Dear all,
As a Bahá'í I hold the belief that all people will ultimately be united in "one universal Cause, one common Faith," as Bahá'u'lláh (d. 1892) has stated. But what does this statement really mean? And how might it be achieved?
Bahais from various parts of the world.
The Bahá'í Faith teaches that the one and indivisible God makes His purpose known through Manifestations of God who appear at intervals in history. These Manifestations, which include Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Christ, Muhammad and (in our age) the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, reveal those social and spiritual laws which are necessary for our individual and community development at the time of Their appearance. The teachings of each new Manifestation build on what the previous Ones had taught, and each adds something new to learn. And what might be our "lesson" for this day and age we live in? 'Abdu'l-Bahá (d. 1921) explains it simply thus:
"The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers." (1)
The Bahá'í nine-pointed star, with the Greatest Name - ("O Thou Glory of the Most Glorious") inscribed.
What a wonderful vision it is we have been given by our Creator! It is of humanity as a garden and the various races and peoples as flowers which adorn and decorate it. Though differing in kind, color, form and shape, yet this diversity increases its charm and adds to its beauty. The oneness of mankind is no longer an empty ideal: The Bahá'í writings and the example of 'Abdu'l-Bahá tell us how to accomplish it. Using His Holiness Christ as a point of reference, He explains:
"...Jesus Christ appeared on the horizon of this world like a Sun of Truth; even so when the people—after forgetting the teachings of Christ and His example of love to all humanity—had again grown tired of material things, a heavenly Star shone once more in Persia, a new illumination appeared and now a great light is spreading throughout all lands.
“Men keep their possessions for their own enjoyment and do not share sufficiently with others the bounty received from God. Spring is thus changed into the winter of selfishness and egotism. Jesus Christ said ‘Ye must be born again’ so that divine Life may spring anew within you. Be kind to all around and serve one another; love to be just and true in all your dealings; pray always and so live your life that sorrow cannot touch you. Look upon the people of your own race and those of other races as members of one organism; sons of the same Father; let it be known by your behavior that you are indeed the people of God. Then wars and disputes shall cease and over the world will spread the Most Great Peace.” (2)
“Men keep their possessions for their own enjoyment and do not share sufficiently with others the bounty received from God. Spring is thus changed into the winter of selfishness and egotism. Jesus Christ said ‘Ye must be born again’ so that divine Life may spring anew within you. Be kind to all around and serve one another; love to be just and true in all your dealings; pray always and so live your life that sorrow cannot touch you. Look upon the people of your own race and those of other races as members of one organism; sons of the same Father; let it be known by your behavior that you are indeed the people of God. Then wars and disputes shall cease and over the world will spread the Most Great Peace.” (2)
Bahá'ís in all countries are learning through study circles how we can walk together on a path of service to humanity. We also arrange simple devotional meetings in our homes, where the Word of God (like the Bahá'í writings, the Bible and the Koran) provides inspiration, rejuvenates souls, gladdens hearts, and renews o sense of purpose. We also hold children's classes for the moral education of our children.
Regarding our purpose here on earth, Bahá'u'lláh says:
"All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization." (3)
Terraces leading to the Shrine of the Báb.
In the same way, He declares that our individual development can only take place through serving our fellow men, by the forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness we show them, by sharing the happy news of God's latest Manifestation, and by doing a good job in our work and studies. Bahá'u'lláh has stated in this regard:
"O people of God! Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men. This can best be achieved through pure and holy deeds, through a virtuous life and a goodly behaviour." (4)
A Bahá'í father and his young son who were arrested and executed for their belief, 19th century Iran.
"That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race." (5)
I hope you may join me and several million other people in service to this greatest Cause, the establishment of a permanent and universal peace as the supreme goal of all mankind. And if not, the experience of the worldwide community of some five million Bahá'ís, representative of most of the nations, races and cultures on earth, will be a source of encouragement to all who share their vision of humanity as one global family and the earth as one homeland."That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race." (5)
"This is the Day that shall not be followed by night..." - Bahá'u'lláh (6)
Notes:
(1) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London, pp.19-20
(2) ibid. pp. 82-83
(3) Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 215
(4) Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 86
(5) ibid., p. 167
(6) Bahá'u'lláh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 34
