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 »
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 »
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“O thou dear friend!…” |
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Although a person of good deeds is acceptable at
the Threshold of the Almighty, yet it is first “to know,”
and then “to do.” Although a blind man produceth
a most wonderful and exquisite art, yet he is deprived
of seeing it. Consider how most animals labor for
man, draw loads and facilitate travel; yet, as they are
ignorant, they receive no reward for this toil and labor.
The cloud raineth, roses and hyacinths grow; the plain
and meadow, the garden and trees become green and
blossom; yet they do not realize the results and outcome
of all these. The lamp is lighted, but as it hath not a
conscious knowledge of itself, no one hath become glad
because of it. Moreover, a soul of excellent deeds and
good manners will undoubtedly advance from whatever
horizon he beholdeth the lights radiating. Herein
lies the difference: By faith is meant, first, conscious
knowledge, and second, the practice of good deeds.
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Thou hast asked concerning reincarnation: Reincarnation
as understood by the people, is untrue; but in
the Gospel, “return” is referred to, and that is the return
of qualities
1
and not the return of entities. This
550
matter is explained in detail in the Book of Ighan,
which is translated and published. Study that Book.
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Thou hast asked concerning the spirits of men: They
are not at all annihilated—they are immortal.
2
The
spirits of heavenly souls will find eternal life, that is,
they will attain the highest and most great stations
of perfection; but the spirits of the heedless souls, although
they are eternal, yet they are in a world of
imperfection, concealment and ignorance. This is a
concise answer. Contemplate and meditate upon it, in
order that thou mayest comprehend the reality of the
mysteries in detail. For instance: No matter how
much the mineral has an existence and life, yet in comparison
to man, it is entirely non-existent and deprived
of life. For where man is translated from life to
death, his comparative station will be that of a mineral
existence.
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| 1. |
I.e., the return of the qualities, powers and attributes in another human being.
[ Back To Reference] |
| 2. |
I.e., in the sense of continued existence after the death of the body.
[ Back To Reference] |
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