Iran. It is derived from “Pars”, now a province of that country. Meanwhile, the name Iran
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Incidentally, the most well known poet of the Gujrati language in India was a Parsi by the name of Khabar-Dar. (one of his great fans was Mahatma Gandhi, who used to visit him very often in his house in Bombay). Meanwhile in Pakistan, to the Parsis had many cultural, social and educational centers and services. In fact, the “Maker of Modern Karachi” (the first Capital of Pakistan in 1947, and the present financial capital of that country, which was once the “best port in Asia” with the “first air-port” in the Indian subcontinent) was a Parsi Philanthropist-businessman by the name of Jamshed Nusherwan Jee (1934 A.D.). See “History of Karachi” p.116 For further details about the Persian Culture, see Webster Dictionary for terms such as: Persiana, Persian ammoniac, Persian apple, Persian berry, Persian blue, Persian buttercup, Persian cat, Persian clover, Persian daisy, Persian date, Persian deer, Persian earth, Persian green, Persian iris, Persian lamb, Persian lawn, Persian silk, Persian Gardens, Persian lilac (Syringa Persica), Persian melon, Persian nightingale, Persian rose, Persian wheel (Persian Water-wheel or Noria), Persian Scarlet, Persian yellow (Rosa lutie), etc. The discoveries in the Persian Palaces (like the Persepolis and Apadana in Susa, etc.) show that the use of asphalt inside the buildings was practiced in Persia some 2000 years ago (F. F. Schmidt “Treasures of the Persepolis, 1978, Tehran, Iran). So, asphalt was not a British invention in 18th century after all! In the fields of Religion and Philosophy: The oldest religion known to mankind i.e. the worship of the Sun-god or Mithraism/Mitraism, originated in the Medeo-Persia (around the mouth of the Persian Gulf). Later on, it traveled to Egypt, with the Pharaos (who were themselves migrants from the Iranian Plateau, though they were not Aryans, but Semites) and there it was called “Ra” (short for Mithra) or the “Amon-Ra”(see Webster Dictionary under Amon). Mithraism of Persia spread eastwards also, by entering into the Indian subcontinent, with the arrival of the Aryan migrants, who came from the central Asia and the Caspian Sea regions of Iran in 1500 B.C.(see “Insight Guides”, India APA 1999 p.80.also “India” by DK Publications, U.K. 1999 p.42). In fact, “Mithraism” or the Sun-god worship in India is much older than the Hinduism itself. Today, the most wel-known Sun temple of India exists at Modhera/Konark, built in 1026 A.D. (ibid) (Note: In India and all Indian related languages, the Sun is called “Suraj=su-raj” meaning “The Great Ruler!”) Then from India, Mithraism went to the South America, where almost all the Indian tribes (Incas and others) practice it today (see “ Aljazeera Channel” March 1/2007) During the height of the Greek-Persian and Roman-Persian rivalries, the Sun-god worship(Hilios and Appolo in Greece and Sol-invictus= the almighty or the undefeatable sun in Rome) were entered from Persia into the western world, too. The birthday of the Sun-god was (or still is) on December 25, after the Saturnalia festivals. (and today, December 25th is replaced by the Christians from being the birthday of the Sun-god into the birthday of the son of God!). 162. The oldest living divine religion in the world is Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of Persia, (“The Philippine Star,” Jan. 26, 2002). Although before Zoroaster, there was another Persian Prophet, by the name of Mahabad (or Abaad for short) whose book was called “Dasatir” and whose teachings were later assimilated into the Zorastranism (See “The Complete Book of Muslim and Parsi Names, India, P.1). 163. No other religion has influenced other world Religions like the Zoroastrianism. It has influenced Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, (Mahayana), Manicheanism and the Pagan European Cults. Over half of the world has virtually accepted a significant portion of the Zoroastrian teachings. Many Christian traditions as well as some of its Philosophy are actually the adaptations from the Zoroasterianism and Mithraism, the Persian Religion of Sun-god worshipping (probably the oldest deity worship of the ancient world); Even the stonegehenge in England, 2000 B.C., were Temples to the Sun (and moon) “ The National Geographic Channel” Aug. 30, 2006). Here are some examples of what Christiani has borrowed from the Zoroas trian: religion of Persia:
Mother of gods!
Also the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico and the Celebrations of the Spring Solstices on March 21. (See AFP Report, March 21, 2005.)
Since time immemorial, the ruling classes of the Aryan race in Persia, Central Asia, India, etc. have considered themselves as the “Children of the Sun-god”, as did the “Pharaohs of Egypt” (and even later, the Chinese Emperors, who adopted such titles as “Bagh-pour” or the “Son of God” Even Louis XIV King of France adopted the title of “Sun King,” in that regard). Still in Persia today there are some people whose family names refers to this tradition, like the family name of some Iranians which is “Mehr-Pouran” (Descendents of Mehr/Mithra) etc. (Note: Even the Egyptians adopted the Persian Sun-god - - Mithra, as their highest deity, and called him “Ra” (Probably short for Mithra). In fact, Pharaoh [The title of the Kings of Egypt] means The Son of Ra!). Is it possible that Ray in English has also something to do with Ra or Mithra? How about Rex (king) in Latin, Rey (king in Spanish), etc. (Note: Regarding the name of Pharaoh, and its meaning see Abul A’la Moududi of Pakistan, “A Commentary of the Holy Qur’an,” 4th Edition.
164. Aside from Zoroastrianism, the other religious and philosophical movements of Persia, include Mithraism (the Sun god worship), which was also adopted by the Greeks and Romans; Manicheanism, which was later on adopted by the Christians in North Africa, and probably the first communist movement called Mazdakism (500 A.D.) Later on Sufism, Carmathism, Ismaili (Agha Khani), Babism, Bahaism, Akhbarism, Kasravism, etc. 165.The first artists who carved an statue for the Buddha, were the Persian Artisans of Qandahar (=Ganda Hara, Afghanistan) some 1,900 years ago. (Remember the statue of Buddha in Bamian, Afghanistan?) Before that, the Buddhists used to go under the “Tree of Boddhi” (=Bodhi - Pooja), where the Buddha was first enlightened. (See “The Asian Culture and Civilization” Magazine, Tehran, Iraq, 2003, p.62) 166. The first Holy Book in the history of religion, which was not only written, but was also illustrated for the illiterates (to “read” too) was “Arzhang or Artang” by the Persian Prophet Maani (216-274 A.D.). The Catholic Church and the Chinese religions copied Maani’s ideas and techniques much later. 167. The Persian sun-god of Mithra/ Mitra/ Mehr, has been worshipped for the past 4,000 years almost in all four corners of the earth, with different names. Examples= Mithra in India, Ra/Rao in Egypt (Like “Farao = pharao”), Ba’al in Arabia and Ba’al/ Bel in Judea, Heliopolis in Greece and Apollo in Rome, etc. (Note: The Miter worn by the Catholic bishop and popes comes from the name “Mitra”) 168. One of the founding fathers, and the first president of the Congress Party in India (1885 A.D.) that started the Anti-Colonial and Anti-British movement in the subcontinent, was a Parsi by the name of Mr.Bahar (he also had the honor of being the first speaker in the first meeting of the party.) (See “Asian Culture and Civilization,” Summer 1991, Tehran, Iran. P.107). 169.The greatest musical personality of the Indian subcontinent today is Mr. Zubin Metha, the world renowned conductor who was born in Mumbai, India to a Parsi family. (See “International Herald Tribune” Feb.1/2007). 170. According to Professor Vickense of the Cambridge University: “Sufism and Mysticism originated in Persia, not in India or Greece” (as some people have thought, see “The Persian Letters”, Summer 2002,p.182) 171. The first leader who issued “The Ten Commandments” (similar to the ten commandments of Moses in the Bible) was the legendary Persian King Jamshid (“The Shining Ruler”). He was also the “First King” in the world. 172. According to the Persian legends, it was the same King Jamshid, who discovered the “Wine” and named it “King of Drinks/Medicine or Shah-Daroo”. (“The Persian Letters,” Summer 2002,p.33) 173. The hanging bridge, as the only entrance to the Castles, during the wars and other emergency situations, was first used by the early Persians. Take note of Prophet Mohammad’s digging of diches around Medina, during the Al-Ah’zab war or “Khandaq” from the Persian word “Kanda” or “Kandan” meaning digging. This the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) did, upon the suggestion of the Persian Scholar, Salman Al-Farsi. (See “History of Islam” by Tabari and others). 174. Many Architects and historians believe that the Gothic style of Architecture in European churches was actually inspired by the Persian architecture (Prof. Arthur Pope, “Persian Architecture, p.253). 175. The world famous Onion domes of the Moscow Church in the Red Square, next to the Kremlin Palace, as well as the domes inside the Kremlin Palace itself, were influenced by the Persian Architecture (Ibid). 176. Also the well known Al-Hamra Palace in Granada (Spain) as well as the famous Cordova Mosque, were designed and built by the Iranian Architects and artisans (See “The Persian Heritage”, Tehran, Iran, 1984, p.329). 177. The tradition of handshake was developed by the followers of Mithra (The Sun-god of the Persians) as a “token of friendship and as a gesture to show that they were not carrying arms”. When Mithra later on became the Roman god of contracts, the handshake gesture was also imported by the Roman soldiers, and it was popularized throughout the Mediterranea and Europe (see the Internet, under “Mithra”). Also the “Discovery Channel”, Nov. 13, 2005 and the ancient relics of the Persepolis, showing those famous handshakes. 178. Persians were the first people who started the art of giving flowers, as a symbol of peace , love and beauty, some 5000 years ago (“Ettelaat”, Tehran, Iran, July 2, 2003) and considering that most of the flowers like Roses, Jasmine, Tulips, etc. were actually originated in Persia, the idea becomes more understandable. Also take note of the gifts of the Magies, or the Three Kings, for the Baby Jesus, as it is stated in the Bible). 179. According to some scholars, the most important person in the recorded history of religion, is the Persian Prophet - - Zoroaster. (Check the Internet, under Persian Culture, also Mithraism, etc). 180. The early tradition of the “Honey-moon” was started in Persia, and here is how: Honey was associated with purity and fertility of the moon, as it was believed by the ancient Iranians to be the source of honey, and thus the expression of honey-moon denotes not the period of a month after marriage, but a continued love and fertility in a married life (Dr. Masoud Homayuni, “Origin of Persian Gnosis,” Tehran, Iran, 1985). 181. The Zodiac Signs were started in the region which is known in history, as the ancient Medio-Persia (see the Internet, under “Mithra”) 182. FAMOUS PERSIAN PROPHETS/RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS: 1. The “priest-King Jamshid, who issued the first Ten Commandments)” 4,000 years B.C. 2. The “Priest – King” Hushang (The first Law Giver) 3,000 B.C. 3. Maha – Baad or Abad (1,200 B.C.) 4. Prophet Wiraf (or Arta Wiraf) the Prophet who visited heaven and hell, according to the Parsis (see “Parsi Names” India, p.490) 5. Zoroaster (600 B.C.), Founder of Zoroastrianism, the oldest living religion in the world that has influenced all other religions including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Zoroaster or Zarathustra is also called “The First Prophet” (See Mr. Paul Kriwaczek’s “Zarthustr: The First Prophet and the Ideas that Changed the World”). Although some historians believe that the Persian Prophet Mahabaad (or Abad for short) was even ahead of Zoroaster. 6. Maani “The Messenger of Light”230 A.D. (the founder of Gnosticism and Manicheanism that influenced Christianity, later). The expression of “Manichaean language” or religious absolutism came from there. (He was the first iconographer, painting-artist prophet that started to teach the religion to the unlettered masses in the form of the painting: The Christian iconography is his legacy. Later his painting and miniature went to China, too. Some say that the word “miniature” comes from “Maani” 7. Mazdak son of Bandad (founder of Mazdakism, a communist movement around 500 A.D.). 8. Baabak Khorram-din, 800 AD (Founder of the Religious-Political movement of Khorram Dinan, to against the Arab conquest and subjugation of Persia) 9. Hassan Sabbah (founder of the Militant Esmailism and the originator of the Assassins, or the Hashashin movement, also known as the Fedayins, 11th century A.D). 10. Agha Khan Mahallati 1830 A.D. (Founder of the Agha Khani / Esmaili sect.), he was titled Agha-Khan=Great leader by the king of Persia) See New York Times, July 21, 2007 11. Baab (Ali Mohammad) 1900 A.D. (Founder of Babism). 12. Bahaullah, 1900 A.D. (Founder of Bahaism). 13. Shah Nematullah Kermani, Sheikh Safi-Uddin, Safi Ali Shah, Maulavi, Naghsh-bandi, Cheshti (in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh,) Sahrevardi, Kubrawi, (in Central Asia) and many other founders of the Sufi Orders. 14. Mullah Amin Astar-Abadi, (1600A.D.) founder of Akhbarism, a Shi-ah fundamentalist group, similar to the old group of Kharejites and the new group of Wahhabism among the Sunni Muslim 15. Kasravi, Ahmad (1900 A.D.) founder of Kasravism a modernist anti-conservatism and anti-Religious fundamentalism with some radical tendencies. 183. The Hippies of Europe and America got their hairstyle and their shabby looks (and probably their ideas, too) from the Fekirs and the Qalandars of India, who in turn got them from the Dervishes and Sufis of Persia! 184. The first Buddhist Monk who translated the Buddhist Scriptures from the Sanskrit into Chinese, and thus introduced Buddhism to China, was a Persian scholar, known by his Chinese name of An-Xi-Guo (=the Persian Guy). According to the Russian historian, Professor Diakonov, he was a Persian intellectual Prince from the Ash-kan Dynasty, and his original Persian name was “Arash-k” (A.D. 148). (Source; “Iran-China Cultural Magazine” – Apr. 7, 2004. Ministry of Culture, Tehran, Iran). 185. Incidentally, one of the greatest Chinese poets (or maybe the greatest) is Doh-Fu, a Persian migrant, who became the grand master of the Chinese poetry, some 1800 years ago or 159 A.D. (Ibid) 186. The philosophy of Yin and Yang (male-female/positive-negative), which is the foundation of the Taoist religion in China, Korea, Japan, etc., was first introduced by the Persian Prophet Zoroaster, as the Ahura Mazda (God of light) and Ahriman (god of darkness) some 5,000-6,000 years ago. It was later on expanded further by another Persian Prophet -- Maani, as the religious and philosophical Dualism of Good and Evil (see Webster). 187. In fact, even the German philosopher, Hegel’s (1770-1831) Doctrine of the Opposite/ Dialectical Materialism/ Thesis, Anti-thesis-Sythesis, are not that original, but rather a more explained versions of Good versus Evil/ Positive- Negative/ Ying-yang philosophy of the ancient Persian Prophets Zoroaster and Maani. 188. Horses and wine are only two of the many exports of Persia to China (like the Dragon Horses from the Furghana Valley in Bactria, Central Asia, which took place, during the Hang Dynasty - - 500 B.C./ Ref. “The Discovery Channel,” May 25, 2006). Another interesting point to note here is that a Persian astronomer by the name of Jamalud – Din, created a new calendar for the Mongol Emperor of China, Kublai Khan, in 1267 A.D. (see The Silkroad Magazine, Tehran 1995 – P20). In fact, Chinese astronomy comes mostly from the Iranian, not the Assyrian sources (Ibid). 189. Later on, but still during the Mongul period, Persian Blue Jars, as well as, some fruits, styles of clothing, etc. entered China from Persia. But the most important Cultural exchange between Persia and China was the Islamic Culture and Civilization which entered China thru Persia (not Arabia). So much so that most of the Islamic terminology in China today are Persian, like:Huda/khuda (God), Ab-dast (ablution for prayer), Bang (call to prayer) Nik-khah (marriage) etc. Even the official letters of the Chinese Mongul rulers, in answer to the Pope in Rome, (who had requested them to stop the Islamic expansion in Europe), was written in Persian language, which shows how Persian became the lingua franca of diplomacy, government and religion in the East, during the Middle Ages (Ref. “The Discovery Channel” May 25, 2006). 190. The concept of Celibacy in Christianity was one of the many influences of the Persian Prophet Maani on the Christian Faith (“Manichaean influences on the Augustinian Doctrines”) see Webster. 191. The tradition of gift giving in general, and the Christmas gift giving in particular, was originated from the Persians and more specifically by the Magies, who brought their gifts to the “Baby Jesus”. (See “The Discovery Channel”, Nov. 13, 2005) 192. The pointed hats that the magicians wear today is originated from the Magiest tall hats, (The Zoroastrian priests and Shamans.) See “Discovery Channel”, Nov. 13, 2005). 193. Special respect for the animals, particularly cows and bulls, which was very popular among the early Egyptians (and the Indians even today), has an Aryan (Iranian) origin. It’s because of those animals’ great roles in agriculture and the human sustenance. (And considering that the early Egyptian Pharaos and the Brahmans of India were actually the emigrants from the connections become even more evident). 194. But, while the Indian and the Egyptian cultures considered all animals as sacred, even the dangerous ones (crocodiles, snakes, disease-carrying mice, etc.) the Persians respected the good ones, but they also did not hesitate to kill the harmful ones. 195. The Holy Books of Persia
4. Dasatir” by Buzurgabad A.K.A. , Mahabad, and Abad (1,200 B.C.) 5. “Gathas”, “Avesta” and “Zand” by Zoroaster son of Pourushaspa, from Azerbaijan (628 – 550 B.C.) 6. “Gaumist” by Jaumist the Maji (400 B.C.) 7. “Arzhang” /”Artang u and “Shapurgan” by Maani (216 – 274 A.D.) the first illustrated religious book in the world. 8. “Collections of the Khorram Dinan” by Babak Khorram Din (838 A.D.). 9. “Collections of the Qarmatians” by Hamdan Qarmat, (900 A.D.) 10.“Book of Daraziy” by Mohammad Ibne Ismail, founder of the Druze Sect (Died 1019 A.D.). 11.“ Collections of Hasam sabbah” 12. “Collections of the Agna Khanis” Islamiyya 13. “Book of Babism” by Baab Shirazi, (1800 A.D.) 14. “Book of Bahaism” by Hosainali Nuri, (1817 – 1892 A.D. )
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