Baha'i Faith: An Introduction for Beginners By Catherine Beyer, About.com

The Baha’i Faith is a monotheistic religion that emerged in the nineteenth century. It puts forward that many major religions in the world today are part of a progressive revelation from God, and it considers such diverse figures as Krishna, Zoroaster, Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad to be divine messengers sent by God to guide the world’s spiritual development.
Baha’is emphasize unity among all of mankind and strive for a united world society. In working toward this goal, the Baha’is vigorously engage in social programs and education that promote racial and gender equality, religious tolerance, environmental responsibility, and improved economies for those in need.
Baha’is consider their faith to be separate and independent from other faiths, although its most prominent influence is Shi’a Islam.


Origins

Siyyid Ali-Muhammad set down the foundations of the Baha’i Faith in 1844 by proclaiming himself as a messenger of God and predicting the arrival of a greater messenger. Siyyid became known as the Bab, which is Arabic for "Gate". The Bab’s teachings were considered heretical in Islamic Persia (Islam specifically teaches that Mohammad is both the greatest and the last of God’s messengers), and he was executed in 1850.
In 1852, a Babi follower named Mirza Husayn Ali, also known as Baha’u’llah ("The Glory of God"), had a revelation while in prison that he is the foretold messenger. The next year he publicly announces this fact and takes control of the movement, which gains its present name, the Baha’i Faith.


Basic Beliefs

A Single, All-Powerful, Indivisible God.
The Baha’i Faith is monotheistic. There is a single, limitless deity who knows all and is in all places. He is so great that no single person or religion can fully understand him, which is why messengers have revealed varying aspects of his totality through the ages and why different religions have differing ideas about him.
God has no form, as defining a form for him would limit him. Baha’is recognize anthropomorphic descriptions and images of God to be people’s way of attempting to relate to and understand an entity ultimately beyond full human comprehension.
God is also indivisible. The Christian concept of the trinity is considered either metaphorical or erroneous. Polytheism is contrary to the Baha’i Faith, and it is generally accepted that no messenger taught polytheism.


Manifestations of God

God manifests himself through his messengers, who possess both mortal and divine qualities, although they are not identical to God nor considered a portion of God. Some Baha’is compare the Manifestations of God to mirrors, reflecting the light of God onto the world. God has sent many messengers in a system of evolving revelation to mankind, each appropriate for the specific time and place.


Intrinsic Equal Value Of All Human Life

God created all humans, so all are equally gifted. Baha’is are strong supporters of equal treatment for women and minorities. The unification of humankind is considered a primary goal to Baha’is.


Importance of Education

Bahai’s strive toward a goal of universal education in both religious and secular matters. Positively serving humanity is considered a duty for everyone, and education is the best path for preparing people to better society.


Narrowing The Gap Between Rich And Poor

The widening golf between the extremes of wealth and poverty are of great concern to Baha’is. Baha’i groups provide care for the less fortunate in a number of ways, including charity, education, and activism.


Holidays and Celebrations

The Baha’i calendar starts at sunset on March 20 in order to roughly correspond with the spring equinox.. This day is referred to as Naw-Ruz, the same as for Zoroastrians, another religion originating in Persia. Naw-Ruz is one of eleven holy days, the others being:
· First day of Ridvan, April 21 - Ridvan celebrates Baha'u'llah’s announcement of revelation
· Ninth day of Ridvan, April 29
· Twelfth day of Ridvan, May 2
· Declaration of the Bab, May 23 – Celebrating the day of the Bab’s revelation
· Ascension of Baha'u'llah, May 29
· Martyrdom of the Bab, July 9
· Birth of the Bab, October 20
· Birth of Baha'u'llah, November 12
· Day of the Covenant, November 26 - Celebrating Baha'u'llah’s son’s, Abdu’l-Baha, ascension to the head of the Baha’i church
· Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha, November 28 – Recognizing the day of Abdu’l-Baha’s death


Elsewhere on the Web

Baha'i Faith Official Website
Baha'i Online Library

Teachings of the Bahai Faith

The Baha'i Faith is the most recent Religion of God. The Manifestation or Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith is Baha'u'llah, which is a title meaning Glory of God. Some of the principles of the Baha'i Faith are:

· Oneness of God
· Oneness of His Manifestations
· Oneness of Mankind
· Unity of Religion
· Unity in Diversity
· Universal Peace
· Universal Education (Compulsory Education)
· Equality of Men and Women
· Universal Auxiliary Language
· Abolishment of all forms of prejudice
· Globalization (World Government)
· Religion and Science must be in accordance with each other
· Spiritual solutions for Economic problems
· Independent Investigation of Truth

"Baha'u'llah emphasizes the fundamental obligation of human beings to acquire knowledge with their "own eyes and not through the eyes of others." One of the main sources of conflict in the world today is the fact that many people blindly and uncritically follow various traditions, movements, and opinions. God has given each human being a mind and the capacity to differentiate truth from falsehood. If individuals fail to use their reasoning capacities and choose instead to accept without question certain opinions and ideas, either out of admiration for or fear of those who hold them, then they are neglecting their basic moral responsibility as human beings. Moreover, when people act in this way, they often become attached to some particular opinion or tradition and thus intolerant of those who do not share it. Such attachments can, in turn, lead to conflict. History has witnessed conflict and even bloodshed over slight alterations in religious practice, or a minor change in the interpretation of doctrine. Personal search for truth enables the individual to know why he or she adheres to a given ideology or doctrine.
Bahá'ís believe that, as there is only one reality, all people will gradually discover its different facets and will ultimately come to common understanding and unity, provided they sincerely seek after truth. In this connection, 'Abdu'l-Bahá said:

Being one, truth cannot be divided, and the differences that appear to exist among the many nations only result from their attachment to prejudice. If only men would search out truth, they would find themselves united.

~ 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 129.

And further:

The fact that we imagine ourselves to be right and everybody else wrong is the greatest of all obstacles in the path towards unity, and unity is necessary if we would reach truth, for truth is one.

~ 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 136."

Source for last paragraph and quotes: http://info.bahai.org/article-1-3-2-17.html

You can go to www.bahai.com for more information concerning the Baha'i Faith.

Insights on the meaning of struggle in life

In the days of old an instinct for warfare was developed in the struggle with wild animals; this is no longer necessary; nay, rather, co-operation and mutual understanding are seen to produce the greatest welfare of mankind. Enmity is now the result of prejudice only.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 19


In former days, in the time of the Buddha and Zoroaster, civilization in Asia and in the East was very much higher than in the West and ideas and thoughts of the Eastern peoples were much in advance of, and nearer to the thoughts of God than those of the West. But since that time superstitions had crept into the religion and ideals of the East, and from many differing causes the ideals and characters of the Eastern peoples had gone down and down, lower and lower, while the Western peoples had been constantly advancing and struggling towards the Light. Consequently, in these days, the civilization of the West was much higher than that of the East, and the ideas and thoughts of the people of the West were much nearer to the thought of God than those of the East. Therefore, the ideals of Bahá'u'lláh had been more quickly realized in the West.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 69


Everything is transformed. The existing government of France cannot adapt itself to the requirements of the middle ages. As everything evolves, so also does religion - as witness the doctrines that are losing their influence today. All religious rites and ceremonies, when adhered to, become the cause of destruction and struggle. Look at the war in the Balkans. Can you imagine anything more terrible? Men have arisen against their brothers and both armies think they act in accordance with principle. If each side would put into practice the true principles of its own religion, there could be no further strife.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 67


We make a differentiation in these subjects. When we speak of the soul we mean the motive power of this physical body which lives under its entire control in accordance with its dictates. If the soul identifies itself with the material world it remains dark, for in the natural world there is corruption, aggression, struggles for existence, greed, darkness, transgression and vice. If the soul remains in this station and moves along these paths it will be the recipient of this darkness; but if it becomes the recipient of the graces of the world of mind, its darkness will be transformed into light, its tyranny into justice, its ignorance into wisdom, its aggression into loving kindness; until it reach the apex. Then there will not remain any struggle for existence. Man will become free from egotism; he will be released from the material world; he will become the personification of justice and virtue, for a sanctified soul illumines humanity and is an honor to mankind, conferring life upon the children of men and suffering all nations to attain to the station of perfect unity. Therefore, we can apply the name "holy soul" to such a one.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 120


During these six thousand years the world of humanity has not been free from war, strife, murder and bloodthirstiness. In every period war has been waged in one country or another, and that war was due to either religious prejudice, racial prejudice, political prejudice or patriotic prejudice. It has, therefore, been ascertained and proved that all prejudices are destructive of the human edifice. As long as these prejudices persist, the struggle for existence must remain dominant, and bloodthirstiness and rapacity continue. Therefore, even as was the case in the past, the world of humanity cannot be saved from the darkness of nature, and cannot attain illumination, except through the abandonment of prejudices and the acquisition of the morals of the Kingdom...

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 29


And among the teachings of His Holiness Bahá'u'lláh is man's freedom: that through the Ideal Power he should be emancipated and free from the captivity of the world of nature; for as long as man is captive to nature he is a ferocious animal, as the struggle for existence is one of the exigencies of the world of nature. This matter of the struggle for existence is the fountain-head of all calamities, and is the supreme affliction.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 30


His Holiness Bahá'u'lláh has given instructions regarding every one of the questions confronting humanity. He has given teachings and instructions with regard to every one of the problems with which man struggles. Among them are (the teachings) concerning the question of economics that all the members of the body politic may enjoy through the working out of this solution the greatest happiness, welfare and comfort without any harm or injury attacking the general order of things. Thereby no difference or dissension will occur. No sedition or contention will take place. This solution is this:

First and foremost is the principle that to all the members of the body politic shall be given the greatest achievements of the world of humanity. Each one shall have the utmost welfare and well-being. To solve this problem we must begin with the farmer; there will we lay a foundation for system and order because the peasant class and the agricultural class exceed other classes in the importance of their service. In every village there must be established a general storehouse which will have a number of revenues.

The first revenue will be that of the tenth or tithes.

The second revenue (will be derived) from the animals.

The third revenue, from the minerals, that is to say, every mine prospected or discovered, a third thereof will go to this vast storehouse.

The fourth is this: whosoever dies without leaving any heirs all his heritage will go to the general storehouse.

Fifth, if any treasures shall be found on the land they should be devoted to this storehouse.

All these revenues will be assembled in this storehouse.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 39


Concerning the methods to be adopted for the realization of your urgent task, Shoghi Effendi approves of the suggestion that some business firms open branches in new districts and thus provide Bahá'í settlement by this means. However, he feels that this will not be enough, and that all the Spiritual Assemblies, as well as each individual believer, should rally to this great opportunity which, indeed, may not again be presented to them, of spreading the Faith through the length and breadth of India while they are still in a position to do so. The world is day by day becoming increasingly involved in this cataclysmic struggle, but so far the Bahá'ís of India, Australia, New Zealand and the American continents have not felt either the dangers or the restrictions imposed on less fortunate communities which find themselves either over-run and temporarily eclipsed, or in the actual theatre of war. Therefore the believers of India should not allow these truly priceless days to slip by without exerting themselves to the utmost and sacrificing comfort, home, and money, to the great duty of giving the Divine Message to the people of their vast country.

Smallness of numbers, lack of skilled teachers, and modesty of means should not discourage or deter them. They must remember the glorious history of the Cause, which, both in East and West, was established by dedicated souls who, for the most part, were neither rich, famous, nor well educated, but whose devotion, zeal and self-sacrifice overcame every obstacle and won miraculous victories for the Faith of God. Such spiritual victories can now be won for India and Burma by the friends. Let them dedicate themselves -- young and old, men and women alike -- and go forth and settle in new districts, travel, and teach in spite of lack of experience, and be assured that Bahá'u'lláh has promised to aid all those who arise in His Name. His strength will sustain them; their own weakness is unimportant.

~ Shoghi Effendi, Dawn of a New Day, p. 89

Baha'u'llah on the life of Jesus

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole/bahai/bhjesu.htm


His Highness Christ called all men to peace and reconciliation and ordered His Holiness Peter to sheath his sword. This was the council and commandment of His Highness Christ.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Letter to Martha Root


"Thou didst begin thy letter with a blessed phrase, saying: 'I am a Christian.' O would that all were truly Christian! It is easy to be a Christian on the tongue, but hard to be a true one. Today some five hundred million souls are Christian, but the real Christian is very rare: he is that soul from whose comely face there shineth the splendour of Christ, and who showeth forth the perfections of the Kingdom; this is a matter of great moment, for to be a Christian is to embody every excellence there is. I hope that thou, too, shalt become a true Christian. Praise thou God that at last, through the divine teachings, thou hast obtained both sight and insight to the highest degree, and hast become firmly rooted in certitude and faith. It is my hope that others as well will achieve illumined eyes and hearing ears, and attain to everlasting life: that these many rivers, each flowing along in diverse and separated beds, will find their way back to the circumambient sea, and merge together and rise up in a single wave of surging oneness; that the unity of truth, through the power of God, will make these illusory differences to vanish away. This is the one essential: for if unity be gained, all other problems will disappear of themselves."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 29

Detachment from all save God

If one is praised and chosen by God, the accusation of all the creatures will cause no loss to him; and if the man is not accepted in the threshold of God, the praise and admiration of all men will be of no use to him.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 158


He walketh the heights of detachment and traverseth the vale of renunciation. His eyes are ever expectant to witness the wonders of God's mercy and eager to behold the splendours of His beauty.

~ Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 29


And when this stage of the journey is completed and the wayfarer hath soared beyond this lofty station, he entereth the City of Divine Unity, and the garden of oneness, and the court of detachment.

~ Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 29