Christ's essential teaching

From: Christian themes in Baha'i Literature

His [Christ's] essential teaching was the unity of mankind and the attainment of supreme human virtues through love. He came to establish the Kingdom of peace and everlasting life. Can you find in His words any justification for discord and enmity? The purpose of His life and the glory of His death were to set mankind free from the sins of strife, war and bloodshed. ('Abdu'l-Baha, excerpt from a talk, ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

The duty of kindness and sympathy towards strangers and foreigners – a talk by ‘Abdu’l-Baha

From: Talks of 'Abdu'l-Baha

October 16th and 17th, 1911, Paris

When a man turns his face to God he finds sunshine everywhere. All men are his brothers. Let not conventionality cause you to seem cold and unsympathetic when you meet strange people from other countries. Do not look at them as though you suspected them of being evil-doers, thieves and boors. You think it necessary to be very careful, not to expose yourselves to the risk of making acquaintance with such, possibly, undesirable people.

I ask you not to think only of yourselves. Be kind to the strangers, whether they come from Turkey, Japan, Persia, Russia, China or any other country in the world.

Help to make them feel at home; find out where they are staying, ask if you may render them any service; try to make their lives a little happier.

In this way, even if, sometimes, what you at first suspected should be true, still go out of your way to be kind to them -- this kindness will help them to become better.

After all, why should any foreign people be treated as strangers?

Let those who meet you know, without your proclaiming the fact, that you are indeed a Bahá'í.

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September 1964: Message from the Universal House of Justice

From: Messages to the Baha'i World Community - by the Universal House of Justice

To the Bahá'ís of the world

Dearly loved friends,

In our message to you of April, 1964, announcing the Nine Year Plan, we called attention to two major themes of that Plan, namely "a huge expansion of the Cause of God and universal participation by all believers in the life of that Cause."

The enthusiastic vigour with which the believers throughout the world, under the devoted guidance of their National Spiritual Assemblies, have, arisen to meet the challenge of the Plan, augurs well for the huge expansion called for. We now ask you to bend your efforts and thoughts, with equal enthusiasm, to the requirements of universal participation.

In that same message we indicated the meaning of universal participation: "the dedicated effort of every believer in teaching, in living the Bahá'í life, in contributing to the Fund, and particularly in the persistent effort to understand more and more the significance of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation. In the words of our beloved Guardian, 'One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendour of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh.'"

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The attitude that Spiritual Assembly members (“counselors”) should maintain

From: Insights from Messages to the Baha'i World Community - by Shoghi Effendi

In the Most Holy Book is revealed: -- "The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Baha, and should it exceed this number it does not matter. It behooveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly. Thus hath the Lord your God commanded you. Beware lest ye put away that which is clearly revealed in His Tablet. Fear God, O ye that perceive." (Excerpt from a letter by Shoghi Effendi, dated March 5, 1922; Baha'i Administration, pp. 17-25) (To read the entire message please visit Messages to the Baha'i World)

The Most Great Favour, The Most Perfect Bounty

From: Portraits of 'Abdu'l-Baha

Render thanks unto God, O people, for His appearance; for verily He is the most great Favour unto you, the most perfect bounty upon you; and through Him every mouldering bone is quickened. ( Baha'u'llah, Tablet of the Branch)

'Abdu'l-Baha

Commentary on the Islamic Tradition "I was a Hidden Treasure and loved to be known. Therefore I created the Creation that I might be known." (Tafsír-i-Hadith-i-Kuntu Kanzan Makhfíyyan) – by ‘Abdu’l-Baha

From: Baha'i Tablets -- provisional translations

--- provisional translation by Moojan Moomen

[Prelude]

. . . And to continue: To him who looks understands these indications, it is well known with respect to the request of that traveller upon the paths of guidance, that bondsman of the King of Divine Authority, that seeker of the hidden Divine secrets, that knower of the secret Heavenly signs, that lover of the household and family of his holiness Mustafa [i.e. Muhammad], the favoured friend of the wayfarers and he who has clung to the Firmest Handle of God [urwatu'llah al-wuthqa] and to the Strongest Rope, `Ali Shawkat Pasha son of the late Agha Husayn Pasha (may God designate for him whatever He wishes), that he has wished this wayfarer upon the Path to write a brief explanation and a short beneficial commentary upon the Holy Tradition [hadith-i qudsi]: "I was a Hidden Treasure and loved to be known. Therefore I created the Creation that I might be known." 

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The soul is God’s Sanctuary -- reason is God’s Throne

From: Human Soul and Its Eternal Journey

The soul is the Sanctuary of God; Reason is His Throne. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a conversation recorded by Julia Grundy during her pilgrimage, ‘Ten Days in the Light of Acca’)

We should adhere to the spiritual laws revealed to humanity in each age by the Manifestation of God the same way that we pay attention to laws governing our physical lives

From: Daily Spiritual Food for Thought

Just as there are laws governing our physical lives, requiring that we must supply our bodies with certain foods, maintain them within a certain range of temperatures, and so forth, if we wish to avoid physical disabilities, so also there are laws governing our spiritual lives. These laws are revealed to mankind in each age by the Manifestation of God, and obedience to them is of vital importance if each human being, and mankind in general, is to develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover, these various aspects are interdependent. If an individual violates the spiritual laws for his own development he will cause injury not only to himself but to the society in which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a direct effect on the individuals who must live within it. (The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated 6 February 1973 to all National Spiritual Assemblies; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)

Dr. Furutan - One of the Principals of Tarbiyat School, Secretary of Iranian National Spiritual Assembly for 24 years, One of the Nine Custodial Hands of the Cause

From: We are Baha'is

In the face of sustained persecution, Dr. Furutan's family left their native city of Sabzivir in Khurasan, Persia, in 1914 and settled in Ashkhabad, Russia. As a youth he became an active member of the local Baha'i community and, whilst still in his teens, became a teacher in its school. In 1926 he won a scholarship to the University of Moscow to study education and child psychology. In 1930 he returned to Iran where he established a school for Baha'i children in one of the villages. Dr. Furutan was appointed as principal of the Tarbiyat school for boys until its closure in 1934, and wrote study books for Baha’i children’s classes which are still in use. In April 1934 he was elected to the newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Iran and served as its secretary until the passing of Shoghi Effendi in November of 1957. Dr. Furutan was appointed a Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi, in the first contingent of Hands, in December 1951. In 1957 he became one of the nine custodial Hands of the Cause in Haifa. Dr. Furutan’s Persian publications are extensive, and several have been translated into English. (Adapted from ‘A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baha’i Faith’, by Peter Smith)(See also Baha'i Calendar - this month in history) 

Baha’i World Commonwealth

From: Baha'i Glossary

Baha’i World Commonwealth: The future commonwealth of the nations of the world envisaged in the Baha’i writings. It will include a federal system of governance, to which all national governments will be accountable, a system of international communication; an international auxiliary language; a world script and literature; a uniform and universal system of currency, weights, and measures; and an integrated economic system with coordinated markets and regulated channels of distribution.

O God, my God! Aid Thou Thy trusted servants to have loving and tender hearts...

From: Insights from Baha'i Prayers

O God, my God! Aid Thou Thy trusted servants to have loving and tender hearts. Help them to spread, amongst all the nations of the earth, the light of guidance that cometh from the Company on high. Verily Thou art the Strong, the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Subduing, the Ever-Giving. Verily Thou art the Generous, the Gentle, the Tender, the Most Bountiful. (‘Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha)

Some reflections and insights …

• We are called upon to have “loving and tender hearts”.
• We are called upon to “spread … the light of guidance that cometh from the Company on high” “amongst all the nations of the earth”.     
• Some of the attributes of God of which we’ve become aware through His Manifestations: 

            * “the Strong",
            * “the Powerful”,
            * “the Mighty”,
            * “the All-Subduing”,
            * “the Ever-Giving”,
            * “the Generous”,
            * “the Gentle”,
            *  “the Tender”,
            *  “the Most Bountiful”.

Mahmud’s Diary – The Diary of Mirza Mahmud-i-Zarqani Chronicling ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Journey to America, Translated by Mohi Sobhani

From: Introduction to Baha'i Books

In the spring of 1912 Abdu'l-Baha set off from Alexandria on His historic journey to America. Among his small entourage was Mirza Mahmud- i-Zarqani, who became, in the words of Shoghi Effendii, “the chronicler of His travels”.

Mirza Mahmud went everywhere with ‘Abdu’l-Baha making extensive notes not only of the Master's many public talks and conversations with individuals but also of the new sights and experiences they found in America as well as the daily routines of eating, writing letters and travelling. Mahmud remarks on the novelty of the New York skyscrapers, electric lights and American foods and customs for Abdu'l Baha’s party as well as the picturesque spectacle provided to the Americans by His entourage in their ‘abas and Persian hats.

The result was a unique diary “regarded as a reliable account of Abdu'l-Baha's travels in the West and an authentic record of His utterances, whether in the form of formal talks, table talks or random oral statements. Mirza Mahmud was a careful and faithful chronicler and engaged in assembling and publishing his work with the permission of the beloved Master . . “ (The Universal House of Justice).

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October 1855 or 1856: The birth of Robert Turner -- one of 19 Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

From: Baha'i Calendar - this month in history

Robert Turner, one of 19 Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Baha was born on October 15, 1855 or 1856. He was the first member of the negro race in the Western Hemisphere to embrace the Faith.[God Passes By, p. 259]. Since it is estimated that Robert was born in Virginia in about 1855-56, it is possible that he was born enslaved.[The American Baha’i, November 23, 2005] He was for some 35 years a butler in the household of Phoebe Hearst, eventually becoming her personal butler -- a position of considerable responsibility. Shortly before 1898, Phoebe Hearst received Lua Getsinger in her San Francisco home. Lua introduced the Faith to her while Robert was in attendance serving tea. Naturally, he overheard the conversation and, like Mrs. Hearst, was touched by what he heard. He was with Phoebe Hearst when, in 1898, she arranged for the first group of Baha’i pilgrims to visit 'Abdu'l-Baha in 'Akka. On 10 December 1898 Robert was warmly received by 'Abdu'l-Baha Who raised him to his feet and embraced him when, on first seeing the Master, he had dropped to his knees calling out, "My Lord! My Lord! I am not worthy to be here. On a later occasion 'Abdu'l-Baha said, "Robert, your Lord loves you.” [Balyuzi, ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, p. 72] Robert later encountered many difficulties, but remained staunch in his new faith; he died in 1909 not many years after his return from the Holy Land. (Adapted from ‘The A to Z of the Baha’i Faith, by Hugh Adamson)

One's faith embodies three degrees

From: Gems of Insight from 'Abdu'l-Baha
In reality, faith embodies three degrees: to confess with the tongue; to believe in the heart; to give evidence in our actions. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted in The Baha'i World vol.6 1934-1936, p. 483)

Baha'u'llah's and the Bab's Prayer-beads

From: Baha'i Sacred Relics

Baha'u'llah's Prayer-beads and Ring (right), the Bab's Prayer-beads and Ring (left), Baha'u'llah's Pen-case and Tea-glass

16 December 1922: The Guardian's first letter to the Baha'is in Great Britain

From: Messages to the Baha'i World Community - by Shoghi Effendi

To my spiritual brethren and sisters in Great Britain. Care of the members of the Spiritual Council. [1]

My dearest brethren and sisters in the faith of God!

May I at the very outset of this, my very first letter to you, convey to your hearts in words, however inadequate but assuredly deeply felt and sincere, a measure of my burning impatience, during my days of retirement, to return speedily and join hands with you in the great work of consolidation that awaits every earnest believer in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

Now that happily I feel myself restored to a position where I can take up with continuity and vigour the threads of my manifold duties, the bitterness of every disappointment felt, time and again, in the course of the past weary months at my feeling of unpreparedness, have been merged in the sweetness of the present hour, when I realise that spiritually and bodily I am better equipped to shoulder the responsibilities of the Cause. The thought, so often comforting and sustaining, that in the counsels of my British co-workers of that land, I shall find spontaneous and undiminished support as well as wise and experienced assistance, is surely one of those forces which will hearten me in the midst of my future labours for the Cause. 

That in every one of you our departed Master reposed His future and truest hopes for an able and convincing presentation of the Cause to the outside world, is abundantly revealed in His spoken and written words to you, as well as in His general references to the spirit of sincerity, of tenacity and devotion that animates His friends of that land.

God is One

From: Baha'i Songs and Poems

by: Margaret Jane King

God is one, man is one,

And all religions are one.

Land and sea, hill and valley,

Under the beautiful sun.

God is one, man is one,

And all the religions agree.

When everyone learns of the three onenessess,
We’ll have world unity.

'Abdu'l-Baha in the Vicinity of the Western Pilgrim House

From: 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Holy Land

'Abdu'l-Baha, inside of gateway to the house occupied by Western pilgrims, 1919 

The Lesser Peace and the Most Great Peace – by Ali Nakhjavani

From: Baha'i Talks, Messages and Articles

(Transcript of a talk as part of six talks given during a week-long course in February of 2004 on the “World Order of Baha'u'llah”. The event was sponsored by the NSA of Italy. The notes also include questions raised by the participants and Mr. Nakhjavani’s answers. This text, excluding the quotations section, was published in 2005 under the title "Towards World Order". A chapter on “The Covenant” was added in the 2007 edition.) 

In order to place this subject in its proper context it would be useful to have a general understanding of the twin processes, frequently expounded in the writings of Shoghi Effendi, of disintegration and integration, as they unfold in the world today.

I feel it would be helpful to look at the parable of the Lord of the Vineyard, as given by Jesus Christ. "A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. Then said the Lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the Lord of the vineyard do unto them? He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others." (New Testament, Luke 20:9-16)

Here are a few comments:

(1) According to "God Passes By" the Lord of the Vineyard is a reference to Bahá'u'lláh. (2) The Son is obviously a reference to Jesus Christ and the parable shows that Christ anticipated His own martyrdom. (3) The servants sent by the Lord are God's Prophets. We note that there is not only succession but progression in the degree of the authority they wield. (4) The Father dismisses the tenants who are obviously the religious and secular leaders, and He gives the Vineyard to 'others'.

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