1. The root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance, and we must
therefore hold fast to the tools of perception and knowledge.
Good character must be taught. Light must be spread afar, so
that, in the school of humanity, all may acquire the heavenly
characteristics of the spirit, and see for themselves beyond
any doubt that there is no fiercer hell, no more fiery abyss,
than to possess a character that is evil and unsound; no more
darksome pit nor loathsome torment than to show forth
qualities which deserve to be condemned. The individual must
be educated to such a high degree that he would rather have
his throat cut than tell a lie, and would think it easier to
be slashed with a sword or pierced with a spear than to utter
calumny or be carried away by wrath. Thus will be kindled the
sense of human dignity and pride, to burn away the reapings of
lustful appetites. Then will each one of God's beloved shine
out as a bright moon with qualities of the spirit, and the
relationship of each to the Sacred Threshold of his Lord will
be not illusory but sound and real, will be as the very
foundation of the building, not some embellishment on its
façade. It followeth that the children's school must be a
place of utmost discipline and order, that instruction must be
thorough, and provision must be made for the rectification and
refinement of character; so that, in his earliest years,
within the very essence of the child, the divine foundation
will be laid and the structure of holiness raised up. Know
that this matter of instruction, of character rectification
and refinement, of heartening and encouraging the child, is of
the utmost importance, for such are basic principles of
God.
Selections From
the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá
2. In cycles gone
by, though harmony was established, yet, owing to the absence
of means, the unity of all mankind could not have been
achieved. Continents remained widely divided, nay even among
the peoples of one and the same continent association and
interchange of thought were wellnigh impossible. Consequently
intercourse, understanding and unity amongst all the peoples
and kindreds of the earth were unattainable. In this day,
however, means of communication have multiplied, and the five
continents of the earth have virtually merged into one. And
for everyone it is now easy to travel to any land, to
associate and exchange views with its peoples, and to become
familiar, through publications, with the conditions, the
religious beliefs and the thoughts of all men. In like manner
all the members of the human family, whether peoples or
governments, cities or villages, have become increasingly
interdependent. For none is self-sufficiency any longer
possible, inasmuch as political ties unite all peoples and
nations, and the bonds of trade and industry, of agriculture
and education, are being strengthened every day. Hence the
unity of all mankind can in this day be achieved. Verily this
is none other but one of the wonders of this wondrous age,
this glorious century. Of this past ages have been deprived,
for this century--the century of light--hath been endowed with
unique and unprecedented glory, power and illumination. Hence
the miraculous unfolding of a fresh marvel every day.
Eventually it will be seen how bright its candles will burn in
the assemblage of man.
Selections From
the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá
3. Were there no
educator, all souls would remain savage, and were it not for
the teacher, the children would be ignorant creatures. It is
for this reason that, in this new cycle, education and
training are recorded in the Book of God as obligatory and not
voluntary. That is, it is enjoined upon the father and mother,
as a duty, to strive with all effort to train the daughter and
the son, to nurse them from the breast of knowledge and to
rear them in the bosom of sciences and arts. Should they
neglect this matter, they shall be held responsible and worthy
of reproach in the presence of the stern Lord.
Selections From
the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá
4. Among the
greatest of all services that can possibly be rendered by man
to Almighty God is the education and training of children,
young plants of the Abhá Paradise, so that these children,
fostered by grace in the way of salvation, growing like pearls
of divine bounty in the shell of education , will one day
bejewel the crown of abiding glory. It is, however, very
difficult to undertake this service, even harder to succeed in
it.
Selections From
the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá
5. Man is the
supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education hath, however,
deprived him of that which he doth inherently possess. Through
a word proceeding out of the mouth of God he was called into
being; by one word more he was guided to recognize the Source
of his education; by yet another word his station and destiny
were safeguarded. The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine
rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause
it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit
therefrom. If any man were to meditate on that which the
Scriptures, sent down from the heaven of God's holy Will, have
revealed, he would readily recognize that their purpose is
that all men shall be regarded as one soul, so that the seal
bearing the words "The Kingdom shall be God's" may
be stamped on every heart, and the light of Divine bounty, of
grace, and mercy may envelop all mankind. The one true God,
exalted be His glory, hath wished nothing for Himself. The
allegiance of mankind profiteth Him not, neither doth its
perversity harm Him. The Bird of the Realm of Utterance
voiceth continually this call: "All things have I willed
for thee, and thee, too, for thine own sake." If the
learned and worldly-wise men of this age were to allow mankind
to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, every
understanding heart would apprehend the meaning of true
liberty, and discover the secret of undisturbed peace and
absolute composure. Were the earth to attain this station and
be illumined with its light it could then be truly said of it:
"Thou shall see in it no hollows or rising
hills."
Gleanings From
the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
6. He Who is the
Eternal Truth hath, from the Day Spring of Glory, directed His
eyes towards the people of Bahá, and is addressing them in
these words: "Address yourselves to the promotion of the
well-being and tranquillity of the children of men. Bend your
minds and wills to the education of the peoples and kindreds
of the earth, that haply the dissensions that divide it may,
through the power of the Most Great Name, be blotted out from
its face, and all mankind become the upholders of one Order,
and the inhabitants of one City. Illumine and hallow your
hearts; let them not be profaned by the thorns of hate or the
thistles of malice. Ye dwell in one world, and have been
created through the operation of one Will. Blessed is he who
mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and
love."
Gleanings From
the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
7. 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, dost shelter all,
conferrest 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 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 Thy 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 shortcomings of all mankind.
- `Abdu'l-Bahá
