Bahai Houses of Worship
"O God, my God! I implore Thee with a throbbing heart and streaming tears to aid whosoever expendeth his energy for the erection of this House, and the construction of this Building wherein Thy name is mentioned every morn and every eve.
جميع الاحكام والقوانين الالهية هدفها ترقي روح الانسان وتهذيب سلوك البشر. وبما ان الله يعلم المفيد والاصلح والاحسن لنا نحن خلقه، ينبغي لنا ان نضع ثقتنا الكاملة به ونتوكل عليه ونسعى بكل طاقتنا لتنفيذ احكامه وتعاليمه.ان ارقى درجة من درجات الطاعة هى الطاعة المقترنة بالحب، وليس الخوف
يا ملأ الأرض اعلموا أن أوامري سُرج عنايتي بين عبادي ومفاتيح رحمتي لبريتي كذلك نزل الأمر من سماء مشية ربكم مالك الأديان لو يجد أحد حلاوة البيان الذي ظهر من فم مشيّة الرحمن لينفق ما عنده ولو يكون خزائن الأرض كلها ليثبت أمرا من أوامره المشرقة من أفق العناية والألطاف
(حضرة بهاء الله - الكتاب الاقدس، فقرة 3)
يا ابن الوجود
اعمل حدودي حُباً لي ثُم انهِ نفسك عما تهوى طلباً لرضائي
(حضرة بهاء الله - الكلمات المكنونة العربية)
Prayer for Mashriq Al Adhkar
"O God, my aim, my hope! With hearts full of longing and breasts full of yearning, we beg of Thee and we supplicate at the threshold of Thy might to raise the Mashriqu'l Adhkar in Chicago, in the most speedy manner. Make its basis firm and its structure enduring, suffer its pillars to remain unshakable and make its columns of the steel and iron of firmness. Glorify its servants, beautify the characters and make the worshippers beloved. Suffer its nightingales to sing Ya-Baha'ul-Abha and warable the praises of our Lord, the Most Supreme. Make its men the standards unforded on the mountains of the world, and its women the sanctified angels of the tabernacle of the world! " Mashriq Aladkhar - مشرق الاذكار
Mashriq Aladkhar is an Arabic phrase meaning Dawning Point of God's Remembrance.
“Blessed is he who, at the hour of dawn, centering his thoughts on God, occupied with His remembrance, and supplicating His forgiveness, directeth his steps to the Mashriqu’l Adhkar and, entering therein, seateth himself in silence to listen to the verses of God, the Sovereign, the Mighty, the All Praised. Say: The Mashirqu’l Adhkar is each and every building which hath been erected in cities and villages for the celebration of My praise. Such is the name by which it hath been designated before the throne of glory, were ye of those who understand. They who recite the verses of the All Merciful in the most melodious of tones will perceive in them that with which the sovereignty of earth and heaven can never be compared. From them they will inhale the divine fragrance of My worlds-worlds which today none can discern save those who have been endowed with vision through this sublime, this beauteous Revelation. Say: These verses draw hearts that are pure unto those spiritual worlds that can neither be expressed in words nor intimated by allusion. Blessed be those who hearken.”
Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab Alaqdas P 115-116 Translation from Arabic
The Fundamental of Spiritual Education
Education is of three kinds: material, human and spiritual.
Material education is concerned with the development of the body.
Human education is about civilization and progress. It deals with government, administration, charitable works, trades, arts, and handicrafts, sciences, great inventions and discoveries.
Spiritual education consists in acquiring divine perfections. This is true education, for by its aid the spiritual, the higher nature of the human being is developed.
In order to progress, humanity needs an educator who has clear authority as a material, human and spiritual educator.
Humanity has always been in need of such a perfect educator, one who can help it organize matters related to the nourishment and health of the body, inspire it to advance in knowledge, invention and discovery, and, most importantly, breathe into it the real life of the spirit. No ordinary human being can achieve these formidable tasks. Only the Manifestations of God have the power to accomplish them. These are chosen souls who are sent by God from time to time to be the Universal Educators of humanity.
“All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization”
“The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves.”
“God’s purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to liberate the children of men from the darkness of ignorance, and guide them to the light of true understanding. The second is to ensure the peace and tranquility of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can be established.”
“Men at all times and under all conditions stand in need of one to exhort them, guide them and to instruct and teach them.”
From the Writings of Baha’u’llah
Station of Abdu’l-Baha:
Abdu’l-Baha is a most unique Figure in human history, and no previous religion has been blessed with such a Personage. Not only did Baha’u’llah give humanity His most sublime Revelation, but He also gave it His own Son.
“My name is Abdu’l-Baha. My qualification is Abdu’l-Baha. My reality is Abdu’l-Baha. My Praise is Abdu’l-Baha. Thralldom to the Blessed Perfection is my glorious and refulgent diadem, and servitude to all the human race my perpetual religion…No name, no title, no mention, no commendation have I, nor will ever have, except Abdu’l-Baha. This is my longing. This is my greatest yearning. This is my eternal life. This is my everlasting glory.”
What is the Baha’I Faith?
The Baha’I Faith is a world religion whose purpose is to unite all the races and peoples in one universal Cause and one common Faith. Baha’u’llah is the Promised One of all Ages. The Manifestations of God are like perfect mirrors that reflect the Light of God in all its Splendor. While God is beyond our reach, these perfect Beings come to us from time to time, live among us, give us guidance, and fill us with the energy we need to progress, materially and spiritually.
“That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.”
What is the reason behind our creation?
“O Son of Man! I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name they name and fill the soul with the spirit of life.” The Hidden Words, Arabic
“The Immortality of the spirit is the fundamental basis of Divine Religions.”
‘Abdu’l Baha
Baha’is believe in one loving Creator who created us all in order to know and love Him. Baha’is believe that all the peoples of the world belong to one human family. The differences in color, backgrounds, traditions, thoughts and ideas should enhance our experience like a garden with flowers of every form, color and appearance.
Baha’is believe that all the religions teach the same truth. The only difference between them is that each have appeared in a different time in the history of humanity in order to help people to be educated according to the needs of that time. Baha’u’llah’s teachings address the needs and conditions of the world today.
The Soul – A sign of God
“Know, verily, that the soul is a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most learned of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind, however acute, can ever hope to unravel. It is the first among all created things to declare the excellence of its Creator, the first to recognize His glory, to cleave to His truth, and to bow down in adoration before Him. If it be faithful to God, it will reflect His light, and will, eventually, return unto Him. If it fail, however, in its allegiance to its Creator, it will become a victim to self passion, and will, in the end, sink in their depths.”
Baha’u’llah
The Mind, Spirit and Soul
“The human spirit which distinguishes man from the animal is the rational soul, and these two names designate one thing. ……The human spirit, unless assisted by the spirit of faith, does not become acquainted with the divine secrets and the heavenly realities. It is like a mirror which, although clear, polished and brilliant, is still in need of light. Until a ray of the sun reflects upon it, it cannot discover the heavenly secrets.
But the mind is the power of the human spirit. Spirit is the lamp; mind is the light which shines from the lamp. Spirit is the tree, and the mind is the fruit. Mind is the perfection of the spirit and is its essential quality, as the sun’s rays are the essential necessity of the sun.”
Abdu’l Baha
Interviewer: Of all the possible foundations you could've picked, why did you choose to support Mona Foundation?
Rainn: When the Foundation contacted me about helping them out, I took some time to ask some questions and investigate. Everything I discovered about what the charity did was utterly fantastic.
I believe education is the most important thing in the world. It all begins and ends there. That is what the Foundation supports above all else.
I wanted to support a place where basically every penny of a donation would go directly to make the world a better place. The MONA Foundation does that.
I wanted to support a Foundation that makes every person feel like they could make a difference in the world. Mona does that as well.
It's basically the perfect Charity!
Interviewer: Recently, we've noticed a new interest in giving internationally. Do you see that among your peers? In your opinion, what spurs that interest?
Rainn: More and more we Americans see ourselves as part of a world community, a family of man. While things may seem to be getting worse in the world, things also seem to be coming together and barriers are dropping at the same time.
Interviewer: You know that since 1999, Mona Foundation has focused on the education of children because universal education is one of the top two requirements for the eradication of poverty worldwide. Did having a child of your own change what you wanted to do in the world or what was important to you?
Rainn: I don't want to educate my son, because then he will question my authority more. I want him kept in ignorance. Maybe have him raised by racoons or monkeys or something.
C'mon, I can't have all my answers be serious, can I?
Interviewer: The other major requirement for the eradication of poverty is gender equity. Some of the characters you've played, in fact, the environment of your current show, "The Office," is not exactly "equality-minded." But those situations often bring the biggest laughs:-) Do you think laughter helps people think differently about such issues? Why?
Rainn: At our best our TV show holds a mirror up to our culture and the laughter that comes from the petty absurdity of our society is the most rewarding.
I do however think there is a good deal of value in people running into doors and vomiting on cars too.
Interviewer: There's a saying, "The stage will be the pulpit of the future." You're an actor and your wife, Holiday, is a writer. Do you think the arts can impact how we live our lives?
Rainn: I think the arts can do more than impact our lives. I believe the arts are not something to be separated from one's life or one's religious Faith. In the best of all possible worlds, a fully integrated life would intertwine the arts with all other aspects of ones life. The greatest cultures that the world has known have united the arts with the social fabric, commerce, religion, family - as an essential, all-encompassing avenue of human expression.
Interviewer: One picture of you often posted on the Internet is of your character, Dwight, holding up a sign with attributes attached to each letter of his name:
D ynamic
W orker
I ntense
G ood
Worker
H ard Worker
T errific
Interviewer: Did you choose those characteristics, or were they in the script? If you had to choose one attribute that everyone in the world might benefit from, what would it be?
Rainn: I don't know that the world would benefit from any of Dwight's favorite personal characteristics. I think that instead of more hard work, the world might actually benefit from a bit more compassion. From the latin "to feel with". If we could all "feel with" our brothers and sisters in our human family a bit more, we might really benefit from that.
Terrific-ness would also be good. The world would be a much better place if we were all just a little more 'terrific', don't you think!?
Interviewer: Finally, what personal message would you like to give to those who view this interview at the Mona Foundation website?
Rainn: I think we got what we need with the previous questions, don't you? Let me know if you guys want more! Thanks so much! It was fun answering these.
http://www.monafoundation.org/rainn-wilson.htm
To be no cause of grief to any one.
To be kind to all people and to love them with a pure spirit.
Should opposition or injury happen to us, to bear it, to be as kind as ever we can be, and through all, to love the people. Should calamity exist in the greatest degree, to rejoice, for these things are the gifts and favors of God.
To be silent concerning the faults of others, to pray for them, and help them, through kindness, to correct their faults.
To look always at the good and not at the bad. If a man has ten good qualities and one bad one, look at the ten and forget the one. And if a man has ten bad qualities and one good one, to look at the one and forget the ten.
Never to allow ourselves to speak one unkind word about another, even though that other be our enemy.
To do all of our deeds in kindness.
To cut our hearts from ourselves and from the world.
To be humble.
To be servants of each other, and to know that we are less than anyone else.
To be as one soul in many bodies: for the more we love each other, the nearer we shall be to God; but to know that our love, our unity our obedience must not be by confession, but of reality.
To act with cautiousness and wisdom.
To be truthful.
To be hospitable.
To be reverent.
To be a cause of healing for every sick one, a comforter for every sorrowful one, a pleasant water for every thirsty one, a heavenly table for every hungry one, a star to every horizon, a light for every lamp, a herald to every one who yearns for the kingdom of God.
Selections From the writings of _Abdu'l-Baha
"I was but a man like others, asleep upon My couch, when lo, the breezes of the All-Glorious were wafted over Me, and taught Me the knowledge of all that hath been. This thing is not from Me, but from One Who is Almighty and All-Knowing. And He bade Me lift up My voice between earth and heaven, and for this there befell Me what hath caused the tears of every man of understanding to flow."
For Baha'is of Jewish background, He is the appearance of the promised "Lord of Hosts" come down "with ten thousands of saints."
For Baha'is of Buddhist background, He fulfils the prophecies for the coming of "a Buddha named Maitreye, the Buddha of universal fellowship" who will, according to Buddhist traditions, bring peace and enlightement to all humanity.
For Baha'is of Hindu background, He comes as the new incarnation of Krishna, the "Tenth Avatar" and the "Most Great Spirit". He is "the birthless, the deathless" the One who, "when goodness grows weak" returns "in every age" to "establish righteousness" as promised in the Bhagaved'Gita.
For Baha'is of Islamic background, He fulfils the promise of the Qur'an for the "Day of God" and the "Great Announcement" when "God" will come down "overshadowed with clouds."
مشرق الأذكار البهائي
بولميت إلينويز
ان مشرق الأذكار بولميت هو أحد سبعة مشارق أذكار موجودة في أنحاء العالم الآن .وهي ترمز إلى الأتحاد والدعاء إلى الله
“THIS IS A TRANSLATION FROM ITS ORIGINAL ARABIC LANGUAGE"
"IN THE NAME OF HIM WHO IS THE SUPREME RULER OVER ALL THAT HATH BEEN AND ALL THAT IS TO BE
The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine inspiration.
They whom God hath endued with insight will readily recognize that the precepts laid down by God constitute the highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the security of its peoples. He that turneth away from them is accounted among the abject and foolish. We, verily, have commanded you to refuse the dictates of your evil passions and corrupt desires, and not to transgress the bounds which the Pen of the Most High hath fixed, for these are the breath of life unto all created things. The seas of Divine wisdom and Divine utterance have risen under the breath of the breeze of the All-Merciful. Hasten to drink your fill, O men of understanding! They that have violated the Covenant of God by breaking His commandments, and have turned back on their heels, these have erred grievously in the sight of God, the All-Possessing, the Most High.
ye peoples of the world! Know assuredly that My commandments are the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures. Thus hath it been sent down from the heaven of the Will of your Lord, the Lord of Revelation. Were any man to taste the sweetness of the words which the lips of the All-Merciful have willed to utter, he would, though the treasures of the earth be in his possession, renounce them one and all, that he might vindicate the truth of even one of His commandments, shining above the Dayspring of His bountiful care and loving-kindness.
Say: From My laws the sweet-smelling savour of My garment can be smelled, and by their aid the standards of Victory will be planted upon the highest peaks. The Tongue of My power hath, from the heaven of My omnipotent glory, addressed to My creation these words: “Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.” Happy is the lover that hath inhaled the divine fragrance of his Best-Beloved from these words, laden with the perfume of a grace which no tongue can describe. By My life! He who hath drunk the choice wine of fairness from the hands of My bountiful favour will circle around My commandments that shine above the Dayspring of My creation.
Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power. To this beareth witness that which the Pen of Revelation hath revealed. Meditate upon this, O men of insight!"
