Dr A K Merchant
“Religion,” Bahá’u’lláh states, “is the greatest of all means for the establishment of order in the world and for the peaceful contentment of all that dwell therein.” The creation of a peaceful global society that fosters both individual and collective wellbeing is at the heart of the Bahá’í vision of the future.
Religion and philosophy have traditionally fed the human spirit’s hunger for meaning. Yet religions now struggle to maintain their credibility in the face of a scientific worldview, while philosophy has been seduced by relativism. Humanity stands without a clear vision endowed with meaning and purpose or a moral compass to guide it into the uncharted future.
In this context, the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, offer a new light. Bahá’u’lláh’s voluminous writings address the spiritual, moral, and social issues facing humankind. He renews the profound truths and values found in religion in the past, presenting them in a voice compatible with reason and science that speaks to the needs of humanity poised on the threshold of a global social order.
Bahá’u’lláh revealed His mission on 21st April 1863 in a lush garden near Baghdad, later named Ridvan. He explains that just as science is the source of understanding the laws of physical reality, true religion, stripped of empty tradition and superstition, is a source of understanding of the laws of spiritual reality. Bahá’u’lláh says that knowledge about spiritual reality comes to humanity through a series of divine teachers – the Founders of the great world religions. Spirituality is the process of systematically translating this knowledge into action for personal growth, the ordering of society, and the advancement of civilization. Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on spiritual reality cover the nature of the human being, the journey of the soul, the spiritual life, the relationship between the physical and spiritual reality, the progress of the soul and the means for humanity’s spiritual education.
Those universal spiritual principles which lie at the heart of religion – compassion, love, justice, humility, sacrifice, trustworthiness, dedication to the well-being of others, and unity – are the foundations of progressive civilization.
Addressing the issues of human nature, Bahá’u’lláh explains that in man there are two natures: his spiritual or higher nature and his material or lower nature. In one he approaches God, in the other he lives for the world alone. Signs of both these natures can be found in each individual. Every good habit, every noble quality belongs to man’s spiritual nature, whereas all his imperfections and corrupt actions are born of his material nature. When man allows the spirit, through his soul, to enlighten his understanding, he opens up to the flow of the reviving energies of transformative spirituality.
From the Bahá’í perspective, religion can have a profound influence on all societies, as long as the transformative power of spirituality is channeled to the betterment of communities. Throughout history, religion has proven to be the primary force for social progress, motivating individuals to develop spiritual qualities, and empowering them to sacrifice for their fellow human beings.
Bahá’u’lláh says that the time has come when humankind will be united in order to build a peaceful and global society. It is, however, obvious that if religion is to help meet the manifold challenges confronting the world community, it must be free of superstition and prejudice.
Within the framework of a growing community concerned with moral and spiritual transformation, social and economic development is one expression of the common commitment to realizing this vision. Service to others is the key in building together a global society that provides spiritual and material prosperity for all people. Social change is dependent on the willingness to transformation and renewal by individuals for the common good.
The Bahá’í Festival of Ridván, known as the “King of Festivals” to the Bahá’ís is celebrated from April 21 to May 2.
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