Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 1:01am
A day that will not be followed by night
Column: Life at First Sight
Like the spiritual springtime it celebrates, the Baha'i Faith has an efflorescence of special Holy Days associated with its history at this time of year.
Last week, Baha'is commemorated the Declaration of the Bab, the landmark event in 1844 that saw the inception of this faith that affirms the teachings of all of the major world religions. On May 29, Baha'is observe the anniversary of the passing of the faith's prophet/founder, Baha'u'llah.
His quiet exit from this world in 1892 stands in marked contrast to the nearly 50 years of imprisonment, exile, suffering and torture that preceded it. As I've reflected on that fact lately, it seems that no matter the upheaval and pain of his worldly days, the motivating purpose and power of his life and teachings embody the ultimate invitation we've all been given to transcend this world in favor of a greater, and deeper, spiritual reality.
Born to nobility in 19th century Iran, Baha'u'llah seemed destined for a life of ease. But he chose instead to minister to those in need, which earned him the nickname "Father of the Poor."
When he first heard of the spiritually revolutionary teachings advanced by a young man known as the Bab, he immediately embraced them and sought to further their message of love and unity. This cost him everything he had, and led to a life of continued exile and imprisonment due to his affiliation with this new faith that generated so much displeasure among Muslim clerics and others in power. This same new message of hope cost 20,000 of its followers their lives.
As though contrast is needed to help draw the distinction between darkness and true light, Baha'u'llah received the light of divine revelation in 1852 in one of the world's truly darkest places, an infamous Iranian prison know as the Black Pit. Imprisoned because of religious persecution, he was surrounded by scores of the very worst of criminals, weighed down by two chains, each weighing 150 pounds, which would leave scars on him for the rest of his life.
Once he was finally freed, he was stripped of all his former wealth and property and exiled to Baghdad, the first of four banishments that he and his family would suffer, which would also take him to Constantinople, Adrianople, and ultimately to the stench-filled prison city of Akka in the Holy Land. Wherever he was sent at others' command, a curious interplay would continue to unfold — his enemies bent on his annihilation on the one hand, and increasing numbers of everyday citizens coming to love him, due in part to his extreme kindness. Wherever he lived, his wisdom and radiant character would eventually earn the admiration of people from all walks of life. Fearful of this, the authorities kept sending him further into exile, hoping that his influence would fade and die.
In time, the writings of his revelation exceeded 100 volumes and were addressed to believers and detractors, kings and commoners. For more than 40 years, he proclaimed a message of the coming-of-age of humankind in words such as these:
"This is the Day in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness. It behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to the exaltation of their stations, and to the promotion of their best interests. ... Beseech ye the one true God to grant that all men may be graciously assisted to fulfill that which is acceptable in Our sight. Soon will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen." (See Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Section IV.)
While he was technically still a prisoner of the state, Baha'u'llah died in the ancient city of Akka in a tranquil mansion surrounded by the countryside he had loved so much, yet seen so little of in his life. Perhaps it's a testimony to the influence of the light he shed that the names of those who persecuted him have been forgotten, yet less than 150 years later, more than 5 million people around the world, from every national, racial, ethnic and religious background, remember him. The religion he founded is among the fastest-growing and is the second-most widespread in the world, and his teachings are being put into practice not only by Baha'is, but by humanity in general.
Baha'u'llah "consented to be bound with chains that mankind might be released from its bondage" and "accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty." He "drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness." (See Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Section XLV.)
His whole aim, God's intended goal for humanity in this day, he once told a Western visitor, was "the good of the world and the happiness of the nations" — the happiness of the nations. For this, he endured the wrath and hatred of those who did not see their own interests advanced by his teachings.
Even in the most final moments, deep in the heart of night as he lay dying, Baha'u'llah comforted those gathered around him, emphasizing to them kindly, "I am well pleased with you all."
One of those present in the room has written that when he was overcome with tears of grief and sorrow, Baha'u'llah called him over and wiped those tears away with his own hand.
"As he did so," this companion later remembered, "the words of Isaiah [25:8], 'and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,' involuntarily came to my mind."
— — —
Phyllis Edgerly Ring, mother of two, is a writer and editor. Her current book project addresses how adults can recognize and nurture children's spiritual nature. She is a former program director at Green Acre Baha'i School in Eliot, Maine, and has been a member of the Baha'i Faith for more than 30 years. Email her at {email columns@bahai.us}columns@bahai.us{/email}. See the website of the Baha'is of the United States for more information. © copyright 2007 by Phyllis Edgerly Ring.
Last week, Baha'is commemorated the Declaration of the Bab, the landmark event in 1844 that saw the inception of this faith that affirms the teachings of all of the major world religions. On May 29, Baha'is observe the anniversary of the passing of the faith's prophet/founder, Baha'u'llah.
His quiet exit from this world in 1892 stands in marked contrast to the nearly 50 years of imprisonment, exile, suffering and torture that preceded it. As I've reflected on that fact lately, it seems that no matter the upheaval and pain of his worldly days, the motivating purpose and power of his life and teachings embody the ultimate invitation we've all been given to transcend this world in favor of a greater, and deeper, spiritual reality.
Born to nobility in 19th century Iran, Baha'u'llah seemed destined for a life of ease. But he chose instead to minister to those in need, which earned him the nickname "Father of the Poor."
When he first heard of the spiritually revolutionary teachings advanced by a young man known as the Bab, he immediately embraced them and sought to further their message of love and unity. This cost him everything he had, and led to a life of continued exile and imprisonment due to his affiliation with this new faith that generated so much displeasure among Muslim clerics and others in power. This same new message of hope cost 20,000 of its followers their lives.
As though contrast is needed to help draw the distinction between darkness and true light, Baha'u'llah received the light of divine revelation in 1852 in one of the world's truly darkest places, an infamous Iranian prison know as the Black Pit. Imprisoned because of religious persecution, he was surrounded by scores of the very worst of criminals, weighed down by two chains, each weighing 150 pounds, which would leave scars on him for the rest of his life.
Once he was finally freed, he was stripped of all his former wealth and property and exiled to Baghdad, the first of four banishments that he and his family would suffer, which would also take him to Constantinople, Adrianople, and ultimately to the stench-filled prison city of Akka in the Holy Land. Wherever he was sent at others' command, a curious interplay would continue to unfold — his enemies bent on his annihilation on the one hand, and increasing numbers of everyday citizens coming to love him, due in part to his extreme kindness. Wherever he lived, his wisdom and radiant character would eventually earn the admiration of people from all walks of life. Fearful of this, the authorities kept sending him further into exile, hoping that his influence would fade and die.
In time, the writings of his revelation exceeded 100 volumes and were addressed to believers and detractors, kings and commoners. For more than 40 years, he proclaimed a message of the coming-of-age of humankind in words such as these:
"This is the Day in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness. It behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to the exaltation of their stations, and to the promotion of their best interests. ... Beseech ye the one true God to grant that all men may be graciously assisted to fulfill that which is acceptable in Our sight. Soon will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen." (See Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Section IV.)
While he was technically still a prisoner of the state, Baha'u'llah died in the ancient city of Akka in a tranquil mansion surrounded by the countryside he had loved so much, yet seen so little of in his life. Perhaps it's a testimony to the influence of the light he shed that the names of those who persecuted him have been forgotten, yet less than 150 years later, more than 5 million people around the world, from every national, racial, ethnic and religious background, remember him. The religion he founded is among the fastest-growing and is the second-most widespread in the world, and his teachings are being put into practice not only by Baha'is, but by humanity in general.
Baha'u'llah "consented to be bound with chains that mankind might be released from its bondage" and "accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty." He "drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness." (See Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Section XLV.)
His whole aim, God's intended goal for humanity in this day, he once told a Western visitor, was "the good of the world and the happiness of the nations" — the happiness of the nations. For this, he endured the wrath and hatred of those who did not see their own interests advanced by his teachings.
Even in the most final moments, deep in the heart of night as he lay dying, Baha'u'llah comforted those gathered around him, emphasizing to them kindly, "I am well pleased with you all."
One of those present in the room has written that when he was overcome with tears of grief and sorrow, Baha'u'llah called him over and wiped those tears away with his own hand.
"As he did so," this companion later remembered, "the words of Isaiah [25:8], 'and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,' involuntarily came to my mind."
— — —
Phyllis Edgerly Ring, mother of two, is a writer and editor. Her current book project addresses how adults can recognize and nurture children's spiritual nature. She is a former program director at Green Acre Baha'i School in Eliot, Maine, and has been a member of the Baha'i Faith for more than 30 years. Email her at {email columns@bahai.us}columns@bahai.us{/email}. See the website of the Baha'is of the United States for more information. © copyright 2007 by Phyllis Edgerly Ring.