The Dabistán, or School of manners, Volume 1 (of 3): translated from the original Persian, with notes and illustrations
Religion
The Dabistán, or School of manners, Volume 1 (of 3): translated from the original Persian, with notes and illustrations
Iran -- Religion; Religions
_Mir Abulkasim Fandaraski_ also, through his intercourse with Kaiván’s
disciples, became an adorer of the sun, refraining from cruelty
towards all living creatures. It is well known that being once asked:
“Why dost not thou in obedience to the law go on the pilgrimage to
Mecca?” He replied: “I go not on this account, as I must there
slaughter a sheep with my own hand.” At present the author proceeds to
describe with the pen of truth a summary of the institutes of the
_Amézish_, “intercourse,” held by the Abadian Durveshes with society.
Those who adopt this rule call it the _Amèzish-i-Farhang_, or “the
intercourse of science,” and _Mèzchar_, or “Stranger’s remedy.” When a
stranger to their faith is introduced to one of their assemblies, far
from addressing harsh observations to him, they pass eulogiums on his
tenets, approve whatever he says, and do not omit to lavish on him
every mark of attention and respect: this conduct proceeds from the
fundamental article of their creed, as they are convinced that in
every mode of belief, its followers may come to God: nay, if those of
a different faith should present them a request respecting some object
about which they disagree, that is, solicit some act by which they may
approach God, they do not withhold their compliance. They do not
enjoin a person to abandon his actual profession of faith, as they
account it unnecessary to give him useless pain of mind. Moreover when
any one is engaged in concerns with them, they withhold not their aid
from his society and support, but practise towards him to the utmost
extent of their ability, whatever is most praiseworthy in this world
and the next: they are also on their guard against indulging in
sentiments of prejudice, hatred, envy, malice, giving pre-eminence to
one faith above another, or adopting one creed in preference to
another. They also esteem the learned, the Durvishes, the pure of
life, the worshippers of God in every religion, as their trusty
friends; neither styling the generality of mankind wicked, nor holding
worldly-minded persons in abhorrence: they observe, “what business has
he who desires not this world’s goods to abhor the world?” for the
sentiment of abhorrence can proceed from the envious alone. They
neither communicate their secrets to strangers, nor reveal what
another communicates to them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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