The Bahá’í principles: a pattern for shared life

Should any come to blows with you, seek to be friends with him; should any stab you to the heart, be ye a healing salve unto his sores; should any taunt and mock at you, meet him with love. Should any heap his blame upon you, praise ye him; should he offer you a deadly poison, give him the choicest honey in exchange; and should he threaten your life, grant him a remedy that will heal him evermore. Should he be pain itself, be ye his medicine; should he be thorns, be ye his roses and sweet herbs. … Such is the essence of God's admonitions; such in sum are the teachings for the Dispensation of Baha.

And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the oneness of the world of humanity; that all human beings are the sheep of God and He is the kind Shepherd.

… And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is that religion must be in conformity with science and reason, so that it may influence the hearts of men.

… And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is that religious, racial, political, economic and patriotic prejudices destroy the edifice of humanity.

… And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the origination of one language that may be spread universally among the people.

… And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the equality of women and men.

… And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is voluntary sharing of one's property with others among mankind.

For every era hath a spirit; the spirit of this illumined era lieth in the teachings of Baha'u'llah. For these lay the foundation of the oneness of the world of humanity and promulgate universal brotherhood. They are founded upon the unity of science and religion and upon investigation of truth. They uphold the principle that religion must be the cause of amity, union and harmony among men. They establish the equality of both sexes and propound economic principles which are for the happiness of individuals. They diffuse universal education, that every soul may as much as possible have a share of knowledge. They abrogate and nullify religious, racial, political, patriotic and economic prejudices and the like.

There have issued, from His mighty Pen, various teachings for the prevention of war, and these have been scattered far and wide.

The first is the independent investigation of truth; for blind imitation of the past will stunt the mind. But once every soul inquireth into truth, society will be freed from the darkness of continually repeating the past.

His second principle is the oneness of mankind: that all men are the sheep of God, and God is their loving Shepherd, caring most tenderly for all without favouring one or another.

The utterances set forth therein by the Pen of the Lord of creation include the following which constitute the fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men:

First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice to promote the Lesser Peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved from the burden of exorbitant expenditures.

… Second: Languages must be reduced to one common language to be taught in all the schools of the world.

Third: It behoveth man to adhere tenaciously unto that which will promote fellowship, kindliness and unity.

The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.

The matter of universal peace is but one of the principles of Baha'u'llah's teachings, which has its corollaries: the independent investigation of reality and the abandonment of ancient traditions; the oneness of humanity; religious amity and fellowship, meaning that religion must be the cause of unity and accord; the conformity of religion with science and reason; the relinquishment of religious, racial, national, territorial and political prejudices; the unity of language, meaning the adoption of a universal auxiliary language so that every person would know two languages - one's native tongue and the universal language; the solution of economic problems; the equality of rights between men and women; the matter of justice and equity; the establishment of a divine civilization; and many others similar to these.

The first plan "the alliance of Humanity for the attainment of Universal Peace" did not bring any result: for the question of Universal Peace is one Teaching of the Teachings of His Holiness Baha'u'llah, It must be along the Principles of the Bahais and not the Principles of the Bahais to be along (or consider as of secondary importance to) the question of Universal Peace. The Principles of His Holiness Baha'u'llah are numerous. One of those Principles is the question of Universal Peace. Save through this Divine Power, or in other words, Religious Power, the matter of Universal Peace will not be established on a firm and lasting foundation.

Among the teachings are justice and right, equality between men and women, promotion of sciences and arts, and that craft is identical with worship. Among the teachings is service to humanity without exception, universal peace, the creation of a universal language, education for all humanity, complete truthfulness and obedience to just government, and the sharing of wealth among mankind.

O friends of God! Your letter was received through Mrs. Stannard and its contents brought the utmost joy, for praise be to God, a spiritual gathering has been established in Paris as well, where souls of assured faith congregate to engage in remembrance of the Kingdom of God and promote those teachings which are the spirit of this age: the oneness of humanity, establishment of universal peace, right and justice, that religion must be the cause of fellowship among people, harmony between reason and science, equality of men and women, liberty and freedom for all humanity, establishment of heavenly morals and love for all humankind even unto animals, universal education, and that crafts, commerce and agriculture are forms of worship - a farmer who tends his field with utmost dedication is like a worshipper who supplicates with utmost humility in a temple, and a worker who labors with honesty and truthfulness is like one who prays. In brief, teachings of this nature which are the spirit of this age and light of this century - whoever catches their fragrance becomes attracted to them, especially since these teachings are reinforced by the Covenant, a Covenant that is the cause of the flame that illumines the horizons, breathes the spirit of life, makes souls luminous, renders them divine, makes them heavenly, makes them shine like candles and gleam like stars.

O friends in Paris! Know that no soul becomes alive except through the spirit of the Covenant, no eye becomes illumined except through the light of the Covenant, no ear vibrates except to the melody of the Covenant, and no heart becomes the manifestation of divine inspirations except through the bounty of the Covenant. The people of Paris are passionate and become attracted with utmost swiftness, therefore the fire of the love of God will blaze intensely in Paris and achieve great diffusion. Some regions of Europe are in a state of intense burning and day by day numerous souls are entering. You have surely heard of this. Now strive to kindle the fire of the love of the Covenant with utmost power so that Paris may surpass other regions. If the Covenant blazes as it should, wondrous effects will appear in a short time, for the moving force in the body of the world today is the power of the Covenant - it is the pulsing artery in the body of contingent beings.

In any case, I am very pleased with these few souls who are in Paris and I have great love for you. My hope is that you will make the gathering full of enthusiasm and become the cause of guidance for others. Convey my greetings to each and every one. And upon you be greetings and praise.

Among them is the independent investigation of truth, which demolishes the foundation of blind imitation.

Among them is the oneness of humanity--that all human beings are the sheep of God and God is the kind Shepherd, showing utmost kindness to all His sheep.

Among them is universal peace, which is the immediate remedy for every malady in this illumined age.

Among them is that religion must be the cause of fellowship and love; if it becomes the cause of hatred and enmity, it yields no fruit.

Among them is the reconciliation of science, reason and religion.

Among them is the abandonment of religious prejudices, sectarian prejudices, racial prejudices, patriotic prejudices and political prejudices.

Among them is justice and equality, nay rather, the voluntary sharing by the wealthy with the poor, not through force and coercion.

Among them is the economic question, which is detailed.

Among them is the equality of men and women, with some exceptions in certain matters.

O steadfast souls! Your letter was received. It was proof of attraction and evidence of firmness and assurance. Praise be to God that the grace of the All-Merciful encompasses all and the gift of the Intended One (may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones) is endless. Give thanks to God that you have found repose under such a blessed tree and the eternal divine bounty reaches you at every moment. Convey the most wondrous Abha greetings to all the friends with utmost longing and kindness.

And in that great city, to whoever asks and seeks, speak of the teachings of the Blessed Beauty, not of beliefs, for this promotes progress. The approach should be this: that the horizon of the East had become very dark and illumination was entirely lost. The dust of prejudice had so encompassed all that all the peoples of the East were in the utmost hatred and enmity with each other, and were entirely deprived of human virtues and heavenly civilization, even physical civilization. At this time, Baha'u'llah, like the sun, rose from the eastern horizon and through the lights of truth promoted teachings whereby these conflicting, quarreling, hostile peoples entered beneath the tabernacle of the oneness of the world of humanity. He brought healing and complete fellowship to these peoples full of hatred and enmity, such that now they associate with each other in the utmost love and affection. He illumined the moral world and promoted sciences and knowledge. And His teachings are these: First, the independent investigation of truth and deliverance from ancient traditions. Second, the oneness of the world of humanity, as has been explained in detail in the letters. Third, religion must be the cause of fellowship and love - if it is not, it has no result - with the details you have heard. Fourth, science and religion must walk hand in hand. Fifth, universal peace among mankind, and its details. Sixth, the establishment of the Supreme Tribunal, and its details. Seventh, unity between men and women and equality of rights. Eighth, compulsory education and its details. Ninth, freedom of rights. Tenth, non-interference in political affairs. Eleventh, the establishment of a universal language. Twelfth, the Most Great Justice. And thirteenth, the utmost need for the breaths of the Holy Spirit, and similar teachings.

And upon you be the Most Glorious Glory.

Its rays are the heavenly teachings, which proclaim the unity of the human world, promote universal peace, investigate reality, establish fellowship and love through the power of religion, reconcile science and reason with religion, abandon religious, racial, national and political prejudices, universalize public education, establish a supreme international tribunal to resolve various problems between governments and nations, educate all women equal to men in all human virtues, solve economic problems, establish a universal language, and so forth--so that the human world may be saved from the darkness of error and reach the dawning-place of guidance, and all this strife and conflict and enmity and hatred among humanity may be utterly destroyed from their foundations, and the misunderstandings between religions may vanish.

Among the teachings is the independent investigation of truth, and among the teachings is that religion must be the cause of fellowship, unity and oneness, not the cause of alienation. If religion becomes the cause of bloodshed, it has no necessity for the human world. And among the teachings is that religion must conform to science and reason, not be superstitions that reason can in no way verify.

All people are like diverse birds, but they must gather at this fountain and be satisfied from this spring, and that spring is the teachings of Baha'u'llah. First is the independent investigation of truth, second is the oneness of humanity, third is that religion must be the cause of love and fellowship - if it is not the cause of love and fellowship it has no purpose, fourth is that religion must accord with science, fifth that religious prejudice, sectarian prejudice, racial prejudice and national prejudice destroy the foundation of humanity - all people are God's sheep and of one race and the earth is one homeland, sixth that one must be free of all imitations and hold fast to the foundation of divine religions, seventh is unity of language - one language must be chosen or newly invented that will be universal so that misunderstandings between religions and races and nations will disappear, and likewise the equality of men and women, and likewise the spread of sciences and knowledge, and likewise the union of women and men among all religions and nations, and likewise justice and equity, and likewise political unity and so forth.

All the divine principles announced by the tongue of the Prophets of the past are to be found in the words of Bahá’u’lláh; but in addition to these He has revealed certain new teachings which are not found in any of the sacred Books of former times.

… As to the most great characteristic of the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, a specific teaching not given by any of the Prophets of the past: It is the ordination and appointment of the Center of the Covenant.

At most, such criticism as was voiced against them did not extend beyond the claim that similar teachings had been enunciated in the Gospel; in reply to which we said: "Among these teachings is the unity of mankind -- show us in which book this is recorded. Another teaching is universal peace -- in which book is this? That religion should be a cause of love and unity, otherwise it would be better to do without it -- in which book is this? And that religion should be conformable with sound reason and true knowledge -- in which book is this? In which book hath the equality of men and women been established? And the elimination of all forms of prejudice, whether of creed, religion, nation, politics or race -- in which book is this?"

And if someone asks what is the superiority of the teachings, say in reply that the teachings of Baha'u'llah encompass all the teachings of the sacred books, and beyond this has special teachings which are the illumination of the human world and the spirit of this age:

First is the oneness of humanity - all people are God's sheep and God is the true Shepherd, kind to all.

The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.

In addition, the Faith offers certain principles, which others lack. For instance, [the principle of] the oneness of humanity; religion must be cause of love and fellowship; religion must be in accord with reason and science; proclamation of universal peace; equality of men and women; promotion of learning and spirituality; and many others.'"

The teachings of Baha'u'llah are the light of this age and the spirit of this century. Expound each of them at every gathering.

The first is investigation of truth,

The second, the oneness of mankind,

The third, universal peace,

The fourth, conformity between science and divine revelation,

The fifth, abandonment of racial, religious, worldly and political prejudices, prejudices which destroy the foundation of mankind.

The sixth is righteousness and justice,

The seventh, the betterment of morals and heavenly education,

The eighth, the equality of the two sexes,

The ninth, the diffusion of knowledge and education,

The tenth, economic questions,

and so on and so forth.

The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.

Similarly describe fully in that journal the other teachings which thou art acquainted with, one by one, a detailed description: For example, that religion must be the cause of concord; that it should agree with science and reason; that it must be a factor of progress to the world of humanity, that it should be free from blind imitations.

Regarding the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Washington - certainly if public meetings are organized, it will cause the spread of the Cause of God. In those public gatherings, general matters should be discussed, not specific ones. The exact same topics that I discussed in public gatherings should be mentioned, namely: the oneness of humanity, independent investigation of truth, the unity of the foundation of divine religions, abandonment of religious, sectarian, racial and national prejudices, conformity of religion with reason and science, religion being the cause of fellowship and love between people (otherwise its abandonment is preferable), equality between men and women, necessity of confirmation from the Holy Spirit, proving the existence of God and divine revelation, the penetrating power of Baha'u'llah, unity between religions, the dawning of the Sun of Truth from the horizon of Iran, universal peace, universal language, and education of children of all religions in one school with one curriculum. Such matters should be discussed in public meetings. Consult with Mrs. Parsons and other friends about all these matters and make arrangements accordingly.

Among these principles are: the highest efficiency in the educational system, the oneness of the world of humanity, the conformity of religion with science and reason, equality of rights among the children of men, the breaths of the Holy Spirit, equality of men and women, the sweeping away of the prejudices existing among the various religions, heavenly morals, the fragrances of the Merciful, universal peace, etc.

His teachings, which embody the divine spirit of the age and are applicable to this period of maturity in the life of the human world, are:

The oneness of the world of humanity

The protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit

The foundation of all religion is one

Religion must be the cause of unity

Religion must accord with science and reason

Independent investigation of truth

Equality between men and women

The abandoning of all prejudices among mankind

Universal peace

Universal education

A universal language

Solution of the economic problem

An international tribunal.

These twelve basic Bahai principles were laid down by Baha'u'llah over sixty years ago and are to be found in his published writings of that time.

The oneness of the world of humanity.

Independent investigation of truth.

The foundation of all religions is one.

Religion must be the cause of unity.

Religion must be in accord with science and reason.

Equality between men and women.

Prejudice of all kinds must be forgotten.

Universal peace.

Universal education.

Solution of the economic problem.

A universal language.

An international tribunal.

The Oneness of the World of Humanity

Baha'u'llah addresses himself to the world of man saying, "Ye are all the leaves of one tree and the fruits of one arbor."

The fundamental principles (grondbeginselen) of this universal religion are:

1- Independent investigation of the truth, which means that one has to refrain from blindly imitating others.

2 - The unity of mankind: all peoples are Godis lambs and God is the loving Shepherd.

3 - Religion has to be a cause of harmony for mankind.

4 - Religion has to be in concord with science and reason.

5 - Equality of the sexes, for mankind has two wings, male and female.

A universal court of justice has to be established.

7 - There has to be a universal language.

There are still many other principles, but the ones mentioned here are the most important.

Then he enumerated these principles, 1st Investigation of Reality. 2d the oneness of the world of humanity, 3d Religion must be the Cause of love and Amity. 4th Religion must be in accord with science and reason. 5th Universal Peace. 6th Economic plan. 7th Equality of man and woman etc.

The first teaching of Baha'u'llah was the unity of mankind, that all created beings are God's sheep and God is the true Shepherd, kind to all His flock. Since He is kind to all His sheep, why should we be unkind?

The second teaching of Baha'u'llah was universal peace, that all nations of the world must establish relations with one another and make peace, and establish a universal tribunal.

My message is the oneness of humanity and universal peace; the harmony of true science and religion; the equality of rights; the elimination of religious, racial and political prejudices; the truth of all the divine religions; the removal of religious imitations and superstitions; the education of women to such a degree that they may have equal rights with men; the adjustment of the economic condition of all people so that if a rich man enjoys honor and affluence, the poor man may also have a mat to lie on and a house to dwell in; the establishment of spiritual civilization; the reformation of human morals; the unity of all religions, so that when the people of the world recognize the truth of all religions, they may become united since truth is one - if they follow imitation, war and dissension shall remain, because imitations are the cause of differences.

My objects are the establishment of the Cause of international arbitration, the promotion of the oneness of the world of humanity, the conformity of religion with science and reason, the elucidation of the essential unity of the divine religions, the explanation of the continuity of the prophetic revelation, the instruction of mankind in the knowledge of human brotherhood, the inculcation of the primordial oneness of all phenomena, the upraising of the standard of the solidarity of the human race, the creation of a nucleus for bringing about the universal race, the spread of the precepts of spiritual civilization, the teachings of the synthesis of the heavenly philosophy, the readjustment of the economic relations between the capitalists and laborers, so that each individual member of the world of humanity may enjoy the utmost welfare and prosperity, the organization of the Arbitral Court of justice - in order that all the nations of the world may settle before that Court their international disputes and thus remove all the traces of enmity and hatred and the upholding of the principle of one auxiliary, universal language.

Question: "We (by "We" they meant the missionary world) are watching with great interest the progress of this Movement. For it seems to us it is advancing with great rapidity without the usual propaganda organization which to us hard-headed, practical Americans seems so essential and necessary. We are watching to see what will be the objective aims of this Cause."

Answer: "The objective aims are the oneness of the world of humanity, Universal Peace, Universal Love, international Cooperation and reciprocity, the founding of divine Civilization, the promotion of the principle of human consanguinity and solidarity and the establishment of the Kingdom of God, first in the hearts of men and then upon earth. These are the noble objective aims. Are you not in sympathy with them? Will you not do also your utmost to hasten that day? What harm is there in this? We are working day and night for the realization of these Ideas and purposes. God and His servants are also pleased with those souls who are serving under a different flag and in a different camp to actualize these principles of humanity."

Question: "What do the Baha'is believe?"

Answer: "They believe that mankind must love mankind; that universal amity must be practiced; that dead dogmas must be thrown away. That we are at the Threshold of the era of interdependence, that we must forget prejudices and that Universal Love must become the dominant note of the music of the 20th century."

Our crime was the proclamation of religious liberty, to worship God according to our own hearts, to spread universal Peace, to educate public opinion for moral and civic uplift of the nations, the equality of the sexes, universal education so that no ignorant boy and girl remain in the country, the development of spiritual susceptibilities, rectitude, uprightness, honor and righteousness.

O ye Persians! The Sun of Righteousness hath arisen with healing in its wings! Are ye not aware of it that your country is the dawning-place of this glorious Orb, the first rays of which is the oneness of the world of humanity, its second ray is love for all mankind, its third ray is universal Peace, its fourth ray is the correspondence of science with religion, its fifth ray is Universal religion, universal language, universal education etc etc.

And what are the ten commandments?

1. Mankind is an indivisible, indissoluble unity.

2. All religions are to be unified (literally to be made one) in the highest unity of the Baha'i Teachings.

3. World Peace is to be ensured through the Supranational House of Justice (League of Peoples).

4. Adopt a world-unifying language and a unified script.

5. Give the best education and schooling to boys and girls.

6. Give to each person the same right and the same duty to work.

7. Equal rights and duties for man and woman.

8. Prohibition of any kind of bondage, every kind of begging.

9. Private property should not grow to overwhelming power, let the appropriate laws of inheritance prevent this.

10. Landed property may not be bartered away nor lost to usury, every person has the right to his native soil.

Then He spoke of principles of the Faith concerning the 'Unity of Race', 'International Peace', 'Science and Religion', 'Religious and Racial Prejudice', the 'Equality of Men and Women', 'Universal Education', 'The Solution of the Economic Problem', and thus ended His talk: 'There are many other principles, but I have spoken [of] a few of them to you, and from these you will understand the spirit of the Baha'i Revelation.'

If possible when conversing with the Ambassador, mention only the foundation of this Cause - that it is based on pure good, absolute mercy, the reformation of the world, consideration for all peoples, truthfulness toward heads of government, abandonment of conflict, kindness and righteousness - and nothing more.

Then I state that the basic teachings of Baha'u'llah are universal peace; the oneness of humanity; prohibition of execration and calumny; association with the followers of all religions in harmony and unity of nations, of races and of governments; and such like.

The Baha'is must be the servants of universal Peace, the workers for the Cause of the Oneness of the world of humanity, the spreaders of heavenly Love amongst the children of men, the promulgators of the principles of the progress of mankind, the dispellers of the clouds of religious, national, patriotic and political prejudices and the upholders of the inviolable rights of equality between men and women. They must correspond religious ideals with the deductions of science and reason and discard all such theories which cannot stand the test of intellect and empirical knowledge.

The Principles of the religion of Baha'u'llah are the Collective Reality, the Power of divine attraction, the illumination of the world of humanity and the Breaths of the Holy Spirit.

We do not oppose the religion of anyone. We act in accordance with the Gospel. But we must also act in accordance with the teachings of Baha'u'llah. They are--the oneness of the world of humanity, independent investigation of truth, abandonment of prejudice, universal peace, etc. You must act in accordance with these teachings.

They are-the Oneness of the World of Humanity, Independent Investigation of Truth, Abandonment of Prejudice, Universal Peace, etc. You must act in accordance with these Teachings.

To live the life.

To be no cause of grief to any one.

To love each other very much.

To be kind to all people and to love them with a pure spirit.

… To be a cause of healing for every sick one; a comforter for every sorrowful one; a pleasant water for every thirsty one; a Heavenly Table for every hungry one; a guide for every seeker; rain for cultivation; a star to every horizon; a light for every lamp; a herald to every yearning one for the Kingdom of God.

Our Blessed Master said: "By these things you know the faithful servant of God."

The most beautiful pentagram comprises: Love, work, prayer, peace and joy; pursue daily its realization!

The independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition; the oneness of the entire human race, the pivotal principle and fundamental doctrine of the Faith; the basic unity of all religions; the condemnation of all forms of prejudice, whether religious, racial, class or national; the harmony which must exist between religion and science; the equality of men and women, the two wings on which the bird of humankind is able to soar; the introduction of compulsory education; the adoption of a universal auxiliary language; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a world tribunal for the adjudication of disputes between nations; the exaltation of work, performed in the spirit of service, to the rank of worship; the glorification of justice as the ruling principle in human society, and of religion as a bulwark for the protection of all peoples and nations; and the establishment of a permanent and universal peace as the supreme goal of all mankind--these stand out as the essential elements of that Divine polity which He ['Abdu'l-Baha] proclaimed to leaders of public thought as well as to the masses at large in the course of these missionary journeys [to the West].

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