arthra

Ever so often I think it would be good to review some Baha'i principles and explore they could be applied..

So I'm going to start with one principle and continue..

Here's the first:

"...inasmuch as ignorance and lack of education are barriers of separation among mankind, all must receive training and instruction...Universal education is a universal law."

"Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent...The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words..."

"The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of education. It is inconceivable that any nation should achieve prosperity and success unless this paramount, this fundamental concern is carried forward."

"The education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind..."

~ From the Baha'i Writings

Now consider how this principle is being implemented today! Are there people who are still deprived of education in the world?

And if they do receive an education is it a quality one and not one that is circumscribed by dogmatic restrictions or barriers?

When I was in graduate school more yeasra ngo than I would care to reveal ... the various departments were divided and competing with each other... Even though there were valuable coarses we knew about in each school they were forbidden territory to students outside the particular school...

Anyway there's a long way to go I think before we have something close to an educational system that is truly that ..."educational"!

- Art

:wink

arthra

Establishing world peace is a primary challenge for humanity in this day...Baha'u'llah has outlined certain principles connected to establishing world peace:

We have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the Most Great Peace—the surest of all means for the protection of humanity. The sovereigns of the world should, with one accord, hold fast thereunto, for this is the supreme instrument that can ensure the security and welfare of all peoples and nations. They, verily, are the manifestations of the power of God and the daysprings of His authority. We beseech the Almighty that He may graciously assist them in that which is conducive to the well-being of their subjects. A full explanation regarding this matter hath been previously set forth by the Pen of Glory; well is it with them that act accordingly.

(“Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas”, p. 126) [13]

arthra

Establishing an international court of arbitration is another Baha'i principle that has been realized in recent years... but it is also under the United Nations.

International Arbitration

Baha'u'llah also advocated the establishment of an international court of arbitration, so that differences arising between nations might be settled in accordance with justice and reason, instead of by appeal to the ordeal of battle.

In a letter to the Secretary of the Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration, in August 1911, Abdu'l-Baha said: --

About fifty years ago in the Book of Aqdas, Baha'u'llah commanded people to establish universal peace and summoned all the nations to the divine banquet of international arbitration, so that the questions of boundaries, of national honor and property, and of vital interests between nations might be settled by an arbitral court of justice, and that no nation would dare to refuse to abide by the decisions thus arrived at. If any quarrel between two nations it must be adjudicated by this international court and be arbitrated and decided upon like the judgment rendered by the Judge between two individuals. If at any time any nation dares to break such a decision, all the other nations must arise to put down this rebellion.

Again, in one of His Paris talks in 1911, He said: --
A supreme tribunal shall be established by the peoples and governments of every nation, composed of members elected from each country and government. The members of this great council shall assemble in unity. All disputes of an international character shall be submitted to this court, its work being to arrange by arbitration everything which otherwise would be a cause of war. This mission of this tribunal would be to prevent war.
During the quarter of a century preceding the establishment of the League of Nations a permanent Court of Arbitration was established at The Hague (1900), and many arbitration treaties were signed, but most of these fell far short of the comprehensive proposals of Baha'u'llah. No arbitration treaty was made between two great Powers in which all matters of dispute were included. Differences affecting "vital interests," "honor" and "independence" were specifically excepted. Not only so, but effective guarantees that nations would abide by the terms of the treaties into which they had entered were lacking. In the Bahá'í proposals, on the other hand, questions of boundaries, of national honor and of vital interest are expressly included, and agreements will have the supreme guarantee of the World League of Nations behind them. Only when these proposals are completely carried out will international arbitration attain the full scope of its beneficent possibilities and the curse of war be finally banished from the world.

- From Baha'u'llah and the New Era

InvestigateTruth

aidan

thank you for sharing that most beautiful piece of worship of God and praise of Baha'u'llah.I was very interested to see a swastika among he symbols of world faiths.What does the swastika signify please?

WorkInProgress

Hi aidan,
The swastika is an ancient symbol going back thousands of years and it actually had very positive meaning until the Nazi's starting using it. Check out this link:

Swastika - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

BruceDLimber

He's right about its ancient lineage.

But please note that the one displayed in the posting is the WRONG one--the reversed one used by the nazis.

The good swastika turns the opposite direction (and in fact looks like four number "sevens").

Peace,

Bruce

Eftekhar Be Khoda

The swastika has some connection to the eastern religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. It's sort of a blessing symbol.

But why the biohazard symbol at the bottom?