Religion and Grand Zoroastrian Nation Essay Example for Free

Religion and Grand Zoroastrian Nation EssayIt fills my magnetic core with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the close ancient order of monks in the world I thank you in the name of the mother of religions and I thank you in the name of the millions and millions of Hindu wad of all classes and sects. My thanks, also to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honour of bearing to disparate lands the cerebration of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and customary acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation, which has sheltered the persecuted, and the refugees of all religion and all nations of the earth.I am proud to tell you that we have gath ered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their hallowed temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion, which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.Quoted from Siva Mahimnah Stotram 7. The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a defending team a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoev er form I reach him all men are assay through paths which in the end lead to Me. Quoted from Geeta 411. Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advancedthan it is now. But their succession is come and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.