Chicago Tribune

A small -town oasis

Wilmette preserves and enhances historic ambience while looking to the future

"Adding to the village's international charm is the filigree-domed Baha'i House of Worship, one of only seven Baha'i temples world- wide. Encircled by blossoms and fountains, it attracts international visitors year round. "

The Covenant of Baha’u’llah

Abdu’l-Baha mentioned about the power of the Covenant of Baha’u’llah that

“Know this for a certainty that today, the penetrative power in the arteries of the world of humanity is the power of the Covenant. The body of the world will not be moved through any power except through the power of the Covenant. There is no other power like unto this. This Spirit of the Covenant is the real Center of love and is reflecting its rays to all parts of the globe, which are resuscitating and regenerating man and illuminating the path to the Divine Kingdom."

Baha’i Election

Though the season of primaries is almost behind us, November is nearly half a year away and we could still be in for a lot more partisan politics and mudslinging. If it seems like there ought to be a more civil way to run democratic elections, members of the Baha’i faith say that’s because there is. And once a year, they refine a new democratic process in that big white temple in north suburban Wilmette. The 100th Baha’i National Convention was recently held there. Eight Forty-Eight contributor Jennifer Brandel watched the process.
Listen to the full story here:
http://chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=24887

النظام الاداري البهائي

أنزل حضرة بهاء الله النظام الإداري الخاص به ، أي أنه أخبرنا عن المؤسسات البهائية التي يجب أن تعمل وتدير شئون العالم الإنساني
فلا وجود لرجال دين فى الدين البهائي بل مؤسسات بهائية هى نواة لما سيصبح فى المستقبل النظام العالمي

المؤسسات البهائية هي
بيت العدل الأعظم: وهو المؤسسة العليا فى الدين البهائي والذي يتوجه له جميع البهائيون في العالم. ويتم انتخابه كل خمس سنوات من قبل اعضاء المحافل المركزية فى العالم كله ، حيث يحق لهم انتخاب تسعة افراد بهائيين بالغين (من سن 21 سنة) من اى منطقة فى العالم.
المحفل الروحاني المركزي: ينتخب البهائيون في كل دولة أعضاؤه التسعة مرة في كل سنة، وهو المسئول عن الجامعة البهائية فى الدولة
المحفل الروحاني المحلي: هو الذي يقود شؤون الجامعة البهائية بالمدينة ويتم انتخاب أعضاؤه التسعة من قبل أعضاء الجامعة المحلية

جميع المؤسسات البهائية يتم انتخاب اعضاءها عن طريق الاقتراع السري فلا يسمح بالترشيحات او الدعاية. كما لايتلقى اعضاء المؤسسة اى اجر على مايقومون به من خدمات فهم يفعلون ذلك لوجه الله تعالى. من ناحية اخرى الانتخاب هو واجب مقدس على كل فرد بهائي ،لذلك يقوم كل فرد بالبحث والتحري بنفسه عن الاصلح لهذا النوع من الخدمة، كما يطلب التأييد والتوفيق من الله سبحانه وتعالى.

The Ascension of Baha'u'llah

Holy day marks 116th anniversary of the passing of Baha’u’llah

Around the globe, tens of thousands more turned their faces in the direction of the same shrine – for Baha’is, the holiest spot on earth – in remembrance of the night in 28 May, 1892 that Baha’u’llah passed away at His home near Acre in the Holy Land.
His remains were entombed on the same property, now a site of pilgrimage for members of the Baha’i Faith the world over.



Baha’u’llah was born in Tehran, Iran, but He and a large group of His followers were banished from their native land in 1853 and forced to go first to Baghdad, then on to what was the Ottoman Empire and the remote prison city of Acre.


Baha’is believe that Baha’u’llah is the Messenger of God for this age, the most recent in a line of divine educators that includes Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Mohammed, Moses, and Zoroaster, among others.


The anniversary of the Ascension of Baha’u’llah is one of nine holy days on which Baha’is suspend work.



Prayer

The praise which hath dawned from Thy most august Self, and the glory which hath shone forth from Thy most effulgent Beauty, rest upon Thee, O Thou Who art the Manifestation of Grandeur, and the King of Eternity, and the Lord of all who are in heaven and on earth! I testify that through Thee the sovereignty of God and His dominion, and the majesty of God and His grandeur, were revealed, and the Daystars of ancient splendor have shed their radiance in the heaven of Thine irrevocable decree, and the Beauty of the Unseen hath shone forth above the horizon of creation. I testify, moreover, that with but a movement of Thy Pen Thine injunction “Be Thou” hath been enforced, and God’s hidden Secret hath been divulged, and all created things 231 have been called into being, and all the Revelations have been sent down.

Bahá’u’lláh

House of Worship restoration necessitates partial closing

To enable further restoration of the Baha'i House of Worship and begin construction of the new Visitors Center, the lower level of the House of Worship, which currently houses the Visitors Center and bookstore, will be closed to the public for approximately one year, from May 19, 2008, to May 2009.

The auditorium (prayer hall), on the upper level of the House of Worship, will remain open for prayers and meditation. The elevator to the auditorium will not be available so access to the auditorium will be by stairs only during this period. The gardens are wheelchair accessible.

Guides will continue to offer tours of the temple, and restrooms will be available. During the partial closing, visitors will enter the temple from the corner of Linden Avenue and Sheridan Road, walking along the reflecting pool before ascending the stairs to the auditorium.

There will be a limited number of spaces in the House of Worship parking lot to the west of the building. Parking on nearby streets also will be available.

Prayer for the Mashriqu'l Adhkar

"O Lord, O Thou Who dost bless all those who stand firm in the Covenant by enabling them, out of their love for the Light of the World, to expend what they have as an offering to the Mashriqu'l Adhar, the dayspring of Thy wide-spread rays and the proclaimer of Thine evidences, help Thou, both in this world and the world to come, these reghteous, these upright and pious ones to draw ever nearer to Thy sacred Threshold, and make bright their faces with Thy dazzling splendors.
Verily art Thou the Generous, the Ever-Bestowing."

Abdu'l Baha

The Ridwan Festival

In April 1863, before leaving Baghdad, Bahá'u'lláh and His companions camped in a garden on the banks of the Tigris River. From 21 April to 2 May, Bahá'u'lláh shared with those Bábis in His company that He was the Promised One foretold by the Báb--foretold, indeed, in all the world's scriptures.

The garden became known as the Garden of Ridwan, which indicates "paradise" in Arabic. The anniversary of the twelve days spent there are celebrated in the Bahá'í world as the most joyous of holidays, known as the Ridwan Festival.

On 3 May 1863, Bahá'u'lláh rode out of Baghdad, on His way to Constantinople, the imperial capital, accompanied by His family and selected companions. He had become an immensely popular and cherished figure. Eyewitnesses described the departure in moving terms, noting the tears of many scholars, government officials and onlookers and the honor paid to Him by the authorities. After four months in Constantinople, Bahá'u'lláh was sent as a virtual state prisoner to Adrianople (modern Edirne), arriving there on 2 December 1863. During the five years He spent there, Bahá'u'lláh's reputation continued to grow, attracting the intense interest of scholars, government officials and diplomats.

He refers to His Declaration as “the Day of supreme felicity” and He describes the Garden of Ridwán as “the Spot from which He shed upon the whole of creation the splendours of His Name, the All-Merciful”.

The Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh is celebrated annually by the twelve-day Ridwán Festival, described by Shoghi Effendi as “the holiest and most significant of all Bahá’í festivals”

Baha'u'llah called Ridwan the Most Great Festival and the King of Festivals. He said:

"Call ye to mind, O people, the bounty which God hath conferred upon you. Ye were sunk in slumber, and lo! He aroused you by the reviving breezes of His Revelation, and made known unto you His manifest and undeviating Path"

Baha'is elect Universal House of Justice

April 30, 2008

HAIFA, Israel — The results of the election of the nine members of the Universal House of Justice, the governing body of the Baha’i Faith, have been announced.

Delegates to the Tenth International Baha’i Convention cast ballots yesterday for membership in the council that serves as the head of the religion.

Those elected are Farzam Arbab, Kiser Barnes, Peter Khan, Hooper Dunbar, Firaydoun Javaheri, Paul Lample, Payman Mohajer, Shahriar Razavi, and Gustavo Correa.
Members are elected for five-year terms.

The Universal House of Justice has its permanent seat at the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Membership requires residence in Haifa.

Any Baha’i male age 21 and over is eligible for election. Both women and men are eligible for election or appointment to all other Baha’i institutions.

In His teachings, Baha’u’llah provided for the elected institution of the Universal House of Justice, which gives a continuing source of divine authority to guide the worldwide Baha’i community and to legislate on matters not spelled out in the Baha’i sacred writings.

The delegates that voted in the election are themselves members of national Baha’i governing bodies from around the world. They were chosen in earlier elections in their own countries.

The Baha’i Faith, which has more than 5 million followers, is established in almost every nation.

لوح الرضوان Beautiful Arabic Chant of Ridvan Tablet

الدين البهائي

ما هو الدين البهائي؟

الدين البهائي هو دين عالمي، هدفه وحدة الجنس البشري.

يؤمن البهائيون أتباع حضرة بهاء الله، بأن حضرته هو موعود كل الأزمنة

كما نعلم أنّ تاريخ جميع الشعوب تقريباً يتضمن الوعد بمستقبل يعمّ فيه السلام والوفاق على سطح الأرض ويعيش الجنس البشري في ازدهار.

يؤمن البهائيون بأن ساعة (الميعاد) قد جاءت وأن حضرة بهاء الله هو الشخصية البارزة العظيمة الذي جاء بتعاليمه ليمكّن البشرية من بناء عالم جديد

:يتفضل حضرة بهاء الله

والذي جعله الله الدرياق الأعظم و السبب الأتم لصحته هو اتحاد من على الأرض على أمر واحد وشريعة واحدة

الله هو ذات غيب منيع
أول تعاليم حضرة بهاء الله أن الله هو ذات غيب منيع لا يُدرك. وبشكل عام لا يستطيع المخلوق أن يفهم الخالق فعلى سبيل المثال لا تفهم الطاولة طبيعة النجّار الذي صنعها

الحب هو السبب الذي خلقنا من أجله

ومع أن كنه وجود الله هو بعيد كل البعد عن مستوى إدراكنا، إلا أن محبته تلمس وجودنا باستمرار، فيتفضل حضرة بهاء الله قائلا

"يا ابن الإنسان أحببت خلقك فخلقتك فأحببني كي أذكرك و في روح الحياة أثبتك"

الفيض الإلهي لا ينقطع

إن الطريقة التي تتدفق بها هذه المحبة نحونا هي بواسطة عهده و ميثاقه الأبدي، فان الله لا يتركنا أبدا و شأننا و بدون أية هداية. فكلما تبعد البشرية عن الله و تنسى تعاليمه، يظهر مظهر كلي الهي.

المظهر الإلهي
ان المظاهر الإلهية هي تلك النفوس المتميزة التي تظهر كلمة وإرادة الله ولذلك عندما نصغي إليهم، فإننا نستجيب لنداء الله.
وعلي سبيل المثال إن الشمس هي مظهر الدفء والنور والتي بدونها لن تكون هناك حياة على هذا الكوكب.أن الشمس بذاتها لا تهبط على الأرض، وإذا ما حاولنا الوصول إليها، فإننا سنُستهلك كاملا،ً لكن لنفرض أننا أخذنا مرآة نظيفة لامعة، ووجّهناها نحو الشمس، سنرى فيها صورة الشمس أن المظاهر الإلهية هم كالمرايا الكاملة الصفات والتي تعكس نور الله بكل بهائه وتجليه هذه النفوس الكاملة تأتي إلينا من حين إلي أخر تعيش بيننا، تقوم بهدايتنا وتمدنا بالطاقة التي نحتاجها لكي نتقدم ماديا وروحانيا

حضرة بهاء الله هو المظهر الإلهي لهذا العصر
وحضرة بهاء الله هو مظهر إلهي ، تتوافق تعاليمه توافقا وانسجاما كاملا مع المظاهر الإلهية السابقة مثل سيدنا محمد والسيد المسيح .. ولكنها تتمشى وحالة البشرية اليوم. وإذا فكرنا فيما تعاني منه البشرية اليوم فإننا يمكن أن نتفق علي أن هناك مظهرا إلهيا قد ظهر. ومن كتابات حضرة بهاء الله التي تتحدث عن هذا اليوم الذي نعيشه

إن هذا اليوم هو يوم الفضل الأعظم و الفيض الأكبر، على جميع أهل العالم أن يُصلحوا فيما بينهم من اختلافات، وفي غاية الوحدة والسلام وبكمال الإتحاد والاتفاق أن يسكنوا ويستريحوا في ظلّ سدرة العناية الإلهية

الهدف من الدين البهائي، هو توحيد الجنس البشري
من تعاليم حضرة بهاء الله هي تلك المتعلقة بالهدف من الدين البهائي، ألا و هو توحيد الجنس البشري
"كلكم أثمار شجرة واحدة وأوراق غصن واحد"
تُشبّه الإنسانية بحديقة واسعة تنمو فيها أزهار صفوفاً من كل شكل ولون ورائحة. إن سحر وجمال الحديقة يكمُن في هذا التنوع. يجب علينا أن نرى أفراد الجنس البشري كالأزهار الجميلة التي تنمو في حديقة البشرية وأن نفرح لانتمائنا لهذه الحديقة.يُقال أنه إذا وردت فكرة حرب في أذهاننا علينا فوراً أن نستبدلها بفكرة سِلم.وعندما ينتاب قلوبنا الشعور بالكراهية، علينا فوراً أن نستبدله بإحساس بالمحبة.علينا أن نفعل كل ما في وسعنا للتغلب على تعصباتنا: تعصب العِرق، اللون، الجنسية، الثقافة، الدين والجنس.هناك فقرات كثيرة في الآثار البهائية تعلمنا كيف نسير في طرق الوحدة وكيف نساعد الآخرين لأخذ نفس المسار. ففي خطاب لحضرة عبد البهاء وهو أبن حضرة بهاء الله يتفضل حضرته

إن حضرة بهاء الله وضع أساس الصلح العام ورفع نداء وحدة العالم الإنساني، وجمع بني البشر في خيمة الوحدة العالمية. إن هذا تأييد إلهي ويجب علينا أن نسعى بالقلب والروح حتى نحصل على الوحدة الحقيقية بيننا، وستمنح لنا القوة بينما نحن نتابع المسيرة

من المبادئ البهائية

الدين حياة العالم الانساني وحصنه الحصين
اساس كل الاديان واحد كلها من عند الله
اتفاق الدين والعلم
وجوب الاستفاضة من فيوضات الروح القدس( أى تعاليم الله) حتى تتأسس المدنية الروحانية
الدين سبب الالفة والاتحاد بين جميع البشر
وجوب تحري الحقيقة والبعد عن الآراء المسبقة والتحيز والتحامل
وحدة العالم الانساني
نبذ ومحو التعصبات بجميع انواعها فهي سبب شقاء العالم الانساني
المعاشرة مع اهل الاديان بالروح والريحان
حرية الانسان ونجاته في التخلص من اسر عالم الطبيعة
تعميم التربية والتعليم بين جميع البشر
المساواه بين الرجال والنساء في الحقوق والواجبات
المساواة بين البشرفجميعهم قد خلقهم الله
وجوب الاحتراف والاشتغال بمهنة من المهن
حل المشكلة الاقتصادية وازالة الهوة السحيقة بين الغنى الفاحش والفقر المدقع
تحريم الاشتغال بالسياسة ،مع الولاء التام لحكومة الوطن
الفصل والتفريق بين السياسة والدين
تأسيس السلام العام المبنى على العدل والانصاف
ضرورة ايجاد لغة وخط عالميين بجانب اللغة الاصلية لكل بلد

The Baha'i House of Worship - Chicago Tribune - March 27,2008

Even if you're completely broke, you can always enjoy the view from this village's lakefront parks.

Baha'i House of Worship

100 Linden Avenue, Wilmette;

One of the most arresting pieces of architecture in the Chicago area is the nine-sided, domed Baha'i temple, one of only seven in the world.

Free and open to the public every day of the year; the temple has an informative visitor's center and the awe-inspiring Auditorium.

Prayer for Mashriqu'l-Adhkar

"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.

O God! Send down Thy divine increase on whosoever endeavoreth to serve this edifice and exerteth himself to raise it amongst the kindreds and religions of the world. Confirm him in every good deed in promoting the welfare of mankind. Open Thou the doors of wealth and abundance unto him and make him an heir to the treasures of the Kingdom, which perish not. Make him a sign of Thy bestowals among the peoples and reinforce him by the sea of Thy generosity and bounty, surging with waves of Thy grace and favor. Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Merciful and the Bountiful.

Abdu'l Baha, Baha'i Prayers

الصّيام .. أيام للتعبد والتأمل

تتألف السنة البهائية من تسعة عشر شهرا، كل شهر منها تسعة عشر يوما سُميت على أسماء صفات الله فالشهر الاول يسمى شهر البهاء، ثم يليه شهر الجلال ،فالجمال، ثم ...الخ. الى ان نصل الى الشهر التاسع عشر (شهر العلا) وهو شهر الصوم. ويقع عادة في الفترة ما بين(2-20) من شهر (مارس) ويبدأ شهر العلا عقب أعياد أيام الهاء مباشرة وينتهي بعيد النيروز

وخلال هذه الأيّام التّسعةعشر يكون الصّيام بالامتناع عن الأكل والشّرب من الشّروق حتّى الغروب. وحيث أنّ شهر الصّيام ينتهي بيوم الاعتدال الرّبيعي في (مارس) فإنّ الصّيام يقع دائمًا في نفس الفصل وهو الرّبيع في نصف الكرة الشّمالي والخريف في نصف الكرة الجنوبي، فلا هو بواقع في حرارة الصّيف الشّديدة ولا في برودة الشّتاء القاسية ممّا يجعل الصّيام شاقًّا. وبالإضافة إلى هذا ففي هذا الفصل تكون الفترة بين الشّروق والغروب متساوية تقريبًا في جميع أنحاء المعمورة أي من السّاعة السّادسة صباحاً حتّى السّاعة السّادسة مساءً

يا قلم الاعلى قل ياملأ الانشاء قد كتبنا عليكم الصّيام ايامًا معدودات وجعلنا النيروز عيدًا لكم بعد اكمالها كذلك اضاءت شمس البيان من افق الكتاب من لدن مالك المبدء والمآب
( حضرة بهاء الله – الكتاب الاقدس، فقرة 16)

هذه حدود الله التي رقمت من القلم الاعلى في الزبر والالواح. تمسكوا باوامر الله واحكامه ولا تكونوا من الذين اخذوا اصول انفسهم ونبذوا اصول الله ورائهم بما اتبعوا الظنون والاوهام. كفّوا انفسكم عن الاكل والشّرب من الطّلوع إلى الافول، ايّاكم ان يمنعكم الهوى عن هذا الفضل الّذي قدّر في الكتاب
( حضرة بهاء الله – الكتاب الاقدس، فقرة 17)

والصوم مفروض على كل بهائي وبهائية من سن الخامسة عشرة إلى بلوغ سن السبعين. الا انه ليس مفروضًا على الأطفال والمرضى والمسافرين والشّيوخ والعجزة والحوامل والمرضعات

ليس على المسافر والمريض والحامل والمرضع من حرج عفا الله عنهم فضلا من عنده انه لهو العزيز الوهاب
( حضرة بهاء الله – الكتاب الاقدس، فقرة 16)

المدلولات الروحانية للصوم

أنّ مثل هذا الصّيام السّنوي المفروض بموجب الأحكام البهائيّة نافع صحيًّا. وحيث أنّ حقيقة الصّيام البهائيّ ليست في الإمساك عن الطّعام المادي بل في ذكر الله الّذي هو الطّعام الرّوحانيّ لذا فحقيقة الصّيام البهائيّ لا تقتصر على الامتناع عن الطّعام المادي الّذي يساعد على تطهير الجسد ولكنّه يوجّه النفوس إلى الانقطاع عمّا سوى الله

ان الصيام يسبب علوّا في المقام الروحاني للانسان
(حضرة عبدالبهاء - اهمية الصلاة والصوم، ص 21)

الصيام يؤدي إلى تنبّه الانسان وتذكّره فيصبح القلب رقيقا وتزداد روحانية الانسان بحيث يصبح فكره منحصرا في الذكر الالهي. من هذه الحالة يزداد الرقي المعنوي للانسان
(حضرة عبدالبهاء - مائده اسماني، الجزء 9، ص 27)

"الصّيام رمز. الصّيام يعني الامتناع عن الشّهوات. الصّيام المادي رمز عن ذلك الامتناع وشيء يذكّر الصّائم به. بمعنى أنّ الإنسان عندما يمتنع عن الشّهوات الماديّة عليه أنْ يمتنعَ عن الشّهوات النفسيّة والنّزوات، لكنْ مجرّد الامتناع عن الطّعام لا تأثير له على الرّوح بل إنّه مجرّد رمز وشيء يذكر. وبدون هذا لا أهميّة له. فالصّيام لهذا الهدف لا يعني الامتناع التّام عن الطّعام. بل القاعدة الذّهبيّة الخاصّة بالطّعام هي أنْ لا يأكل المرء كثيرًا ولا يأكل قليلاً. فالاعتدال ضروريّ. وهناك في الهند طائفة تمسك عن الطّعام أقصى إمساك وتقلّل طعامها تدريجيًّا إلى أنْ تصلَ بالعيش على لا شيء تقريبًا، وهذا يؤثّر كثيرًا على ذكائها. ولنْ يكونَ المرء أهلاً لخدمة الله بعقل ضعيف وجسد ضعيف قد أضعفهما الامتناع عن الطّعام فصار لا يستطيع رؤية الأمور رؤية واضحة
(حضرة عبدالبهاء)

:بيّن حضرة شوقي افندي أن أيام الصوم هي

في الأساس أيام للتعبد والتأمل، وفترة لتجديد القوى الروحانية، وعلى المؤمن أن يسعى أثناءها لتقويم وجدانه، وإنعاش القوى الروحية الكامنة في ذاته. ولذلك فأهمية هذه الفترة وغايتها أساسا روحانية، فالصوم ذكرى للصائم ويرمز للكفّ عن الأنانية، والشهوات الجسدية

اهمية اطاعة الاحكام الالهية

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)

خذ الصلاة والصوم، ان الدين سماء، والصوم شمسها والصلاة قمرها. وانها لعمود الدين وبها يظهر المطيع والعاصي
(حضرة بهاء الله)

في عالم العبادة يعتبر الصوم والصلاة اعظم ركنين لشريعة الله. لا يجوز الفتور فيهما ابدًا ولا يليق التقصير بهما
(حضرة عبد البهاء - اهمية الصلاة والصوم، ص 12)

Prayer for Mashriq Al Adhkar

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! "

Abdu'l Baha

Mother Temple of the West ~ A Meditation

Mashriq Aladkhar

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

طوبى لمن توجّه الى مشرق الاذكار في الاسحار ذاكراً متذكّراً مستغفراً واذا دخل يقعد صامتا لاصغآء ايات الله الملك العزيز الحميد.قل مشرق الاذكار انّه كلّ بيت بني لذكري في المدن والقرى كذلك سمّي لدى العرش ان انتم من العارفين. والذين يتلون آيات الرحمن باحسن الالحان اولئك يدركون منها مالايعادله ملكوت ملك السموات والارضين. وبها يجدون عرف عوالمي التى لايعرفها اليوم الا من اوتي البصر من هذا المنظر الكريم. قل انها تجذب القلوب الصافية الى العوالم الروحانية التي لاتعبر بالعبارة ولا تشار بالاشارة طوبى للسامعين

حضرة بهاء الله – كتاب الاقدس – فقرة 115/116 - ص68


“O people of the world! Build ye houses of worship throughout the lands in the name of Him Who is the Lord of all religions. Make them as perfect as is possible in the world of being, and adorn them with that which befitteth them, not with images and effigies. Then with radiance and joy, celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate. Verily, by His remembrance the eye is cheered and the heart is filled with light."

Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab Alaqdas p. 29 Translation from Arabic

يا ملأ الانشآء عمّروا بيوتاً باكمل ما يمكن في الامكان باسم مالك الاديان في البلدان وزيّنوها بما ينبغي لها لا بالصّور والامثال. ثمّ اذكروا فيها ربّكم الرّحمن بالرّوح والرّيحان الا بذكره تستنير الصّدور وتقرّ الابصار

حضرة بهاء الله – كتاب الاقدس -فقرة31 – ص19

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

Rainn Wilson

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 Live the Life

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