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BOOK 2
INTRODUCING BAHA'I BELIEFS SECTION
6:
Life of
Baha'u'llah
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At times, you will need to speak briefly about Baha'u'llah's life and
Mission; the
following passage will assist you in doing so:
About 150 years ago, Baha'u'llah appeared in Persia and devoted
Himself to the
upliftment and education of the people. He proclaimed the oneness of
the world of
humanity and taught that all are created and nourished by the one
loving and
merciful God. He promoted principles such as the equality of men and
women, the
abolition of prejudices, the agreement between science and religion,
and the need for
universal education.
The kings of the East and the priesthood of Persia arose against Him,
for they did
not find their personal interests advanced by His Teachings. He was
persecuted,
mocked and put in chains. In Persia, His properties and possessions
were taken
away. First, there was banishment from Persia to Baghdad, then to
Constantinople,
then to Adrianople, finally to the prison-fortress of 'Akka.
Throughout all these ordeals, He was cheerful. His enemies made every
effort to lessen His greatness, but His fame grew day by day. Surrounded by
enemies. He did
nothing to protect Himself; on the contrary, in His spiritual might
and power He was
at all times visible before the faces of men.
During His lifetime He was intensely active. His energy was unlimited.
Scarcely one
right was passed in restful sleep. He suffered in order that
selflessness and service
should be made manifest in the world of humanity, that the Most Great
Peace should
be established, that human faith should be strengthened, that the
human mind might
be developed to its fullest capacity, and that man might become the
reflection and
likeness of God. Baha'u'llah was truly a Manifestation of God and a
Universal
Educator of humanity.
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As always,
read the passage several times in your group, paragraph by paragraph,
and ask one another questions until you learn the content well and can
present it in
your own words. |
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In the
list of topics of conversation below, mark those which you feel are
most
suitable for the introduction of a short account of Baha'u'llah's life.
Discuss in your
group how you would introduce this subject into the conversation.
___ Human rights
___ The lack of justice in the world today
____ The situation in the Middle East
____ Great figures in history
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How
would you respond if someone asked you the following question: "Why do
we
need Baha'u'llah, when we already have the Teachings of the
Manifestations that
came before Him?"
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It is
suggested that you memorize the following passages so that you can
quote them when you speak of Baha'u'llah:
"The Eternal Truth is now come. He hath
lifted up the Ensign of Power, and is now shedding upon the world the
unclouded splendor of His Revelation."
"He it is Who is the Manifestation of Him Who is the Unknowable, the
Invisible of the Invisibles, could ye but perceive it."
"This is the Day whereon the All-Merciful hath come down in the clouds
of knowledge, clothed with manifest sovereignty." |
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