mpatent@mhuxh.UUCP (Verbus M. Counts) (01/04/85)
From the writings of Baha`'u'llah:
The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the
fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with
another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and
fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So
powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the world earth.
The one true God, He Who Knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the
truth of these words."
From the book "Paris Talks" by Abdul'-Baha:
THE SECOND PRINCIPLE -- THE UNITY OF MANKIND
I spoke yesterday of the first principle of the Teaching of
Baha`'u'llah, 'The Search for Truth'; how it is necessary for a man to
put aside all in the nature of superstition, and every tradition which
would blind his eyes to the existence of truth in all religions. He
must not, while loving and clinging to one form of religion, permit
himself to detest all others. It is essential that he search for truth
in all religions, and, if his seeking be in earnest, he will assuredly
succeed.
Now the first discovery which we make in our 'Search after Truth',
will lead us to the second principle, which is the 'Unity of Mankind'.
All men are servants of the One God. One God regins over all nations of
the world and has pleasure in all His children. All men are of one
family; the crown of humanity rest on the head of every human being.
In the eyes of the Creator all His children are equal; His goodness is
poured forth on all. He does not favor this nation nor that nation, all
alike are His creatures. This being so, why should we make divisions,
separation one race from another? Why should we create barriers of
superstition and tradition bringing discord and hatered among the
people?
The only difference between members of the human family is that of
degree. Some are like children who are ignorant, and must be educated
until they arrive at maturity. Some are like the sick and must be
treated with tenderness and care. None are bad or evil! We must not be
repelled by these poor children. We must treat them with great
kindness, teaching the ignorant and tenderly nursing the sick.
Consider: Unity is necessary to existence. Love is the very cause of
life; on the other hand, separation brings death. In the world of
material creation, for instance, all things owe their actual life to
unity. The elements which compose wood, mineral, or stone, are held
together by the law of attraction. If this law should cease for one
moment to operate these elements would not hold together, they would
fall apart, and the object would in that particular form cease to
exist. The law of attraction has brought together certain elements in
the form of this beautiful flower, but when that attraction is
withdrawn from this center the flower will decompose, and, as flower,
cease to exist.
So it is with the great body of humanity. The wonderful Law of
Attraction, Harmony and Unity, holds together his marvelous Creation.
As with the whole, so with the parts; whether a flower or a human
body, when the attraction principle is withdrawn from it, the flower of
the man dies. It is therefore clear that attraction, harmony, unity and
Love , are the cause of life, whereas repulsion, discord, hatred and
separation bring death.
We have seen that whatever brings division into the world of existence
causes death. Likewise in the world of the spirit does the same law
operate.
Therefore should every servant of the One God be obedient to the law
of love, avoiding all hatred , discord, and strife. We find when we
observe nature, that the gentler animals group themselves together into
flocks and herds, whereas the savage, ferocious creatures, such as the
lion, the tiger, and the wolf, live in wild forests apart from
civilization. Two wolves, or two lions, may live amicably together ;
but a thousand lambs may share the same fold and a large number of deer
can form one herd. Two eagles can dwell in the same place, but a
thousand doves can gather into one habitation.
Man should, at least, be numbered among the gentler animals; but when
he becomes ferocious he is more cruel and malicious than the most
savage of the animal creation!
Now Baha`'u'llah has proclaimed the 'Unity of the World of Mankind'.
All people and nations are of one family, the children of one Father,
and should be to one another as brothers and sisters! I hope that you
will endeavor in your lives to show forth and spread this teaching.
Baha`'u'llah said that we should love even our enemies and be to them
as friends. If all men were obedient to this principle, the greatest
unity and understanding would be established in the hearts of mankind.
A Prayer by Abdul'-Baha:
O Thou kind lord! Thou hast created all humanity from the same stock.
Thou hast decreed that all shall belong to the same household.
In Thy Holy Presence they are all Thy servants, and all mankind are
sheltered beneath Thy Tabernacle; all have gathered together at thy
Table of Bounty; all are illumined through the light of thy Providence.
O God! Thou art kind to all, thou hast provided for all, doest shelter
all, conferest life upon all. Thou hast endowed each and all with
talents and faculties, and all are submerged in the Ocean of Thy Mercy.
O Thou Kind Lord! Unite all. Let the religions agree and make the
nations as one, so that they may see each other as one family and the
whole earth as one home. May they all live together in perfect harmony.
O God! Raise aloft the banner of the oneness of mankind.
O God! Establish the Most Great Peace.
Cement Thou, O God, the hearts together. O thou Kind Father, God!
Gladden our hearts through the fragrance of they love. Brighten our
eyes through the Light of Thy Guidance. Delight our ears with the
melody of thy Word, and shelter us all in the Stronghold of Thy
Providence.
Thou art the Mighty and Powerful, Thou art the Forgiving and Thou art
the One Who overlooketh the shortcoming of all mankind.
Thanks,
Verbus M. Counts AT&T Bell Labs The Word of God(religion) is one,
(201) 564-2510 101 JFK Parkway though the speakers are many ...
ihnp4!pata!vca Room 1l-423
January 3,1985 Short Hills, NJ 07078 The Bahai Faith