Bahaism
The Baha'i faith also known as the Baha'i religion (pronounced baha i) Bahai Baha'i faith or religion is a monotheistic independent organization whose purpose is to unite humanity in its diversity. It was founded by the Persian Mirza Husayn Ali ( 1817 - one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two ) in 1863 . Its spiritual center (pilgrimage) and is located in Administrative Haifa and Acre in Israel.
Summary |
The Bb
In the early 1790s in Persia a religious movement born dissident Shiites , led by Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahs'. His followers, called Shaykhs , awaiting the imminent arrival of the Mahdi.
On the death of Shaykh Ahmad, the direction of motion passes Siyyid Kazim , a native of the city of Rasht. At his death in 1843 , he ordered his followers to go in search of the Chosen. It is believed that one of these faithful, Mulla Husayn, left for Shiraz after 40 days of prayer and fasting.
Upon his arrival, 23 May 1844 , Mulla Husayn was greeted by a resident, called the Bab, who invited him. After asking his guest the reason for his trip, the Bb told him to be that he seeks. Siyyid Mirza Ali-Muhammad ( in Persian ) ( 20 October 1819 - 9 July 1850 ) was a merchant Shiraz , in Persia , who at the age of 25 claimed to be a new manifestation of God and the Mahdi awaited (or Q'im). He then took the title Bb (), which means "gate" in Arabic , and was shot by the Persian authorities, under pressure from the Shiite clergy, 6 years later in Tabriz.
Mulla Husayn is the first disciple of the Bab. Before long, seventeen other disciples (including one woman, Tahereh ) join him. The Babism born at that time. The first eighteen disciples will therefore be known in Babism as " Letters of the Living. "
The heart of the message of the Bab is the imminent arrival of "Him Whom God shall make manifest", the promise announced by the religions of the past.
Bah'u'llh, the prophet founder of the Baha'i religion, was a disciple of the Bab and announced to be the realization of his prophecy.
Bah'u'llh
The founder of the Baha'i faith, Mirza Husayn Ali , Nur was born in the Iranian province of Mazandaran , on 12 November 1817 , in a noble family, his father worked for the government of the Shah of Iran. At age 27, when his father died, he was asked to replace him in the king's court. But he refuses to spend his time helping the oppressed, the sick and poor, to support the cause of justice. At thirty, he joined the Babism. In 1852 , he was arrested and sent into exile in Baghdad , which depends of the Ottoman Empire. After 10 years of exile in this city is in the 12-day "Festival of Ridvan, dated 22 April 1863 to 3 May 1863 , he reveals on his family's claim to be the one the rise was announced by the Bab - the supreme manifestation of God awaited by some monotheistic religions. He began to gather followers around him, intending to give birth to a world religion that would be the crowning of all religions have hitherto existed 'and would be on land the cornerstone of a kingdom of peace , of justice , of freedom and humanity. He is then forced to leave Baghdad to go to Constantinople , then in 1864 to Adrianople and finally in 1868 in Akka ( Acre ) in Palestine under Ottoman administration.
Bah'u'llh has his preaching mainly by writings, written from 1863 - first in Baghdad, then to Adrianople and finally to the prison of Saint-Jean d'Acre (Akka), where he wrote his main work ( The Kitab-i-Aqdas ). At Adrianople in 1868 , he sent text messages to the most prominent leaders of his time, including the Shah of Persia , the Czar of Russia Alexander II , Queen Victoria , Emperor William I , Napoleon III and Pope Pius IX , whom he exhorts to build a world totally free of violence, to limit armaments and to achieve widespread and lasting world peace.
Bah'u'llh spent the last forty years of his life in exile or in prison. Thus, from August 1868 until 1877 , he was imprisoned in the internment camp Turkish Akka, near Haifa. Then he moved outside the city to the countryside to Bahji mansion, where he died and was buried on 29 May 1892. This place has become the Qiblih for Baha'is, which direction they turn to perform the rite of prayer mandatory (Salat).
`Abdu'l-Bah
After the death of Baha'u'llah, the direction of the Baha'i community is assured by his eldest son, 'Abbas Effendi ( one thousand eight hundred and forty-four - 1 921 ), born in Tehran and proclaimed 'Abdul'l Baha' ('servant of the glory of God ").
He was nicknamed the "center of the Alliance" and the "head of the Faith," authorized interpreter of the message brought by his father, who was appointed as the sole interpreter of authority of his writings .
He knew his father into exile and prison, where he was imprisoned until 1908 , when the Young Turks freed him. Then he set to Haifa , at the direction of his father, the headquarters of the Baha'i movement.
In August 1911 , he left the Holy Land to go to Europe where he stayed four months, including London and Paris. There he met again believers Western and gave daily lectures on the Baha'i Faith and its principles. In spring 1912 , `Abdu'l-Baha began a long trip a year, again in Europe, the United States and Canada. This helped considerably to the spread of the Baha'i Faith in the West, and under his influence, she recorded a considerable increase, particularly in India , the United States and Europe.
He died in Haifa on 28 November 1921 , not without having designated as his successor in the office of Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, his grand-son Shoghi Effendi ( 1897 - 1957 ). His body now rests in the mausoleum of the Bb on Mount Caramel in Haifa, pending the planned construction of his own mausoleum.
Shoghi Effendi Rabbani
The successor of `Abdu'l-Baha at the head of the movement was his grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani son ( 1897 - 1,957 ), whose mother was the eldest daughter of `Abdu'l-Bah, and who was awarded the title of "Guardian of the Cause of God" (Vali 'Amr'ullh). Educated at Oxford , he sought to translate into English the main Baha'i writings and develop the Baha'i Administrative Order. Under his leadership and direction, assisted by eminent disciples called the " Hands of the Cause of God ", he launched the" Ten Year Crusade "in 1953 , which will cause the Baha'i Faith to be present in all countries the world when completed in 1963. Between his appointment in 1921 and his death in 1957, the number of Baha'is has quadrupled from 100 000 to 400 000 and the country opened to the Faith went from 35 to 250. He founded six new Tips spiritual national , which were added to existing ones in Iran and the United States.
Following his untimely death on 4 November 1957 under conditions not allowing to designate his successor, is an executive board of nine members chosen from the "Hands of the Cause", which took over the leadership of the community until the election in 1963 the first Universal House of Justice , Supreme Council of the community whose role is, however, that purely administrative and does not constitute a clergy.
Bah' Administration
The Kitab-i-Aqdas Bah'u'llh and the Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bah are foundational documents of the Baha'i administration. Bah'u'llh established the Universal House of Justice, an elected body. `Abdu'l-Bah established the principle of hereditary Guardianship and defined the relationship between these two institutions. In his will, `Abdu'l-Bah appointed his eldest son small, Shoghi Effendi , as the first "Keeper of the Faith Baha'i who was behind the development of this administration.
The Baha'i Administrative Order is a body consisting of "elected" and body "appointed". At local, regional and national levels, Baha'is elect annual "Spiritual Assemblies" of nine members to conduct the business community at these levels according to the principle of subsidiarity . The members of the institution of "Body of Consultants" are not elected but appointed at different levels, local and international, to propagate the faith and protect the community. These are not the role of the clergy, that does not exist in the Baha'i Faith .
The Universal House of Justice is now the supreme governing body of the Baha'i faith and its 9 members are elected every five years by members of all National Spiritual Assemblies . Only men Baha'is over 21 years are eligible for the Universal House of Justice, while all other positions are open to men and women.
State of World
Demographics
The number of Baha'is, scattered in 193 countries stood at nearly 7.5 million, which corresponds to about 0.1% of world population . Of these, 50% live in Asia , mainly in India . Another group lives in Iran and has about 300,000 believers . A percentage of Baha'is important (about 1 / 3) lives in countries Africa . In Europe , they are mostly found in Britain (30 000) and Germany (12 500) . In France , there are approximately 5,000 believers . In Israel , live only a few hundred Baha'is, all employees at Baha'i World Centre in Haifa or part of their families residing in the area of Acre, Haifa .
The Baha'i faith is growing much today in the Pacific islands (King Island Samoa , Malietoa Tanumafili II was converted to the Baha'i faith on 19 February 1968 ), Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of believers in the world has almost doubled in a quarter of a century .
In Iran
Since the advent of the Islamic Republic in 1979, some 350,000 Baha'is in Iran , are considered "unprotected infidels, non-persons (...) . They have no right to receive retirement, enter a name on the grave of their deceased, to inherit, to meet to practice their religion, their holy places and cemeteries were destroyed. Many goods are confiscated Baha'i . There is pressure on employers to dismiss Baha'i employees . Their faith was subsequent to Islam, it is as such not considered a religion by the regime.
In the years that followed the revolution, repression against the Baha'is was fierce. In early 1980, more than 200 Baha'is among the most active members, were executed for refusing to convert to Islam. The indignation of the international community has slowed this repression. But she never managed to stop it: the fight against the Baha'is is now simmering.
An internal document signed in 1991 under the hand of ' Ali Khamenei , Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution , outlines a series of recommendations to address what the authorities call "the Bah' question"
"The government will treat the Baha'is so that their progress and development are blocked. (...) We must expel them from universities, either during the admission process or during their studies. . "
In Egypt
The Baha'i community of 2000 people , have been granted by the trial court of Alexandria , to enter their religion on their identity cards . This right was taken away by the Egyptian Supreme Administrative Court in December 2006 , forcing them either to choose between the three officially recognized religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) or giving up their identity cards, while depriving Most of the citizenship rights in Egypt.
In countries of the Persian Gulf, the Baha'i websites are now accessible.
Beliefs
God
Bah's believe in a God one and eternal, the creator of all things, including the creatures and forces of the universe . They believe that God is timeless and has no beginning and no end . They describe him as a "personal God, unknowable, inaccessible, the source of all Revelation, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent" . Though inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of his creation, with a purpose and a will. Bah's believe that God expresses his will in many ways, for example through a series of divine messengers referred to as Manifestations of God or sometimes divine educators. Expressing the intentions of God, these events serve to establish religion in the world.
The Bah' teachings state that God is too big for humans to grasp it, or create a complete and accurate . In the Bah' religion God is often identified by titles (eg. The all-powerful) and there is a substantial emphasis on monotheism.
Religion
The Baha'i faith is sometimes summarized by the concept of three "units": unity of God, oneness of religion, the oneness of humanity.
Bah' notions of progressive religious revelation make them accept the validity of most world religions, whose founders and central figures are seen as manifestations of God. These events are, for example: Adam , Moses , John the Baptist , Jesus , Muhammad , Krishna , Zoroaster and Buddha. Baha'is also believe that other religious figures such as Abraham , Noah , and Hud have actually existed and are prophets of God. Religious history is interpreted as dispensations , where each manifestation brings a revelation broader and more advanced, tailored to time and the time at which it is expressed . The social teachings to a specific religion (eg. The direction of prayer, or dietary restrictions) may be revoked by subsequent order of events where a more appropriate time and place is established. Conversely, certain general principles (charity or good relations among people), are considered universal and permanent. Baha'is do not believe that this principle of progressive revelation will stop. However, they believe that this process is cyclical. Baha'is do not expect a new manifestation of God in 1000 years after the revelation of Bah'u'llh
Bah' beliefs are sometimes described as combinations syncretic beliefs earlier. Baha'is, however, say their religion is a distinct tradition with its own scriptures, teachings, laws and history . The cultural and religious bonds with the Islamic Shia are considered similar to the socio-religious Jew in which Christianity was established. The Bah's describe their faith as a religion independent world, differing only from other traditions by its relative newness and the teachings of Baha'u'llah appropriate to modern conditions. Bah'u'llh is seen as fulfilling the messianic expectations of the times that are earlier in Bahaism. Baha'is believe that other revelations come after it issued by Bah'u'llh. The first of these should happen that 1000 years after the revelation of Baha'u'llah.
Humans
Baha'is believe that human beings possess a " soul sound, and that gives the species a unique ability to recognize the position of God and the relationship between humanity and its creator. According to the Baha'i faith, each man has a duty to acknowledge God and its manifestations, and comply with their teachings . Through recognition and obedience, service to other human beings, prayer and spiritual practice Regular Baha'is believe that the soul becomes closer to God, the spiritual ideal in Bah' belief. When a man dies, the soul passes into another world, where the spiritual development of it in the physical world becomes a basis for the trial and the place in the spiritual world . Heaven and hell are described as spiritual states of nearness or distance relations that describe God in this world and in the other, not places of reward or punishment after death .
The Baha'i writings emphasize the essential equality of human beings, and the abolition of injustice. Humanity is seen as unique, although very varied: the diversity of ethnicities and cultures are worthy of appreciation and tolerance. Racism, nationalism, caste and class are seen as barriers to the unity of humanity. The Baha'i teachings state that the unification of mankind is a major issue in the political and the religious .
Teachings
Social principles
Moral duties, ethical, and social equality between men and peace in the world are summarized in twelve principles . Furthermore, the obligatory prayer (Salat) , fasting and pilgrimage are religious obligations than men provided they do not take into account the principle of mutatis mutandis (which is applicable to men is to women) explained by Shoghi Effendi. Finally, in the absence of a will, yet whose writing is a religious obligation for the Baha'is and in which they are free to distribute their property as they see fit after payment of debts and Huququ'llah , the Kitab-i-Aqdas provides a system of distribution of inheritance depends on the nature of the property, the sex of the deceased and the heirs of , .
Although they focus on social and ethical issues, some of the founding texts of the Baha'i Faith can be described as mystical . Shoghi Effendi called the Seven Valleys "greatest mystical composition" of Bah'u'llh. This text was written as a response to a follower of Sufism , a mystical and esoteric traditions of Islam . It has been translated for the first time in English in 1906, being one of the first texts of Bah'u'llh available in the West. The Hidden Words is another book written by Bah'u'llh during the same period, containing 153 short passages described by `Abdu'l-Bah as" a treasure of divine mysteries. "
Alliance
Baha'is believe that there are two types of alliances between humans and God. There is the "Alliance majeure", which they see as universal in nature. God promises to send to humanity its Manifestations of God (Krishna, Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, The Bab and Baha'u'llah) to guide and bring him prosperity and the man must cons-part follow those teachings.
They also believe in the existence of the "Alliance Minor", which is regarded as an agreement between a Manifestation of God and his followers to each particular revelation . The Alliance of Minor Baha'i requested them to respect authority and interpretations of the "center of the Alliance" provided by Baha'u'llah and thus to avoid schism. Firmness in the Covenant is central to the Baha'i community .
The unity of the Baha'i faith is an essential principle and is protected by the "Alliance Minor", which is a fundamental element of stability for the community. This religion has in effect since the death of Baha'u'llah, had many scissions attempts by prominent members of his community but none of it has been supported by a sizeable number of believers and most of them were unsuccessful at the death of those who were behind.
C3.A0_la_vie_internationale_et_.C3.A0_la_soci.C3.A9t.C3.A9 "> Participation in international life and society
Work
The monastic life is forbidden, and Bah's attempt to ground their spirituality in ordinary daily life. Do useful work, for example, is not only required but considered a form of worship . The importance of individual effort and service to humanity in the spiritual life of men is emphasized in the writings of Bah'u'llh, where he explains that each job done in a spirit of service to humanity a rank equal to prayer and worship to God UN The Bah' International Community has since 1948 the status of NGOs from the United Nations. Since 1970 , she has a consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Fund for Children (UNICEF). It also maintains working relationships with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is associated with the United Nations Program for Environment (UNEP). In 1939 Shoghi Effendi launched a seven-year plan, followed by another in 1946 . In 1953 he launched the global crusade ten, with ambitious goals for expansion of the community and institutions, the translation of Baha'i literature into new languages, and the sending of Bah' pioneers in countries that had not been achieved so far . He announced in letters during the ten-year crusade that it would be followed by other plans under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, who was elected in 1963 to the end of the crusade. The House of Justice then launched a plan in 1964, and a series of plans of varying length and goals followed, to guide the Baha'i community in his teaching methods . Since the late 1990s, the Universal House of Justice has prepared the communities to a large-scale expansion, organizing localities into "clusters", creating new institutions such as regional councils and reinforcing the many "training institutions" . The recent five-year plan (2001-2006) focused on institutions in developing and creating ways to "support a large-scale expansion and consolidation" (Ridvn 158). Since 2001, Baha'is around the world have been encouraged to focus on children's classes, devotional gatherings, and a systematic study of religion, known as the "study circle" . In December 2005 a new system was implemented, classes for young people who are dedicated to the education of children between 11 and 14 years , . The Second Five Year Plan (2006-2011) was launched by the Universal House of Justice in April 2006. It calls for the establishment of advanced models of growth and community development in more than 1500 "bundles" in the world . This plan refers to the usual procedure of elections for local spiritual assemblies in the cities that host many Baha'i. The years between 2001 and 2021 represent 4-year plans, whose term coincides with the anniversary of the death of `Abdu'l-Bah . Along with the consolidation, a systematic approach to education and community development has emerged. The "study circles" are intended to be sustainable on a large scale groups. Participants explore sequences of books in small groups, aided by a tutor. When a participant has finished a movie, he can go help other study circles. The most popular program is the Ruhi Institute, a course originally designed for use in Colombia , but has been widely used. The first book allows the study of three themes: the Baha'i writings, prayer and life and death. The following topics include parenting, life of the Bab and Baha'u'llah, religious services and others. The laws governing the Baha'i faith are drawn mainly from Kitab-i-Aqdas is the holy book of the Baha'is. While some laws are applicable to the present day, Bah'u'llh also provided a framework for the gradual application of laws on the condition of existence of a predominantly Bah' society, for which the disciples are working . The laws, when they are not in direct conflict with the civil laws of the country of residence apply to all Baha'is. Although a universal obligation, respect the personal laws, such as prayer, is the responsibility of each individual . The Universal House of Justice must also enforce certain rules . Here is an example of some laws and religious precepts from the Kitab-i-Aqdas. They were consolidated by Shoghi Effendi , appointed interpreter of Baha'i writings from 1921 to 1957: Most Bah' meetings occur in private homes, local Bah' centers or facilities leased for the occasion. There are currently around the world seven houses of worship, at least one from each continent, and an eighth is under construction in Chile . The temples erected by the community are called "House of Worship" or al-Maskrit Adkn ("place where the dawn rises to mention the name of God"). They must be constructed according to specific criteria related to the number 9 which should appear as a "visible symbol for all". Also, all Baha'i temple have to have nine entries. The rules for the construction of temples were laid by 'Abdu'l-Baha himself: "The mother temple must have nine sides and doors as well as fountains , walkways, doors, columns and gardens, then a courtyard, balconies and a dome , and everything should be majestic. " The central shrine, located in Haifa , and other temples have a dome effect. The House of Worship in Wilmette near Chicago ( 1931 ) to the United States , the House of Worship in New Delhi (India, 1986), the House of Worship in Sydney ( Australia , 1961 ) offer other examples of this type of temple. In Europe , we know the main temple of Germany to Hofhein-Langenhaim ( 1964 ) near Frankfurt am Main , the construction of dome 28 meters high, can accommodate nearly 500 worshipers. The Baha'i writings also refer to an institution called My dh sh riqu'lA kar (The East of invocations), which is intended to form a center of complex institutions, including a hospital, university, etc.. Only the first and only sh riqu'lA My dh Kar to Ashgabat in Turkmenistan and has been designed in 1908. From the liturgical point of view, meditation in the temples is accompanied by selected readings in the sacred texts of other religions. These texts - for example the Pentateuch of the Jews , the New Testament of Christians , the Qur'an of Muslims , of the Bayan bbistes, etc ... - have announced successively by increasing levels of perfection, the incessant divine revelation or message from God. In this sense, the sacred book binding on all texts on the revelation that the foregoing is logically the last in chronological order, ie the Kitab-i-Aqdas ("Most Holy Book"). It was written in 1863 by Bah'u'llh wrote that in two days and two nights for Baha'is, the text reference although it is not more important than the others, nor the most widely read book by the Baha'is themselves on faith. As we consider the equality and unity of the human race, God and religion, it should be a similar design for all books on the planet. However, The Kitab-i-Aqdas has an important place because it is the first work in the history of humanity to establish a link between all religions and all peoples of mankind. About sexuality, faith Bah' advocates a chaste life. Before marriage, life must be absolutely chaste, after marriage absolutely faithful to the chosen companion. - Excerpt from a letter dated October 19, 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, Build A chaste and holy life # 9 In regard to the issue of physical contact between people of opposite sexes, 'Abdu'l-Bah would say, according to a note of locusts: Bah' marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Its purpose is primarily spiritual and is intended to spread harmony, friendship and unity between the two partners . The Baha'i teachings on marriage call it the "fortress for well-being and salvation" and consider marriage and family as the foundation of human society. Bah'u'llh was the marriage in high esteem. Presenting it as a commandment of God's eternal, it also discourages divorce and advocated chastity outside of marriage. Bah'u'llh taught that a husband and wife had to mutually enhance their spiritual life . Baha'is contemplating marriage must "explore the character of others and spend time together to know before deciding to marry, and when they marry, they must do so with the intention of establishing a eternal bond. " . While parents should not choose partners for their children, once two individuals have decided to marry, they must receive the consent of parents who are alive, even if one partner is not Baha'i. The wedding ceremony is simple: the only mandatory part is reading the vows prescribed by Bah'u'llh which are read by the bride and groom in the presence of two witnesses. The vows are: Dowry: (1) Marriage shall be subject to payment of a dowry from the groom to the bride. (2) The dowry is fixed at nineteen mithqals of pure gold for city dwellers , and nineteen mithqals money to the villagers , the quality of city or village depends permanent residence of the husband and not that of women. (3) It is forbidden to pay more ninety-five mithqals. (4) It is preferable that a man is satisfied with the payment of 19 mithqals money. (5) If the dowry may be paid at once, it is possible to establish a written promise. k) If, after reciting the verse specifically disclosed and paid the dowry, a party conceived a dislike for each other before the marriage is consummated, the waiting period is required before a divorce but n is not possible to resume the dot . However, all these provisions are not universally applicable today. The symbol frequently encountered the Baha'i faith is a star with nine branches , sometimes with a calligraphy of the "Greatest Name" Ya-Baha'u'l'Abh ( "O Glory of the more Glorious! "). Another symbol is found engraved on the rings and Baha'i buildings. It is a kind of seal that consists of two five-pointed stars representing the Bb and Bah'u'llh and flanking the stylized word Bah '(in Arabic "splendor" or "glory"), whose shape is meant to remind the three unities: the oneness of God, unity of religions and the oneness of humanity . But according to the Guardian o Sh i gh Effendi Rabbani, the true symbol of the Baha'i Faith is the star with 5 branches and not the star to 9 points: "Strictly speaking the 5-Pointed Star Is The symbol of Our Faith as Used By The Bb and Explained by Him. " . The Universal House of Justice provides some explanations about the symbolism of the star to nine branches : Baha'is, like bbistes, see 21 March 1844 as the starting point of their annual calendar. The latter is divided into 19 months of 19 days between which are inserted four days. The year starts on March 21, after the spring equinox. From March 2 to 21, a fast is observed. Baha'i faith proclaims nine holy days (the number 9 has a special symbolic value in reference to the 9 known religions of the world of Baha'u'llah). The first day of the Festival of Ridvan () (pronounced: Rezvani, Paradise) is particularly devoted to rest. Is celebrated from April 21 to May 2 in memory of the period during which the founder, in 1863 , ran through the garden of Ridvan, near Baghdad , revealing to his disciples his high mission, especially the day of 21 April which is important. International Plans
Current international plan
Study circles
Social practices
Laws
Places of worship
Liturgy
Sexuality
Marriage
Religious Symbols
Calendar
Date Celebration March 21 New Year's Day 21 and April 29, May 2 Mission Statement of Bah'u'llh May 23 Mission Statement of the Bb May 29 Death of Bah'u'llh July 9 Martyrdom of the Bab October 20 Birth of the Bb November 12 Birth of Bah'u'llh Notes
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