Ayyam-i-Ha (The Intercalary Days)

Happy Ayyam-i-Ha to all the Baha'i Friends

Ayyam-i-Ha ( Intercalary Days) occur between the eighteenth and nineteenth months of the calendar i.e. February 26 to March 1 inclusive. The intercalary days are five in leap year and four in ordinary years. 

O Pen of the Most High! Say: O people of the world! We have enjoined upon you fasting during a brief period, and at its close have designated for you Naw-Rúz as a feast. Thus hath the Day-Star of Utterance shone forth above the horizon of the Book as decreed by Him Who is the Lord of the beginning and the end. Let the days in excess of the months be placed before the month of fasting. We have ordained that these, amid all nights and days, shall be the manifestations of the letter Há, and thus they have not been bounded by the limits of the year and its months. It behoveth the people of Bahá, throughout these days, to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy, and with joy and exultation to hail and glorify their Lord, to sing His praise and magnify His Name; and when they end—these days of giving that precede the season of restraint—let them enter upon the Fast. Thus hath it been ordained by Him Who is the Lord of all mankind. The traveller, the ailing, those who are with child or giving suck, are not bound by the Fast; they have been exempted by God as a token of His grace. He, verily, is the Almighty, the Most Generous.

Baha'u'llah,  Kitab-i-Aqdas

Our Responsibilities in these days

·         To provide hospitality to relatives and brothers and sisters in Faith.

·         To help the poor and needy

·         To glorify Lord

·         To sing praise and magnify the Name of the Lord

·         These days are preparation for the days of fast

We pray for the long life of our beloved Guardian Joel Bray Marangella.

The month of Mulk (Dominion)

The month of Mulk (Dominion) is the nineteen day period beginning February 7.

“Strive then, O My brother, to apprehend this matter, that the veils may be lifted from the face of thy heart and that thou mayest be reckoned among them whom God hath graced with such penetrating vision as to behold the most subtle realities of His dominion, to fathom the mysteries of His kingdom, to perceive the signs of His transcendent Essence in this mortal world, and to attain a station wherein one seeth no distinction amongst His creatures and findeth no flaw in the creation of the heavens and the earth.” 

--Bahá'u'lláh, Gems of Divine Mysteries 

“…that the veils may be lifted from the face of thy heart…” Now, isn’t that interesting? Bahá'u'lláh is asking that we strive to lift the veils from the face of our hearts. I expect that very few of us consider that our hearts have a face. But in spiritual terms, apparently they do. We must remember that all of Bahá'u'lláh’s admonishments and instructions deal with the spirit within. We should also consider that upon leaving this world, as is our destiny, the world beyond is based upon a spiritual existence, a dimension that none of us has the capacity to comprehend or understand while we dwell in our temporal body. There can be no doubt about the existence of another world beyond this one since all the Messengers of the past have told us so, although in the limited terms that humans were able to comprehend at the time. And now, with the Message of Bahá'u'lláh, humans have received a full measure of His knowledge. We may partake of that knowledge by aligning ourselves within an aura of spirituality, a spirituality of God’s definition, not our own.   

So, we must strive to lift the veils from the face of our hearts in order that we may begin an alignment that allows us to behold the most subtle realities of His dominion. According to His message, we may then proceed with the (no doubt lifetime) adventure of grasping His attributes and finally to find no flaw in the creation of the heavens and the earth. Doesn’t the reality of that assignment make your head spin? The words in that sentence from His “Gems of Divine Mystery” could form the basis for a discovery of the Truths that Bahá'u'lláh wants us to understand in order that we may more fully appreciate and enjoy the fruits to be found within His Dominion. If that seems too much for one to accomplish, we need to remind ourselves that His pathway is available to all, whether they come to His Message as an infant, or have already lived several decades.

I expect that the veils of our heart-face are developed from the prejudices we allow into our lives over a period of time. Even if we were fortunate enough to be raised in a Bahá'í family relationship we have prejudices to overcome since we are all fallible creatures. If it were not so there would have been no reason for any of God‘s Messengers to appear. As humans we know that the heart is used as a metaphor when feelings of love, compassion or good deeds is considered, even though it is physically the organ that continuously propels the lifeblood through our bodies. This is a concept that each of us is aware of, whether we consider God in our lives or not. All of us, whether a hardened criminal or the most praiseworthy, follows her heart in most matters, whether they be emotional or materialistic. How often do you reference your heart on a daily basis?

We should also consider the mission of our striving, to “…apprehend this matter…that thou mayest be reckoned among them whom God hath graced with such penetrating vision as to behold the most subtle realities of His dominion…” Bahá'u'lláh may be telling us that the matter at hand is elusive. It must be apprehended. Hmm. Like a thief in the night? Many of us may have already have found that spiritual growth is indeed elusive, something to be apprehended. We all want a spiritual connection with God, that feeling of being personally connected with His will by the thread from His Kingdom to our very souls. Although He does not use the word perfection in this example, He is providing a process that may lead to our realizing the utmost of our spiritual capacity.

And from that may we assume that our striving will provide the beginnings of building a stronger foundation toward understanding His Dominion? The American Heritage dictionary defines dominion as a territory or sphere of influence or control; a realm. Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed that every fixed star has its planets and every planet its creatures. That gives a hint, within human understanding, of the size of His dominion. But I submit that that is probably just the beginning, for when we enter the next world and begin to use the criteria of a more advanced spirituality than we can ever imagine in this life, the mind boggles at what we may encounter there. 

So while we pass through the days of this nineteen day period it is an opportunity for us to turn our hearts toward thoughts of the realm of His Dominion. There is probably a special potency during this month that will allow us to gain a greater insight of His vastness, if we but strive to remove the veils from the face of our hearts, and venture unafraid along newly-brightened spiritual avenues. We may pray with loving thoughts for His assistance during this time, and await with keen anticipation for the love He will extend to us all.

Hand of the Cause of God David Maxwell  

They sent their Big Guns!

Hand of the Cause Marilyn Meyer talks about the time when the Quincy, Illinois Baha'i community accepted Mason Remey as the second Guardian, and how the sans-Guardian organization sent all their big guns to Quincy to try to dissuade them, but they had to give up because they could not refute the arguments in favor of the Guardianship.

Nobody Should Die of Hunger

Bahá’í Faith: Under the Guardianship

The Bahá’í Faith, under the Guardianship, is distinguished by the acceptance of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Son of the Founder of the Faith, as a divinely-conceived, sacred, immutable and immortal Document which delineates the essential Institutions of an unique Administrative Order which, together with the application of the Laws and Principles revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, constitutes the basis for the establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh and a future World Civilization.

This Order was established in embryonic form by Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith during a 36 year ministry. He had been appointed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His Will and Testament, a Document which also provided for the continuity of this Institution as long as the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh endured through a succession of Guardians of the Faith each appointed by his predecessor "in his own lifetime." Sole interpretative authority of Bahá’í Holy Writ has been vested by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Guardians who also serve as the "sacred head and the distinguished member for life" of the Universal House of Justice, the highest legislative organ of the Administrative Order and in this capacity provide "the necessary guidance to define the sphere of the legislative action" of this institution and insure that such subsidiary laws as are enacted by this body are in conformity with the immutable Laws revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in His Most Holy Book. Shoghi Effendi stated that the twin institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice "supplement each other’s authority and functions" are inseparable and are "the twin pillars that support this mighty Administrative Structure."

Unlike sans-Guardian Bahá’ís who believe that the Guardianship ended with the passing of Shoghi Effendi, the Bahá’ís under the living Guardian believe that Shoghi Effendi appointed his successor, Mason Remey, in faithful compliance with the sacred provisions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and that only complete acceptance of him as the second Guardian and the "Center of the Cause"and, in turn, his appointed successor, constitutes fidelity to the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.

Wilmette NSA's Petition Rejected

The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit DENIED the Wilmette NSA's petition for rehearing.  The next step, if the NSA decides to take it, is to file a petition for certiorari with the US Supreme Court.  They have 90 days. After that, the decision is final.

Such stupid petitions puts the Justice of the Baha'i Faith in a ridiculous position. The so-called House of Justice's approval for such actions, questions the sans-guardian's administrative legitimacy.

The Bahá'í Month of Honor

The Bahá'í Month of Honor is the nineteen day period beginning December 31.

“They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration of His praise and glory, such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion. The conversation carried by these holy souls should be informed with such power that these same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its influence. They should conduct themselves in such manner that the earth upon which they tread may never be allowed to address to them such words as these: "I am to be preferred above you. For witness, how patient I am in bearing the burden which the husbandman layeth upon me. I am the instrument that continually imparteth unto all beings the blessings with which He Who is the Source of all grace hath entrusted me. Notwithstanding the honor conferred upon me, and the unnumbered evidences of my wealth--a wealth that supplieth the needs of all creation--behold the measure of my humility, witness with what absolute submissiveness I allow myself to be trodden beneath the feet of men...."

-- Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 7, 8

Only the eloquence of Bahá'u'lláh could permeate the most basic platform of human life with such power and spirituality, to the degree of becoming a reality check for all who would listen. Do not the words of that quote give one pause? I should hope so, since we are living in an age of awareness that has already rallied many humans to recognize that we must alter our destructive and wasteful ways which currently do little to benefit our Planet. In fact, most of our actions have a negative result on the physical qualities of the world we depend upon for life itself. Bahá'ís recognize that the foremost contributing factor to the world’s pollution is humanity’s spiritual shortcomings. While many sound the alarm of global warming, pointing to material solutions as the answer to solve the problem, we know that a change in the hearts of men, as foretold by Bahá'u'lláh, is the only true solution to the physical maladies of global imbalance.

Although I may have read the above quote at some point in my Bahá'í life, I have no recollection of it. When finding it recently, I was struck with its elemental goodness. This very paragraph would be a wonderful place to start for all those who want to do something about their world and themselves. “The conversation carried by these holy souls (remember, it the Baha’is of the world to whom this is addressed) should be informed with such power that these same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its influence.” Did you ever consider that the very earth we trod upon might be thrilled by the spiritual power of our influence? I never had. To me, Bahá'u'lláh is admonishing us in the very basest of terms, the degree that we should all aspire to in our reflection of His Teachings.

Our World’s composure was radically changed by the vibrating influence of Bahá'u'lláh’s Message for this Day, altering the life processes that our fathers and fore-fathers had learned to rely upon. We, as citizens of this recently altered world have not a clue of the magnitude of that alteration. No doubt, many of the Baha’is would find fault with that assessment. But do we really have a clue? Do we really understand the nuances of this Revelation that is the result of the release of 25 Letters of (God’s) Knowledge upon a hapless society? According to Holy Writ, the entire Adamic Cycle had released only two of those Letters. Along with the release of those 25 remaining Letters, humans became endowed with the capacity to live within the bounds of the marvels of that new presentation. I would presently opine that although humans will eventually be able to handle the new guidelines, at this point we are in what may be described as an embryonic status of understanding; we will eventually understand the requirements, but only have a glimmering of it now. As children go through succeeding levels of learning before understanding the complexities of life, adults now have new lessons to learn as well.

And so it is with all of us; we must first overcome our fear of water in order to progressively learn how to swim. I submit that meditating upon the enormity of the above paragraph could eventually guide us in the direction of beginning to understand the magnitude of grandeur that has been presented to us, and more importantly, the role that we must all present, to the best of our ability, in our acceptance and furtherance of the principles of this New World Order.

Hand of the Cause of God, Nosrat Bahremand, recently reminded us that we need to understand that believers of Bahá'u'lláh and followers of Bahá'u'lláh are two distinct categories. Do I dare suggest that the above quoted paragraph provides a further distinction for us to be aware of in our quest: that is that we must additionally become students of Bahá'u'lláh, beginning with the most basic truths of This Revelation. Acceptance of Bahá'u'lláh is only the beginning of a completely new avenue of life for us, and we need to begin at the most basic level of understanding to be able to truly comprehend its magnitude.

Hand of the Cause of God David Maxwell

Claims of Neal Chase to the Guardianship of the Bahá'í Faith

Few things are so confusing as the situation of having multiple claimants to the Guardianship of the Bahá'í Faith.  It is straightforward enough to understand that the larger Bahá'í organization has done away with the Guardianship after the death of the first Guardian.  It is very confusing, however, for those who believe that Shoghi Effendi did not fail in his duty, under the explicit provisions of `Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament, to appoint his successor during his lifetime. There are a number of present claimants to the Guardianship. The only thing to do is to carefully consider and assess the arguments put forth by these claimants in a reasonable and rational manner. Read Full Article

A Humiliating Defeat at the Hand of the Faithful Followers of Baha'u'llah under the Guardianship of the third Guardian, Joel B. Marangella

It is really shameful on the part of the bogus UHJ to file a petition in the Court of Appeals to review the case. It looks like that the sans-Guardian organization has lost its mental balance and hence has failed to take any lesson from such a humiliating defeat at the band of the faithful followers of Baha'u'llah under the Guardianship of the third Guardian, Joel B. Marangella. The sans-Guardian organization is built on shifting sand, which with every passing day, is losing its stature.


The NSA-UHJ obviously knew that their case would not be worth anything if it was based on the 1966 trademark ruling so they blatantly attempted to have the previously applied injunction towards Remey’s organization applied to the Orthodox Baha’i Faith. But they failed to prove (twice) that the 1966 ruling applied to the Orthodox Baha’i Faith.

Instead of the bogus UHJ clarifying the matter of the continuation of the Guardianship for its followers, the bogus UHJ is trying to harass the faithful followers of Baha'u'llah with the might of money and power. This is exactly what Hand of Cause, Mr. David Maxwell predicted would occur in one of his letters addressed to the Third International Baha’i Council after our first court victory.

The Indian heterodox Baha’is are wondering how much this NSA-UHJ’s wrong doing is costing them? They are now realizing that the money that they have been paying in the name of Huququllah is being spent in a disastrously destructive manner which has not brought anything other than humiliation for them?

Honestly, the pursuance of this legal case has been obviously embarrassing for all the heterodox Baha’is throughout the world, and especially so for those in India. This unsuccessful outcome is not surprising at all and it has come at a great price to them, both financially and prestige wise. There is already considerable media attention covering the decision which naturally reflects against the heterodox organization. This recent verdict will further focus unfavorable media attention on them.

But the basic question remains and that is: was the sans-Guardian organization unaware:

1-That the law does not allow for terms employed in the public domain to be trademarked or copyrighted. This is why no one can lay claim to the word “Muslim”or “Christian” or the symbol of the Cross, etc. In view of this fact, it is astonishing that the NSA made such a foolish decision to go ahead and waste their time and the funds of the Faith in such a manner.

2-They either had most incompetent legal representation who failed to inform them of this very basic and fundamental legal fact, or they were informed and chose to ignore such advice and forged ahead nevertheless.

The obvious answer to the question is that the this new appeal has been filed by the bogus UHJ, due to compulsion and not by choice. Because they know that the orthodox Baha’is are continuing to ask their basic question about their refusal to accept the continuation of the Guardianship so clearly promised and provided for in the sacred and immutable provisions of the WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ABDU'L-BAHA. The UHJ is well aware that they cannot provide a valid answer to this question so, therefore, it is better to keep the Baha’is busy with the court case.

Y.H. Taylor

Visit of Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand to India - 2

Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand

Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand’s response to the Questions raised by the Orthodox Baha’i Friends during his visit to Mumbai and Vasai on 15th and 16th September 2010. 

4. Why Poverty and caste differences?

He rightly pointed out the reason for poverty and suffering – it being the differences between people in the name of caste, creed, race and color. He said that if people were to recognize humanity as a single unit, equality for mankind as stated in the true sense by the Baha’i’ Faith, then the problems of poverty and suffering would disappear. The second point directed was that education lifts humans to new heights; illiteracy was a disease which affected the people.

5. Please give some information about the court case in USA.

 He briefly gave some information about the Contempt Motion by Wilmette NSA

against Orthodox Baha’i Faith, the ruling of the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division and existing situation that the parties are waiting for the decision of Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in NSA's appeal of decision finding Orthodox Baha’is were not in contempt, and asked the friends to find the complete information presented by the Hand of the Cause Jeffrey Goldberg at True Baha’i Blog:

http://www.truebahai.com/court_case.html

6. Mr. Datta goes to the Ganpati pandal and tries to make the youth aware of the  Baha’i’ Faith.

He replied to this saying that this was a laudatory act. But it should not be in the guise of telling the others that he is Hindu and had come to pray and then trying to convert them. Rather he should never renounce his Faith and when he is questioned about his Faith he should firmly announce his belief in Baha’i Faith. He also pointed out that praying in any form is a way to nearness to God and this does not take one away from the Faith as long as one does not deny his true belief. Beloved Master Abdu’l Baha prayed with the Muslims in the mosques.

November 28: Anniversary of the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

Born on May 23, 1844, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the oldest son of Baha’u’llah.

He passed away in Haifa, Israel, on November 28, 1921.

"O Thou Who art the apple of Mine eye!" Baha’u’llah, in His own handwriting, thus addresses 'Abdu'l-Bahá, "My glory, the ocean of My loving-kindness, the sun of My bounty, the heaven of My mercy rest upon Thee. We pray God to illumine the world through Thy knowledge and wisdom, to ordain for Thee that which will gladden Thine heart and impart consolation to Thine eyes." "The glory of God rest upon Thee," He writes in another Tablet, "and upon whosoever serveth Thee and circleth around Thee. Woe, great woe, betide him that opposeth and injureth Thee. Well is it with him that sweareth fealty to Thee; the fire of hell torment him who is Thine enemy." "We have made Thee a shelter for all mankind," He, in yet another Tablet, affirms, "a shield unto all who are in heaven and on earth, a stronghold for whosoever hath believed in God, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing. God grant that through Thee He may protect them, may enrich and sustain them, that He may inspire Thee with that which shall be a wellspring of wealth unto all created things, an ocean of bounty unto all men, and the dayspring of mercy unto all peoples."

            (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 135)

 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who is the Center of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant  “incarnates an institution for which we can find no parallel whatsoever in any of the world's recognized religious systems, may be said to have closed the Age to which He Himself belonged and opened the one in which we are now laboring. His Will and Testament should thus be regarded as the perpetual, the indissoluble link which the mind of Him Who is the Mystery of God has conceived in order to insure the continuity of the three ages that constitute the component parts of the Baha’i Dispensation.”

                    (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 143)

“It would, however, be helpful and instructive to bear in mind certain basic principles with reference to the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, which, together with the Kitab-i-Aqdas, constitutes the chief depository wherein are enshrined those priceless elements of that Divine Civilization, the establishment of which is the primary mission of the Baha’i Faith.”

                      (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 3)

In His Will and Testament `Abdu'l-Bahá established the institution of the Guardianship as a hereditary office and outlines one of its essential functions as the Interpreter of the Baha’i writings.

We Baha’is pay homage to our living guardian on the day of passing away of our beloved Master, `Abdu'l-Bahá.

A programme is organised at Vasai, Thane district on Sunday 28th November 2010 at 10.00 AM. Mr. Trivedi will be giving a short talk on the life of `Abdu'l-Bahá.

26th November, Blessed Day of the Covenant

“In a letter dictated by Baha’u’llah and addressed by Mirza Aqa Jan, His amanuensis, to 'Abdu'l-Bahá while the latter was on a visit to Beirut, we read the following: 

"Praise be to Him Who hath honored the Land of Ba (Beirut) through the presence of Him round Whom all names revolve. All the atoms of the earth have announced unto all created things that from behind the gate of the Prison-city there hath appeared and above its horizon there hath shone forth the Orb of the beauty of the great, the Most Mighty Branch of God -- His ancient and immutable Mystery -- proceeding on its way to another land. Sorrow, thereby, hath enveloped this Prison-city, whilst another land rejoiceth... Blessed, doubly blessed, is the ground which His footsteps have trodden, the eye that hath been cheered by the beauty of His countenance, the ear that hath been honored by hearkening to His call, the heart that hath tasted the sweetness of His love, the breast that hath dilated through His remembrance, the pen that hath voiced His praise, the scroll that hath borne the testimony of His writings."

“Abdu'l-Bahá, writing in confirmation of the authority conferred upon Him by Baha’u’llah, makes the following statement: 

"In accordance with the explicit text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas Baha’u’llah hath made the Center of the Covenant the Interpreter of His Word -- a Covenant so firm and mighty that from the beginning of time until the present day no religious Dispensation hath produced its like."

               (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 136)

During the Visit of Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand to India

Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand

Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand’s response to the Questions raised by the Orthodox Baha’i Friends during his visit to Mumbai and Vasai on 15th and 16th September 2010.

1. Can we go for the pilgrimage of the Hallowed Shrines in Haifa and Akka?

 Since at the moment the sacred places of the Faith are under the care and control of the bogus UHJ, it would be difficult or impossible for Orthodox Baha’is to visit there because of the animosity and hostility they would show to us. However, there are public sightseeing tours which guide tourists to visit the shrines. No doubt the shrines and sacred sites hold great importance and significance, but in the end it is the faith of the believer that matters. The true shrine to the Manifestation of God rests in the hearts of the faithful.

2. How we can achieve unity of mankind and love amongst people?

 Man started his material journey from a life of savagery to gradual progress in an industrial environment. During the course of this progress, the Manifestations of God appeared to guide humanity to a higher level of spirituality until the appearance of the most complete Manifestation, Baha’u’llah. Baha’u’llah’s Teachings are the mechanisms that make the accomplishment of these objectives become possible.

3.  How to combat stress in every day modern life?

 This was lauded by the Hand of Cause Nosrat’u’llah as a contemporary issue affecting a majority of lives of urban populace. The problem mostly is the result of focusing on material wealth and possessions. The fight to achieve it caused stress and pain, breaking of relations and decrease of love in humanity. However, the solution was simple and as old as time. We had to return to our spiritual roots, look inwards to the soul and understand the superficial cover of material society. To turn towards the Manifestation is surely an antidote to present afflictions. He guided the believers towards the prayer of Baha’u’llah. This enlightened the hearts of the gathering present and was discussed by the faithful after his leaving.

12th November, Birth Anniversary of Baha'u'llah

Celebrating the Birth Anniversary of Baha'u'llah let us think upon collectively on the continuity of the guardianship, walking on the path of the Covenant.
As our living guardian says:

"The distinguishing characterstic of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah is a Covenant which Baha'u'llah made with His followers to preserve and safe-guard the Faith, following His Ascension, from the divisive and baleful effect of varying interpretations which, have plagued the religions of the past and destroyed the unity of their followers. This Covenant embodied in a specific written Testament designated by Him as the Book of His Covenant (Kitab-i-'Ahd) has no parallel in the Scriptures of any previous Dispensation. In this unique Document, Baha'u'llah conferred the mantle of authority upon His Ascension on the shoulders of His son, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Whome He designated as the Center of His Covenant and "The Most Great Branch" Further in the Most Holy Book of His Revelation (Kitab-i-Aqdas) He proclaimed:"When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your Faces towards Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root."
Lest there be any misunderstanding as to the intent of the above quoted passage, Baha'u'llah clarified it in the Book of His Covenant (Kitab-i-'Ahd) in these Words:
"The object of this sacred verse is none other except the most Mighty Branch ('Abdu'l-Baha)."

The Birth of the Báb

Every religion has a herald, or forerunner, to prepare people for the coming of  that great Spiritual Counselor who is periodically sent by God to humankind to foster our spiritual development – that One whose divinely appointed mission it is to remind people to re-focus on what really matters, the eternal human spirit rather than the physical world, and to be helpful, kind, and loving to one another, rather than brutish, selfish and hateful, and to act with regard to one another responsibly and with justice in all aspects of life.
The Báb is that Herald for Bahá’ís – for those who recognize Baha’u'llah as the Creator’s guiding Voice and Spirit for this age. Today the 20^th October, is the anniversary of the Báb’s birth, according to the Gregorian calendar, the date on which He was born in 1819 in the city of Shiráz, Iran.

The National Baha'i Council of Orthodox Baha'is of India, National Teaching Committee and Local Council of Thane and Mumbai extend the hearties greetings to all the Baha'is of the world.
On this special occasion we pray for the long life of beloved living guardian of the Baha'i Faith Joel Bray Marangella.

MONTH OF KNOWLEDGE (ILM)

“Investigate and study the Holy Scriptures word by word so that you may attain the knowledge of the mysteries hidden therein.
The Bahá'í month of ’Ilm (Knowledge) is the nineteen day period beginning October 16.

     When thinking of knowledge, most people may immediately think of the material comforts of modern life. After all it is the knowledge of scientists that has led to the great inventions and myriad products available today that we all take for granted and feel entitled to. A pervasive feeling of “I deserve this” seems to permeate our acceptance of life’s conveniences, with little thought of why we deserve them. Bahá'í Teachings provide a contrary view of our contemporary mood as noted below:
Knowledge of Spiritual Texts
   “Investigate and study the Holy Scriptures word by word so that you may attain the knowledge of the mysteries hidden therein. Be not satisfied with words, but seek to understand the spiritual meanings hidden in the heart of the words….These are the mysteries of God. It is not the reading of the words that profits you; it is the understanding of their meanings. Therefore, pray God that you may be enabled to comprehend the mysteries of the divine Testaments.
     All the texts and teachings of the holy Testaments have intrinsic spiritual meanings. They are not to be taken literally….May your souls be illumined by the light of the Words of God, and may you become repositories of the mysteries of God, for no comfort is greater and no happiness is sweeter than spiritual comprehension of the divine teachings.”  “The Divine Art of Living” pg. 58, Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1986 edition
     When one accepts the Bahá'í Teachings she has already discovered, in her search after truth, that the world is in some sort of transitional phase. Material comforts are accepted by modern society merely as elements of an advancing civilization and nothing more. Of themselves they have not brought any sort of peace, nay, they have brought with their wonders unprecedented bloodshed, greed and imbalance. Since they have evolved largely with ever increasing speed in the last century and a half, a conundrum exists. A person of knowledge may ponder why all this material progress has not brought an aura of peace and comfort as well? The words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’ cry out for an audience; “…for no comfort is greater and no happiness is sweeter than spiritual comprehension of the divine teachings.“
     That is not to say that material wealth is to be avoided. When Baha’u’llah brought His message to humans, it was infused with the potential to develop both the material and the spiritual elements of our lives with the wonders of new capabilities. Material comforts are meant to be enjoyed by all within a prescribed moderation, rather than to encourage a society such as today’s with its materialistic extremes.
     One of the lessons we’ve learned in the last century and a half is that humans are plenty smart in the pursuit of material progress. While the powerful infusion of the Bahá'í Spirit has prompted an unprecedented promotion of the material, its pillar of spirituality has been largely ignored. Yet, the Teachings predominantly emphasize a theme of spirituality, proclaiming a solution for all the world’s ills. There is a spiritual solution for the economic problem; there is a spiritual solution that will lead to the abandonment of warfare; there is a spiritual solution for the elimination of prejudice, even among those who are caught up in the reliving of the prejudices of their fathers and fore-fathers.
     And how does a society become spiritual? One person at a time. A good first step would be for each of us to take to heart such statements as the lead-in to this article suggests: “…All the texts and teachings of the holy Testaments have intrinsic spiritual meanings. They are not to be taken literally….May your souls be illumined by the light of the Words of God, and may you become repositories of the mysteries of God, for no comfort is greater and no happiness is sweeter than spiritual comprehension of the divine teachings.”
     To follow that advice will require modification of the thought processes that most humans pursue. The “past” dictates a common practice for those of faith to try to closely and literally heed the advice of their scriptures, with an understanding that “the spirit” will be taken care of for them by their clergy. Not any more. Not only do the Bahá'í Teachings require that all humans must become educated, but that each person must glean an understanding of the  Holy Scriptures for herself, for, in the New Order, a clergy will be no longer specified.
     Additionally, the deeper one gets into the Writings, the more apparent it becomes that a new mode of participation is expected from its adherents while they are in their life-long search after Truth. On closer look, many of the passages (such as those cited above) request a new concept of study when reading the scriptures. The Mystery beyond the word content of the Writings is such that no matter where a person is in her spiritual development, there is always more to glean from a course of study.
     Could it be that there is a mysterious vibration surrounding the holy words that we presently cannot comprehend?  Since we are only now experiencing the opening chapters of this new world order, “…the likes of which mortal eyes have never witnessed…” it is very probable that human progress will require a new dimension of understanding beyond what we now follow. How else may one explain a future based upon the promise of “…Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”
     As suggested by ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, the pure meaning and purpose of the Bahá'í Writings may only be fully realized when one learns to comprehend the mysteries of the divine Testaments. No doubt, through God’s love, that understanding will lead to the throwing off of prejudices and shackles of the past generations, and reaping the harvest of God‘s will on earth.

David Maxwell   

'Baha'i Faith Incomplete without Guardian'

On September 8, 2010 an interview of the Hand of Cause of God Nosrat'u'llah Bahremand printed on page No.4 in th "Asian Age" Mumbai. There are some mistakes in the report by the reporter. The same is rectified here by the Hand of Cause of God Nosrat'u'llah Bahremand in his letter to Hand of Cause of God Dr. Parikh, which I am posting for the readers.
Rajendra.
____________________________________________________________________________

Dear Dr. Parikh,
Thank you very much for your email. The efforts of the Indian friends is praiseworthy. I saw the newspaper's report with pleasure. There are some mistakes and misrepresentations in the report which may cause confusion and misunderstanding among the non-believers and heterodox Baha'is as, for example: Naming Abdu'l Baha, "the founder of the religion" and the erroneous statement: "12 principals laid down by the first guardian" and in reference to the heterodox Baha'is: "they are the followers and lovers of.." while we know that Baha'u'llah is the Founder of the Baha'i Faith and the 12 Principals were revealed by Him, and we should consider the heterodox Baha'is as believers not "followers" of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l Baha.

I can appreciate the hardship in summarising what I have said by the reporter due to his inadequate knowledge of the Faith and welcome any attempt that you may make or our friend, to obtain corrections.
With best wishes and regards,

Nosrat

The Baha'i Month of Mashiyyat (Will)

In today’s world, it is apparent that everyone of us has some concept of God being present in our activities, and usually the rationalization of an individual’s activities depends upon God’s will being involved.

The Bahá'í month of Mashiyyat (Will) is observed from September 27.


In thinking of God’s will, the phrase “…the will of God…” or “…God willing…“ has become something heard daily in the English language. Those words are frequently used by the news media, particularly in the event of tragedy, or in the suppositions of future events. Even those who don’t seem to spend much time in some sort of worship use them freely.

The Bahá'í Faith’s advent into the world some 160 years ago has caused great change in all human activity. Its parameters have forced the world into a mode of transition. Although its fragrances are ready and waiting for all of us, humans are generally unaware of its existence. As a result, the world is now jousting between the influences of the religions of the past, and “…this new world Order, the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed…”

Christians evoke God’s will comfortably through their almost ritual-like use of the Lord’s Prayer over and over again. Its phrase “…Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” provides them much comfort. Perhaps most believe that when His Kingdom comes, universal peace and harmony will happen with little to no effort required of them. As Baha’is, we understand that magical moments such as that occur only in myth. We know that the heavenly Kingdom, through God’s will, arrived in 1844 with the advent of the Báb. The world has been in warfare and struggle both before and since. The Kingdom will eventually be apparent, but only after the human race accepts God’s will and His terms.

In contemplating God’s will, the guiding force that motivates the direction for most human accomplishments and conclusions in this life, a portion of the Bahá'í Marriage Tablet provides an example of a major difference between the old and new world orders. It is not my intention to discuss or highlight the institution of marriage, but to provide a concrete example concerning the old and the new, particularly since God‘s will is mentioned.

“…they must show forth the utmost attention and become informed of one another’s character and the firm covenant made between each other must become an eternal binding, and their intentions must be everlasting affinity, friendship, unity and love, The bridegroom must, before the bridesman and a few others, say: “Verily, we are content with the will of God.“ And the bride must rejoin: “Verily, we are satisfied with the desire of God.“ This is Bahá'í matrimony…“

Marriage Tablet, Bahá'í World Faith, p.372, 1943 edition

Since Western cultures have for centuries used some form of ritualistic Christian-derived ceremony for the marriage contract, the simplicity of the Marriage Tablet and the lack of the affirmations of the two parties will take some getting used to. But look more closely at its terms; the two parties are enjoined to become aware of each other’s character before proceeding, (and there is also a provision of parental acceptance of the union.) The only spoken requirement of the bridegroom is “…we are content with the will of God…”; the bride must rejoin “…we are satisfied with the desire of God.” That’s it. 

And something else is significant. Whereas the Christian vows determine the union to last until “death do we part,” the Bahá'í ceremony relates that the marriage contract is an eternal binding. A major difference. As societies mature within the new Bahá'í world, I wonder if the act of marriage will itself force humans to ponder more deeply on the will of God? I would hope so, since marriage is perhaps the most significant and binding activity that is undertaken by humans. The union itself provides daily activity of continual thinking of another person’s needs rather than concentrating only on oneself. And wasn’t it `Abdu'l-Bahá who enjoined us to “…marry as an assistance to yourselves…?”

In today’s world, it is apparent that everyone of us has some concept of God being present in our activities, and usually the rationalization of an individual’s activities depends upon God’s will being involved. They sleep better at night because they have followed God’s will. But, what is the definition of God’s will? What truly determines God’s will in today‘s world? Does it come from life lessons learned from mommies and daddies? Of course it does, since the personality of the child is influenced largely by what she sees at home. And where did the parents learn of God’s will? Right. It becomes a never-ending chain to the past. We are all influenced greatly by the activities of our fore fathers and theirs.

I submit that the new world order will determine its definitions of God’s will from the meditative forces of one’s own understanding of the Bahá'í Teachings. And the Teachings themselves are structured so that prejudices of the past will disappear, and be displaced by a unique and wondrous system, the likes of which mortal eyes have never witnessed. The example learned from the Marriage Tablet will play a large part in the thought process since it speaks of an eternal bond between two individuals, and requires them to live their lives within an aura of God’s will and His desires for them.     

A transformation of our world for the better will occur through an understanding of, and a love for, the Bahá'í Teachings.

David Maxwell

Baha'i Faith is Incomplete Without a Guardian

The visit of hand of the cause and the vice-president of International Baha'i Council Mr. Nosratullah Bahremand was highly successful. He gave an interview to Mumbai English daily newspaper and gave his view on the current situation of the Baha'i Faith. We have uploaded the clip of the news appeared in "The Asian Age" of today's edition. Please click on image to enlarge.

He does not burden us with His boasting of his Might, nor does He overpower us by forcing us to accept that which we are not capable of understanding. Could a loving parent do more than that?

Might honors the tenth of the nineteen months of the Bahá'í calendar. It is observed from September 8 until September 27. When thinking of Might an overwhelming feeling may occur as one wonders how it may be possible to distil from Bahá'u'lláh’s mighty Writings any one segment, to the exclusion of the thousands of references to any one attribute.

And then His “Hidden Words” comes to mind, that gem of simplicity that Shoghi Effendi declared was identified with the “Hidden Book of Fatimah,” believed to have been revealed by the Angel Gabriel through the Imam Ali for consolation of Muhammad’s daughter after His death. It had remained hidden from the world until Shoghi Effendi released it. As an aside, the 1954 edition contains a beautiful Introduction by George Townshend, which is absent in later versions, including a splendid discussion of ego. 

Among the verses in “Hidden Words” are the following which mention Might:
HE IS THE GLORY OF GLORIES
“This is that which hath descended from the realm of glory, uttered by the tongue of power and might, and revealed unto the Prophets of old. We have taken the inner essence thereof and clothed it in the garment of brevity, as a token of grace unto the righteous, that they may stand faithful unto the Covenant of God, may fulfill in their lives His trust, and in the realm of spirit obtain the gem of Divine virtue.”
-- Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 3 --

24. O SON OF MAN!
“Transgress not thy limits, nor claim that which beseemeth thee not. Prostrate thyself before the countenance of thy God, the Lord of might and power.”
-- Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 9 --

67. O SON OF BEAUTY!
“By My spirit and by My favor! By My mercy and by My beauty! All that I have revealed unto thee with the tongue of power, and have written for thee with the pen of might, hath been in accordance with thy capacity and understanding, not with My state and the melody of My voice.”
-- Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 19, 20 --

In considering the concept of might, it is all too easy to fall into the trap of modern times which celebrate victories of one over another, whether on the athletic field or in the boardroom. We are a society of winners and losers. Even children playing together are conditioned to learn the feelings of pride to be gained through being better than another in many of their activities; my (whatever) is better than your (whatever.) This is not to say that each of us should not do the very best we can in all our daily activities. But do all our accomplishments need to come at the expense of another? Why do we not perform our very best in order to experience the satisfaction of knowing that we did the best we could, and then celebrate the accomplishments of our peers? Why not surround our activities in the aura of love as demonstrated by our Creator?
David Maxwell

MONTH OF ASMA (NAMES) 20th AUGUST TO 8th SEPTEMBER

The month of Asma provides example of His love and bounty, and a potent tool
The Bahá'í Calendar includes the month of Asma’, Names, and is observed by believers during the period between August 20 and September 8.

“Say: Nature in its essence is the embodiment of My Name, the Maker, Creator. Its manifestations are diversified by varying causes, and in this diversity there are signs for men of discernment. Nature is God’s Will and is its expression in and through the contingent world. It is a dispensation of Providence ordained by the Ordainer, the All-Wise.”

-- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Baha’u’llah, page 142 –

It is most fortunate that the Báb provided special recognition for the month of Names in His calendar, which was later adopted by Bahá'u'lláh for His believers. This is a time when a special efficacy may be available to us while we ponder another of the spiritual avenues that leads to God’s bountiful release of His love, in order that we may worship Him in a fuller capacity than was available to any of the generations of the past. Indeed this is the Day of wondrous events that will guide humanity to the promised Kingdom of God on earth. The month of Names provides one more example of His love and bounty, and a potent tool for our contemplation and growth during our spiritual journey. For detail read:

Hand of the Cause of God David Maxwell

A Brief History of Baha'i Faith

History bahai faith

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Commentary on the Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Baha

Review
This Commentary by Joel B. Marangella sheds light on both the text and the tragic historic events surrounding this Sacred Document of the Bahá'í Faith. The book recounts the intrigue that took place at the Bahá'í World Center in 1957 that stifled the growth of this infant Faith, threatened to permanently diminish its prestige in the eyes of the world and destroyed the very safeguard built into the Faith that was to prevent it from falling into false leadership. Despite the darkness that has befallen this most recent revelation from God, this brilliant Commentary reveals the truth of what remains alive and well today, the true sign of God on earth who alone maintains the spirit and meaning of the Bahá'í teachings. The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá is the vital and eternal link between Bahá'u'lláh and the sacred Administrative Order that is the true channel of the spirit. This new book by Mr. Marangella clearly illuminates important passages within it that have been misunderstood, overlooked or intentionally distorted. The question may well be asked, what is so threatening about this book that millions of Bahá'ís around the world won't be allowed by their leadership to read it? Surely, all Bahá'ís must recognize the fundamental principle of Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, to exercise their human right of an unfettered, independent investigation of truth. Mr. Marangella's book also includes the complete Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l- Bahá, which can be read along with the Commentary, as well as a Summary of the Bahá'í Faith by the author, recognized by Orthodox Bahá'ís as the third Guardian of Bahá'í Faith. This Summary gives the uninitiated an authoritative treatise on the history and teachings of the Bahá'í Faith.

About the Author:

Compiled: PNBC of India

Joel Bray Marangella is recognized by Orthodox Bahá'ís as the third Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, the authorized interpreter of the Bahá'í Writings and the president and sacred head for life of the Universal House of Justice (provisionally named, in its embryonic form, as the International Bahá'í Council of the Orthodox Bahá'ís). Born on September 22, 1918 in Lynn, Massachusetts, to his parents Phillip Amalfi Marangella and Edith Brooks Guthrie Marangella, both of whom enrolled as Bahá'ís when Joel was a baby, it may be concluded that young Joel was exposed to the teachings of the Faith at an early age. His parents encouraged him to independently investigate the truth including the investigation of other religious movements and faiths. As a young boy, Joel spent many summers at Green Acre Bahá'í summer school where he came in contact with most of the early believers in America. He declared his intentions of becoming a Baha'i as soon as he was able to do so, at the age of 15 years, and later became a Baha'i at the then legal age of 21. He resided in many of the major cities of the United States and participated both in the spiritual and administrative activities of their various Bahá'í communities. He married Irene, also a Bahá'í, in 1945, and five years later they answered the call of Shoghi Effendi (the first Guardian of the Faith) for pioneers to go to Europe to help spread the Faith and spent eighteen years in France. In 1954, the Hands of the Cause appointed Joel as an Auxiliary Board Member for the propagation of the Faith. He participated in the formation of the first National Spiritual Assembly of France in May 1958 becoming its first  President and again following its two successive elections until its forced disbandment in May 1960 by an heterodox Baha'i organization that had rejected Mason Remey as the second Guardian of the Faith, had then illegally seized control over the Faith and had taken this action against this national administrative body because of its outright rejection of this control and had, instead, been the only NSA to recognize the validity of the proclamation of Mason Remey on the clear facts presented therein, had duly accepted him as the second Guardian of the Faith. In 1965, Joel became the third Guardian of the Faith, having been appointed by Mason Remey as his successor both in a hand-written letter and through his appointment of him as the President of the Second International Bahá'í Council (the embryonic Universal House of Justice of which only the Guardian is the authorized legitimate head). After leaving France in 1968, Joel lived successively in Germany, Switzerland and Australia before his return to the United States in March of 2010.

DOES THE RUHI BOOK CONVEY THE TRUE MEANING OF ABDU'L BAHA’S SACRED WORDS?

Do the authors of the manuscript, titled: The Covenant, Unit 2, fairly, completely and honestly teach the true meaning and significance of the Master’s sacred words?
Most certainly, they do not. Cunningly, they totally ignore the first realm of Divine guidance, the interpretation of Bahá'í Holy Writ and the Holy Text, (the “Law of God”), an authority divinely that has been assigned exclusively to the Guardians of the Bahá'í Faith, and, notwithstanding, have the temerity to insidiously pretend that a currently established illegitimate sans-Guardian and so-called Universal House of Justice provides an infallible source of divine guidance. Following is what they have writtten in support of this position on page 68 of the publication: The Covenant, Unit 2, on the same page in which the Master’s words are quoted.

Read in detail

Martyrdom of the Bab

July 9th is a Bahá'í Holy Day, commemorated at noon as the anniversary of the martyrdom of The Báb. Siyyid 'Alí-Muhammad, Forerunner of Bah u llah, a merchant of Shíráz, declared himself to be The Báb, meaning Gate of God, the Promised One of Islam, on May 23, 1844.

The Báb, having told His secretary a few days before that He was looking forward to the bounty of martyrdom. One of his converts had literally thrown himself at his Master’s feet in the streets of Tabríz and begged not to be parted from Him, so the guards obligingly arrested him, too.

Early in the morning of July 9th, The Báb was engaged in a confidential conversation with His secretary when the prison official in charge of the execution interrupted. The Báb rebuked him, saying, "Not until I have said to him all those things that I wish to say, can any earthly power silence Me. Though all the world be armed against Me, yet shall they be powerless to deter Me from fulfilling, to the last word, My intention."

Báb's declaration on 23rd May 1844

Báb announced that He was the Bearer of a long- promised Divine Revelation destined to transform the spiritual life of the human race. "O peoples of the earth," the Báb declared, "Give ear unto God's holy Voice...Verily the resplendent Light of God hath appeared in your midst, invested with this unerring Book, that ye may be guided aright to the ways of peace...",

Love and Compassion

The Báb's declaration that spiritual renewal and social advancement rested on "love and compassion" rather "than force and coercion," aroused hope and excitement among all classes, and He quickly attracted thousands of followers.

The central theme of His major work the “Bayan” was the imminent appearance of a second Messenger from God, one Who would be far greater than the Báb, and Whose mission would be to usher in the age of peace and justice promised in Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and all the other world religions.

Bahá'u'lláh paid tribute to the Báb

"Behold what steadfastness that Beauty of God hath revealed. The whole world rose to hinder Him, yet it utterly failed. The more severe the persecution they inflicted on that Sadrih [Branch] of Blessedness, the more His fervour increased, and the brighter burned the flame of His love. All this is evident, and none disputeth its truth. Finally, He surrendered His soul, and winged His flight unto the realms above."

The Sacred Head of the Baha’i Faith?

The Bab is the forerunner of Baha u llah
Baha u llah.
Abdu’l Baha.
Shoghi Effendi, the First Guardian of Baha’i Faith.
Mason Remey, the Second Guardian of Baha’i Faith.
Joel Marangell, the Third Guardian of Baha’i Faith.

Joel Marangella is the LIVING GUARDIAN OF BAHA'I FAITH. We the Indian Orthodox Baha'i will commemorate on 9th July 2010 in Vasai Road, New Delhi and Lucknow in morning between 10 to 12.