Baha'i Library Forum

It's not online to my knowledge...I just typed it in now from the book cited...A useful one I think...

Brett

I should add though, that the Guardian did allow for the friends to share different practices of meditation with one another, as long as they were not presented as part of the teachings...I'd really recommend taking a look at http://bahai-library.com/?file=uhj_meditation_prayers as well as the compi...

Dear Hasan, This is it...However, as you will see, it is only a pilgrim's note... "One day the Guardian said to a prominent pilgrim in Haifa, 'Do you pray?' 'Of course, beloved Guardian, I pray every morning.' 'Do you meditate?' The man paused a bit and said slowly, 'No, I guess I do not.' The Guard...

All the Imams were put to death except perhaps the last, who died as a child, in 260, and was succeeded for sixty-nine years by four successive "Gates" The quotation from the Dawn-Breakers describes the twelfth Imam as communicating through these 4 gates (possibly outliving the last one?)--not bein...

With all due respect to the great Marzieh Gail, I think in this case there is a mistake. Shoghi Effendi cites the following in the Introduction to the Dawn-breakers: After assuming the functions of Imám and presiding at the burial of his father and predecessor, the Imam Hasan-i-'Askari, he disappear...

There was a prominent Baha'i (called a Hand of the Cause of God) who had met Baha'u'llah (Mr. Samandari). Others have also recorded some accounts of their meeting, but there is a sparsity of first-hand accounts due to the concern of accumulating too many oral traditions which could crystallize into ...

The notes to the Aqdas mention that police officers can carry arms. In a letter referring to Baha'is and military service, Shoghi Effendi explanied that the reason was that we did not wish to kill anyone, not that we did not wish to avoid any kind of danger: "There are many other avenues through whi...

Not sure what I may have mentioned, but Planet Baha'i is popular for extended discussions...See http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/main.asp?webtag=planetbahai&nav=start&prettyurl=%2Fplanetbahai I hope to have a forum set up soon for permanent discussions on a given topic (organized hierarchica...

This is only a provisional translation, meaning that it has not been approved by the Bahá'í World Centre (provisional translations can now be shared, but they should be taken with some circumspection): http://bahai-library.com/?file=abdulbah ... aflakiyyih

If someone has taken distance from the faith for awhile and committed adultery many times, but later he regrets it and wants to repent and desires to pay what he owes, it will be alot of money(or gold). I don't know how he should pay. Should he work and pay all he earns till the end of his life? Th...

Another question I have is that :is there a special way to pay so the guilty person doesn't have to face the shame of others knowing it? otherwise it's so easy to see that even if he wants to pay, he doen't because he doesn't want others to know. Besides for certain obvious crimes (or for making ap...

Dear Hasan, I think the term "adultery" can be misleading here... Although the term translated here as adultery refers, in its broadest sense, to unlawful sexual intercourse between either married or unmarried individuals (see note 36 for a definition of the term), 'Abdu'l-Bahá has specified that th...

On death penalty and arson "...merely the fundamental principles of the punishments for murder and arson are given in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Willful murder is to be punished either by capital punishment or life imprisonment. Such matters as degrees of offense and whether any extenuating circumstances a...

The Baha'i Faith, more than any previous religion, gives a significant amount of hints about the nature of the next world--though we are also told that we can never adequately intimate to it. Part 3 of "Gleannigs from the Writings of Baha'u'llah" deals with this (starting at no. 77 -99). This is onl...

Islam, at once the progenitor and persecutor of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, is, if we read aright the signs of the times, only beginning to sustain the impact of this invincible and triumphant Faith. We need only recall the nineteen hundred years of abject misery and dispersion which they, who only f...

well said, guest... :)

So, if 'Abdu'l-Baha paced about, you're saying we don't need to do so? :)

Brett

I don't know the original, but the word "meditation" is often appiled in the context of contemplating something, not necessarily sitting still, etc. (though we do have the recitation of 95 Allah'u'Abhas in the cross-legged position each day). In fact, Shoghi Effendi as I recall spoke to the effect o...

First of all, for miiltary actions, I presume you mean something in the farther past (or otherwise they are unlikely to be apologizing if it is the same regime)... What is the reason you are asking? I for one think that it is respectful of people's feelings to admit past atrocities. Relations can be...

I recall another quote I cannot find now on how not confessing to others does not mean not being able to apologize. Although the dynamics may be different, I wouldn't see why there should be a difference in this case between nations and individuals: "Perhaps the greatest test Bahá'ís are ever subjec...

As far as the significance of distinguishing between the two (and with other Tablets), I think the following may shed some light: The Feast is opened with devotional readings, that is to say prayers and meditations, from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Bab and the Master. Following this, passages m...

Making allusions that Arabic is the preferred way of the top authority, is simply a projection of your mind. The following passage does indicate that the language of Revelation has changed over time, and thus indirectly would seem to indicate that there is nothing permanently fixed about one langua...

The following has been modified for our forums: 1) The insertion point has been fixed (for at least Mozilla, Explorer browsers). Now if you click on one of the "BBCode" (bulletin board code) buttons when editing a post to submit, the BBCode will be inserted wherever your cursor is, rather than at th...

This is a truly, truly momentous step forward on the thorny but inexorable path to one unified system of responsive government for mankind: http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20050610/ts_csm/oglobaljustice_1 --an international court taking on a case without the party's consent and growing acceptance of its...

This is not meant to end the discussion, but I thought you would be interested: "When Baha'u'llah uses the plural--'We', 'Our' etc.--He is merely using a form which is regal and has greater power than the singular 'I'. We have this same usage in English, when the King says 'we'. The Pope does the sa...

China has opened up considerably to the outside world in the past few decades. China is eager for development--in a material sense this means interest in technical and economic expertise and access to English. In a social sense, it can mean interest in familiarizing its population and leaders with f...

In some of the cases you mentioned, it may be because we have not sought recognition.

Brett

The Bahá'í Faith does not have any administration in China, so we cannot offer any information on the number of people who may have chosen to accept the Bahá'í Faith. Any foreign Bahá'í visiting China is not to proselytize. Bahá'ís are interested in rendering service in whatever country they reside ...

Dear FH,

I am very sorry not to have responded earlier. If any of us could help in any way, it really would be our honor.

all the best to you,
Brett

Dear Jasper and all, I think it is good that you maintain and express this passion. It is a shame not only that such abuse occurs, but also that in society, people are lax and treat lightly or even joke about such awful matters. As far as the topic of forgiveness, at least in English, there are at l...

The above were not necessarily specific to child abuse. To be clear in cases where the individual being abused does have some choice about staying (such as a spouse who could get up and leave, unlike a child), I think the section of the cited document " Individuals Should Be Forgiving but Have No Ri...

Thread continued here.

I wanted to share the following here. (The first passage is from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States) There are situations in which the behavior of some family member(s) jeopardizes the physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual health and well-being of others to such ...

I ought to have also added that anyone who has experienced this most gross violation of trust should have both the greatest of sympathy as well as the alertness and vigilance of one's Local Spiritual Assembly in addressing or redressing the potential for any future violations.

best wishes,
Brett

As this is a complex question, I think the best we can do is refer you to this collection of guidance on the subject: http://bahai-library.com/?file=nsa_guid ... c_violence

Brett

Hello,

No, sorry, I haven't heard of this...It sounds like it may be just what we call "kitab-i-hearsay"...

take care,
Brett

I should mention I might create a more basic version as well, such as without the right-hand column (the formatting options), as the formatting features might be confusing or distracting. The left-hand column (for the main page of a given selected text) along with the verse ranges at the top of the ...

Oh, if after this explanation (or even with it), the site is unclear how to use, I'd appreciate knowing which aspects cause confusion, so that I could possibly either improve the formatting or headings, add an explanation, or whatever would help...

thanks,
Brett

Oh, also possibly auto-linking to discussion forums, chats, etc. (as well as the wikis already mentioned...) relevant to the given book or even verse. And, for a somewhat separate but related project, if we can get the wiki going again, creating an interface to automatically call up the index entrie...

Yes, it is meant to be expanded to other texts later. Now that the underlying code is done, most texts shold be readily addable. I started with the Kitáb-i-Aqdas given its importance, and I had already had a well-formatted version for the "Baha'i" Qur'an and "Baha'i" Bible. The latter two could also...

The Bible has now been fully loaded...

Brett

Hello all, I just wanted to get your feedback on the following website, I've set up as a test here at BLO: http://www.bahai-library.com/browse0.php . I know that the design is very bare bones, but as you can see, you can change the appearance for the final result at least... I hope we can in the fut...

When you say: ...exhortation of the Master that seems that 'Abdu'l-Bahá agrees with the way the Japanese and Chinese salute, i.e. a little bow of reverence instead of kissing or hugging. Is there something in the Writings specific about bowing, or do you just interpret the note we have been talking ...

It is well worth reading the full context of the pilgrim's note Jonah referred to , I think, both for its also touching explicitly on modesty in dress, as well as 'Abdu'l-Bahá's exhortation to use tact (which I think might apply in this case as well). Although this is a different subject because it ...

I don't think that it means that they can't be used, but rather that the responsibility to recite the verses of God (whether prayers or other writings) is to at least include a verse, of--apparently--the Manifestations of God: With regard to the definition of "verses of God", Bahá'u'lláh states that...

K, You are most welcome to participate in all community activities such as devotional meetings, firesides, training classes, and so on. The only activities reserved for declared Bahá'ís are the 19-Day Feasts, administrative activities such as elections, and giving to the Bahá'í Fund. But, besides th...

Here are two quotations about it: "The wine mentioned in the Tablets has undoubtedly a spiritual meaning for in the book of Aqdas we are definitely forbidden to take not only wine, but every thing that deranges the mind. In poetry as a whole wine is taken to have a different connotation than the ord...

Yes, Hasan cited it already in reference to not embracing (between those of opposite sex) as well as kissing. This is an aspect of the American Baha'i culture which we need to change. There are hadíth, as I recall, about the Prophet Muhammad being disappointed seeing two unmarried people of the oppo...

The Bahá'í International Community is, among other organizations, cited here as supporting U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's proposed Human Rights Council:

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdes ... a4bbda.htm

Hello, The following explain the reconciliation: "The crucifixion as recounted in the New Testament is correct. The meaning of the Qur'anic version is that the spirit of Christ was not crucified. There is no conflict between the two." (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individu...

Hello all, I am currently working on a project to try to get all items in the Bahá'í Writings we have online here at the Bahá'í Library Online with all the material in the books, including prefaces, introductions, and indexes--especially indexes--which may have been omitted in the digital version. I...

The above conclusion, I should remark is from the Research Department rather than the House of Justice itself, so perhaps it was in error on this point...But I would not jump to that conclusion without verifying first...

Brett

As this is an important issue, I think it would warrant a letter to the House of Justice, if you could provide some examples, citing the time he was in Great Britain, and the letters you say you found.

Brett

I might also add that I recognize that 'Abdu'l-Bahá, as our Perfect Exemplar, did Himself use many other techniques to prove a point (not for Himself, but to lead others to a greater understanding), ranging from silence, to story-telling, to humor, and so on. Even when He offered His talks, He varie...

But should we not be a little more alive than be just a dictionnary of citations planted in our heads just to prove a point in time? Here are the reasons I use quotations: 1) I, as with others who follow this practice, believe that Bahá'u'lláh is the divinely-inspired Educator of God for this Age, ...

I agree that it is worth learning the alphabet, and it is not too difficult...The hard part is then learning the meaning of what you're reading! (but some terms should be familiar to a person if they have some exposure to the Writings)... However, I'll try to give my own transliteration for the shor...

Just an update... I've added a section to http://bahai-library.com/?file=scripture_search.html#experimental ( http://bahai-library.com/?file=scripture_search.html is the new site for the booklist search mentioned in #1 above). This new section (presently only for the Kitáb-i-Aqdas) allows one to spe...

Just an update... I've added a section to http://bahai-library.com/?file=scripture_search.html#experimental ( http://bahai-library.com/?file=scripture_search.html is the new site for the booklist search mentioned in #1 above). This new section (presently only for the Kitáb-i-Aqdas) allows one to spe...

Alláh'u'Abhá,

The obligatory prayers were revealed in Arabic.

I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong), this is it here:

http://reference.bahai.org/ar/t/b/PM/pm-206.html#pg211

best wishes,
Brett

In many ways, given all of the divisions between religionists and scientists, and between the followers different Faiths, reconciling the inner meanings of the Scriptures can be one of the most vital ways in which we can focus on the future... Shoghi Effendi wrote in a letter on his behalf: “The Sac...

Hello all, Just wanted to let you know a few things: 1) At http://bahai-library.com/?booklist=search you can choose from a menu to go directly to any page of the Writings (if you know the page). 2) If you are using Firefox or any other browser that uses shortcuts, it is now possible for you to downl...

As far as 'Abdu'l-Baha never denied the parting of the Red Sea _physically_ happened, the full context, if valid, would show that He did: "It was both spiritual and physical. They journeyed to the Promised Land and geography and history both prove that this was a physical journey. "Moses viewed the ...

and cited in the same, in this case from the Guardian himself:

"I wish to add and say that whatever letters are sent in my behalf from Haifa are all read and approved by me before mailing.1 There is no exception whatever to this rule."

Brett

"The Guardian's statement that he reviewed every letter written on his behalf without exception makes it clear that the authority of the letters was independent of whatever personal "sufferings" might have been caused by certain secretaries, and that there was no "delegation" whatsoever of his inter...

While I agree very much with the general spirit of the quotations you supplied, I think they are not fully applicable in this case. The first one implies that a promise has already been made. Surely you do not think one should be constrained to marry without discretion ahead of time (as you say so y...

Thank you very much...

Ok, so the information then should be here instead if anyone is interested...

best wishes,
Brett

Hello, hihellowhatsup, There is nothing specific (that I know of at least) about how to commemorate this specific Bahá'í Holy Day. You might find the following interesting, however, both for perhaps alluding to how Westerners might celebrate it, as well as for encouragement to adapt the celebration ...

The context of the quotation is referring to cycles of all things...He refers to the cycle of the earth around the sun in this chapter, for example. He refers to "life" here not human life....

Brett

Brett takes the age-old Baha'i "out" that the bad Baha'i laws are not yet in effect, that the world situation is "not yet" suitable for them. This wrongly suggests that the future world in which they could be applied, would be an improvement on the present world. I don't see it or any other Bahá'í ...

Dear Masi, The Hand of the Cause of God, Ugo Giachery, for whom one of the gates or doors of the Shrine was named, has written a book on Shoghi Effendi (I believe entitled "Shoghi Effendi") in which he describes in good detail much of the architecture and significance behind the Shrine. You might fi...

Dear Pilosofia, There is this from Bahá'u'lláh: Mention hath been made in certain books of a deluge which caused all that existed on earth, historical records as well as other things, to be destroyed. Moreover, many cataclysms have occurred which have effaced the traces of many events. Furthermore, ...

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