I was quite surprised by Aspi Mistry’s response to my letter "What the Buddha taught” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, July 7-20, 2020). In fact, the whole thrust of my letter concurs with his views. There was no implication or even scope in it for superiority of one faith over the other. I clearly stated that it is sad we lost full knowledge of our pre-historical Gathic language "too early in our history to keep up with the illumination we were the first to be privy to” — just a historical phenomenon void of any claim of superiority of being the first.
I have brought out so many of our features and beliefs that are found in the Judeo-Christian traditions without any claim of "superiority,” especially as they have been so much improved upon or even changed to meet/fit their own scriptures.
I understand most of us are not aware of any Zoroastrian influence on Buddhism. Even though I began studying our religion when I was nine, I considered the two faiths as diametrically opposite to each other for a long time. Any implication of one being "superior, stronger or more civilized” is unwarranted or at least unintended.
My views are part of a paper presented at an international interfaith conference where such a stand would be an anathema but where a good, if not full grasp of one’s faith leads to better appreciation of other faiths. Moreover, my approach is solely based on historical, non-judgmental and academic evidence leaving little scope for even thinking in terms of superiority, wisdom and the like. This understanding can be confirmed by the fact that my original paper ends by quoting an Avestan verse recited 12 times during a jashan ceremony:
"(We praise) good thoughts, good words and good deeds, whether performed here (in our country) or elsewhere, whether performed already or will be performed in future, we will imbibe them within ourselves so as to become a part of ourselves, since we belong to the good.” Dr KERSEY H. ANTIA
Chicago, USA