BAHA’IS (ORTHODOX) SET TO CELEBRATE THIS RIDVAN IN THE MOOD OF VICTORY OF COURT CASE

Ridvan, festival of the twelve day period, observed from sunset 20 April to sunset, 2 May. Baha’is throughout the world celebrate Baha'u'llah's announcement of his claim to the prophethood and His departure from Baghdad in 1863. The first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridvan are major Baha'i holy days on which Bahais exempt themselves from work.



The Baha’is under the Guardianship of Joel Bray Marangella, will celebrate this Ridvan in a special spirit. The Baha’I Administrative year 167 B.E is recorded as historical for the Orthodox Baha’is, Indian Orthodox Bahais are for historical Victory that the Court Action brought by the National Spiritual Assembly under the bogus Universal House of Justice, in the Court of Chicago, Illinois, USA, on November 16, 2006, has now finally concluded in their favor. The deadline for the NSA to file a petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court was March 29, 2011. The deadline has come and gone therefore court decision in their favor is now final.


The nature of the court case filed by the above NSA that:


The NSA claims to be the owner of the following federal trademark registrations granted the United States Patent Office:


1. Arabic Symbol “The Greatest Name”.

2. National Spritual Assembly of the Bahais of United States.

3. Baha’i.

4. Baha u llah.

Conclusion:

The NSA obtained a Judgment against the NSA loyal to Mason Remey back in 1966 which prohibited that NSA from using the above "trademarks." The Court decided that the Orthodox Baha'is are not bound by the old Judgment. The Orthodox Baha'is asserts that:

"the Baha’i Faith is not a product that can be trademarked. It is a religion. An individual or a group cannot be the owner of the religion or religious terminology, and the Courts cannot decide religious controversies. Thus anybody who follows the teachings of the Bab, Baha u llah, Abdu’l Baha and Shoghi Effendi and follow the belief and the principles given them can call themselves Baha'is in the United States."

Nosrat’u’allah Bahremand in India

In this year the faithful friends also had the pleasure of meeting Hand of the Cause, the Vice President of Third International Baha’i Coucil, Mr. Nosrat’u’allah Bahremand as he travelled to India in September 2010.

Orthodox Baha’is celebrated the festival with devotionals and gatherings at the following places: 

1. Vasai Road, at the House of Mr. Rajendra Upadhyaye.

2. New Delhi, at the House of Mr. Vinod Kumar.

3. Lucknow, at the House of Mr. S. P. Pandey.

Happy Ridvan to All the Bahais irrespective of the sects.

Dr. A. Parikh, Secretary, National Baha'i Council of India. 

SHOGHI EFFENDI INFORMS THE UNITED NATIONS OF HIS ROLE AS THE "APPOINTED HEAD" OF THE FUTURE BAHÁ'Í "WORLD COUNCIL" PRIOR TO ITS FORMATION IN 1951

In July 1947, some three and one half years prior to his appointment of the International Bahá'í Council on 9 January 1951, Shoghi Effendi prepared a statement for submission to the United Nations Special Palestine Committee that has been published in pamphlet form under the title of: "The Faith of Bahá'u'lláh." with the subtitle, "A World Religion."

On page 3 of this document one may note the following significant paragraph which incontestably proves, in Shoghi Effendi's own words, that the one who presides as President of the International Bahá'í Council — this "World Council" — can be none other than the Guardian of the Faith.

"The passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá marked the termination of the first and Heroic Age of the Bahá'í Faith and signalized the opening of the Formative Age destined to witness the gradual emergence of its Administrative Order, whose establishment had been foretold by the Báb, whose laws were revealed by Bahá'u'lláh, whose outlines were delineated by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will and Testament, and whose foundations are now being laid by national and local councils which are elected by the professed adherents of the Faith, and which are paving the way for the constitution of the World Council, to be designated as the Universal House of Justice, which in conjunction with me, as its appointed Head and the authorized interpreter of the Bahá'í teachings, must coordinate and direct the affairs of the Bahá'í community, and whose seat will be permanently established in the Holy Land, in close proximity to its world spiritual center, the resting-places of its Founders."

Joel Bray Marangella

FOLLOWERS OF BOGUS UHJ ARE CONFUSED

The Hand of Cause, the Vice President of Third International Baha'i Council, Nosrat u llah Bahremand replies to the comment:

Kevin’s question shows how the Baha’is who are following the bogus UHJ are confused due to their disobedience and infidelity to the current Guardian, Joel B Marangella, and on the other hand because of the misrepresentation of the bogus UHJ and its infringement upon the sacred and prescribed domain of the Guardian.

In 1992 when they translated and published the Aqdas in English without having authority to do so, they added some notes to this sacred Book, many of which contain unauthorized and erroneous interpretations. Equally they were guilty of similar transgressions in the introduction which they added to the Book.

Baha’u’llah, Himself, in that Most Holy Book has warned:

“Whoso interpreteth what hath been sent down from the heaven of Revelation, and altereth its evident meaning, he, verily, is of them that have perverted the Sublime Word of God, and is of the lost ones in the Lucid Book.” 
 (The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 57)

The Birthdays of Baha’u’llah and the Bab were registered in the Hijri calendar which is a lunar calendar previously used in Iran and other Muslim dominated countries but today is mostly used for religious purposes. The Hijri calendar which is based on the Moon’s cycles consists of 12 months without a link to the seasons, a Hijri lunar year is usually 11 to 12 days shorter than a solar year so that an event which is registered at the same time in both calendars takes approximately 33 Hijri years to match up again. The Baha’is in Iran and the Middle East still celebrate these Holy Days on the lunar basis: the birth of the Bab on the first day and the birth of Baha’u’llah on the second day of the month of Muharram (the first month of Hijri calendar). The Baha’i calendar is on the solar basis, so it becomes obvious why the question is raised. Baha’u’llah relieved Baha’is from fasting if those Holy Days fall on the month of Alá’ (Loftiness).

To decide whether the Baha’is of Iran and the Middle Eastern countries will continue to celebrate these Holy Days on the basis of the solar calendar, as the Baha’is of the West currently do, or otherwise, will be left to the establishment of a true Universal House of Justice which will then have the Guardian of the Cause of God as its “Sacred Head,” as stipulated in the Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Baha, and accordingly thereby posses “the necessary guidance to define the sphere of legislative action of its elected representatives”.

Nosrat

March 28, 2011 5:40 AM

THE DAY OF GOD

Today the 21st March, the National Bahai Council of Orthodox Bahais of India congratulate to all the Bahais on the Day of God, the Naw-Ruz and pray on this auspicious day for the abolition of the Bogus House of Justice and establishment of a Universal House of Justice under the control of the Guardian of Bahai Faith.

All religions and nations celebrate a new year determined by their leaders and guides due to an auspicious or momentous significance. The Day of Naw Ruz has been itself described as the Day of God in Kitab-i-Aqdas. We thence turn ourselves unto Him on His own day in hope of Guidance unto Him seeking the path through His words:

Those words uttered by the Luminaries of Truth must needs be pondered, and should their significance be not grasped, enlightenment should be sought from the Trustees of the depositories of Knowledge… (Kitab-i-Iqan)

Indeed then, the secret of true nearness unto Him is the nearness unto the Trustees. So, we renew our pledge on this day (March 21) to be obedient, submissive and subordinate to the Trustee of the depositories of Knowledge - living Guardian of the Cause of God, Joel Bray Marangella, in faithful conformity with the following commands of the Master, Abdu'l Baha, in His Will and Testament:
"The Mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the guardian of the Cause of God. It is incumbent upon the members of House of Justice, upon all the Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissuveness and subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of God to turn unto him and be lowly before him."
(Will and Testament - 12).

Heartiest greetings of Naw Ruz to all the Baha’i friends throughout the world

Rajendra Upadhyaye
Coordinator,

Abdu'l-Baha on Fasting

Living Guardian's Message in Asian Age Newspaper

Guardian's Message for the Indian Baha'is appeared in Asian Age Mumbai edition on 27February 2011 on the occasion of Ayyam-i-ha

Accepting Remey's Proclamation

The Laws of Fasting in Kitab-i-Aqdas

The Laws of Fasting in Kitab-i-Aqdas and its description

1. The sublime station occupied by fasting in the Bahá’í Revelation.

2. The period of fasting commences with the termination of the Intercalary Days, and ends with the Naw-Rúz Festival.

3. Abstinence from food and drink, from sunrise to sunset, is obligatory.

4. Fasting is binding on men and women on attaining the age of maturity, which is fixed at 15.

5. Exemption from fasting is granted to:

a. Travellers

i. Provided the journey exceeds 9 hours.

ii. Those travelling on foot, provided the journey exceeds 2 hours.

iii. Those who break their journey for less than 19 days.

iv. Those who break their journey during the Fast at a place where they are to stay 19 days are exempt from fasting only for the first three days from their arrival.

v. Those who reach home during the Fast must commence fasting from the day of their arrival.

b. Those who are ill.

c. Those who are over 70.

d. Women who are with child.

e. Women who are nursing.

f. Women in their courses, provided they perform their ablutions and repeat a specifically revealed verse 95 times a day.

g. Those who are engaged in heavy labour, who are advised to show respect for the law by using discretion and restraint when availing themselves of the exemption.

6. Vowing to fast (in a month other than the one prescribed for fasting) is permissible. Vows which profit mankind are however preferable in the sight of God.

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