- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter written on behalf
of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer on 8 December 1935, quoted by the
Universal House of Justice in a letter dated 12 June 1984 written on its behalf
to an individual believer; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice
1963-1986’)
Teachings of the Baha'i Faith
A sample of Baha'i Teachings ...
1/3/19
The “core of religious faith”
…the core of religious faith is that mystic feeling that
unites man with God. This state of spiritual communion can be brought about and
maintained by means of meditation and prayer.
10/23/18
We should tread the path of truthfulness and righteousness
O pure soul! Follow thou in the footsteps of the truthful
and tread the way of the righteous, so that, through truthfulness, thou mayest
come to occupy a Seat of Truth, [Qur'án, 54:55] and, through righteousness,
thou mayest attain to abiding honour. If the sum of all sins were to be weighed
in the balance, falsehood would, on its own, countervail them; nay, its evils
would even outweigh them and its detriment prove greater. It were better for
thee that thou shouldst be a blasphemer and tell the truth than that thou
shouldst mouth the formulas of faith and yet be a liar. These clear words are
addressed as an admonition to the peoples of the world. Render thanks unto God
that it is through thee that this counsel hath been addressed to all mankind.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Trustworthiness: A
Cardinal Bahá'í Virtue)
9/14/18
“religion must be the cause of fellowship and love”
…among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is that religion must be
the cause of fellowship and love. If it becomes the cause of estrangement then
it is not needed, for religion is like a remedy; if it aggravates the disease
then it becomes unnecessary.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From first Tablet to the Hague, 17 December 1919;
“’Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets to The Hague”, published by the Baha’i World Center;
Online Baha’i Reference Library of the Baha’i World Center)
7/10/18
We should close our eyes to “the deficiencies of other souls”
Let your thoughts dwell on your own spiritual
development, and close your eyes to the deficiencies of other souls. Act ye in
such wise, showing forth pure and goodly deeds, and modesty and humility, that
ye will cause others to be awakened.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (‘Selections from the
Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha’)
3/25/18
Prophets of God
All Prophets of God are “the channels of God's grace…the
exponents of His unity…the mirrors of His light and the revealers of His
purpose…”
- Baha'u'llah (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah’, included in ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)
- Baha'u'llah (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah’, included in ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)
3/15/17
“The source of all good”
2/15/17
1/11/17
God is “immeasurably exalted… above the mention of every soul and the understanding of every heart!”; God is “immeasurably exalted… above the description of anyone”; God is “immeasurably exalted… beyond every conception” of His creatures
Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who art the Lord of the world
and the Ruler of the nations! I testify that Thou hast from eternity been
sanctified above the mention of all created things and exalted beyond the
loftiest descriptions of Thy creatures. Whensoever Thy devoted servants sought
to ascend unto the station of Thy recognition, the hosts of Thy knowledge
barred their way; and whensoever Thy near ones desired to gain admittance to
the heaven of Thy nearness, the overpowering majesty of Thine utterance kept
them back. We bear witness that the loftiest of the divine names are but
servants at Thy door, and that their most glorious manifestations bow down
before Thy countenance and are humbled in Thy presence. Thou art, in truth, He
Who can neither be described in letters, nor evoked by words, nor even
contained within the hidden meanings they conceal. For these are all
circumscribed by the inherent limitations of speech which characterize all the
utterances of the peoples of the world.
10/25/16
Good deeds that a human being should be distinguished by
To be truthful; To be trustworthy; To be faithful; To be
righteous and fear God; To be just and fair; To be tactful and wise; To be
courteous; To be hospitable ; To be persevering; To be detached; To be
absolutely submissive to the Will of God; Not to stir up mischief; Not to be
hypocritical; Not to be proud; Not to be fanatical; Not to prefer one's self to
one's neighbour; Not to contend with one's neighbour; Not to indulge one's
passions; Not to lament in adversity; Not to contend with those in authority;
Not to lose one's temper; and Not to anger one's neighbour.
- Shoghi Effendi ('Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas', included in ‘The Kitab-i-Aqdas’)
10/15/16
We have “three aspects of our humanness, so to speak, a body, a mind and an immortal identity—soul or spirit”
What the Bahá’ís do
believe.. is that we have three aspects of our humanness, so to speak, a
body, a mind and an immortal identity—soul or spirit. We believe the mind forms
a link between the soul and the body, and the two interact on each other.
- Shoghi Effendi
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, June 7th, 1946;
‘Arohanui: Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand’)
10/5/16
To become “receptive of the divine light” one needs to “polish the mirror” of her/his “heart”
The most important thing is to polish the mirrors of hearts
in order that they may become illumined and receptive of the divine light. One
heart may possess the capacity of the polished mirror; another, be covered and
obscured by the dust and dross of this world. Although the same Sun is shining
upon both, in the mirror which is polished, pure and sanctified you may behold
the Sun in all its fullness, glory and power, revealing its majesty and
effulgence; but in the mirror which is rusted and obscured there is no capacity
for reflection, although so far as the Sun itself is concerned it is shining
thereon and is neither lessened nor deprived. Therefore, our duty lies in
seeking to polish the mirrors of our hearts in order that we shall become
reflectors of that light and recipients of the divine bounties which may be
fully revealed through them.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, New York, 14 April
1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
9/25/16
How we should respond to anger directed at us
9/15/16
The “ornament of every belief and its very foundation”
8/5/16
We should be concerned with the needs of the age we live in
7/14/16
God is “exalted above the comprehension of all things”
God testifieth that there is none other God but Him. His are
the kingdoms in the heavens and on the earth and all that is between them. He
is exalted above the comprehension of all things, and is inscrutable to the
mind of every created being; none shall be able to fathom the oneness of His
Being or to unravel the nature of His Existence. No peer or likeness, no
similitude or equal can ever be joined with Him. Yield ye praise then unto Him
and glorify Him and bear ye witness to the sanctity and oneness of His Being
and magnify His might and majesty with wondrous glorification.
- The Báb (‘Selections
from the Writings of the Báb’)
6/1/16
How to become nearer to God
The essential thing and the real nearness to God, is to be
steadfast in the Religion of God, to serve His Cause and to be in Servitude at
the Threshold of Unity.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2,
no. 16, December 31, 1911)
5/14/16
We should love the whole world
4/8/16
The “dead body should be treated with the utmost honour and respect”
As this physical frame is the throne of the inner temple,
whatever occurs to the former is felt by the latter. In reality that which
takes delight in joy or is saddened by pain is the inner temple of the body,
not the body itself. Since this physical body is the throne whereon the inner
temple is established, God hath ordained that the body be preserved to the
extent possible, so that nothing that causeth repugnance may be experienced.
The inner temple beholdeth its physical frame, which is its throne. Thus, if
the latter is accorded respect, it is as if the former is the recipient. The
converse is likewise true.
Therefore, it hath been ordained that the dead body should be treated with the utmost honour and respect.
- The Báb (Excerpt from the Persian Bayan, ‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)
Therefore, it hath been ordained that the dead body should be treated with the utmost honour and respect.
- The Báb (Excerpt from the Persian Bayan, ‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)
3/12/16
Not to harm any soul
Beware lest ye harm any soul, or make any heart to sorrow;
lest ye wound any man with your words, be he known to you or a stranger, be he
friend or foe. Pray ye for all; ask ye that all be blessed, all be forgiven.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (Selections from the Writings of
‘Abdu'l-Baha)
11/15/15
The vision of community should fully embrace its children and youth
It is imperative… that… definite steps be taken to ensure
that the vision of the community fully embraces its younger members. The
education of children, an obligation enjoined on both parents and institutions,
requires special emphasis so as to become thoroughly integrated into the
process of community development.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a
message dated 26 November 1999)
11/8/15
Each human being has two powers and two aspects of development - material & spiritual
Man has two powers; and his development, two aspects. One
power is connected with the material world, and by it he is capable of material
advancement. The other power is spiritual, and through its development his
inner, potential nature is awakened. These powers are like two wings. Both must
be developed, for flight is impossible with one wing. Praise be to God!
Material advancement has been evident in the world, but there is need of
spiritual advancement in like proportion. We must strive unceasingly and
without rest to accomplish the development of the spiritual nature in man, and
endeavor with tireless energy to advance humanity toward the nobility of its
true and intended station. For the body of man is accidental; it is of no
importance. The time of its disintegration will inevitably come. But the spirit
of man is essential and, therefore, eternal. It is a divine bounty. It is the
effulgence of the Sun of Reality and, therefore, of greater importance than the
physical body.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, 25 April, 1912, Washington, D.C.;
‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during
His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
10/11/15
The “attributes of the people of faith”
…the attributes of the people of faith are justice and
fair-mindedness; forbearance and compassion and generosity; consideration for others;
candor, trustworthiness, and loyalty; love and loving-kindness; devotion and
determination and humanity.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
8/16/15
In return for all the care and hardship that one’s parent go through, children should “make charitable contributions and perform good works in their name, and implore pardon and forgiveness for their souls”
...parents endure the greatest toil and trouble for
their children, and often, by the time the latter have reached the age of maturity,
the former have hastened to the world beyond. Rarely do the mother and father
enjoy in this world the rewards of all the pain and trouble they have endured
for their children. The children must therefore, in return for this pain and
trouble, make charitable contributions and perform good works in their name,
and implore pardon and forgiveness for their souls.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks
in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014
revised translation by the Baha’i World Center)
6/7/15
We shouldn’t allow anything to “intervene” between us and God
Should a man wish to adorn himself with the ornaments of the
earth, to wear its apparels, or partake of the benefits it can bestow, no harm
can befall him, if he alloweth nothing whatever to intervene between him and
God, for God hath ordained every good thing, whether created in the
heavens or in the earth, for such of His servants as truly believe in Him. Eat
ye, O people, of the good things which God hath allowed you, and deprive not
yourselves from His wondrous bounties. Render thanks and praise unto Him, and
be of them that are truly thankful.
- Baha’u’llah ('Gleanings from the
Writings of Baha’u’llah’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Conservation
of the Earth's Resources)
5/10/15
We should view the world as “one homeland and one habitation”
This
span of earth is but one homeland and one habitation. It behoveth you to
abandon vainglory which causeth alienation and to set your hearts on whatever
will ensure harmony. In the estimation of the people of
Bahá man’s glory lieth in his knowledge, his upright conduct, his praiseworthy
character, his wisdom, and not in his nationality or rank.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)
4/12/15
Involvement in the society
Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in,
and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.
- Baha’u’llah (‘The Tabernacle of Unity’)
3/15/15
Each human being has two natures or aspects – God’s Teachings brought to humanity through His various Prophets are to help us conquer our animal nature.
Man has two aspects or natures - merciful or divine and an animal
aspect. The merciful aspect is peace, happiness, love and faithfulness. But the
animal aspect is strife, discord, war and battle. If the animal aspect dominates
in man, he becomes lower than an animal. If the divine aspect dominates, he
becomes an angel of the Lord. The teachings of the Prophets were for this: that
the animal aspect may be conquered, so that the souls that are captives of
nature may be saved and the heavenly aspect may dominate. That divine aspect
consists of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It consists of 'the second birth.'
He who possesses that aspect is a well-wisher of all; he is kind to all the
creatures; he has no bitterness toward any creed, and he shuns no religion.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk given at the Universalist Church in Washington DC, April 21, 1912;
Star of the West, vol.19, no. 3, June 1928)
1/17/15
One should never consider himself/herself greater than others
…the
first self-conceited one was Satan. A man must never consider himself greater
than others. Rather, he must always be humble and self-effacing. The bird, as
long as it sees itself at a low level, is given impetus to soar and progress;
but the moment it fancies itself high in the air, it begins to descend.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words
of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 24 Denver 1912, Lincoln, USA; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
12/20/14
Every person should be helped to “develop and express his or her God-given talents and capacities in service to humanity.”
…the principle of the oneness of humankind, as proclaimed by
Bahá’u’lláh, is inconsistent with any attempt to impose uniformity. Its
watchword is unity in diversity. To accept it is to embrace the rich diversity
that characterizes the human race. To promote it implies helping every soul to
develop and express his or her God-given talents and capacities in service to
humanity.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 28 July 2008 to the Baha’is in Iran)
11/12/14
One’s ambition in life should be “to revive the world, to ennoble its life, and regenerate its peoples.”
They who are the people of God have no ambition except to
revive the world, to ennoble its life, and regenerate its peoples.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)
10/5/14
“Love is the source of all the bestowals of God”
Love is the source of all the bestowals of God. Until love
takes possession of the heart, no other divine bounty can be revealed in it.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, New York, 14 April 1912; ‘The
Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His
Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
9/18/14
Each human being should try to “become a source of social good.”
...the honor and distinction of the individual consist in
this, that he among all the world's multitudes should become a source of social
good. Is any larger bounty conceivable than this, that an individual, looking
within himself, should find that by the confirming grace of God he has become
the cause of peace and well-being, of happiness and advantage to his fellow
men? No, by the one true God, there is no greater bliss, no more complete
delight.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
8/10/14
Each person should blot out every last trace of prejudice from his/her life
Let us strive to blot out from our lives every last trace of
prejudice -- racial, religious, political, economic, national, tribal, class,
cultural, and that which is based on differences of education or age.
- The
Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 13 July 1972, addressed to all
National Spiritual Assemblies; Messages from the Universal House of Justice
1968-1973)
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