A Unified Teaching: The Bahá'í Faith!

He'd come from India to visit his daughter one summer.

I met her first.

She said, "You MUST meet my dad!"

She'd told him about me the first time we met, about a week later when I visited her home to meet him, her dad, Abbas.

The reason she felt her dad and I needed to meet was that as a Bahai, she'd heard him talk the same language I did as a student of Metaphysics.

Our first meeting was friendly and cordial.

Of course, Abbas wanted me to look into the Bahá'í Faith. I promised him I would and checked it out locally at the time but went no further. Despite ongoing e-mail communications with Abbas that lasted for many years, I never did get beyond the surface of knowing the Bahá'í Faith.

It's not that I didn't believe the teachings. For the Baha'i Faith is impressive enough, and it actually promotes my fundamental belief of unity in all religions. But I'd already discovered my own path to TRUTH!

What is the Baha'i Faith

The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded
in 19th century Persia by Bahá'u'lláh. The teaching emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind and also the underlying unity of the major world religions.
Photo of Abdu'l-Baha, son of Bahá'u'lláh

Through the Bahá'í teachings, religious history is seen as unfolding through through a series of divine messengers, each of whom established a religion that was suited to the needs of the time and the capacity of the people.

These messengers have included Krishna, Abraham, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and others, including most recently Bahá'u'lláh.


In Bahá'í belief, each messenger taught of the next, and Bahá'u'lláh's life and teachings are believed to fulfill the end-time promises of previous scriptures. Humanity is understood to be involved in a process of collective evolution, and the need of the present time is for the gradual establishment of peace, justice and unity on a global scale.

The word "Bahá’í" is derived from the Arabic Bahá’ and means "glory" or "splendour".

Beliefs

Three core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í teachings and doctrine: the Unity of God, the Unity of Religion, and the Unity of Humankind.

From this core stems the belief that God periodically reveals his will through divine educators, whose purpose is to transform the character of humankind and develop, within those who respond, moral and spiritual qualities. Religion is thus seen as orderly, unified, and progressive from age to age.

GOD

The Bahá'í writings describe a single, personal, inaccessible, omniscient, omnipresent, imperishable, and almighty God who is the creator of all things in the universe.

The existence of God and the universe is thought to be eternal, without a beginning or end. Although inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of creation, with a will and purpose that is expressed through messengers viewed as Manifestations of God.

The the entire purpose for our human experience is to know and love God, according to the Bahá'í Faith , and this is done through prayer and reflection. Further, the Bahá'í teachings state a belief in a God who is too great for humans to fully comprehend, or to create a complete and accurate image, by themselves. It is only through his messengers, the teachings believe, humans are able to recognize God.

Religion
Seat of the Universal House of Justice, Haifa, Israel, the governing body of the Faith

Most of founders and central figures of world religions are seen as Manifestations of God and accepted in the Bahá'í Faith. Religious history is then interpreted as each manifestation bringing a more advanced revelation, suited for the time and place in which it was expressed. Specific religious social teachings, such as the form of prayer and dietary restrictions, may be withdrawn by a subsequent manifestation.

Bahá'í teaches that humans have a "rational soul," which provides the species with a unique capacity to recognize God's station and humanity's relationship with its creator.

It is the duty of every human, according to Bahá'í teachings, to recognize God through his messengers, and to conform to their teachings. It is only through this recognition and obedience, service to humanity and regular prayer and spiritual practice that a Soul gets closer to God, the spiritual ideal in Bahá'í belief.

When a human dies, the Soul passes into the next world, where its spiritual development in the physical world becomes a basis for judgement and advancement in the spiritual world. Heaven and Hell are taught to be spiritual states of nearness or distance from God that describe relationships in this world and the next, and not physical places of reward and punishment achieved after death.

The Bahá'í writings emphasize the essential equality of human beings, and the abolition of prejudice. Humanity is seen as essentially one, though highly varied; its diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance. Doctrines of racism, nationalism, caste, social class and gender-based hierarchy are seen as artificial impediments to Unity.

The Bahá'í teachings state that the unification of humankind is the paramount issue in the religious and political conditions of the present world.

Founder: Bahá'u'lláh


Mírzá Husayn `Alí of Núr (1817-1892)was one of the early followers of the Báb, who later took the title of Bahá'u'lláh. He was arrested and imprisoned for this involvement in 1852. Bahá'u'lláh relates that in 1853, while incarcerated in the dungeon of the Síyáh-Chál in Tehran, he received the first intimations that he was the one anticipated by the Báb.


Shortly thereafter he was expelled from Tehran to Baghdad, in the Ottoman Empire; then to Constantinople (now Istanbul); and then to Adrianople (now Edirne). In 1863, at the time of his banishment from Baghdad to Constantinople, Bahá'u'lláh declared his claim to a divine mission to his family and followers. Tensions then grew between him and Subh-i-Azal, the appointed leader of the Bábís who did not recognize Bahá'u'lláh's claim. Throughout the rest of his life Bahá'u'lláh gained the allegiance of most of the Bábís, who came to be known as Bahá'ís. Beginning in 1866, he began declaring his mission as a Messenger of God in letters to the world's religious and secular rulers, including Pope Pius IX, Napoleon III, and Queen Victoria.




In 1868 Bahá'u'lláh was banished by Sultan Abdülâziz a final time to the Ottoman penal colony of `Akká, in present-day Israel. Towards the end of his life, the strict and harsh confinement was gradually relaxed, and he was allowed to live in a home near `Akká, while still officially a prisoner of that city.

He died there in 1892. Bahá'ís regard his resting place at Bahjí as the Qiblih to which they turn in prayer each day.

The first resting place of Bahá'u'llá; one of the most holy places for all Bahá'ís.

During his lifetime, Bahá'u'lláh amassed a large volume of writings, left to his followers.

Mystical teachings

Although the Bahá'í teachings have a strong emphasis on social and ethical issues, there exist a number of foundational texts that have been described as mystical.

The Seven Valleys is considered Bahá'u'lláh's "greatest mystical composition." It was written to a follower of Sufism, in the style of `Attar. It was first translated into English in 1906, becoming one of the earliest available books of Bahá'u'lláh to the West. The Hidden Words is another book written by Bahá'u'lláh during the same period, containing 153 short passages in which Bahá'u'lláh claims to have taken the basic essence of certain spiritual truths and written them in brief form.

Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh
The Bahá'í teachings speak of both a "Greater Covenant", being universal and endless, and a "Lesser Covenant", being unique to each religious dispensation.

The Lesser Covenant is believed to be as an agreement between a Messenger of God and his followers and includes social practices and the continuation of authority in the religion. At this time Bahá'ís view Bahá'u'lláh's revelation as a binding lesser covenant for his followers; in the Bahá'í writings being firm in the covenant is considered a virtue to work toward.

The Greater Covenant is believed to be a more enduring agreement between God and mankind, where a manifestation of God is expected to come about every thousand years at times of turmoil.

With unity as an essential teaching of the religion, Bahá'ís follow an administration they believe is divinely ordained, and therefore see attempts to create schisms and divisions as efforts that are contrary to the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. Schisms have occurred over the succession of authority, but any Bahá'í divisions have had relatively little success and have failed to attract a sizeable following. The followers of such divisions are regarded as Covenant-breakers and shunned, essentially excommunicated.

Bahá'ís Ways of Life


The laws of the Bahá'í Faith primarily come from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, written by Bahá'u'lláh. Some include the following:




*Bahá'ís over the age of 15 are required to recite one of three obligatory prayers each day.
*Backbiting and gossip are prohibited and denounced.
*Adult Bahá'ís in good health should observe a nineteen-day sunrise-to-sunset fast each year from March 2 through March 20.
*Bahá'ís are forbidden to drink alcohol or to take drugs, unless prescribed by doctors.
*Sexual relationships are permitted only between a husband and wife, and thus premarital and homosexual sex are forbidden.
*Gambling is forbidden.


Marriage in the Bahá'í Faith is viewed as the union of a man and a woman, whose main purpose is to foster spiritual harmony, fellowship and unity between the two partners and to provide a stable and loving environment for the rearing of children.

Bahá'u'lláh believed that marriage was an eternal command of God and also discouraged divorce and homosexuality. Interestly, interracial marriage is also highly praised throughout Bahá'í scripture.


Bahá'ís who plan to marry have to obtain a thorough understanding of the other's character before a decision is made. Parents do not choose partners for their children, but once a couple decides to marry, they must obtain the consent of all their living biological parents. This rule applies even if one person is not a Bahá'í.

The Bahá'í marriage ceremony is simple; the only compulsory part of the wedding being the vows said in the presence of two witnesses: "We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God."

Other Practices



Monasticism is forbidden, and Bahá'ís attempt to ground their spirituality in ordinary daily life. Performing useful work, for example, is not only required but considered a form of worship. Bahá'u'lláh encouraged Bahá'ís to "Be anxiously concerned" with the needs of society. The importance of self-exertion and service to humanity in one's spiritual life is emphasised further in Bahá'u'lláh's writings, where he states that work done in the spirit of service to humanity enjoys a rank equal to that of prayer and worship in the sight of God.


Most Bahá'í meetings occur in individuals' homes, local Bahá'í centers, or rented facilities. Worldwide, there are currently eight Bahá'í Houses of Worship, one per continent.

Bahá'í House of Worship, and Gardens, in Israel

Bahá'í Calendar

The Bahá'í calendar is based upon the calendar established by the Báb. The year consists of 19 months, each having 19 days, with four or five intercalary days, to make a full solar year. The Bahá'í New Year corresponds to the traditional Persian New Year, called Naw Rúz, and occurs on the vernal equinox, March 21, at the end of the month of fasting. Bahá'í communities gather at the beginning of each month at a meeting called a Feast for worship, consultation and socializing.

International Status

Bahá'u'lláh wrote of the need for world government in this age of humanity's collective life. Because of this emphasis the international Bahá'í community has chosen to support efforts of improving international relations through organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations. The Bahá'í International Community is an agency under the direction of the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, and has consultative status with the following organizations:


United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
World Health Organization (WHO)
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)


The Bahá'í International Community has offices at the United Nations in New York and Geneva and representations to United Nations regional commissions and other offices in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Nairobi, Rome, Santiago, and Vienna. In recent years an Office of the Environment and an Office for the Advancement of Women were established as part of its United Nations Office. The Bahá'í Faith has also undertaken joint development programs with various other United Nations agencies. In the 2000 Millennium Forum of the United Nations a Bahá'í was invited as the only non-governmental speaker during the summit. See this article for further information on the relationship between the Bahá'í International Community and the United Nations.

Bahai Today



There are an estimated five million or more followers Bahá'ís throughout the world today. The majority live in Asia (3.6 million), Africa (1.8 million), and Latin America (900,000). According to some estimates, the largest Bahá'í community in the world is in India, with 2.2 million Bahá'ís, next is Iran, with 350,000, and the U.S., with 150,000.
Chile
New Delhi

Bahá'ís center in Wilmette, Illinois.

Despite their seemingly peaceful and all inclusive humanitarian lifestyle, Bahá'ís continue to be persecuted in Islamic countries, especially Iran, where over 200 believers were executed between 1978 and 1998.

During the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, due to the growing nationalism and the economic difficulties in the country, the Shah gave up control over certain religious affairs to the clergy of the country. This resulted in a campaign of persecution against the Bahá'ís. As the anti-Shah movement gained ground and support, revolutionary propaganda was spread that some of the Shah's advisors were Bahá'ís. Bahá'ís were portrayed as economic threats, supporters of Israel and the West and popular hatred for the Bahá'ís increased.

Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 Iranian Bahá'ís have regularly had their homes ransacked or been banned from attending university or holding government jobs, and several hundred have received prison sentences for their religious beliefs, most recently for participating in study circles.


Bahá'í cemeteries have been desecrated and property seized and occasionally demolished, including the House of Mírzá Buzurg, Bahá'u'lláh's father. The House of the Báb in Shiraz has been destroyed twice, and is one of three sites to which Bahá'ís perform pilgrimage.

The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights stated on March 20, 2006, that she

"also expresses concern that the information gained as a result of such monitoring will be used as a basis for the increased persecution of, and discrimination against, members of the Bahá'í faith, in violation of international standards...The Special Rapporteur is concerned that this latest development indicates that the situation with regard to religious minorities in Iran is, in fact, deteriorating."

In Egypt on December 16, 2006, the Supreme Administrative Council ruled that the government may not recognize the Bahá'í Faith in official identification numbers. The ruling left Egyptian Bahá'ís unable to obtain government documents, including ID cards, birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates, or passports, all of which require a person's religion to be listed. They also could not be employed, educated, treated in hospitals or vote, among other things.

Even though this was reversed on January 29, 2008 by Cairo's court of Administrative Justice, many Bahá'ís today remain without these necessary identification cards.

This is a sad fate for people, who like my friend Abbas, are so committed to their belief of Unity and Peace in the world!

Namaste',

Che'
NOTE: For more information on the Bahai Faith, go to: http:www.bahai.us The next religion we'll feature in May: "Tibetan Buddhism."