The Baha'i Faith
(Some links updated, May 2004)
The Baha'i Faith
(Some links updated, May 2004)
Material submitted for the Teachers' Resource Guide, as corrected from text received from Breakwater Books (for the Grade 6 text), and also later submitted to Irwin (later Thomson-Nelson) for the Grades 7, 8, 9 texts. Much of the text is from The Baha'is, an eighty-page magazine format publication of the Baha'i International Community, 1999. This publication is currently being revised, but is freely available at http://www.bahai.com/thebahais/.
This resource consists of:
(1) Edited material
submitted
by Breakwater Books
(2) Strongly Recommended
Additional Material, as the Baha'i faith does not have clergy, this is
especially important.
(3) A Short Glossary
(4) Authorative Baha'i Web
Sites
(5) Short Book Lists
(1) Edited material submitted by Breakwater:
THE BAHA'IS
Origins of the Baha'i Faith
The Founder of the Baha'i Faith was Baha'u'llah
(12 November; 1817-29 May, 1892) who was born in Teheran, Persia. The
name
"Baha'u'llah" means "The Glory of God" in Arabic. Baha'is believe that
he was the latest in a line of Messengers from God that includes
Abraham,
Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.
Baha'u'llah was a Persian nobleman who suffered
forty years of imprisonment and exile. He was the son of a wealthy
government
minister whose family could trace its ancestry back to the great
dynasties
of Iran's imperial past. Baha'u'llah led a princely life as a young
man,
receiving an education that focused largely on horsemanship,
swordsmanship,
calligraphy and classic poetry.
Baha'u'llah married Asiyih Khanum in 1835. They
had three children. Abdu'l-Baha, the eldest son, was born in 1844.
Baha'u'llah
declined a ministerial career and worked for the poor. In 1844 he
became
one of the leading advocates of the Babi movement.
Precursor to the Baha'i Faith, the Babi movement
swept much of Iran and stirred intense persecution from the religious
establishment.
Baha'u'llah, along with other followers of the Bab, was arrested and
brought,
in chains and on foot, to Teheran and cast into the notorious "Black
Pit"
for four months. During this time in 1852 Baha'u'llah experienced a
revelation
that He was the prophet foretold by the Bab. This dungeon became the
birthplace
for a new religious revelation.
After four months in the "Black Pit", Baha'u'llah
was banished from His native Iran and continued for forty years in
exile,
imprisonment and persecution. He spent time in Baghdad, Kurdistan,
Constantinople
and Adrianople (Edirne). As a virtual state prisoner His reputation
continued
to grow, attracting the interest of scholars, government officials and
diplomats. He communicated with many world leaders of His time. He
spoke
of the dawn of a new age and urged world leaders to pursue justice.
Continued agitation from opponents caused the
Turkish
Government to send the exiles to Acre, a penal city in Ottoman
Palestine.
Into this environment, Baha'u'llah and His family arrived on 31 August,
1868 for another stage in His long exile. As in Baghdad and Adrianople,
Baha'u'llah's moral stature gradually won the respect and admiration.
It was in Acre that Baha'u'llah's most famous work,
the Kitab-i-Aqdas, (the Most Holy Book) was written.
On 29 May, 1892, Baha'u'llah died. His remains were
laid to rest in a garden room adjoining the restored mansion, which is
known as Bahji. For Baha'is this is the most holy place on earth.
Basic Beliefs
The main theme of Baha'u'llah's message is unity.
He taught that there is only one God, that all the world's religions
represent
one changeless and eternal Faith of God, and that all humanity is one
race,
destined to live in peace and harmony.
The principles emphasized by the Baha'i Faith are
Baha'is strive to uphold a high moral standard. Baha'u'llah stressed the importance of: honesty, trustworthiness, chastity, service to others, purity of motive, generosity, deeds over words, unity, work as a form of worship.
The essential message of Baha'u'llah is the call to unity. Spirituality must embrace not only personal and group life, but also the collective progress of humanity as a whole: "Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self."
Sacred Texts
During His imprisonment in Tereran's "Black Pit",
Baha'u'llah received a vision of God's will for humanity. His
experience
there set in motion a process of religious revelation which, over the
next
forty years, led to the production of hundreds of books, tablets and
letters,
which today form the core of the sacred scripture of the Baha'i Faith.
In those writings He outlined a framework for the reconstruction of
human
society at all levels: spiritual, moral, economic, political, and
philosophical. The following works represent some of the
important
themes in Baha'u'llah's writings.
Worship
The Nineteen Day Feast
The centerpiece of Baha'i community life is the
Nineteen day Feast. It is held once in every nineteen days,
beginning
on 21 March. There are nineteen such Feast days in the year. The
Feast day is the regular gathering that promotes and sustains the unity
of the local Baha'i community.
The Feast always contains three elements: spiritual
devotion, administrative consultation, and fellowship. This practice
combines
religious worship with grassroots governance and social enjoyment.
The term "feast" suggests that the community should
enjoy a "spiritual feast" of worship, companionship
and unity. Baha'u'llah stressed the importance of gathering every
nineteen days "to bind your hearts together."
The Fast
Baha'u'llah called on Baha'is to refrain from eating
or drinking from sunrise to sunset fbr ninteen consecutive days each
year
from 2 March to 20 March. This period known as "The Fast" is
considered
a time for deep reflection on one's own spiritual progress. Efforts are
made to detach oneself from material desires.
Those who are ill are exempted from fasting, as are pregnant and
nursing
women, people under fifteen or over seventy years old, travellers, and
those engaged in arduous physical labour.
Baha'i Houses of Worship
At the present stage of the Faith's development,
Baha'is have focussed on creating and developing the social and
spiritual
institutions of community life rather than on the construction of
physical
buildings for each community.
A few major Houses of Worship have been built to
stand as "beacons calling the world to a new mode of religious worship
and life." These Houses, built in various continents, show the Faith's
global progress: Russia, United States, Uganda, Australia, Germany,
Panama,
Western Samoa, and India.
Each House of Worship has its own distinctive
design,
and yet conforms to a set of architectural requirements that give a
unifying
theme. It must have nine sides and a central dome to symbolize both the
diversity and the unity of the human race.
Houses of worship are open to people of every
religion.
There are no sermons, rituals, or clergy. Worship includes prayers and
readings from the scriptures of the Baha'i Faith and of other
religions.
Symbols of the Baha'i Faith
The Nine-pointed Star
A simple nine-pointed star is generally used by
Baha'is as a symbol of their Faith. The number nine has significance in
the Baha'i Revelation. Nine years after the announcement of the Bab
in
Shiraz, Baha'u'llah received the intimation of His mission in the
dungeon
of Teheran. Nine, as the highest single-digit number, symbolizes
completeness.
Since the Baha'i Faith claims to be the fulfillment of the expectation
of all prior religions, this symbol reflects that sense of fulfillment
and completeness.
(This summary is excerpted from The Baha'is, an eighty-page
publication
of the Baha'i International Community, 1999.)
(2) Strongly Recommended Additional Material, as the Baha'i faith does not have clergy, this is especially important.
The Covenant and The Administrative Order
(Excerpted from The Baha'is, pp 41ff, 49)
An understanding of these two topics is important
as the Baha'i Faith does not have any clergy, and so differs
significantly
from other Faiths.
The Covenant
Baha'is believe that the distinctive unity of the
Baha'i Faith stems from a promise from God to humanity that assures His
continuing guidance after the passing of Baha'u'llah. This promise is
referred
to as the Covenant.
The idea of a covenant between man and God is, of
course, familiar to the followers of many religions. Many Jews
understand
that God entered into a covenant with them, promising to guide them as
long as they obeyed His laws. Many Christians, too, understand that
Jesus
entered into a new covenant with His followers.
For Baha'is, the Covenant made by Baha'u'llah is
both a renewal of the promise of Divine guidance and a system that
ensures
its continuance. Specifically, the Covenant can be understood to be
synonymous
with the line of succession described in the Will and Testament of
Baha'u'llah.
This line goes from Baha'u'llah to His son, `Abdu'l-Baha, and then from
`Abdu'l-Baha to His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, and to the Universal
House
of Justice.
To be faithful to the Covenant of Baha'u'llah is
to be obedient to Him as God's Messenger. This means to accept the
authority
of His appointed successors and to adhere to the arrangements He made
for
the advancement of His Faith.
The Administrative Order
(T)he idea that there exists a divine pattern for
the continuing administration of the Baha'i Faith is as important to
the
definition of Baha'i belief and practice as are the spiritual and
social
doctrines of Baha'u'llah.
This governance system is called the "administrative
order." It is viewed as both a system for conducting the affairs of the
Baha'i Faith itself and as a promising model that can be easily adopted
by other institutions of administration and governance.
Founded on a common set of electoral and
decision-making
principles, the system is organized around a set of freely elected
governing
councils which operate at the local, national, and international
levels.
This hierarchy devolves decision making to the lowest level practicable
- thereby providing a unique vehicle for grassroots democracy - while
at
the same time providing a level of coordination and authority that
makes
possible cooperation on a global scale.
The qualities such [elected] individuals should
possess are spelled out quite clearly in the Baha'i writings. Those
participating
in the election should consider "the names of only those who can best
combine
the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion,
of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience."
The
election process excludes any form of campaigning, electioneering or
nominations.
(3) A Short Glossary
Glossary
`Abdu'l-Baha: (1844-1921) Son of Baha'u'llah, designated His successor and authorized interpreter of His writings. Named `Abbas after His grandfather, `Abdu'l-Baha was known to the general public as `Abbas Effendi. Baha'u'llah gave Him such titles as "the Most Great Branch," "the Mystery of God," and "the Master." After Baha'u'llah's passing, He chose the name `Abdu'l-Baha, meaning "Servant of Baha'u'llah."
Administrative Order: The system of administration as conceived by Baha'u'llah, formally established by `Abdu'l-Baha, and realized during the Guardianship of Shoghi Effendi. It consists, on the one hand, of a series of elected councils, universal, national, and local, in which are invested legislative, executive, and judicial powers over the Baha'i community, and, on the other hand, of eminent and devoted Baha'is appointed for the specific purpose of propagation and protection of the Faith under the guidance of the Head of that Faith, the Universal House of Justice.
Bab, the: The title, meaning "Gate," assumed by Siyyid `Ali-Muhammad, who was the Prophet-Founder of the Babi Faith and the Forerunner of Baha'u'llah. Born 20 October 1819, the Bab proclaimed Himself to be the Promised One of Islam and announced that His mission was to alert the people to the imminent advent of "Him Whom God shall make manifest," namely, Baha'u'llah. Because of these claims, the Bab was executed by order of Naziri'd-Din Shah on 9 July 1850.
Baha'i International Community: A name used generally in reference to the worldwide Baha'i community and officially in that community's external relations. In the latter context, the Baha'i International Community is an association of the National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world and functions as an international non-governmental organization. Its offices include its Secretariat at the Baha'i World Centre, a United Nations Office in New York with a branch in Geneva, an Office of Public Information, an Office of the Environment, and an Office for the Advancement of Women.
Baha'u'llah: Title assumed by Mirza Husayn-`Ali, Founder of the Baha'i Faith. Born on 12 November 1817, He declared His mission as the Promised One of all Ages in April 1863 and passed away in `Akka, Palestine, on 29 May 1892 after forty years of imprisonment, banishment, and house arrest. Baha'u'llah's writings are considered by Baha'is to be direct revelation from God.
Consultation: A form of discussion between individuals and within groups which requires the subjugation of egotism so that all ideas can be shared and evaluated with frankness, courtesy, and openness of mind, and decisions arrived at can be wholeheartedly supported. Its guiding principles were elaborated by `Abdu'l-Baha.
Covenant: ...a religious covenant is "a binding agreement between God and man, whereby God requires of man certain behaviour in return for which He guarantees certain blessings, or whereby He gives man certain bounties in return for which He takes from those who accept them an undertaking to behave in a certain way." ... there are two types of religious covenant: "There is ... the Greater Covenant which every Manifestation of God makes with His followers, promising that in the fullness of time a new Manifestation will be sent, and taking from them the undertaking to accept Him when this occurs. There is also the Lesser Covenant that a Manifestation of God makes with His followers that they will accept His appointed successor after Him. If they do so, the Faith can remain united and pure. If not, the Faith becomes divided and its force spent."
Holy Days: Eleven days commemorating significant Baha'i anniversaries, on nine of which work is suspended.
Local Spiritual Assembly: The local administrative body in the Baha'i Faith, ordained in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. The nine members are directly elected by secret ballot each year at Ridvan from among the adult believers in a community.
Mount Carmel: The mountain spoken of by Isaiah as the "mountain of the Lord." Site of the Baha'i World Centre including several Baha'i holy places, the most important of which are the Shrine of the Bab and the Monument Gardens.
National Spiritual Assembly: The national administrative body in the Baha'i Faith, ordained in the Baha'i sacred writings, with authority over all activities and affairs of the Baha'i Faith throughout its area. Among its duties are to stimulate, unify, and coordinate the manifold activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and of individual Baha'is within its jurisdiction. The members of National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world constitute the electoral college for the Universal House of Justice. At Ridvan 1998, there were 179 National or Regional Spiritual Assemblies. See also Regional Spiritual Assembly.
Nineteen Day Feast: The principal gathering in each local Baha'i community, every Baha'i month, for the threefold purpose of worship, consultation, and fellowship.
Shoghi Effendi Rabbani: (1897-1957) The Guardian of the Baha'i Faith after the passing of `Abdu'l-Baha in 1921, designated in His Will and Testament as His successor in interpreting the Baha'i writings and as Head of the Faith.
Shrine of Baha'u'llah: The resting place of Baha'u'llah's mortal remains, located near the city of `Akka, Israel. The Shrine is the holiest spot on earth to Baha'is and a place of pilgrimage.
Shrine of the Bab: The resting place of the Bab's mortal remains, located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, a sacred site to Baha'is, and a place of pilgrimage.
Universal House of Justice: Head of the Baha'i Faith after the passing of Shoghi Effendi, and the supreme administrative body ordained by Baha'u'llah in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, His Book of Laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years by the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies, who gather at an International Convention. The House of Justice was elected for the first time in 1963. It occupied its permanent Seat on Mount Carmel in 1983.
(Adapted from: Baha'i World
News Service web site)
Copyright 2002, Baha'i International Community
(4) Authorative Baha'i Web Sites
International:
http://www.bahai.org/ , The
Baha'i World -- Official Site of the Baha'i Faith, with many languages
available.
http://www.onecountry.org/
, One Country - The quarterly news publication of the Baha'i
International
Community
http://news.bahai.org/
, The Baha'i World News Service
http://www.bahai.com/thebahais/
, "The Baha'is" magazine
National:
http://www.ca.bahai.org/
, The Baha'i Community of Canada, a bilingual site.
Local:
http://www.sji.ca/bahai/
, The Mt. Pearl & St. John's Site for local context, hosted by the
St. John's InfoNET.
(5) Short Book Lists
These are available through the Canadian
distributor:
Unity Arts. Inc., 9 - 945 Middlefield Road, Toronto, ON, M1V 5E1; phone
(416) 609-9900, Fax (416) 609-9600 (9 - 5 Eastern Time)., Orders: 1 800
465 3287; http://www.bahaibooksonline.com,
e-mail: <orders@bahaibooksonline.com>.
For Teacher Reference:
(1) "The Baha'is" magazine; The Baha'i International
Community,
866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017, USA; produced
by Baha'i Publishing Trust of the United Kingdsom, 6 Mount Pleasant,
Oakham,
Leicestershire, LE15 6HU, UK, $1.45 in lots of 50 or more;
ISBN 1-870989-37-6, Unity Arts Stock #B2-008
NOTE: This is currently being revised and reprinted, hence it
is "out of stock". The full text and illustrations are freely
available
at
http://www.bahai.com/thebahais/
(2) Peter Smith, "A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baha'i
Faith";
Oneworld Publications, 185 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7AR, England; http://www.oneworld-publications.com,
$29.99;
ISBN 1-85168-184-1, Unity Arts Stock #B5-130
(3) William S. Hatcher and J. Douglas Martin, "The Baha'i
Faith
- The Emerging Global Religion"; Harper & Row, San Fransisco,
$12.95;
ISBN 0-06-312078-X, Unity Arts Stock #B2-012
For Younger Readers:
(4) Patrick Vickers, The Baha'i Faith -hc (Oneworld) $17.95;
ISBN - 1-85168-030-6, Unity Arts Stock #B2-011
(5) Jaqueline Mehrabi, Love of Baha'u'llah -hc (Oneworld)
$21.95;
ISBN 1-85168-047-0, B3-010, Unity Arts Stock #B7-495
(6) Jaqueline Mehrabi, Stories of Abdu'l-Baha -sc
(UK)*
$14.95;
ISBN (sc) 1-870989-68-6, ISBN (hc) 1-870989-66-x, Unity Arts
Stock #B7-461
(7) Jaqueline Mehrabi, Stories of the Greatest Holy Leaf-hc
(UK)* $27.50
ISBN 1-870989-77-5, Unity Arts Stock #B7-495
* (UK) = The Baha'i Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom. 4
Station Approach, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6QW, UK.
