A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
TALKS ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ DELIVERED IN NEW YORK 15 November 1912 |
I have spoken in the various Christian churches and in the synagogues,
and in no assemblage has there been a dissenting voice.
All have listened, and all have conceded that the teachings of
Bahá’u’lláh are superlative in character, acknowledging that
they constitute the very essence or spirit of this new age and that
there is no better pathway to the attainment of its ideals. Not a
single voice has been raised in objection. At most there have been
some who have refused to acknowledge the mission of
Bahá’u’lláh, although even these have admitted that He was a great
teacher, a most powerful soul, a very great man. Some who could
find no other pretext have said, “These teachings are not new; they
are old and familiar; we have heard them before.” Therefore, I will
speak to you upon the distinctive characteristics of the manifestation
of Bahá’u’lláh and prove that from every standpoint His Cause
is distinguished from all others. It is distinguished by its didactic
character and method of exposition, by its practical effects and application
to present world conditions, but especially distinguished
from the standpoint of its spread and progress.
|
When Bahá’u’lláh appeared in Persia, all the contemporaneous
religious sects and systems rose against Him. His enemies were
kings. The enemies of Christ were the Jews, the Pharisees; but the
enemies of Bahá’u’lláh were rulers who could command armies
and bring hundreds of thousands of soldiers into the arena of operation.
These kings represented some fifty million people, all of
whom under their influence and domination were opposed to
Bahá’u’lláh. Therefore, in effect Bahá’u’lláh, singly and alone,
virtually withstood fifty million enemies. Yet these great numbers,
instead of being able to dominate Him, could not withstand His
wonderful personality and the power and influence of His heavenly
Cause. Although they were determined upon extinguishing the
light in that most brilliant lantern, they were ultimately defeated
and overthrown, and day by day His splendor became more
radiant. They made every effort to lessen His greatness, but His
prestige and renown grew in proportion to their endeavors to diminish
432
it. Surrounded by enemies who were seeking His life, He
never sought to conceal Himself, did nothing to protect Himself;
on the contrary, in His spiritual might and power He was at all
times visible before the faces of men, easy of access, serenely
withstanding the multitudes who were opposing Him. At last His
banner was upraised.
|
If we study historical record and review the pages of Holy Writ,
we will find that none of the Prophets of the past ever spread His
teachings or promulgated His Cause from a prison. But Bahá’u’lláh
upheld the banner of the Cause of God while He was in
a dungeon, addressing the kings of the earth from His prison cell,
severely arraigning them for their oppression of their subjects and
their misuse of power. The letter He sent to the Sháh of Persia
under such conditions may now be read by anyone. His Epistles to
the Sulṭán of Turkey, Napoleon III, Emperor of France, and to the
other rulers of the world including the President of the United
States are, likewise, current and available. The book containing
these Epistles to the kings was published in India about thirty years
ago and is known as the Súratu’l-Haykal (“Discourse of the Temple”).
Whatever is recorded in these Epistles has happened. Some
of the prophecies contained in them came to pass after two years;
others were fulfilled after five, ten and twenty years. The most important
prophecies relative to events transpiring in the Balkans are
being fulfilled at the present time though written long ago. For instance,
in the Epistle which Bahá’u’lláh addressed to the Sulṭán of
Turkey, the war and the occurrences of the present day were
foretold by Him. These events were also prophesied in the Tablet
He addressed to the city of Constantinople, even to the details of
happenings now being witnessed in that city.
|
While addressing these powerful kings and rulers He was a prisoner
in a Turkish dungeon. Consider how marvelous it was for a
prisoner under the eye and control of the Turks to arraign so boldly
and severely the very king who was responsible for His imprisonment.
What power this is! What greatness! Nowhere in history can
the record of such a happening be found. In spite of the iron rule
and absolute dominion of these kings, His function was to withstand
them; and so constant and firm was He that He caused their
banners to come down and His own standard to be upraised. For
today the flags of both the Persian and the Ottoman Empires are
trailing in the dust, whereas the ensign of Bahá’u’lláh is being held
aloft in the world both in the East and in the West. Consider what a
mighty power this is! What a decisive argument! Although a prisoner
in a fortress, He paid no heed to these kings, regarded not their
433
power of life and death, but, on the contrary, addressed them in
plain and fearless language, announcing explicitly that the time
would come when their sovereignty would be brought low and His
own dominion be established.
|
He said in substance, “Erelong you will find yourselves in
manifest loss. Your sovereignties will be laid waste; your empires
will become a wilderness and a heap of ruins; hosts from without
will invade and subdue your lands; lamentation and mourning will
rise from your homes. There will be no throne; there will be no
crown; there will be no palace; there will be no armies. Nay,
rather, all these will be brought low; but the standard of the Cause
of God will be held aloft. Then will you see that hosts and hosts
will enter the Cause of God and that this mighty revelation will be
spread throughout the world.” Read the prophecies contained in
the Súratu’l-Haykal and ponder carefully over them.
|
This is one of the characteristics of Bahá’u’lláh’s message and
teachings. Can you find events and happenings of this kind in any
other prophetic dispensation? If so, in what cycle have similar
things taken place? Do you find such specific prophecies and
explicit statements concerning the future in the Holy Books of the
past? We will now compare the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh with the
Holy Words which have descended in the former cycles.
|
First among the great principles revealed by Him is that of the
investigation of reality. The meaning is that every individual
member of humankind is exhorted and commanded to set aside
superstitious beliefs, traditions and blind imitation of ancestral
forms in religion and investigate reality for himself. Inasmuch as
the fundamental reality is one, all religions and nations of the
world will become one through investigation of reality. The announcement
of this principle is not found in any of the sacred
Books of the past.
|
A second characteristic principle of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh
is that which commands recognition of the oneness of the world of
humanity. Addressing all mankind, He says, “Ye are all the leaves
of one tree.” There are no differences or distinctions of race
among you in the sight of God. Nay, rather, all are the servants of
God, and all are submerged in the ocean of His oneness. Not a
single soul is bereft. On the contrary, all are the recipients of the
bounties of God. Every human creature has a portion of His bestowals
and a share of the effulgence of His reality. God is kind to
all. Mankind are His sheep, and He is their real Shepherd. No other
scriptures contain such breadth and universality of statement; no
other teachings proclaim this unequivocal principle of the solidarity
434
of humanity. As regards any possible distinctions, the utmost
that Bahá’u’lláh says is that conditions among men vary, that
some, for instance, are defective. Therefore, such souls must be
educated in order that they may be brought to the degree of perfection.
Some are sick and ailing; they must be treated and cared for
until they are healed. Some are asleep; they need to be awakened.
Some are immature as children; they should be helped to attain
maturity. But all must be loved and cherished. The child must not
be disliked simply because it is a child. Nay, rather, it should be
patiently educated. The sick one must not be avoided nor slighted
merely because he is ailing. Nay, rather, he must be regarded with
sympathy and affection and treated until he is healed. The soul that
is asleep must not be looked upon with contempt but awakened and
led into the light.
|
Another fundamental announcement made by Bahá’u’lláh is
that religion must be the source of unity and fellowship in the
world. If it is productive of enmity, hatred and bigotry, the absence
of religion would be preferable. This is a new principle of revelation
found only in the utterances of Bahá’u’lláh.
|
Again, Bahá’u’lláh declares that all forms of prejudice among
mankind must be abandoned and that until existing prejudices are
entirely removed, the world of humanity will not and cannot attain
peace, prosperity and composure. This principle cannot be found
in any other sacred volume than the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
|
Another teaching is that there shall be perfect equality between
men and women. Why should man create a distinction which God
does not recognize? In the kingdoms below man sex exists, but the
distinction between male and female is neither repressive nor restrictive.
The mare, for instance, is as strong and often more
speedy than the horse. Throughout the animal and vegetable kingdoms
there is perfect equality between the sexes. In the kingdom of
mankind this equality must likewise exist, and the one whose heart
is purest, whose life and character are highest and nearest to the divine
standard is most worthy and excellent in the sight of God. This
is the only true and real distinction, be that one man or woman.
|
Bahá’u’lláh has announced the necessity for a universal language
which shall serve as a means of international communication
and thus remove misunderstandings and difficulties. This
435
teaching is set forth in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (“Most Holy Book”)
published fifty years ago.
|
The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh are boundless and without end in
their far-reaching benefit to mankind. The point and purpose of our
statement today is that they are new and that they are not found in
any of the religious Books of the past. This is in answer to the
question, “What has Bahá’u’lláh brought that we have not heard
before?” Therefore, it is conclusive and evident that the Manifestation
of God in this day is distinguished from all former appearances
and revelations by His majesty, His power and the efficacy
and application of His Word.
|
Many similar experiences are recorded concerning the holy, divine
Messengers. How bitter and severe was the persecution to
which They were subjected! Consider how they endeavored to efface
and belittle Christ. They placed upon His head a crown of
thorns and paraded Him through the streets and bazaars in mockery
crying, “Peace be upon thee, thou king of the Jews!” Some would
bow to Him backward, saying in scornful tones, “Thou king of the
Jews!” or “Lord of lords, peace be upon thee!” Still others would
spit upon His blessed countenance. In brief, the persecutions
which Christ suffered during the time of His manifestation are
mentioned in the books of the old cycle, Jewish, Roman or Greek.
No praises were bestowed upon Him. The only recognition and acceptance
offered Him was from His believers and followers. Peter,
for instance, was one who praised Him; and the other disciples
spoke in His behalf. Numerous books were written against Him. In
the history of the Church you will find record of the hatred and antagonism
manifested by the Roman, Greek and Egyptian philosophers,
attributing calumnies and ascribing imperfection to Him.
|
But during the manifestation of Bahá’u’lláh, from the day of His
appearance to the time of His departure, the people of all nations
436
acknowledged His greatness, and even those who were His most
bitter enemies have said of Him, “This man was truly great; his
influence was mighty and wonderful. This personage was glorious;
his power was tremendous, his speech most eloquent; but, alas, he
was a misleader of the people.” This was the essence of their
praise, eulogy and denial. It is evident that the authors of such
statements, although His enemies, were profoundly impressed by
His greatness and majesty. Some of His enemies have even written
poems about Him, which though intended for satire and sarcastic
allusion, have in reality been praise. For instance, a certain poet
opposed to His Cause has said, “Beware! Beware! lest ye approach
this person, for he is possessed of such power and of such
an eloquent tongue that he is a sorcerer. He charms men, he drugs
them; he is a hypnotizer. Beware! Beware! lest you read his book
follow his example and associate with his companions because
they are the possessors of tremendous power and they are misleaders.”
That is to say, this poet used such characterizations, believing
them to be terms of belittlement and disparagement, unaware
that they were in reality praises, because a wise man, after reading
such a warning, would say, “The power of this man must unquestionably
be very great if even his enemies acknowledge it. Undoubtedly,
such a power is heavenly in its nature.” This was one of the
reasons why so many were moved to investigate. The more His
enemies wrote against Him, the more the people were attracted and
the greater the number who came to inquire about the truth. They
would say, “This is remarkable. This is a great man, and we must
investigate. We must look into this cause to find out what it all
means, to discover its purpose, examine its proofs and learn for
ourselves what it signifies.” In this way the malign and sinister
statements of His enemies caused the people to become friendly
and approach the Cause. In Persia the mullás went so far as to
proclaim from the pulpits against the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh casting
their turbans upon the ground—a sign of great agitation—and
crying out, “O people! This Bahá’u’lláh is a sorcerer who is seeking
to mesmerize you; he is alienating you from your own religion
and making you his own followers. Beware! lest you read his
book. Beware! lest you associate with his friends.”
|
Bahá’u’lláh, speaking of these very ones who were attacking
and decrying Him, said, “They are My heralds; they are the ones
who are proclaiming My message and spreading My Word. Pray
that they may be multiplied, pray that their number may increase
and that they may cry out more loudly. The more they abuse Me by
their words and the greater their agitation, the more potent and
437
mighty will be the efficacy of the Cause of God, the more luminous
the light of the Word and the greater the radiance of the divine Sun.
And eventually the gloomy darkness of the outer world will disappear,
and the light of reality will shine until the whole earth will be
effulgent with its glory.”
|