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Baha’i Teachings Baha’i Teachings and Holy Daysand Holy Days

December 6, 2004, 7 p.m. December 6, 2004, 7 p.m. NMU University Center NMU University Center

Nicolet Room Nicolet Room Blast From the PastBlast From the Past

Holidays Around the World Holidays Around the World

programprogram Dr. Rodney ClarkenDr. Rodney Clarken

Northern Michigan Northern Michigan UniversityUniversity

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The first basis of belief in The first basis of belief in the Baha'i Faiththe Baha'i Faith

is that there is one God, the Lord of is that there is one God, the Lord of Creation, the All-Powerful, the Creation, the All-Powerful, the Unknowable, who has always been made Unknowable, who has always been made known to the creatures of his creation known to the creatures of his creation through a series of holy beings in human through a series of holy beings in human form: perfect men who have, from time to form: perfect men who have, from time to time, lived on the earth and taught men time, lived on the earth and taught men about God, shown them the spiritual path about God, shown them the spiritual path he wants them to tread, given them he wants them to tread, given them knowledge and laws to guide them. knowledge and laws to guide them. (see 4 minute video)(see 4 minute video)

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Christ, Muhammad, Christ, Muhammad, Buddha, Moses, Krishna,Buddha, Moses, Krishna,

to name those we are familiar with--to name those we are familiar with--were perfect souls who reflected to were perfect souls who reflected to mankind all the qualities of God, just mankind all the qualities of God, just as, for as, for

example, a mirror can example, a mirror can

reflect the sun and we reflect the sun and we

see the sun in that mirror. see the sun in that mirror.

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The message of the The message of the Baha'i faithBaha'i faith

is that a new revelation has been given to is that a new revelation has been given to mankind by mankind by Baha'u’llahBaha'u’llah, the Glory of God, , the Glory of God, who through the power of the divine who through the power of the divine Spirit, brought to the world the teachings Spirit, brought to the world the teachings

of God for this day. The Baha'i of God for this day. The Baha'i

Faith has spread all over the Faith has spread all over the

earth, increasingly gaining earth, increasingly gaining

adherents in every country. adherents in every country.

(see 11 minute video)(see 11 minute video)

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Oneness of God--The Oneness Oneness of God--The Oneness of Religionof Religion

Since there is only one God, there can Since there is only one God, there can be only one religion, the Religion of God. be only one religion, the Religion of God. Religion by any other name is really only Religion by any other name is really only a section of religion. Baha'u'llah says a section of religion. Baha'u'llah says that revelation is not for part of that revelation is not for part of humanity but for the whole world, that humanity but for the whole world, that the world must eventually be united in the world must eventually be united in one common faith, accepting the new one common faith, accepting the new while maintaining the basic truths of the while maintaining the basic truths of the previous revelations.previous revelations.

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The Oneness of HumanityThe Oneness of Humanity Baha'u'llah says that there is only one human Baha'u'llah says that there is only one human

race and that differences of race, language, race and that differences of race, language, color, country, etc., are merely variations in color, country, etc., are merely variations in the human family. We are one family and once the human family. We are one family and once this is accepted, such things as wars, race, this is accepted, such things as wars, race, class, and political differences can no longer class, and political differences can no longer be justified. He calls on the nations to come be justified. He calls on the nations to come together in unity, to outlaw war, and if any together in unity, to outlaw war, and if any nation breaks that rule, all the rest should nation breaks that rule, all the rest should arise and put it down. Unity is essential and arise and put it down. Unity is essential and any grievance or injustice can be dealt with by any grievance or injustice can be dealt with by a world court to which all must defer. a world court to which all must defer. (See 4 minute movie)(See 4 minute movie)

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Equality of Men and Equality of Men and WomenWomen

Obviously, if mankind is one, both Obviously, if mankind is one, both men and women must be seen as men and women must be seen as spiritually equal and treated as spiritually equal and treated as human souls with the same rights human souls with the same rights and obligations. and obligations. (See 90 second movie)(See 90 second movie)

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Harmony of Religion and Harmony of Religion and Science Science

Baha'u'llah taught that what we do Baha'u'llah taught that what we do in this world must be controlled and in this world must be controlled and reinforced by our spiritual qualities. reinforced by our spiritual qualities. Therefore, religion and science must Therefore, religion and science must not be in opposition not be in opposition

but in harmony, as different but in harmony, as different

aspects of truth. aspects of truth.

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Personal ConductPersonal Conduct

Baha'u'llah sets very high standards Baha'u'llah sets very high standards to guide us through life, all based on to guide us through life, all based on spiritual principles--selflessness, spiritual principles--selflessness, sacrifice of oneself, and purity of sacrifice of oneself, and purity of thought and deed as enjoined by thought and deed as enjoined by previous revelations. He also gives previous revelations. He also gives

some specific laws regarding some specific laws regarding

prayer, fasting, the prayer, fasting, the

sanctity of marriage.sanctity of marriage.

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The worldThe world

The world must be governed on the The world must be governed on the basis of spiritual principles, accepting basis of spiritual principles, accepting the oneness of all men, rather than the oneness of all men, rather than the present expediency and the present expediency and controversy. America controversy. America

has a special destiny in has a special destiny in

bringing about peace bringing about peace

and justice. and justice.

(See 2 minute movie)(See 2 minute movie)

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The Bahá'i calendar The Bahá'i calendar includes nine holy daysincludes nine holy days

which all have the significance of major feasts which all have the significance of major feasts whose observance is required. Seven of them are whose observance is required. Seven of them are joyful days celebrated by picnics or festal joyful days celebrated by picnics or festal gatherings at which music, the reading of verses gatherings at which music, the reading of verses and tablets, and short addresses suitable to the and tablets, and short addresses suitable to the occasion are contributed by those present. The occasion are contributed by those present. The anniversaries of the Martyrdom of the Báb and anniversaries of the Martyrdom of the Báb and the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh are celebrated with the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh are celebrated with solemnity by appropriate meetings and solemnity by appropriate meetings and discourses, the reading of prayers and tablets. discourses, the reading of prayers and tablets. All Bahá'í holy days run from sundown to All Bahá'í holy days run from sundown to sundown.sundown.

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"In the sacred laws of "In the sacred laws of God,God,

in every cycle and dispensation there are in every cycle and dispensation there are blessed feasts, holidays and workless days. blessed feasts, holidays and workless days. On such days all kinds of occupations, On such days all kinds of occupations, commerce, industry, agriculture, classes, commerce, industry, agriculture, classes, etc. should be suspended." etc. should be suspended."

““All should rejoice together, hold All should rejoice together, hold general meetings, become as one general meetings, become as one assembly, so that the national oneness, assembly, so that the national oneness, unity and harmony may be unity and harmony may be demonstrated in the eyes of all.“ demonstrated in the eyes of all.“ Abdu'l-BahaAbdu'l-Baha

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Baha’i Holy DaysBaha’i Holy Days

  March 21 Naw-Ruz - New Year. March 21 Naw-Ruz - New Year. April 21, April 29, May 2 - Ridvan April 21, April 29, May 2 - Ridvan   Declaration of the Báb - May 23 Declaration of the Báb - May 23   Ascension of the Bahá'u'lláh - May Ascension of the Bahá'u'lláh - May

29 29 Martyrdom of the Báb - July 9Martyrdom of the Báb - July 9 October  20 Birth of Bab    October  20 Birth of Bab    November  12 Birth of Bahá'u'lláhNovember  12 Birth of Bahá'u'lláh

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The Bahá'í New Year (Naw Rúz):  March 21

The festival of the New Year, Naw Rúz, marks the end of the month of fasting and is a joyous time of celebration.

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The Festival of Ridván (Paradise): April 21 - May 2

The Ridván (pronounced "riz-vawn") festival has three significant days and

commemorates the first public declaration by Bahá'u'lláh of his

mission, (in 1863).

First Day:  April 21 Ninth Day:  April 29 Twelfth Day:  May 2

http://www.artoflegendindia.com/browse/PBI

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Declaration of the Báb:  May 23

Commemorates the date in 1844 when the Báb first declared His mission (Mt Carmel movie 5 mins.) movie 5 mins.)

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Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh:  May 29

Commemorates the date in 1892 when Bahá'u'lláh ascended to heaven (i.e.,

passed away)

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Martyrdom of the Báb: July 9

Commemorates the date in 1850 when the Báb was executed by a 750-man firing squad in Tabríz, Iran

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Birth of the Báb:  Oct. 20

Commemorates the date in 1819 when the Báb was born in Shíráz, Iran

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Birth of Bahá'u'lláh:  Nov. 12

Commemorates the date in 1817 when Bahá'u'lláh was born in Tehran, Iran

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'Ayyám-i-Há: 'Ayyám-i-Há: The The Intercalary Days, February Intercalary Days, February

26 to March 126 to March 1 Days of preparation for the Fast (Days of preparation for the Fast (March March

2-20)2-20), days of hospitality, charity and the , days of hospitality, charity and the giving of presents.giving of presents.

My God, my Fire and my Light! The days My God, my Fire and my Light! The days which Thou hast named the Ayyam-i-Ha which Thou hast named the Ayyam-i-Ha (the Days of Ha [light], Intercalary days) (the Days of Ha [light], Intercalary days) in Thy Book have begun, O Thou Who art in Thy Book have begun, O Thou Who art the King of names, and the fast which the King of names, and the fast which Thy most exalted Pen hath enjoined unto Thy most exalted Pen hath enjoined unto all who are in the kingdom of Thy all who are in the kingdom of Thy creation to observe is approaching. creation to observe is approaching.

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What Bahá'ís actually do What Bahá'ís actually do during the holidaysduring the holidays

Basically do what anyone else does Basically do what anyone else does on a holiday--spend time with people on a holiday--spend time with people they like, eat food they like, listen to they like, eat food they like, listen to music, enjoy and observe the day.   music, enjoy and observe the day.  

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The Bahá'í year is based on The Bahá'í year is based on the solar year of 365 days.the solar year of 365 days.

    Each year is divided into nineteen Each year is divided into nineteen months of nineteen days each with months of nineteen days each with four Intercalary Days (five in a leap four Intercalary Days (five in a leap year), called year), called Ayyám-i-HáAyyám-i-Há which which should precede the should precede the

nineteenth month. nineteenth month.

New Year's Day (New Year's Day (NawNaw RúzRúz))

falls on the Spring Equinox. falls on the Spring Equinox.

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Nineteen Day FeastsNineteen Day Feasts

There are no clergy and very little There are no clergy and very little ritual.  Every nineteen days the ritual.  Every nineteen days the Bahá'ís get together for community Bahá'ís get together for community worship in what is called the worship in what is called the Nineteen Day Feast, where Nineteen Day Feast, where adherents read scripture, pray, adherents read scripture, pray, discuss, consult and socialize.  discuss, consult and socialize. 

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1 Splendor March 212 Glory April 93 Beauty April 284 Grandeur May 175 Light June 56 Mercy June 247 Words July 138 Perfection August 19 Names August 20

10 Might September 8 10 Might September 8

11 Will September 27 11 Will September 27

12 Knowledge October 16 12 Knowledge October 16

13 Power November 4 13 Power November 4

14 Speech November 2314 Speech November 23

15 Questions December 1215 Questions December 12

16 Honor December 3116 Honor December 31

17 Sovereignty January 1917 Sovereignty January 19

18 Dominion February 7 18 Dominion February 7

--Intercalary February 26--Intercalary February 26

19 Loftiness March 219 Loftiness March 2

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The world is but one country, and

mankind it citizens 1 minute movie

We are one (streaming 8 minute video with Dan Seales)

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ReferencesReferences Most of the text and pictures were taken Most of the text and pictures were taken

from various sources and websites.from various sources and websites. Text: from Bahá'í writingsText: from Bahá'í writings http://www.theonet.dk/update/update-v9-i3-http://www.theonet.dk/update/update-v9-i3-

85/bahai_faith.html85/bahai_faith.html

Photos: personal photosPhotos: personal photos http://www.bahai-biblio.org/biblio-photo-http://www.bahai-biblio.org/biblio-photo-

a.htma.htm http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~njtrg/http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~njtrg/

Bahai/Photo%20Gallery.htmBahai/Photo%20Gallery.htm