Two civilizations: the lamp and its light

Material civilization is like unto the lamp, while spiritual civilization is the light in that lamp. If the material and spiritual civilization become united, then we will have the light and the lamp together, and the outcome will be perfect. For material civilization is like unto a beautiful body, and spiritual civilization is like unto the spirit of life.

… For man two wings are necessary. One wing is physical power and material civilization; the other is spiritual power and divine civilization. With one wing only, flight is impossible. Two wings are essential. Therefore, no matter how much material civilization advances, it cannot attain to perfection except through the uplift of spiritual civilization.

No matter how far the material world advances, it cannot establish the happiness of mankind. Only when material and spiritual civilization are linked and coordinated will happiness be assured. Then material civilization will not contribute its energies to the forces of evil in destroying the oneness of humanity, for in material civilization good and evil advance together and maintain the same pace.

And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is that although material civilization is one of the means for the progress of the world of mankind, yet until it becomes combined with Divine civilization, the desired result, which is the felicity of mankind, will not be attained. Consider! These battleships that reduce a city to ruins within the space of an hour are the result of material civilization; likewise the Krupp guns, the Mauser rifles, dynamite, submarines, torpedo boats, armed aircraft and bombers--all these weapons of war are the malignant fruits of material civilization.

The Blessed Beauty has commanded in all Tablets the acquisition of beneficial sciences, expansion of commerce, advancement of industry, increase of agriculture, and attention to the development of the country, for civilization is among the fundamental principles of the Law of God - but religious civilization, not material civilization. Between these two there are thousands of leagues of distance and separation, as has been explained in detail in the Treatise on Civilization printed in Bombay.

The one is the call of civilization, of the progress of the material world. This pertaineth to the world of phenomena, promoteth the principles of material achievement, and is the trainer for the physical accomplishments of mankind. … The propagator and executive power of this call is just government.

The other is the soul-stirring call of God, Whose spiritual teachings are safeguards of the everlasting glory, the eternal happiness and illumination of the world of humanity, and cause attributes of mercy to be revealed in the human world and the life beyond.

… Its penetrative power is the Word of God.

… Therefore, this civilization and material progress should be combined with the Most Great Guidance so that this nether world may become the scene of the appearance of the bestowals of the Kingdom, and physical achievements may be conjoined with the effulgences of the Merciful.

All have been created for the betterment of the world.

Promote ye the development of the cities of God and His countries, and glorify Him therein in the joyous accents of His well-favoured ones.

Every man of insight will, in this day, readily admit that the counsels which the Pen of this Wronged One hath revealed constitute the supreme animating power for the advancement of the world and the exaltation of its peoples.

By the Lord God, and there is no God but He, even the minutest details of civilized life derive from the grace of the Prophets of God. What thing of value to mankind has ever come into being which was not first set forth either directly or by implication in the Holy Scriptures?

… They have not even grasped what is meant by the "imitation" referred to, nor do they know that the Divine religions enjoin upon and encourage all the faithful to adopt such principles as will conduce to continuous improvements, and to acquire from other peoples sciences and arts.

They should justify their claim to be Baha'is by deeds and not by name. He is a true Baha'i who strives by day and by night to progress and advance along the path of human endeavour, whose most cherished desire is so to live and act as to enrich and illuminate the world, whose source of inspiration is the essence of divine virtue, whose aim in life is so to conduct himself as to be the cause of infinite progress. Only when he attains unto such perfect gifts can it be said of him that he is a true Baha'i.

Baha'u'llah teaches that material civilization is incomplete, insufficient and that divine civilization must be established. Material civilization concerns the world of matter or bodies, but divine civilization is the realm of ethics and moralities. Until the moral degree of the nations is advanced and human virtues attain a lofty level, happiness for mankind is impossible.

Question: What is divine civilization?

Answer: Divine civilization is the lamp and material civilization is the glass. Divine civilization is the spirit and material civilization is the body. Physical civilization alone is not sufficient, and humanity needs divine civilization in many ways. From physical civilization natural perfections are obtained; from divine civilization spiritual perfections are manifested. Physical civilization serves the world of nature; divine civilization serves the world of morals.

Ninthly: Baha'u'llah taught that hearts must receive the Bounty of the Holy Spirit, so that Spiritual civilization may be established. For material civilization is not adequate for the needs of mankind and cannot be the cause of its happiness. Material civilization is like the body and spiritual civilization is like the soul. Body without soul cannot live.

Still another principle asserts that material civilization must be combined with spiritual (Divine) civilization. The former is likened to a globe and the latter is the light that shines therein. Again the former is like unto the body of man and no matter how charming that body may be, Divine civilization is the soul and a lifeless body is assuredly void of any importance.

This material civilization is like a transparent glass while divine civilization is like a brilliant lamp. When that glass is illumined by this lamp, divine perfection will then be manifested. Thus material civilization is like a refined body which, no matter how beautiful it may be, still needs a spirit.

Materially you are very well off, but you are in need of what I would term "divine" civilization --

Mr. Lawson. (interrupting) "Sweetness and light" as Matthew Arnold says?

… Material civilization is like a glass chimney. Divine civilization is like the light within the chimney or lantern. However much the chimney may be polished or clear, it is in need of light.

First we must find the candle, then the lantern.

Material civilization is likened to the body, whereas divine civilization is the spirit in that body. A body not manifesting the spirit is dead; a fruitless tree is worthless.

Among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is this: That man is possessed of two natures. He is in need of two civilizations. One is the material civilization, which assures the perfect order of his physical welfare; and the other is his spiritual life, or spiritual civilization, which is the divine civilization insuring happiness everlasting. As to the material civilization, the men of dignity on the earth are the founders, and man is in need of them. As to the divine civilization, the founders thereof are the manifestations holy and divine. Man cannot attain to happiness everlasting through the sole agency of material civilization.

Material education alone cannot make the world happy. Spiritual civilization must assist the material civilization. The men of science and philosophy are the founders of the material education, but His Holiness Christ was the founder of the spiritual, divine civilization. Material civilization serves the world of men, but the spiritual civilization founds the world of morals. These two kinds of civilization must go hand in hand.

The material civilization is like the lamp, but the spiritual civilization is like the light in the lamp. This lamp without the light is a useless thing. Therefore, in our day philosophy and science must go hand in hand with the spiritual civilization.

Education is also of two kinds--material and spiritual. The material education is accomplished by intellectual means, but the spiritual is promoted by means of revelation. And it is meant by education and prophethood to perfect the soul and permit man to know the mysteries of GOD and to advance unto the grades of mankind.

If a piece of ground is left in its natural state, wild weeds, thorns and trees of the jungle will grow upon it. But if we cultivate that same piece of ground, the result will be that it will rid itself of natural imperfections and become transformed into a beautiful rose garden or an orchard of fruitful trees. This is proof that the world of nature is defective. The founding of schools and establishing of educational systems in the world are intended to replace the defects of nature with virtues and perfections.

The children of today are the citizens of tomorrow. The mothers of today inculcate so many material ideas in the minds of their children. They tell to the children in the way of encouragement: 'Study hard and thou shalt become the general of an army.' They do not incite them in the acquirement of the ideal virtues. They do not tell them:- 'Strive that thou mayst become a sincere, a just man; that thou mayst serve faithfully the world of humanity.'

But, were you able to organize a Baha'i educational Conference, that which the souls of mankind may receive the instructions of the Kingdom, obtain ideal perfections and become the manifestors of merciful susceptibilities , that is;- the spiritual and material virtues may join hands and the forces of the heavenly and natural civilizations may be linked together - then out of the deliberation of such a Conference there will issue far-reaching and universal results.

If a person studies all the sciences and arts, without heavenly Confirmations, he will not be able to accomplish very much. Now I hope you will become the Cause of moral and scientific advancement of all the Persians.

This is the time for man to strive and put forth his greatest efforts in spiritual directions. Material civilization has reached an advanced plane, but now there is need of spiritual civilization. Material civilization alone will not satisfy; it cannot meet the conditions and requirements of the present age; its benefits are limited to the world of matter. There is no limitation to the spirit of man, for spirit in itself is progressive, and if the divine civilization be established, the spirit of man will advance.

The more the world of humanity develops, the more the effulgences or emanations of Divinity will become revealed, just as the stone, when it becomes polished and pure as a mirror, will reflect in fuller degree the glory and splendor of the sun.

Know that creation is of two kinds: physical creation and spiritual creation.

Without divine civilization the mysteries of the Kingdom are not revealed and the bounties of heaven are not ascertained; supernatural wisdom and power do not manifest themselves; the intelligence of humanity does not reach maturity; the world of humanity does not become the mirror of the world above; spiritual powers fail to over-come animal influences of nature.

These perfections are attained through divine civilization of which the world of man is in need.

All powers are impotent and limited and all created things are captive under the law of nature except for the divine power and spiritual civilization which manifest extraordinary effects in the realities of souls.

Therefore we need a unifying power that encompasses and prevails over all, so that no other force or cause remains dominant, but rather unites everyone. Without doubt this must be divine power, and except for spiritual power, no power can overcome these material forces.

Until the heavenly civilization is founded, no result will be forthcoming from material civilization, even as you observe. See what catastrophes overwhelm mankind. Consider the wars which disturb the world. Consider the enmity and hatred. The existence of these wars and conditions indicates and proves that the heavenly civilization has not yet been established. If the civilization of the Kingdom be spread to all the nations, this dust of disagreement will be dispelled, these clouds will pass away, and the Sun of Reality in its greatest effulgence and glory will shine upon mankind.

Speaking of religion and science, the two great wings with which the bird of human kind is able to soar, He said: "Scientific discoveries have increased material civilization. … Let us supplicate God, the Beloved, that this force be not discovered by science until spiritual civilization shall dominate the human mind.

The world of nature is endued with the qualities of the animal Kingdom; it is fraught with defects, bloodthirstiness, injustice, struggle for existence, wickedness, treason, hostility, rancour and beastly propensities, in short the world of nature is the arena of depraved immoralities, the field of corrupt vices.

The honored Aqa Mirza Habib is indeed confirmed [Mu'ayyad]. He will become very renowned. He is verily a devoted servant of the Blessed Beauty. He is sacrificial, devout, has deep convictions for the Faith and renders all he can for the friends of God. He diligently served the believers that passed through Beirut, out of his love for God and in His path and not gain favor or friendship. He showed them kindness because he is devoted to the Blessed Beauty.

Kindness is of two types: a kindness that is offered because of the recipient and one that is independent of the recipient. For instance, there is much love and affection among the people, but this is of the first type. It is because of some worldly consideration or is associated with some expectation that comes with rendering this kindness. Such affections will eventually come to an end. But there is a love that is offered for the sake of God. For example, you may love someone because he is a believer and has faith in God, and not because you want to use him for some purpose or receive some gain. This affection is lasting and is of God and unto Him it returns. If one manifests the first type of kindness, this is attachment and not affection.

When the Seven Martyrs were being executed, each would implore to be martyred first. He would say, 'Slay me first so that I would not witness the martyrdom of others.' This is true affection. This affection is light. This affection is life.

I hope that through the intensity of the heat of the Great Luminary, religious prejudices, racial prejudices, patriotic prejudices and political prejudices will melt away like snow, and the meadow of reality will attain the utmost verdancy, freshness, delicacy and grace, so that the world will become the envy of Paradise, the world of nature will become the manifestation of heavenly bounties, East and West will embrace, North and South will become beloved and lover, mankind will become the waves of one sea and the flowers of one garden and the trees of one orchard.

I have come to promote divine civilization. This is a civilization that Baha'u'llah established in the East. It is a civilization that tends to the domain of character; it is a civilization that conduces to universal peace; it is a civilization that promotes the unity of the world of humanity.

Now strive ye that the Collective Center of the sacred religions--for the inculcation of which all the Prophets were manifested and which is no other than the spirit of the divine teachings--be spread in all parts of America, so that each one of you may shine forth from the horizon of reality like unto the morning star, divine illumination may overcome the darkness of nature, and the world of humanity may become enlightened. This is the most great work! Should you become confirmed therein, this world will become another world, the surface of the earth will become the delectable paradise, and eternal Institutions be founded.

'Abdu'l-Baha has the greatest love for you and therefore does He seek to establish the commonwealth of the Kingdom of God, the government of spiritual affairs and susceptibilities. These are what shall give life and become the cause of progress in the world of humanity. My hope is that ye may all be engaged in raising this mighty altar so that the peoples of the world may burn with the fire of the love of God.

The teachings of Baha'u'llah are spiritual, heavenly, luminous, free, freedom of conscience, deliver humanity from the world of dust and bring it to the pure world, are the breathings of the Holy Spirit, are eternal life, are the lights of the Sun of Reality, illumine the world.

We must disorganize humanism in order to construct a spiritual edifice in the world of humanity.

Therefore, I ask those of insight and sound mind: Is it not true that the powers of material knowledge in this century have overcome the spiritual heart forces? … I know the reason to be the lack of a spiritual object, because the weak religion of our ancestors is no longer sufficient.

My respected friend: Your letter was received and from those spiritual bonds which spring from the heart and conscience, the utmost joy was attained. In this journey, although it became clear and evident that the Western world has made extraordinary progress in material civilization, divine civilization is nearly wholly forgotten, for all thoughts are immersed in the world of nature. Everything manifests the splendors of the natural world, not divine splendors. And since in the world of nature there are many imperfections, therefore the lights of divine civilization are hidden and nature has become sovereign.

While it is true that its people have attained a marvelous material civilization, I hope that spiritual forces may animate this great body and a corresponding spiritual civilization be established.

America and Europe have achieved the utmost progress in material civilization and are advancing day by day. It is hoped that divine civilization will also be established in these countries - that is, the civilization that the divine Prophets established, which pertains to the world of morals and spiritual education and is the cause of the spiritual progress of humanity.

You have truly been progressive along material lines. The time has come to found and promulgate the spiritual civilization, and this divine civilization is no other than the teachings of the Prophets, so that the body and spirit may both keep up advancement and become as light on light.

"The teachings of Baha'u'llah are the spirit of this age; for although material civilization has advanced, yet divine civilization is left behind. We are in need of divine civilization for material civilization without the aid of spiritual civilization is of no avail. Were divine civilization visible and active, wonderful traces would have been left from material civilization.

Although the Western nations have perfected the machinery of natural civilization yet they are far left behind in divine civilization.

Paris in reality is a very artistic city. It has many interesting sights for the tourists. Many charming spots to charm the eyes. We might state that civilization has pitched its tents in Paris; but the tents is so big that there is great obscurity under it.

In America and Europe there are wonderful parks and gardens, but they are all the handiwork of man, the outcome of the artistic spirit of the inhabitants; but here nature reigns supreme, wild and primitive -- as God created it.

But some people ask me, 'Is your country developed? Is it prosperous and has it good trees, sweet fruits, beautiful animals and swift Arabian horses?'

But I speak to them of the trees of the world of existence, of the fruits of human virtues and of heavenly morals and traits and call people to the Kingdom of God.

O thou spiritual youth!

Japan hath made wonderful progress in material civilization, but she will become perfect when she also becometh spiritually developed and the power of the Kingdom becometh manifest in her.

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As New York has made such progress in material civilization, I hope that it may also advance spiritually in the Kingdom and Covenant of God so that the friends here may become the cause of the illumination of America, that this city may become the city of love and that the fragrances of God may be spread from this place to all parts of the world.

It would be well for the West to turn to the East for illumination, and to give in exchange its scientific knowledge. There must be this interchange of gifts.

The East and the West must unite to give to each other what is lacking. This union will bring about a true civilization, where the spiritual is expressed and carried out in the material.

This exchange of gifts would form a true civilization, where spiritual ideals would be translated into action in the material world.

The Baha'i teachings reveal the means of both material and spiritual progress."

in like manner, when the sincere purposes and the justice of the sovereign, the knowledge and perfect political efficiency of the ministers of state and the ambition and enthusiasm of the people are all realized at the same time, then indeed, the millennium of progress and human perfection, the consummation of the glory and the prosperity of state and nation will become accomplished.

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Then will they see what breath of life is breathed into them, what glory manifests itself, what degrees of progress are achieved in every way. Then will they see with their own eyes that lifeless Persia has been revived, that dilapidated land has been made to prosper, and that darksome Iran has been illumined.

For six thousand years we have been walking on the left-hand path; let us walk on the right-hand path now. We have passed many centuries in darkness, let us advance towards the light.

Apparently some people may conceive that this is the height of happiness but it is material and fleeting. It does not last. The only abiding happiness is spiritual and ideal. That is real, all others are phantasmal and non-essential. The joy of the spirit confers Peace.

The Almighty has destined for him eternal life, spiritual existence, the perfections of the divine world and the virtues of the celestial realm.

I know, verily, that the universal, never ending, eternal, bright and divine establishments are only the diffusing of the breaths of God, and the spreading of the instructions of God, and all that are beside these, though they be the reigning over all the regions of the earth, or the construction of railroads from the earth to the heavens, or means of transportation with the rapidity of rising lightning from the globe of earth to the globe of the sun, all are mortal, perishing, demolishing and disadvantageous, in comparison with the divine establishments. Because the latter (divine establishments) are intrinsic matters, while the former are but metaphorical matters; the latter are truth, while the former are imaginary.

The people of this world are thinking of building palaces but the believers of God are thinking to build the Palace of Eternal life. That palace is only for a few days, this Palace is for eternity.

Let your ambition be the achievement on earth of a Heavenly civilization!

For in existence there are two civilizations: one is the material, natural civilization which serves the physical world, and the other is the divine civilization which renders service to the world of morals. The founders of material civilization are the wise ones of humanity, while the founders of divine civilization are the holy Manifestations of God. Religion is the foundation of divine civilization. Material civilization is as the body, while divine civilization is as the spirit. The body without the spirit is dead, though it be in the utmost freshness and grace.

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...the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha ... 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.

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