- The Role & Goal of Education
- [Some thoughts for Students, Parents &
Teachers]
Some of the Teaching of God
1. ADVERSITY :
If tribulation touch thee for My sake, call thou to mind
My ills and troubles, and remember My banishment and imprisonment.
But for the tribulations which are sustained in Thy path,
how could Thy true lovers be recognized; and were it not for the trials which are borne
for love of Thee, how could the station of such as yearn for Thee be revealed ?
Be not troubled in poverty nor confident in riches, for
poverty is followed by riches, and riches are followed by poverty. Yet to be poor in all
save God is a wonderous gift;
be-little not the value thereof, for in the end it will make thee rich in God.
2. ANIMALS
The true seeker should show kindness to animals, how much
more unto his fellow-man, to him who is endowed with the power of utterance. The physical
sensibilities and instincts are common to animal and man, poor animals cannot speak,
therefore, one must be very considerate towards animals and show greater kindness towards
them than to man.
3. ASSOCIATION :
Consort with all men, O people of God, in a spirit of
friendliness and fellowship."
(a) DO NOT BE SATISFIED UNTIL each one with
whom you are concerned is to you as a member of your family. Regard each one either as a
father, or as a brother, or as a sister, or as a mother, or as a child. If you can attain
to this, your difficulties will vanish; you will know what to do.
(b) When you love a member of your family or a
compatriot, let it be with a ray of the infinite love ! Let it be in God, and for
God ! Wherever you find the attributes of God love that person, whether he be of your
family, or of another. Shed the light of boundless love on every human being whom you
meet.
4. ATTRACTION THROUGH DEEDS:
Who so ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord,
let him, before all else, teach his own self, that his speech may attract the hearts of
them that hear him. Unless he teacheth his own self, the words of his mouth will not
influence the heart of the seeker.
The foundation of God is love. You must have infinite love
for each other, each preferring the other before himself. The people must be so attracted
to you that they will exclaim : "What happiness exists among you!" and will see
in your faces the lights of the kingdom; then in wonderment they will turn to you and seek
the cause of your happiness.
5. BAD LANGUAGE :
(a) Defile not thy tongue with cursing or
execrating anyone, and guard your eyes against that which is not worthy.
(b) The tongue is for mentioning that which is
good; pollute it not with evil speech. God hath forgiven ye that which is past ; hereafter
ye must all speak that which is befitting. Avoid execration, reviling, and that which is
aggravating to man.
6. BODY :
Thine eye is My trust, suffer not the dust of vain desires
to becloud its lustre. Thine ear is a sign of My bounty, let not the tumult of unseemly
motives turn it away from My Word
encompasseth all creation. Thine heart is My Treasury, allow not the treacherous hand of
self to rob thee of the pearls which I have treasured therein. Thine hand is a symbol of
My loving kindness hinder it not from holding fast unto My guarded and hidden Tablets.
7. CAPACITY :
Man must seek capacity and develop readiness. As long as
he lacks susceptibility to divine influences he is incapable of reflecting the light and
assimilating its benefits. Sterile soil will produce nothing even if the cloud of mercy
pours rain upon it a thousand years. We must make the soil of our hearts receptive and
fertile by tilling, in order that the rain of divine mercy may refresh them.
8. CHARITY :
They who are possessed of riches must have the utmost
regard for the poor, for great is the honour destined by God for those poor who are
steadfast in patience... There is no honour, except what God may be pleased to bestow,
that can compare to this honour. Great is the blessedness awaiting the poor that endure
patiently and conceal their sufferings, and well is it with the rich who bestow their
riches on the needy and prefer them before themselves.
9. CHASTITY :
Purity and chastity have been, and still are, the most
great ornaments for men handmaidens of God. God is My witness ! The brightness of the
light of chastity sheddeth its illumination upon the worlds of the spirit, and its
fragrance is wafted even unto the Most Exalted Paradise.
10. COMPASSION :
(a) To look after the sick is one of the greatest
duties ! Every soul who becomes sick, the other friends should certainly offer the life (
of service) in the utmost kindness.
(b) We should all visit the sick. When they are in
sorrow and suffering it is a real help and benefit to have a friend come. Happiness is a
great healer to those who are ill. In the east it is the custom to call upon the patient
often and meet him individually. The people in the east show the utmost kindness and
compassion to the sick and suffering. This has greater effect than the remedy itself. You
always have this thought of love and affection when you visit the ailing and afflicted.
11. CONFESSION :
The sinner, when in a state wherein he finds himself free
and severed from all else save God, must beg for God's forgiveness and pardon. It is not
allowable to declare one's sins and transgressions before any man, in as much as this has
not been, nor is conducive to securing God's forgiveness and pardon. At the same time such
confession before the creatures leads to one's humiliation and abasement, and God does not
wish for the humiliation of His servants.
12. COURTESY :
(a) We, verily, have chosen courtesy, and made it
the true mark of such as are high unto Him. Courtesy is, in truth, an orhament which
fitteth all men, whether young or old. Well it is with him that adorneth his temple
therewith, and woe unto him who is deprived of this great bounty.
(b) O people of God ! I exhort you to courtesy.
Courtesy is, in the primary station, the Lord of all virtues. Blessed is he who is
illumined with the light of courtesy, and is adorned with the mantle of uprightness ! He
who is endowed with courtesy is endowed with a great station.
13. DECENCY :
All men have been created to carry forward an
ever-advancing civilization; to act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those
virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion, and loving-kindness
towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth.
To transgress the limits of one's own rank and station is,
neither wise nor permissible. The integrity of every rank and station must he preserved.
By this is meant that every created thing should be viewed in the light of the station it
hath been ordained to occupy.
14. DETRACTION :
(a) O Son of Man ! Breathe not the sins of others
so long as thou art thyself a sinner. Shouldst thou transgress this command, accursed
wouldst thou be.
(b) The tongue I have designed for the mention of
Me, defile it not with detraction. If the fire of self overcome you, remember your own
faults and not the faults of My creatures, in as much as every one of you knoweth his own
self better than he knoweth others.
(c) O Companion of My throne ! Hear no evil, and
see no evil; abase not thyself, neither sigh and weep. Speak no evil, that thou mayst not
hear it spoken unto thee, and magnify not the faults of others that thine own faults may
not appear great; and wish not the abasement of anyone, that thine own abasement be not
exposed.
(d) Beware lest ye offend the feelings of anyone,
or sadden the heart of any person, or move the tongue in reproach of, and finding fault
with any body..... Beware, beware that any one rebuke or reproach a soul, though he may be
an ill-wisher and an ill-doer.
15. DISPUTATION :
(a) They that dispute, as prompted by their
desires, are indeed wrapped in a palpable veil.
(b) All these discords and disputes which we hear
on all sides only tend to increase materiality.
16. DISSENSION :
(a) The Creed of God is for love and union; make it
not the cause of discord and disunion. He hath forbidden dispute and strife with an
absolute prohibition.
(b) Nothing whatever can, in this Day, inflict a
greater harm upon man than dissension and strife, contention, estrangement, and apathy
among the loved ones of God.
17. DISTINCTION :
Ye must conduct yourselves in such a manner that ye may
stand out distinguished and brilliant as the sun among other souls.
18. EQUALITY :
In the estimation of God all men are equal. There is no
distinction or preference for any soul, in the realm of His justice and equity.
The diversity in the human family should be the cause of
love and harmony, as it is in music where different notes blend together in the making of
a perfect chord.
19. EQUITY :
Be fair to yourselves and to others, that the evidences of
justice may be revealed, through your deeds, among Our faithful servants.
20. FORTITUDE :
The source of courage and power is the promotion of the
Word of God, and steadfastness in His love. For Everything there is a sign. The Sign of
love is fortitude under My decree and patience under My trials.
21. FRIENDLINESS :
(a) We love to see you at all times consorting in
amity and concord within the paradise of My good-pleasure, and to inhale from your acts
the fragrance of friendliness and harmony, unity, of loving kindness and fellowship.
(b) Show forebearance and benevolence and love to
one another. Should any one among you be incapable of grasping a certain truth, or be
striving to comprehend it, show forth, when conversing with him, a spirit of extreme
kindliness and goodwill. Help him to see and recognize the truth, without esteeming
yourself to be in the least superior to him, or to be possessed of greater endowments.
22. GENEROSITY :
O Children of Dust ! Tell the rich of the midnight sighing
of the poor, lest heedlessness lead them into the path of destruction, and deprive them of
the Tree of Wealth. To give and to be generous are attributes of Mine; Well with him that
adorneth himself with My virtues.
23. GOOD CHARACTER :
(a) The companions of God are, in this day, the
lump that must leaven the peoples of the world. They must show for them such
trustworthiness, such truthfulness and perseverance, such deeds and character, that all
mankind may profit by their example.
(b) The most vital duty, in this day, is to purify
your characters, to correct your manners, and improve your conduct. The beloved of the
Merciful must show forth such character and conduct among His creatures, that the
fragrance of their holiness may be shed upon the whole world, and may quicken the dead,
inasmuch as the purpose of the Manifestation of God and the dawning of the limitless
lights of the invisible is to educate the souls of men, and refine the character of every
living man.
(c) According to the direct and sacred command of
God slander is forbidden.
24. GUIDANCE :
Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the
professions of most men, be they high or low, differ from their conduct. It is through
your deeds that ye can distinguish yourselves from others. Through them the brightness of
your lights can be shed upon the whole earth.
25. HAPPINESS :
The Cause of God hath come as a token of his Grace. Happy
are they who act; happy are they who understand; happy the man that hath clung unto the
truth, detached from all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth !
26. HEALTH :
(a) Every malady afflicting the body of man is an
impediment that preventeth the soul from manifesting its inherent might and power.
(b) If the health and well being of the body be
expended in the path of the kingdom, this is very acceptable and praiseworthy; and if it
is expended to the benefit of the human world in general, even though it be to their
material (or bodily) benefit and be a means of doing good-that is also acceptable. But if
the health and welfare of man be spent in sensual desires, in a life on the animal plane,
and in devilish pursuits - then disease is better than such health; nay, death itself is
preferable to such a life under corrective measures are taken.
27. HONESTY :
They who dwell within the Tabernacle of God, and are
established upon the seat of everlasting glory will refuse, though they be dying of
hunger, to stretch their hands and seize unlawfully the property of their neighbour,
however vile and worthless he may be.
28. HOSPITALITY :
Welcome all with the light of oneness. When a man
turns his face to God, he finds sunshine everywhere. All men are his brothers. Let not
conventionality cause you to seem cold and unsympathetic when you meet strange people from
other countries. Be kind to the strangers. Help to make them feel at home; find out where
they are staying, ask if you may render them any service; try to make their lives a little
happier. Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn
with loving-kindness for all who may cross your path.
29. HUMILITY :
Every man of discernment, while walking upon the earth,
feeleth indeed abashed, inasmuch as he is fully aware that the thing which is the source
of his prosperity, his wealth, his might, his exaltation, his advancement and power is, as
ordained by God, the very earth which is trodden beneath the feet of all men. There can be
no doubt that whoever is cognisant of this truth, is cleansed and sanctified from all
pride, arrogance, and vain glory.
30. IMAGE OF GOD :
While possessing physical life he should lay hold of the
life spiritual, and together with bodily comforts and happiness, he should enjoy divine
pleasures and content. Then is man worthy of the title man; then will he be "after
the image and likeness of God".
If his morals become spiritual in character, his
aspirations heavenly and his actions conformable to the will of God, man has attained the
image and likeness of God. Therefore His Holiness hath said: "Ye shall know them by
their fruits.
31. INTEGRITY :
The sword of a virtuous character and upright conduct is
sharper than blades of steel. Such people need no weapons of destruction, inasmuch as they
have guarded themselves to reconstruct the world. Their hosts are the hosts of godly
deeds, and their arms the arms of upright conduct, and their commander the fear of God.
32. JOY :
Sorrow not, if, in these days and on this earthly plane,
things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days upon
days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. All the sorrow
and grief that exist come from the world of matter - the spiritual world bestows only joy!
33. JUSTICE :
He will never deal unjustly with any one, neither
will He task a soul beyond its power.
The light of men is justice; quench it not with the
contrary winds of oppression and tyrany. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity
among men.
Be vigilant, that ye may not do injustice to any one, be
it to the extent of a grain of mustard seed. Tread ye the path of justice, for this,
verily, is the straight path.
34. KINDLINESS :
A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It
is the bread of the Spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the
light of wisdom and understanding.
35. KNOWLEDGE :
Knowledge is love. Study, listen to exhortations, think,
try to understand the wisdom and greatness of God. The soil must be fertilized before the
seed is sown.
36. LIBERTY :
Know ye that the embodiment of liberty and its symbol is
the animal. That which beseemeth man in submission unto such restraints as will protect
him from his own ignorance, and guard him against the harm of the mischief-maker. Liberty
causeth man to overstep the bounds of propriety, and to infringe on the dignity of his
station. The liberty that profiteth you is to be found nowhere except in servitude unto
God, the Eternal Truth.
37. LIFE :
Life in man should be like a flame, warming all with whom
it comes in contact.
38. LOVE OF MAN :
Each sees in the other the beauty of God reflected in the
soul, and finding this point of similarity, they are attracted to one another in love.
This love will make all men the waves of one sea, this love will make them all the stars
of one heaven, and the fruits of one tree.
39. LOVE OF GOD :
(a) For every one of you his paramount duty is to
choose for himself that on which no other may infringe and none usurp from him. Such a
thing is the love of God, could ye but perceive it.
(b) In the world of existence there is no more
powerful magnet than the magnet of love.
(c) If the hearts of the people become devoid of
the Divine Grace - the Love of God - they wander in the desert of ignorance, descend to
the depths of ruin, and fall into the abyss of despair, where there is no refuge.They are
like insects living on the lowest plane.
40. LOYALTY :
In every country or government where any of this community
reside, they must behave towards that government with faithfulness, trustfulness, and
truthfulness.
41. MALICE :
The tongue is a smouldering fire, and excess of speech a
deadly poison. Material fire consumenth the body, whereas the fire of the tongue devoureth
both heart and soul. The force of the former lasteth but for a time, whilst the effect of
the latter endureth a century.
42. MATERIAL GOODS :
Rejoice not in the things ye possess; tonight they are
yours, tomorrow others will possess them.
Thou dost wish for gold and I desire thy freedom from it.
Thou thinkest thyself rich in its possession, and I recognize thy wealth in thy sanctity
therefrom.
43. MEDITATION :
(a) Through the faculty of meditation man attains
to eternal life, through it he receives the breath of the Holy Spirit - the bestowals of
the Spirit are given during reflection and meditation.
(b) The meditative faculty is like a mirror; if you
put it before earthly objects it will reflect the earthly objects. Therefore, if the
spirit of man is contemplating earthly objects, he will become informed of them. But if
you turn the mirror of your spirit heavenwards, the heavenly constellations and the rays
of the Sun of Reality will be reflected in your heart and the virtues of the Kingdom will
be obtained.
44. MEEKNESS :
If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing
before your face, and overlook the faults of one another for My name's sake, and as a
token of your love for My manifest and resplendent Cause.
45. MERCY :
If thine eyes be turned toward mercy, forsake the things
that profit thee, and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be
turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for
thyself.
46. MODERATION :
Whatsoever passeth beyond the limits of moderation will
cease to exert a beneficial influence.
Whosocleaveth to justice, can, under no circumstances,
transgress the limits of moderation. The civilization, so often vaunted by the learned
exponents of arts and sciences, will, if allowed to overleap the bounds of moderation,
bring great evil upon men... If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a
source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraints of moderation.
All other things are subject to this same principle of moderation.
47. MODESTY :
The fear of God hath ever been a sure defence and a safe
stronghold for all the peoples of the world. It is the chief cause of the protection of
mankind, and supreme instrument for its preservation. Indeed, there existeth in man a
faculty which detereth him from, and guardeth him against, whatever is unworthy and
unseemly, and which is known as his sense of shame.
48. NEARNESS TO GOD :
The more pure and sanctified the heart of man becomes, the
nearer it draws to God and the light of the Sun of Reality is revealed within it. This
light sets hearts aglow with the fire of the love of God, opens in them the doors of
knowledge and unseals the divine mystries so that spiritual discoveries are made possible.
All the prophets have drawn near to God through severance. We must purify ourselves from
the mire and soil of earthly contact until our hearts become as mirrors in cleanliness and
the light of the most great guidance reveals itself in them.
49. PATIENCE :
He verily, shall increase the reward of them that
endure with patience. If anyone revile you, or trouble touch you, in the path of God, be
patient, and put your trust in Him Who heareth, Who seeth.
50. POLITICS :
Of old it hath been revealed: "Love of one's country
is an element of the Faith of God." The Tongue of Grandeur hath, however, in the day
of His manifestation proclaimed: "It is not his to boast who loveth his country, but
it is his who loveth the world."
51. PRAYER :
(a) Commune intimately with His Spirit, and be thou
of the thankful.
(b) The verses of God that have been received by
thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody
may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men.
(c) Strive that your actions day by day may be
beautiful prayers.
(d) Man is eternally in a state of communion and
prayer with the source of all good. The highest and most elevating state is the state of
prayer. Prayer is communion with God.
(e) The worshipper must pray with a detached
spirit, unconditional surrender of the will, concentrated attention and a magnetic
spiritual passion. His innermost being must be stirred with the ethereal breeze of
holiness.
(f) While man prays, he sees himself in the
presence of God.
52. PURITY :
(a) We verily behold your actions. If we perceive
from them the sweet-smelling savour of purity and holiness, we will most certainly bless
you.
(b) The Pure heart is the one that is entirely cut
away from self.
53. RADIANCE :
The All-loving God created man to radiate the Divine
Light, and to illuminate the world by his words, action, and life.
Believers must show their belief in their daily lives, so
that the world might see the light shining in their faces. A bright and happy face cheers
people on their way. If you are sad and pass a laughing child, the child seeing your face
will cease to laugh, not knowing why.
54. RIGHTEOUSNESS :
(a) Clothe thyself with the essence of
righteousness, and let thine heart be afraid of none except God.
(b) Cleave unto righteousness, O people of God !
This verily is the commandment which this wronged One hath given unto you, and the first
choice of His unrestrained will for every one of you.
(c) One righteous act is endowed with a potency
that can so elevate the dust as to cause it to pass beyond the heaven of heavens. It can
tear every bond asunder, and hath the power to restore the force that hath spent itself
and vanished.
55. SANCTITY :
He hath chosen out of the whole world the hearts of
His servant, and made them each a seat for the revelation of His glory. Wherefore,
sanctify them from every defilement, that the things for which ye were created may be
engraver upon them.
56. SECLUSION :
A solitary life and severe discipline do not meet God's
approval. Deprive not yourself of that which is created for you. Seclude yourself in the
stronghold of My love. This, truly, is the seclusion that befitteth you, could ye but know
it. He that secludeth himself in his house should deprise himself from the opportunity of
education.
57. SELF-EXPRESSION :
Thou art even as a finely tempered sword concealed in the
darkness of its sheath and its value hiddden from the artificer's knowledge. Wherefore
come forth from the sheath of self and desire that thy worth may be made resplendent and
manifest unto all the world.
58. SELF KNOWLEDGE :
He hath known God who hath known himself. Man should know
his own self, and know those things which lead to loftiness or baseness, to shame or to
honour, to affluence or to poverty. After man has realized his own being and become
mature, then for him wealth ( or competence ) is needed.
59. SELFLESSNESS :
(a) The station of absolute self-surrender
transcendeth, and will ever remain exalted above every other station.
(b) Be light and untrammeled as the breeze, that ye
may obtain admittance into the precincts of My court, my inviolable Sanctuary.
(c) Deliver your souls, O people, from the bondage
of self, and purify them from all attachment to anything besides Me. Remembrance of Me
cleanseth all things from defilement, could ye but perceive it.
(d) Self-Love is a strange trait and the means of
the destruction of many important souls in the world. If man be imbued with all good
qualities but be selfish, all the other virtues will fade or pass away and eventually he
will grow worse.
(e) It behoveth thee to sever thyself from all
desires save thy Lord, the Supreme, expecting no help or aid from anyone in the universe.
60. SERVICE :
That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to
the service of the entire human race. Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let
your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and
sanctify the hearts and souls of men. Service in love for mankind is unity with God.
61. SINCERITY :
(a) The true seeker should not wish for others that
which he doth not wish for himself, not promise that which he doth not fulfil.
(b) Take heed, O people, lest ye be of them that
give good counsel to others, but forget to follow it themselves. The words of such as
these, and beyond the words the realities of all things, and beyond these realities the
angels that are nigh unto God, bring against them the accusation of falsehood.
62. SLEEP :
If man sleeps, it should not be for pleasure, but
to rest the body in order to do better, to speak better, to explain more beautifully, to
serve the servants of God and to prove the truths.
63. SPIRITUALITY :
(a) Spirituality is the greatest of God's gifts,
and 'Life everlasting' means 'turning to God.'
(b) Be controlled by the attraction of the Beauty
of God, that His remembrance may run as the spirit in thy blood, veins, and limbs, and
thus fill thee with the thoughts of the love of God.
64. STEADFASTNESS :
Nowhere doth your true and abiding glory reside except in
your firm adherence unto the precepts of God, your whole-hearted observance of His laws,
your resolution to see that they do not remain unenforced, and to pursue steadfastly the
right course. The essential thing is firmness and steadfastness.
65. SYMPATHY :
Deny not my Servant should he ask anything from thee, for
his face is My face; be then abashed before Me. Let your principal concern be to rescue
the fallen from the slough of impending extinction, and to help him embrace the ancient
Faith of God.
66. TEMPERANCE :
The drinking of wine is, according to the text of the Most
Holy Book, forbidden; for it is the cause of chronic diseases, weakeneth the nerves, and
consumeth the mind.
67. THANKFULNESS :
(a) The best way to thank God is to love one
another. Mere verbal thanksgiving is without effect. But real thankfulness is a cordial
giving of thanks from the heart. When man in response to the favours of God manifests
susceptibilities of conscience, the heart is happy, the spirit exhilarated. These
spiritual susceptibilities are ideal thanksgiving.
(b) To express his gratitude for the favours of God
man must show forth praiseworthy actions. In response to these bestowals he must render
good deeds, be self-sacrificing, loving the servants of God, forfeiting even life for
them, showing kindness to all the creatures. He must be severed from this world, attracted
to the Kingdom of God, the face radiant, the tongue eloquent, the ear attentive, striving
day and night to attain the good pleasure of God. Whatsoever he wishes to do must be in
harmony with the good-pleasure of God.
68. TRUSTWORTHINESS :
Deal not treacherously with the substance of your
neighbour. Be ye trustworthy on earth, and withhold not from the poor the things given
unto you by God through His grace. He, verily, will bestow upon you the double of what ye
possess. Show ye an endeavour that all the nations and communities of the world, even the
enemies, put their trust, assurance, and hope in you; that if a person falls into errors
for a hundred thousand times he may yet turn his face to you, hopeful that you will
forgive his sins; for he must not become hopeless, neither grieved nor despondent.
69. TRUTHFULNESS :
Good speech and truthfulness are, in loftiness of position
and rank, like unto the sun which hath risen from the horizon of the heaven of knowledge.
They who are the people of God have no ambition except to
revive the world, to ennoble its life, and regenerate its peoples. Thruthfulness and
goodwill have, at all times, marked their relation with all men. Their outward conduct is
but a reflection of their inward life, and their inward life a mirror of their outward
conduct.
70. UNITY :
(a) Be ye as the fingers of one hand, the members
of one body. So powerful is the light of Unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.
That tabernacle of Unity hath been raised, regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are
the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. It is incumbent upon every man, in
this Day, to hold fast unto whatsoever will promote the interests, and exalt the station,
of all nations and just governments.
(b) The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of
God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human
race, and to foster the spirit of love and friendship amongst men.
(c) We desire but the good of the world and the
happiness of the nation that all nations should become one in faith, and all as brothers;
that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that
diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled.
(d) It behoveth thee to consecrate thyself to the
Will of God. Whatsoever hath been revealed in his Tablets is but a reflection of His Will.
So complete must be thy consecration that every trace of worldly desire will be washed
from thine heart. This is the meaning of true unity.
71. VENGEANCE :
(a) Vengeance is blameworthy because through
vengeance no good result is gained by the avenger. So if a man strikes another and he who
is struck takes revenge by returning the blow, what advantage will he gain ? Will this be
a balm for his wound or a remedy for his pain ? No, God forbid in truth the two actions
are the same, both are injuries, the only difference is that one occurred first and the
other afterwards. Therefore, if he who is struck forgives, may, if he acts in a manner
contrary to that which has been used towards him, this is laudable.
(b) When Christ said " Whosoever shall strike
thee on the right cheek, turn to him the left also". It was for the purpose of
teaching men not to take personal revenge. He did not mean that if a wolf should fall upon
a flock of sheep and wish to destroy, the wolf should be encouraged to do so. No, if
Christ had known that a wolf had entered the fold and was about to destroy the sheep, most
certainly he would have prevented it.
72. VIOLENCE :
(a) Resolve conflict in a way that everybody wins
and no one loses.
(b) We need to have a new consultative approach to
resolve conflict.
(c) There is no glory for him that committeth
disorder in the earth after it hath been made so good.
(d) Fighting, and the employment of force, even for
the right cause, will not bring about good results. The oppressed who have right on their
side must not take that right by force; the evil would continue. Hearts must be changed.
73. WAR :
When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger
thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of
love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and
content. Thoughts of love are constructive of brotherhood, peace, friendship and
happiness.
How is it possible for man to fight from morning until
evening killing each other, shedding the blood of their fellowmen; and for what object ?
To gain possession of a part of the earth. Even the animals, when they fight, have an
immediate and more reasonable cause for their attacks. The highest of created beings
fighting to obtain the lowest form of matter, earth. Land belongs not to the people, but
to all people. This earth is not man's home, but his tomb.
74. WISDOM :
(a) The sword of wisdom is hotter than summer heat,
and sharper than blades of steel, if ye do but understand. O ye loved ones of God! Drink
your fill from the wellspring of Wisdom, and soar ye into the atmosphere of Wisdom, and
speak forth with wisdom and eloquence.
(b) The wise are they that speak not unless they
obtain a hearing, even as the cup-bearer who proffereth not his cup till he findeth a
seeker, and the lover who giveth not out from the depths of heart until he gazeth upon the
beauty of his beloved, where upon sow the seeds of wisdom and knowledge in the pure soil
of the heart, and keep them hidden, till the hyacinths of divine wisdom spring from the
heart and not from mire and clay.
75. WORK :
(a) The best of men are they that earn a livelihood
by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred for the love of God, the
Lord of all worlds. Ye are the trees of My garden; ye must give forth goodly and wonderous
fruits, that ye yourselves and others may profit there from. Thus it is incumbent on every
one to engage in crafts and professions, for therein lies the secret of wealth. O men of
understanding. Waste not your time in idleness and indolence, and occupy yourselves with
that which will profit yourselves and others beside yourself. The most despised of men
before God is he who sits and begs.
(b) All humanity must obtain a livelihood by sweat
of the brow and bodily exertion; at the same time seeking to lift the burden of others,
striving to be the source of comfort to souls, and facilitating the means of living. This
in itself is devotion to God. But the energies of the heart must not be completely
occupied with them. Though the mind is busy the heart must be attracted toward the Kingdom
of God in order that the virtues of humanity may be attained from every direction and
source.
76. WORLD :
The world is but a show, vain and empty, a mere nothing,
bearing the semblance of reality. Set not your affections upon it. Break not the bond that
uniteth you with your Creator, and be not of those that have erred and strayed from His
ways. Verily I say, the world is like a vapour in the desert, which the thirsty dreameth
to be water and striveth after it with all his might, until when he cometh unto it, he
findeth it to be mere illusion.