15
Anna’s PRESENTATION
Anna’s PRESENTATION
Page �
Anna’s PRESENTATION
TheBahá’íFaithisaworldreligionwhosepurposeistounitealltheracesandpeoplesinoneuniversalCauseandonecommonFaith.
Bahá’isarethefollowersofBahá’u’lláh,WhotheybelieveisthePromisedOneofallAges.Asyouknow,thetraditionsofalmosteverypeopleincludethepromiseofafuturewhenpeaceandharmonywillbeestablishedonearthandhumankindwillliveinprosperity.WebelievethatthepromisedhourhascomeandthatBahá’u’lláhisthegreatPersonageWhoseTeachingswillenablehumanitytobuildanewworld.InoneofHisWritings,Bahá’u’lláhsays:
“That which the Lord hath ordained as thesovereign remedy and mightiest instrumentfor the healing of all the world is the unionof all its peoples in one universal Cause, onecommon Faith.”
If it is all right with you, the first of Bahá’u’lláh’sTeachingsIwilldescribeforyouisaboutGodandourrelationshipwithHim.Bahá’u’lláhteachesusthatGodisunknowableinHisEssence.ThismeansthatweshouldnotmakeimagesofGodinourmind,thinkingofHim,forexample,asaman.Ingeneral,thatwhichhasbeencreatedcannotunderstanditscreator.Forinstance,atablecannotunderstandthenatureofthecarpenterwhomadeit.Thecarpenter’sexistenceistotallyincomprehensibletotheobjectshemakes.
GodistheCreatorofallthings.Hehasmadetheheavensandearth,withitsmountainsandvalleys,itsdesertsandseas,itsrivers,itsmeadowsandtrees.GodhascreatedtheanimalsandGodhascreatedthehumanbeing.Thereasonbehindourcreation,wearetoldbyBahá’u’lláh,islove.Hesays:
“O Son of Man! I loved thy creation, henceI created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me,that I may name thy name and fill thy soulwith the spirit of life.”
SoalthoughGod’sexistenceisfarbeyondourunderstanding,Hislovetouchesourlivesandourbeingsceaselessly.Thewaythisloveflows to us is through His Eternal Covenant.AccordingtothisEternalCovenant,Godneverleavesusaloneandwithoutguidance.
A world religion
Promised One of all Ages
God is unknowable
God is the Creator
We were created out of love
Eternal Covenant
Page �
Anna’s PRESENTATION
WheneverhumanitymovesawayfromHimandforgetsHisTeachings,aManifestationofGodappearsandmakesHisWillandPurposeknowntous.
Theword“manifest”meanstoreveal,tobringforthsomethingthatwasnotknownbefore.TheManifestationsofGodarethosespecialBeingsWhorevealtohumanitytheWordandtheWillofGod;thuswhenwelistentoThem,wearerespondingtotheCallofGod.Thereisanexamplefromthephysicalworldthathelpsustounderstandtheconceptof“Manifestation”astaughtbyBahá’u’lláh.Inthisworld,thesunisthesourceofallwarmthandlight,withoutwhichlifewouldnotexistontheplanet.Yetthesunitselfdoesnotdescendtoearth,andifwetriedtoapproachit,wewouldbetotallyconsumed.Butsupposewetakeawell-polishedmirrorandpointittowardsthesun.Initwewillseetheimageofthesun,andthemoreperfectlypolishedthemirror,themoreperfecttheimagewillbe.TheManifestationsofGodarelikeperfectMirrors that reflect the Light of God in all its Splendor. And all these Mirrors reflect the same Light. While God is beyond our reach, these perfect Beingscometousfromtimetotime,liveamongus, give us guidance, and fill us with the energy weneedtoprogress,materiallyandspiritually.
YouarefortunatetohavebeenraisedaccordingtotheTeachingssentbyGodtohumanitysometwothousandyearsagothroughHisManifestation,Christ,WhoseStationisthatoftheSonofGod.NowyoucanreceivetheTeachingsofanewManifestation,Bahá’u’lláh,WhosetitlemeanstheGloryofGod.Bahá’u’lláh’sTeachings,then,areinperfectharmonywiththeTeachingsofChrist,buttheyaddresstheconditionofhumanitytoday.Ifyouthinkforamomentabouttheplightofhumanity,IamsureyouwillagreethatthetimeisrightforanotherManifestationof God to have appeared. Let me recite for youapassagefromtheWritingsofBahá’u’lláhthatspeaksabouttheDayinwhichwelive:
“This is the Day in which God’s most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and,
Manifestation of God
Time for a newManifestation
Page �
Anna’s PRESENTATION
with perfect unity and peace, abidebeneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness.”
Beforegoingon,perhapsIshouldstopheresothatwecandiscussanyquestionsyouhave.WhatdoyouthinkaboutwhatIhavesaiduptonow?–––––ThenextofBahá’u’lláh’sTeachingsthatIwouldliketopresenttoyouisrelatedtotheaimoftheBahá’íFaith,whichistounifyhumanity.IntheBahá’íTeachingswearetoldthatwearethefruitsofonetreeandtheleavesofonebranch.Althoughwedifferfromoneanotherphysicallyandemotionally,althoughwehavedifferenttalentsandcapacities,weallspringfromthesameroot;weallbelongtothesamehumanfamily.
Humanitycanbelikenedtoavastgardeninwhich grow side by side flowers of every form,colorandperfume.Thecharmandbeautyofthegardenlieinthisdiversity.Weshouldnotallowthedifferencesthatexistamongus—inourphysicalcharacteristics,ourtemperaments,ourbackgrounds,ourthoughtsandopinions—to give rise to conflict and strife. We should seethemembersofthehumanraceasbeautifulflowers growing in the garden of humanity andrejoiceinbelongingtothisgarden.
Althoughtheonenessofhumankindisanundeniabletruth,thepeoplesofeartharesofarfromitthatunifyingthemisnoeasytask.IfyouchoosetojointheBahá’ícommunity—anditwouldbringmesomuchhappinessifyouwoulddoso—youwillparticipatewiththerestofusinoureffortstobuildandmaintainunity.Weareallstrivingtobringourthoughtsandactionsinlinewithourbeliefintheonenessofhumankind.Wearetoldthat,whenathoughtofwarentersourminds,weshouldimmediatelyreplaceitwithathoughtofpeace.Whenafeelingofhatebeginstotakeshapeinourhearts,weshouldimmediatelyreplaceitwithafeelingoflove.Weshoulddoeverythingpossibletoovercomeourprejudices.Prejudicesofrace,color,nationality,culture,religion,andsex,theseareamongthegreatestobstaclestobuildingabetterworld.Somanypassagesin
Unity of Mankind
Join us in striving tobring His vision
Page �
Anna’s PRESENTATION
theBahá’íwritingsteachushowtowalkinthewaysofunityandhowtohelpotherstakethesamepath.Thereisawonderfulpassagefromoneofthetalksof`Abdu’l-Bahá,ofWhomIwillspeaklater,whichIhavememorized.Hesays:
“Bahá’u’lláh has drawn the circle of unity,He has made a design for the uniting of allthe peoples, and for the gathering of themall under the shelter of the tent of universalunity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty,and we must all strive with heart and souluntil we have the reality of unity in ourmidst as we work, so will strength be givenunto us.”–––––Bahá’u’lláhwasbornin1817inTihrán,thecapitalofIran.FromHisearlychildhood,Heshowedsignsofgreatness.Hereceivedsomeinstructionathome,butdidnotneedtoattendschool,forHewasendowedbyGodwithinnateknowledge.Bahá’u’lláhcamefromanoblefamilyandwhenhewasayoungman,wasofferedahighpositioninthecourtoftheKing,butHerefusedit.HewishedtodedicateHistimetohelpingtheoppressed,thesickandthepoor,andtochampionthecauseofjustice.
TherearetwoaspectsofBahá’u’lláh’slifewhichIwouldliketomentioninparticular.OneisthesufferingHeendured.Theotheristhetremendous influence He had on the hearts and mindsofpeople.TheseactuallycharacterizethelivesofalltheManifestationsofGod.
Bahá’u’lláh’ssufferingsbeganthemomentHearosetoproclaimtheCauseofGod.Hislifewasoneofexile,imprisonmentandpersecution.HewasputinchainsinadarkanddismaldungeoninTihrán.Hewasexiledfourtimesfromlandto land, finally being sent to the Prison Cityof`AkkáintheOttomanEmpire.SointensewereHissufferingstherethatHehasreferredto`Akkáasthe“MostGreatPrison”.InoneofHisTablets,weread:
“Remember My days during thy days, andMy distress and banishment in this remoteprison. And be thou so steadfast in Mylove that thy heart shall not waver, even if
Signs of Greatness
Suffering & Influence
Page �
Anna’s PRESENTATION
the swords of the enemies rain blows uponthee and all the heavens and the earth ariseagainst thee.”
IalwayscarryinmybagasmallnotebookinwhichIwritemyfavoritepassagesfromthe Bahá’í writings. Let me read for you what Bahá’u’lláhhassaidaboutHissufferings:
“The Ancient Beauty hath consented to bebound with chains that mankind may bereleased from its bondage, and hath acceptedto be made a prisoner within this mostmighty Stronghold that the whole worldmay attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoplesof the earth may attain unto abiding joy, andbe filled with gladness. This is of the mercyof your Lord, the Compassionate, the MostMerciful. We have accepted to be abased, O believers in the Unity of God, that ye maybe exalted, and have suffered manifoldafflictions, that ye might prosper and flourish. He Who hath come to build anew the whole world, behold, how they that have joined partners with God have forced Him to dwell within the most desolate of cities!”
Everyeffortwasmadebytwopowerfulcourts—thoseoftheKingofIranandtheOttomanEmperor—toopposeBahá’u’lláhand His Teachings. But the Light of Truth isnoteasilyextinguished.Theverywaterthatis poured on this fire to put out its flame turnsinto oil, and the fire burns with more intensity.NothingcouldbedonetostopBahá’u’lláh’sgrowing influence. The farther the authoritiesbanishedHim,thegreaterthenumberofpeoplewhowereattractedtoHisTeachingsandrecognizedHisPowerandMajesty.Inspiteofconstantpersecution,Bahá’u’lláhcontinuedtorevealtheWordofGodformorethanfortyyearsandbroughtsomuchloveandspiritualenergy into this world that the final victory of HisCauseiscertain.
Bahá’u’lláhpassedawayin1892.HisShrine,whichweconsidertheHoliestSpotonearth,islocatednearthecityof‘Akká.HerearesomepostcardsIhaveoftheentrancetotheShrineandthegardenssurroundingit.Youdon’tknowhowmuchIwouldliketogoonpilgrimageto
Light of Truth is noteasily extinguished
Page �
Anna’s PRESENTATION
the Holy Land. I hope, someday, you will beabletodosoaswell.–––––SeveralyearsbeforeBahá’u’lláhproclaimedHisMission,GodsentaspecialmessengertoannounceHiscoming.Thisgreatmessengertookthetitle“TheBáb”whichmeansthegate.HewasindeedagatetotheknowledgeofGodandtoanewerainhumanexistence.ForsixyearshetaughtceaselesslythattheappearanceofthenewManifestationofGodwasnearandpreparedthewayforHiscoming.HetoldthepeoplethattheywerewitnessingthedawnofanewAge,thedawnofthePromisedDayofGod.HecalleduponthemtopurifytheirheartsfromearthlyvanitiessothattheycouldrecognizeHimWhomGodwouldsoonmanifest.ThousandsuponthousandsofpeopleacceptedtheMessageoftheBábandbegantofollowHisTeachings.ButthegovernmentofIranandthepowerfulclergywhoruledoverthemassesroseagainstHim.Hisfollowerswerepersecutedandlargenumberswereputtodeath.TheBábHimselfattheageof31wasmartyredbyaregimentofsoldierswho,attheordersofthegovernment,suspendedHiminapublic square and opened fire on Him.SothatyoucanseehowpenetratingtheWordsoftheBábareIwouldliketorecitetoyoutwoofHisprayers:
“Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!”
“Say: God sufficeth all things above all things, and nothing in the heavens or in the earth but God sufficeth. Verily, He is in Himself the Knower, the Sustainer, the Omnipotent.”
Many Bahá’is know especially the first prayerbyheartandsayiteitheraloudormentallyintimes of difficulties. If you want, we can pausealittleandyoucanmemorizeit.Itisreallyeasytodoso.
FollowingHismartyrdom,theremainsoftheBábwererecoveredbyHisfollowersandtakenfromplacetoplace,alwayshiddenfromtheenemiesoftheFaith.Finallytheyweretransferred to Mount Carmel in the Holy Land.
Messenger to announce His coming
Page �
Anna’s PRESENTATION
Here,IhavesomepostcardsthatIwouldliketoshowyouofHisShrineinHaifaandafewotherHolyPlacesinthatcityandin‘Akká,whichisacrossthebay.ThesetwincitiesaretodaythespiritualandadministrativeworldcenteroftheBahá’íFaith—thespiritualcenterbecauseitisherethattheShrinesoftheBábandBahá’u’lláh,aswellasmanyotherHolyPlaces,arelocated,andtheadministrativecenterbecausetheSeatofthesupremegoverningbodyoftheFaiththeUniversalHouseofJustice,isalsoonMountCarmel.–––––TheideamostcentraltoourlivesasBahá’isisthatwehaveenteredintoaCovenantwithBahá’u’lláh.Asyouknow,inallotherreligions,afterthepassingoftheManifestation,Hisfollowershadthousandsofdisputesamongthemselvesand,asaresult,splitthereligionintomanysects.Thecauseofdisunitywassometimesthedesireforleadershipofcertainambitiousindividuals.But,whendifferencesofopinionarosebetweenevensincerebelieversaboutwhattheWordsoftheManifestationmeant,noonehadbeenauthorizedbytheManifestationHimselftosettlethedisagreements, and this contributed to conflictanddissension.Eachsetofinterpretationsledtothecreationofadifferentsect.Bahá’u’lláhhasprotectedHisFaithagainstsuchdivisionbyendowingitwithauniquepower,thepoweroftheCovenant.BeforeHispassing,Hestatedintheclearestterms,inwriting,thatafterHim,allBahá’isshouldturnto`Abdu’l-Bahá.
`Abdu’l-Bahá,HisoldestSon,wasthusnamedthesoleInterpreterofHisWordsandtheCenterofHisCovenant.HehadbeenraisedbyBahá’u’lláhHimself,hadrecognizedHisStationevenasachild,andhadsharedthesufferingsofHisFather.Hewasamostpreciousgiftgiventohumanity,theperfectExemplarofallBahá’íTeachings.`Abdu’l-Bahálivedonthisearthfor77years.HewasbornonthesamenighttheBábdeclaredHisMissionin1844andpassedaway in November 1921. His life was filledwith affliction, but to everyone who entered
sharing Holy Land images
Center of the Covenant
Page �
Anna’s PRESENTATION
HispresenceHebroughtthegreatestjoyandhappiness.AfterthepassingofHisFather,theresponsibilityfortheBahá’ícommunityfellonHisshoulders,andHelaboreddayandnighttospreadtheFaiththroughouttheEastandtheWest.HewrotethousandsofTabletstoindividualsandgroupseverywhereand clarified the Teachings of His Father. HisinterpretationsarenowanessentialpartoftheWritingsoftheBahá’íFaith.
Byfocusingon`Abdu’l-BaháastheCenterofBahá’u’lláh’sCovenant,theBahá’isoftheworldremainunitedintheireffortstoliveaBahá’ílifeandtocreateanewcivilization.WerememberthataspartofourpromisetoBahá’u’lláh,wearetoloveoneanotherand,in‘Abdu’l-Bahá,weseetheperfectexampleofonewholoves.Werememberthatwemustupholdjustice,thatwemustbegenerous,thatwemustoverlookthefaultsofothers,andfromtheexampleof`Abdu’l-Baháwelearnjustice,generosityandforgiveness.Morethananythingelse,bykeepingourfocuson`Abdu’l-Bahá,wearealwaysawareofourcovenantwithBahá’u’lláhthatwewillnotallowtheunityofHisfollowerstobebrokenandthat,unitedasaworldwidecommunity,wewilllaboruntiltheonenessofhumankindhasbeen firmly established.
InHisWillandTestament,`Abdu’l-BahánamedHisgrandsontheGuardianoftheFaithandafterHispassing,ShoghiEffendibecametheauthorizedinterpreteroftheTeachings.For36years,hecontinuedtheworkofHisGrandfather,clarifyingtheWordsoftheManifestation and firmly establishing HisFaithinallpartsoftheplanet.Fiveandahalfyearsafterhispassing,theBahá’isoftheworldelectedtheUniversalHouseofJustice,asenvisionedbyBahá’u’lláhandclearlydescribedby`Abdu’l-BaháandtheGuardian.TheUniversalHouseofJusticeisthesupremeinstitutionoftheFaithtowhichalltheBahá’isoftheworldnowturn.–––––ManyoftheideasIhaveexplainedonthislastsubjectrequireagreatdealofthought.Ifyouagree,someothertimewecandiscussthisin
The Guardian
Page 10
Anna’s PRESENTATION
moredepth.Forthatdiscussion,IwillbringafewpassagesfromBahá’u’lláh’sBookoftheCovenantaswellastheWillandTestamentof`Abdu’l-Bahásowecanreadthemtogether.ButletmegoonandpresenttoyouafewotherideasyouwillwanttoknowabouttheBahá’íFaithrightfromthebeginning.AmostimportantaspectofeveryreligionisthelawsthattheManifestationbringstohumanityinordertoguideitintherightpath.Someoftheselawsandcommandmentsareeternal,otherschangeashumanityprogressesandevolves.IntheFaithwearetaughtthatweshouldnotthinkofBahá’ílawsasaseriesofdo’sanddon’ts.Bahá’u’lláhtellsusthatHislawsare“the lamps of My loving providence among Myservants, and the keys of My mercy for Mycreatures.”Norshouldweobeytheselawsoutoffearofpunishment,forHeclearlyhasstatedinHisMostHolyBook:“Observe Mycommandments, for the love of My beauty.”
TheseideaswillbecomeclearerifIgiveyouafewexamplesofBahá’ílaws.Inthephysicalworld,humanbeingshavetoeateveryday.Thisisarequirementofthehumanbody;ifwedon’t,wewillgetsickandquicklydie.Wecansay,then,thateatingdailyisalawofphysicalexistencewhichhastobeobeyed.InthesamewayoneofthecommandmentsofBahá’u’lláhis that we should pray every day. Like ourbody,oursoulneedsconstantnourishment,andprayerprovidesthenourishmentforourspiritualgrowth.TherearemanybeautifulprayersrevealedbytheBáb,byBahá’u’lláhandby`Abdu’l-Baháwhichwecansaywhenwearealoneorreciteinmeetings.Someoftheseprayersarespecial,andsomeareobligatory.OneobligatoryprayerisrecitedbyBahá’iseverydaysometimebetweennoonandsunset.Itsays:
“I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hastcreated me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth.There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.”
Itisashortandbeautifulprayerandhavingseenhoweasyitisforyoutomemorizeverses,
Observe Mycommandments, for the love of My beauty
Obligatory Prayers as an example of Baha’u’lláh’s laws
Page 11
Anna’s PRESENTATION
Inanothercommandment,Bahá’u’lláhprohibitsbackbitingandcalumny.Thisisimportantbecause,ifyouthinkaboutit,oneofthegreatestenemiesofunityisbackbiting.Andunfortunately,ithasbecomeanestablishedpracticeamongmostofhumanitytotalkaboutotherpeople’sfaultsintheirabsence.Everybodyseemstobeconcernedwitheverybodyelse’sshortcomings,whicharemadebiggerandbiggerastheyareconstantlymentioned.`Abdu’l-Bahátellsustodojusttheopposite.Ifweseetengoodqualitiesinsomeoneandonefault,weshouldconcentrateontheten,andevenifapersonhastenfaultsandonlyonegoodqualityweshouldfocusonthatonequality.
Emilia,whoislisteningwithspecialinteresttoAnna’slastcomments,rememberssomerecentincidentsatschoolinwhichbackbitingresusltedinmanypeoplebeinghurt.ThetwofriendstalkforsometimeabouthowgossipcandestroyafriendshipandthenAnnasearchesinhernotebookandreadsthefollowing:
“O Companion of My Throne! Hear no evil,and see no evil, abase not thyself, neithersigh and weep. Speak no evil, that thoumayest not hear it spoken unto thee, andmagnify not the faults of others that thineown faults may not appear great; and wishnot the abasement of anyone, that thine ownabasement be not exposed. Live then thedays of thy life, that are less than a fleeting moment, with thy mind stainless, thy heartunsullied, thy thoughts pure, and thy naturesanctifi ed, so that, free and content, thoumayest put away this mortal frame, andrepair unto the mystic paradise and abide inthe eternal kingdom forevermore.”
Althoughthisdoesnotaffectusmuchatourage,youshouldalsoknowthatBahá’u’lláhprohibitsthedrinkingofalcoholand,ofcourse,substanceabuse.Drinkingalcoholisreallyoneofthegreatestsocialillsthatexiststodayintheworld.Itisoneofthemostcommoncausesofviolenceandtheruinofhealthyfamilylife.Totellyouthetruth,Ihaveneverunderstoodwhypeoplewouldtakesomethingthatinterfereswiththeirmindsandmakesthemlosetheir
Backbiting Prohibited
Drinking alcohol as one of the greatest social ills today
Page 1�
Anna’s PRESENTATION
abilitytothinkclearly.Drinkingmakespeoplecapableofactinginshamefulways,whenwehaveactuallybeencreatednoble.IknowabeautifulquotefromBahá’u’lláh’sWritingsaboutnobility:
“O Son of Spirit! I created thee rich, whydost thou bring thyself down to poverty?Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thouabase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting.”
AnothercommandmentofBahá’u’lláh,whichisoneofmyfavorites,isabouttheobligationofparentsandsocietytoeducatechildren.Here,Ihaveinmynotebookashortpassagefrom`Abdu’l-Bahá’sWritingsthatexplainsthiswell:
“Therefore, the beloved of God and themaid-servants of the Merciful must traintheir children with life and heart and teachthem in the school of virtue and perfection.They must not be lax in this matter; theymust not be inefficient. Truly, if a babedid not live at all it were better than to letit grow ignorant, for that innocent babe,in later life, would become afflicted withinnumerable defects, responsible to andquestioned by God, reproached and rejectedby the people. What a sin this would be andwhat an omission!”
“The first duty of the beloved of God andthe maid-servants of the Merciful is this:They must strive by all possible means toeducate both sexes, male and female; girlslike boys; there is no difference whatsoeverbetween them. The ignorance of both isblameworthy, and negligence in both casesis reprovable. ‘Are they who know and theywho do not know equal?’”
You know, after I reflected on this greatcommandment,Idecidedtodosomethingaboutit.SoIholdaBahá’íchildren’sclasswithafriendonceeveryweekandwehaveseventeenstudents.Iwouldlovetoinviteyoutocomeandhelpuswithourclass.DoyouhavetimethisSaturdayafternoon?
Obligation to educate children
Page 1�
Anna’s PRESENTATION
IamsureyouareawarethatIaminvitingyoutojoinareligionandnotjustacceptacollectionofniceideals.Infact,theBahá’íFaithisaveryorganizedreligionwhoseaimis nothing less than the unification of the entirehumanrace.ItwillbehelpfulforyoutothinkoftheworkoftheBahá’isasthebuildingofaworldcivilization.TheUniversalHouseofJusticetellsusthattherearethreeparticipantsinthiswork,eachwithaveryimportantrole.
The first participant is the individual believer.It is the duty of this individual to remain firmintheCovenant,tostrivedailytobringhisorherlifeinlinewithBahá’u’lláh’sTeachings,andtoservehumanity,alwaysconsciousofthefactthatlifedoesnotendwithdeathandthatone’srelationwithGodiseternal.Afterdeath,oursoulsbecomefreeandcontinuetoprogresstowardsGodforalleternity.Ourliveshereareverymuchlikethelifeofaninfantinthewombofthemother.Forsomeninemonthsthechilddevelopsfaculties—eyes,ears,handsandsoon—tobeusedlaterinthisworld.Inthesameway,wearetodevelopherethespiritualfacultiesthatweneedtoprogressintheotherworldsofGod.Ofcourse,wedonotachieveourpurposebyjustthinkingaboutit.Wehavetowork,serveourfellowhumanbeings,andsharetheknowledgewegainwithothers.
Thesecondparticipantisthecommunity.Humanbeingswerenotcreatedtoexistalone.Weliveincommunitiesandmustworktogethertobuildthenewcivilization.ThecommunityclosesttousisthelocalonewhichconsistsoftheBahá’isofourvillageortown.Itisinthelocalcommunitywherewelearntocooperatewithoneanother,togrowtogetherandbecomeunited.Inadditiontobeingmembersofthelocalcommunity,wearealsomembersofthenationalcommunityandthentheworldwideBahá’ícommunitywhichisconstantlyexpandingandattractingpeoplefromeveryreligiousbackground,race,andnationality.
TheinstitutionsoftheFaith,theUniversalHouseofJusticetellsus,representthethirdparticipantinthebuildingofthenewcivilization.Thisisasubjectaboutwhichwe
Invitation to join this religion
Individual as the 1st participant
Life here compared to an infant in the womb
Community as the 2nd participant
Institutions as the 3rd participant
Page 1�
Anna’s PRESENTATION
willhavetotalksomemorewhenwediscusstheCovenant.Fornow,letmejustmentionthatincludedinthecommandmentsofBahá’u’lláharemanyrelatedtothewaysocietyshouldbeorganized.Inthepast,theManifestationsofGodhavenotsaidmuchabouthowtheirfollowersshouldorganizethemselvesandpeoplehavehadtodiscoverhowtodothisbythemselves.But,inthecaseoftheBahá’íFaith,Bahá’u’lláhhasbroughtHisownAdministrativeOrder,whichmeansthatHehastolduswhatinstitutionswemustcreate,howtheyshouldfunction,andhowhumanityshouldbegoverned.
Wehavealreadyspokenaboutthesupremeinstitution,whichistheUniversalHouseofJustice.Ineachcountry,Bahá’iselectonceayeartheNationalSpiritualAssembly,andineach locality, the Local Spiritual Assembly.Thisistheinstitutionthatyouwillgettoknowthesoonest.Therearenopriestsorclergyin the Bahá’í Faith, and it is the Local Spiritual Assemblythatguidestheaffairsofthecommunityandwatchesoverthewell-beingof the individual believers. A Local SpiritualAssemblyconsistsofninememberselectedinaprayerfulatmospherebysecretballotbyalltheadultbelieversinthecommunity.SpiritualAssembliesareextremelyimportanttoBahá’is.Throughthemwelearnhowhumanaffairsaretobeadministeredandhowanewordercanbeestablishedinsociety,anorderwhichistobeknownastheWorldOrderofBahá’u’lláh.–––––
AnnatakesasmallprayerbookoutofherbagandgivesittoEmiliaasagift,suggestingtheysayaprayertogetherbeforetheygotheirseparateways.Emiliaopensthebookandreads:
“O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit.Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.O God! Thou art more friend to me than Iam to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.”
Gift of a prayer book
Page 1�
Anna’s PRESENTATION
If the friends always waited
until they were fully qualified
to do any particular task, the
work of the Cause would be
almost at a standstill!
But the very act of striving to
serve, however unworthy
one may feel, attracts the
blessings of God and enables
one to become more fitted
for the task.
(Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,dated 4 May 1942 to an individual believer)
ContentsfromRuhiBook6SomeofthePhotography:Bahá’iMediaBank©Bahá’íInternationalCommunityhttp://media.bahai.org
OtherPhotography&GraphicDesign:©[email protected]
WhendoI
make my first
presentation?
