“Tenets and traditions”

With reference to Rustom Jamasji’s letter ("Tenets and traditions,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, December 7, 2007), he should be informed that unsubstantiated or oral or written statements cannot be accepted as evidence.

Regarding the dakhmas in erstwhile Persia that he is talking about, according to Ervad R. R. Motafram in his History of Ancient Iran these were built by the Magis (circa 600 BC) for the disposal of their own dead but they did not force the system universally on all the people, so this too cannot be taken as a scriptural reference in the Avesta.

In any case, why is Jamasji so keen to perpetuate a system which is not enshrined in our scriptures and which for all practical purposes is now defunct?

Dr P. D. SUNAVALA