Appendix 11
The
Arts, Music, Work
We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your
souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high;
make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion.
(Baha'u'llah, The
Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 38)
I rejoice to hear that thou takest pains with thine
art, for in this wonderful new age, art is worship. ...
(‘Abdu'l-Bahá, The Importance of the Arts in Promoting
the Faith, Translated from the Persian)
Among the greatest of all great services is the
education of children, and promotion of the various sciences, crafts
and arts. Praised be God, ye are now exerting strenuous efforts toward
this end. The more ye persevere in this most important task, the more
will ye witness the confirmations of God, to such a degree that ye
yourselves will be astonished.
(‘Abdu'l-Bahá, The Importance of the Arts in Promoting
the Faith, Translated from the Persian)
An actor mentioned the drama, and its influence.
"The drama is of the utmost importance." said ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. "It
has been a great educational power in the past; it will be so again."
He described how as a young boy he witnessed the Mystery Play of ‘Ali's
Betrayal and Passion, and how it affected him so deeply that he wept
and could not sleep for many nights.
(‘Abdu'l-Bahá, ‘Abdu'l-Bahá in London: Addresses
and Notes of Conversations, p. 93)
It is incumbent upon each one of you to engage in
some occupation - such as a craft, a trade or the like. We have exalted
your engagement in such work to the rank of worship of the one true God.
(Baha'u'llah,
Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 30)
Back