and do well for himself, his soul, his family and for the community and country at large. Que sera, sera-ism, what will be, will be, leads to sloth, unproductiveness, lack of drive, initiative, and creativity! This, in turn, leads to chaos

Destiny is an antithesis of free will. Sir Olivier Lodge, in his ouvre, ‘Evolution and Creation’, says, “Freewill is a reality, a fact of experience. We can really choose. If we persist in choosing wrong, a terrible soul-death may intervene.” Lodge here is simply voicing the same truth that Zarathushtra had expressed several millennia ago. Learning leads to enlightenment of mind and soul. To this end, He declared that every individual must use his eyes, his ears and his mind/intellect and choose whether to succumb to the maleficent influences and temptations of Angremainyu, or reach lofty heights of goodness by surrendering his entire being to Spentamainyu, the beneficent influence. The choice is yours.

-Dara Khodaiji
(dara_mk@hotmail.com)

 

 

Re: Editorial On Free Will

PT’s ‘Youth Speak’ article in the 26th August issue by Rayan was full of zest, bubbling enthusiasm and sincerity forces me to pen my contradictory opinion. Sorry, Parsis occupy imminent positions. Go down the annals of Indian history, from pre-historic period to date, you will find Indian scholars in science, art, literature, medicine, music. Even during British Raj, Bengal, Madras and other places produced scholars, freedom fighters, etc. They were responsible for bringing radical changes in the Indian society and also winning freedom.

But lack of direction, diverse views and interpretations of our religion has given rise to small religious groups with different ideas. There’s no single banner where we all can come together. How can such a community grow?

The prediction of our DNA samples ending up as relics in some museum could very well be a possibility. Think! Then what will happen to our vast vacant lands, locked houses at the Baugs or outside, sanatoriums, Dharamshalas, schools and hospitals? Other communities will happily enjoy them at the cost of us being deprived of a shelter in the present day when we are in dire need of a roof over our head. These houses were built by our ancestors for the poor and needy. But today we see occupants of charitable houses own cars and bikes, while the real deserving ones remain hoping and begging for a house. One thing is sure – a middle class Parsi cannot afford to buy a house in a Baug today! No wonder our youngsters prefer to remain unmarried or marry outside our castes. How can our population grow? Why can’t the Parsi Punchayet do something in this matter?

-Jeroo Gheewala