Baha'i texts online?

[smkolins]

Originally Posted by barefootgal9

Steven,

(Brian, too, if you like!)

Are you familiar with the discussion boards at Planet Baha'i? I haven't seen you there, and think you would enjoy them - and I'd enjoy seeing you there!

http://forums.delphiforums.com/plane...Reading+%3E%3E

I've heard of but never visited it. I may take a look but I have seen problems where moderation was not followed - if people cannot be excluded for base behavior discussions tend to break down.

However, I thought perhaps it might be useful to look a bit at the Kitab-i-Iqan, title translated as the Book of Certitude.

"IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD, THE EXALTED, THE MOST HIGH.
No man shall attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding except he be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth. Sanctify your souls, O ye peoples of the world, that haply ye may attain that station which God hath destined for you and enter thus the tabernacle which, according to the dispensations of Providence, hath been raised in the firmament of the Bayan.
The essence of these words is this: they that tread the path of faith, they that thirst for the wine of certitude, must cleanse themselves of all that is earthly--their ears from idle talk, their minds from vain imaginings, their hearts from worldly affections, their eyes from that which perisheth. They should put their trust in God, and, holding fast unto Him, follow in His way. Then will they be made worthy of the effulgent glories of the sun of divine knowledge and understanding, and become the recipients of a grace that is infinite and unseen, inasmuch as man can never hope to attain unto the knowledge of the All-Glorious, can never quaff from the stream of divine knowledge and wisdom, can never enter the abode of immortality, nor partake of the cup of divine nearness and favour, unless and until he ceases to regard the words and deeds of mortal men as a standard for the true understanding and recognition of God and His Prophets."

There are numerous references in the Baha'i Writings to the idea that one must clean out one's mind and heart from preconceptions and decide for oneself, after heartful and mindful consideration, what is right. One must look to the greatest examples and ideals and understand and act. Paying attention to the norms of the day, the judgement of the crowd, the safe choices that don't cause the least discomfort, indeed letting others lead us without our own understanding can only lead to rejection of the totally new and authentic life and message which while not bound by the day in which it lives also is true to the source and the promise from which God and His Prophets operate.

[smkolins]

Baha'u'llah's involvement in the Babi Faith reached a key turning point when there was an attempt on the life of the Shah by a Babi. A purge began which was building in intensity to which Baha'u'llah directed his steps. Found innocent of any involvement he was nevertheless sent to a kind of prison, had the family properties and holdings taken from him and he and his family and others banished in winter to Baghdad. But one feature of the pivot point in history was Baha'u'llah's intentions. He says: "Day and night, while confined in that dungeon, We meditated upon the deeds, the condition, and the conduct of the Babis, wondering what could have led a people so high-minded, so noble, and of such intelligence, to perpetrate such an audacious and outrageous act against the person of His Majesty. This Wronged One, thereupon, decided to arise, after His release from prison, and undertake, with the utmost vigor, the task of regenerating this people."

Some 10 years would pass between that heartfelt expression to the writing of the Book of Certitude. The Babi community was almost undone and was the object of scorn and fear. Ten years latter leaders of thought and community reform and religious leaders sought out the company of Baha'u'llah and the community was trusted and held in some renown. Around this time a relative of the Bab had asked Baha'u'llah for explanations of some questions he had concerning the Bab's religion and the Book of Certitude was written in response.

The Bayan was the Bab's prime Book - a synonym for Heaven as in the decent of a New Jerulsalem.

[smkolins]

'Consider the past. How many, both high and low, have, at all times, yearningly awaited the advent of the Manifestations of God in the sanctified persons of His chosen Ones. How often have they expected His coming, how frequently have they prayed that the breeze of divine mercy might blow, and the promised Beauty step forth from behind the veil of concealment, and be made manifest to all the world. And whensoever the portals of grace did open, and the clouds of divine bounty did rain upon mankind, and the light of the Unseen did shine above the horizon of celestial might, they all denied Him, and turned away from His face--the face of God Himself. Refer ye, to verify this truth, to that which hath been recorded in every sacred Book.
Ponder for a moment, and reflect upon that which hath been the cause of such denial on the part of those who have searched with such earnestness and longing. Their attack hath been more fierce than tongue or pen can describe. Not one single Manifestation of Holiness hath appeared but He was afflicted by the denials, the repudiation, and the vehement opposition of the people around Him. Thus it hath been revealed: "O the misery of men! No Messenger cometh unto them but they laugh Him to scorn." Again He saith: "Each nation hath plotted darkly against their Messenger to lay violent hold on Him, and disputed with vain words to invalidate the truth."

[smkolins]

Originally Posted by smkolins

'Consider the past.

In otherwords, look - something is happening. Religion usually totally centers on One or Another Person and we forget what happened to the prior Person. But something has happened time and again - with differences to be sure but with commonalities too.

Originally Posted by smkolins

'Ponder for a moment, and reflect upon that which hath been the cause of such denial on the part of those who have searched with such earnestness and longing.'

It cannot be that Jews in the time of Moses are so different than in the time of Jesus, of Christians in the time of Jesus so different from in the time of Muhammad.

Originally Posted by smkolins

'Their attack hath been more fierce than tongue or pen can describe. Not one single Manifestation of Holiness hath appeared but He was afflicted by the denials, the repudiation, and the vehement opposition of the people around Him. Thus it hath been revealed: "O the misery of men! No Messenger cometh unto them but they laugh Him to scorn." Again He saith: "Each nation hath plotted darkly against their Messenger to lay violent hold on Him, and disputed with vain words to invalidate the truth."'

At some level or time people feel it is ok to denigrate and punish and it seems like this happens most right as its time for a Manifestation to appear. Certainly others have noticed this as well.

[barefootgal9]

Hi Steven!

Poor dear, left to talk to himself....
(sorry, I've been taking a little break from the discussions)

I think it is a process of rigidification that takes place over time... a "spiritual rigormortus" where "correct doctrine" gradually strangles the spirit of love, the joy of inquiry and discovery, and the creative, outflowing, embracing Spirit of the original Revelation.

Guess when the "control freaks" ascend ... the Spirit must descend again. So goes the cycle. But the "control freaks" ever fight tooth and nail against being dethroned.

Thus do the "stars" fall from the heavens.

[I, Brian]

Now that is a very interesting metaphor.

[barefootgal9]

Hi Brian!

Which metaphor? "spiritual rigormortus" is my own (minetend not to be very elegant). The "stars" metaphor is Baha'u'llah's. Sense of, those who should have been "guiding lights" by which people traditionally "navigate," no longer shed light or point the way to the true path, but instead, lead people farther and farther off the path.

I see Jesus' reprimands of the Pharisees as definitely pointing this way - and the symbolic prophecies warning us of this.

[I, Brian]

The stars metaphor - it made myself immediately think of the "Fall from Heaven" scenario. The explanation you have given is more than thought provoking, and brings new ways to approach that idea. Thanks for that.

[smkolins]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

The stars metaphor - it made myself immediately think of the "Fall from Heaven" scenario. The explanation you have given is more than thought provoking, and brings new ways to approach that idea. Thanks for that.

As Barefootgal9 offered, this idea in Baha'i Writings is mentioned in the book I have been quoting from - about 40 pages in ...

"....This is the purpose underlying the symbolic words of the Manifestations of God. Consequently, the application of the terms "sun" and "moon" to the things already mentioned hath been demonstrated and justified by the text of the sacred verses and the recorded traditions. Hence, it is clear and manifest that by the words "the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven" is intended the waywardness of the divines, and the annulment of laws firmly established by divine Revelation, all of which, in symbolic language, have been foreshadowed by the Manifestation of God. None except the righteous shall partake of this cup, none but the godly can share therein. "The righteous shall drink of a cup tempered at the camphor fountain."

This is examined further here and the quote can be found (scan down to page 41 though Baha'u'llah starts dealing with the theme around page 24) here

[I, Brian]

And thanks for the reference, smkolins.

[smkolins]

"In like manner, those words that have streamed forth from the source of power and descended from the heaven of glory are innumerable and beyond the ordinary comprehension of man. To them that are possessed of true understanding and insight the Surah of Hud surely sufficeth. Ponder a while those holy words in your heart, and, with utter detachment, strive to grasp their meaning. Examine the wondrous behaviour of the Prophets, and recall the defamations and denials uttered by the children of negation and falsehood, perchance you may cause the bird of the human heart to wing its flight away from the abodes of heedlessness and doubt unto the nest of faith and certainty, and drink deep from the pure waters of ancient wisdom, and partake of the fruit of the tree of divine knowledge. Such is the share of the pure in heart of the bread that hath descended from the realms of eternity and holiness.
Should you acquaint yourself with the indignities heaped upon the Prophets of God, and apprehend the true causes of the objections voiced by their oppressors, you will surely appreciate the significance of their position. Moreover, the more closely you observe the denials of those who have opposed the Manifestations of the divine attributes, the firmer will be your faith in the Cause of God. Accordingly, a brief mention will be made in this Tablet of divers accounts relative to the Prophets of God, that they may demonstrate the truth that throughout all ages and centuries the Manifestations of power and glory have been subjected to such heinous cruelties that no pen dare describe them. Perchance this may enable a few to cease to be perturbed by the clamour and protestations of the divines and the foolish of this age, and cause them to strengthen their confidence and certainty."

[9Harmony]

Hi Brian,

Just received this email article about a brand new online reference site...

NEW SITE OFFERS EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF BAHA'I SCRIPTURE

HAIFA, Israel, 2 June 2004 (BWNS) -- The Baha'i International Community yesterday launched a Web site that includes the sacred writings of the Baha'i Faith in English, Arabic, and Persian, as well as other Baha'i publications.

The Baha'i Reference Library offers an extensive collection of Baha'i holy scripture, which includes the writings of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha.

In addition, the Web site contains works by Shoghi Effendi, the Universal House of Justice, and Baha'i authors.

The launch of the Baha'i Reference Library marks the first time that a voluminous authoritative library of Baha'i scripture and other Baha'i publications has been available on the Internet.

The launch is the first stage of the development of the Reference Library. Other materials will be added as they become available.

"The site is expected to assist researchers, students of religion, and the general public worldwide in gaining greater access to the Baha'i holy texts," said the director of the Office of Public Information of the Baha'i International Community, Douglas Moore.

"It joins the family of Baha'i International Community sites including, among others, the general information site, the news service, and the Baha'i International Community's statement library," Mr. Moore said.

The address of the Baha'i Reference Library is http://reference.bahai.org.

--
2-MD-040602-1-REFERENCE-302-S


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[I, Brian]

Thanks for that - actually half-way through adding the Quranic texts to the site. Still got a lot of work ahead.

[smkolins]

Since we've taken a look at the _Kitab-i-Iqan_ perhaps it would be interesting to take a look at _The Hidden Words_...

"He is the Glory of Glories

This is that which hath descended from the realm of glory, uttered by the tongue of power and might, and revealed unto the Prophets of old. We have taken the inner essence thereof and clothed it in the garment of brevity, as a token of grace unto the righteous, that they may stand faithful unto the Covenant of God, may fulfil in their lives His trust, and in the realm of spirit obtain the gem of Divine virtue.

1. O SON OF SPIRIT!
My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.

2. O SON OF SPIRIT!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not the knowledge of thy neighbour. Ponder this in thy heart how it behoveth they to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving kindness. Set it then before thine eyes."

From here .

[BruceDLimber]

Brian, hi! :-)

The Baha'i scriptures comprise fully 200 volumes, half written by Baha'u'llah!

He wrote in Persian and Arabic, and the major works are available in English and over 800 other languages.

Here are some sites that may help:

www.bahai-education.org/ocean (Ocean is multilingual and includes scriptures from many religions.)

www.bahai-library.org (Click "Baha'i Writings" for our scriptures.)

www.bahaistudy.org (This site also has videos and talking books.)

www.reference.bahai.org (this site also has Persian and Arabic.)

Good hunting! :-)

Bruce