7TH CONGRESS OF ZOROASTRIAN AND IRANIAN CULTURAL STUDIES

Brussels, Belgium(Part 4)A Gist of PapersAli A. Jafarey
Farid, Fatane (Formerly archeologist and anthropologist, Iranian Ministry of Culture and Arts, presently a dress designer for a well-known company, Los Angeles, U.S.A.) Woman in the Good Religion: History shows that patriarchy in Mesopotamia and neighborhood had turned the people into warlike, and that frequent wars and conquests had brought misery to the defeated nations. Matriarchy on the Iranian Plateau had promoted peace, stability, economy and trade. At the same time, the Indo-Iranians had a moderate patriarchy that held women closely high next to men. Then Zarathushtra came with his Divine Doctrine that recognizes absolute equality of man and woman in the human society, from household to government. Woman is the "Lady of the House" just as man is the "Lord of the House." She can be elected as the Ruler of a nation. She can choose the man, whom she knows well and loves, as her partner in the fruitful life. The same holds true of religious affairs. She can be as high in religious knowledge as any person, and she can officiate as the Head Officiant at religious ceremonies. Founded more than 3,700 years ago, the Good Religion stands very high in human rights and the equality of man and woman. (Ms. Farid based her speech on the citations from the Gathas, the Gathic Supplements and the Later Avesta. She showed and explained over 30 slides of women, from the bas-reliefs, gold and silver vessels, coins, seals and carpets, from the Achaemenian to the Sassanian times.) Golshani, Vandidad (Physician by profession both in Iran and UK, poet, writer and Senior Member of the Zarathushtrian Assembly branch in London). The Sweet Dream: The speaker recited a poem in which he described how his Sweet Dream has been turned into reality as a practicing Zoroastrian. Then followed his speech: The Message of Zarathushtra is based on Wisdom, Consideration, Free Will, Equality, Progress, Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and above all, true mental and physical Happiness that lead one to God and to serve well the creation. It is a unique doctrine. (The speech was punctuated all along with citations from the Persian poetry that made it typically zestful Persian style.)Jafarey, Ali A (U.S.A.). Achaemenians Traces in "Shahnameh," the Book of Kings: The Shahnameh, based on the "History of Iran" manuscripts from the caveman to the downfall of the Sassanians, strangely does not mention the Achaemenian period. The reason: The disaster following the invasion of Alexander the Macedonian and its aftermath made the Iranians forget the Achaemenian kings with the exception of two - Darius the Great and Darius III. Furthermore, the great reliance of the Sassanians on the historical narrations from the Avesta, made them to connect their dynasty to the Kiyanians. Therefore we see Darius the Great as the great grandson of King Goshtasp the Kiyanian. Yet Ferdowsi begins his Shahnameh with "Be-nâm-e Khodâvand-e Jân-o-Kherad - In the Name of the Lord of Life and Intellect;" a reflection of Ahura Mazda so often written by the Achaemenians on their bas-reliefs. The next trace is the term "Shâhanshâh," invented by the Achaemenians as the title of all Kiyanian kings. Persepolis is known as "Takht-e Jamshid" and its construction in the heart of Pars, as the seat of the Empire, is ascribed to the legendary Jamshid. Other traces include the Nowruz audience, the multinational empire, seafaring, and the learning of writing from non-Iranians. Names were forgotten with the exception of two, but the tales of the Achaemenians, from the beginning to the fall of the Empire, can be traced well from the History of Kiyanians.(Continued in Part 5)Ali A. JafareyBuena Park, California20 Aban 3742 ZRE = 10 November 2004