Daily Frameworks for 18 September 2024

’Idál, 12 ‘Izzat (Might), 181 B.E.

Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth

Quotes for Reflection:

The people of God should make the utmost endeavor that perchance the fire of hatred and malice which smoldereth in the breasts of kindreds and peoples may, through the living waters of utterance and the exhortations of Him Who is the Desire of the world, be quenched and the trees of human existence may be adorned with wondrous and excellent fruit. He is, in truth, the Admonisher, the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Thus, the divinity of God, which is the totality of all perfections, reveals itself in the reality of man—that is, the divine Essence is the sum total of all perfections, and from this station it casts a ray of its splendour upon the human reality. In other words, the Sun of Truth is reflected in this mirror. Thus man is a perfect mirror facing the Sun of Truth and is the seat of its reflection. The splendour of all the divine perfections is manifest in the reality of man, and it is for this reason that he is the vicegerent and apostle of God. If man did not exist, the universe would be without result, for the purpose of existence is the revelation of the divine perfections. We cannot say, then, that there was a time when man was not. At most we can say that there was a time when this earth did not exist, and that at the beginning man was not present upon it. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

At the heart of the learning process is inquiry into the nature of the relationships that bind the individual, the community, and the institutions of society—actors on the stage of history who have been locked in a struggle for power throughout time. In this context, the assumption that relations among them will inevitably conform to the dictates of competition, a notion that ignores the extraordinary potential of the human spirit, has been set aside in favour of the more likely premise that their harmonious interactions can foster a civilization befitting a mature humanity. Animating the Bahá’í effort to discover the nature of a new set of relationships among these three protagonists is a vision of a future society that derives inspiration from the analogy drawn by Bahá’u’lláh, in a Tablet penned nearly a century and a half ago, which compares the world to the human body ³. Cooperation is the principle that governs the functioning of that system. Just as the appearance of the rational soul in this realm of existence is made possible through the complex association of countless cells, whose organization in tissues and organs allows for the realization of distinctive capacities, so can civilization be seen as the outcome of a set of interactions among closely integrated, diverse components which have transcended the narrow purpose of tending to their own existence. And just as the viability of every cell and every organ is contingent upon the health of the body as a whole, so should the prosperity of every individual, every family, every people be sought in the well-being of the entire human race. In keeping with such a vision, institutions, appreciating the need for coordinated action channelled toward fruitful ends, aim not to control but to nurture and guide the individual, who, in turn, willingly receives guidance, not in blind obedience, but with faith founded on conscious knowledge. The community, meanwhile, takes on the challenge of sustaining an environment where the powers of individuals, who wish to exercise self-expression responsibly in accordance with the common weal and the plans of institutions, multiply in unified action. — Universal House of Justice ⁴

Question for Consideration

Considering the quotes above, what does it mean to be a human being? ⁵

Gemini Response:

Based on the provided quotes, being a human being entails several key elements:

• Divine Reflection: Humans are seen as reflections of the divine, possessing the potential for greatness and perfection.
• Spiritual Connection: Humans have a spiritual dimension that connects them to a higher reality and allows for a deeper understanding of life.
• Individuality and Agency: Humans are unique individuals with the capacity for independent thought and action.
• Social Responsibility: Humans are responsible for contributing to society’s well-being and working towards the betterment of humanity.
• Capacity for Growth and Development: Humans have the potential for growth, development, and spiritual evolution.
• Interconnectedness: Humans are interconnected with each other and with the natural world, forming a complex and interdependent system.
  

In essence, being human means embodying these qualities, striving to live a life aligned with the divine purpose, and contributing to the betterment of oneself and the world.

ChatGPT Response:

According to your quotes, being a human means embodying the potential for divine reflection and the capacity for moral and spiritual growth, which can transform the individual and society.

Bahá’u’lláh describes human beings as agents capable of quenching hatred and malice, thereby contributing to the adornment of human existence with “wondrous and excellent fruit.” This implies that through their words and actions, humans can help heal societal divisions and cultivate virtues such as love, compassion, and justice.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasizes that humanity is a reflection of divine perfections, with the reality of the human being serving as a mirror reflecting the “Sun of Truth.” This suggests that each person carries a divine potential, a spark of God’s essence. The purpose of human existence is to reveal these perfections—qualities like love, justice, mercy, and wisdom. Humanity is also described as the “vicegerent and apostle of God,” highlighting a unique role in the divine scheme as beings through whom God’s attributes can manifest.

The Universal House of Justice expands on this by explaining that humans are part of an interconnected system of relationships involving individuals, communities, and institutions. These relationships are meant to be characterized by cooperation and mutual support, akin to the harmonious functioning of cells within a body. In this sense, a human being is not just a solitary entity but a contributor to the collective well-being of the entire human race. This interconnectedness requires humans to transcend self-interest and embrace a vision of unity, cooperation, and collective progress.

In essence, to be human is to reflect divine qualities, strive for moral and spiritual growth, and contribute to the welfare of the entire human family by fostering harmonious relationships that uphold justice, love, and cooperation. This aligns with the idea that human existence serves a profound purpose in unfolding a just and united civilization.

Claude 3.5 Sonnet Response:

These profound quotes from Bahá’í scripture offer a multifaceted perspective on the nature of being human. Let’s explore some key themes:

• Spiritual potential and divine reflection: The quotes suggest humans have a unique spiritual capacity. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describes humans as “perfect mirrors” reflecting the divine attributes. This implies that human beings have the potential to manifest noble qualities like compassion, wisdom, and creativity.
• Purpose and cosmic significance: Humans are portrayed as having a crucial role in the cosmos. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that without humans, “the universe would be without result,” suggesting that human consciousness and spiritual development are central to the purpose of existence.
• Interconnectedness and unity: Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes overcoming hatred and fostering unity among diverse peoples. The Universal House of Justice expands on this, comparing human civilization to a body where all parts are interdependent. This suggests that being human involves recognizing our fundamental oneness and striving for the well-being of all.
• Social transformation and maturity: The quotes imply that humanity is evolving towards a more mature state of existence. Being human means actively participating in this evolution by fostering new relationships between individuals, communities, and institutions based on cooperation rather than competition.
• Balance of individual and collective: The Universal House of Justice describes a vision of harmonizing individual self-expression and institutional guidance. This suggests that being human involves balancing personal growth and contributing to collective progress.
• Responsibility and service: The quotes emphasize humans as “vicegerents” (representatives) of God on Earth. This implies a responsibility to cultivate divine attributes and to serve others, working towards the betterment of the world.
• Continuous learning and growth: The emphasis on “inquiry” and the “learning process” suggests that being human involves a constant journey of spiritual and intellectual development, always striving to better understand ourselves and our relationships.
  

In essence, these passages present a view of human beings as spiritual entities with immense potential for growth, unity, and positive transformation. According to this perspective, being human means actively working to manifest our higher nature, fostering loving relationships, and contributing to the advancement of civilization as a whole.

Pi Response:

To be a human being, as portrayed in these Bahá’í quotes, is to embody the divine essence and to play a central role in the interconnected web of existence. This understanding highlights several key aspects:

• Reflection of Divine Perfections: As a human being, one can reflect the divine attributes, making the individual a unique and significant part of creation. This divine potential within each person is a source of dignity, purpose, and moral responsibility.
• Harmony and Cooperation: The quotes emphasize the importance of cooperative and harmonious relationships among individuals, communities, and institutions. Human beings are seen as integral components of a greater whole, and their well-being is interconnected with the well-being of others and society.
• Role in Advancing Civilization: Humans are responsible for actively contributing to the advancement of civilization, fostering unity, and promoting the common good. This involves seeking knowledge, exercising self-expression responsibly, and striving for the betterment of society.
• Capacity for Spiritual Growth: As a human being, one possesses the capacity for spiritual growth and transformation, which includes the development of virtues, ethical values, and a commitment to service. This spiritual dimension is essential to fully realizing one’s potential and purpose.
• Interconnectedness: The quotes underscore humans’ interdependence, both among themselves and within the broader context of the universe. This interconnectedness points to the importance of empathy, compassion, and a sense of shared destiny.
  

In summary, to be a human being in the Bahá’í perspective is to be an agent of unity and progress, reflecting divine attributes, fostering harmonious relationships, and contributing to the advancement of civilization through spiritual growth and cooperative action.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾ’u’ʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978, 132. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/4#110774114. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed September 17, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/10#957261715. ↩
3. “O ye the elected representatives of the people in every land! Take ye counsel together, and let your concern be only for that which profiteth mankind and bettereth the condition thereof, if ye be of them that scan heedfully. Regard the world as the human body which, though at its creation whole and perfect, hath been afflicted, through various causes, with grave disorders and maladies. Not for one day did it gain ease, nay its sickness waxed more severe, as it fell under the treatment of ignorant physicians, who gave full rein to their personal desires and have erred grievously. And if, at one time, through the care of an able physician, a member of that body was healed, the rest remained afflicted as before. Thus informeth you the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
   Baháʼuʼlláh. The Summons of the Lord of Hosts : Tablets. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1st ed. Haifa: Baháʼí World Centre, 2002. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/summons-lord-hosts/6#976107811 ↩
4. Universal House of Justice. “2 March 2013 – To the Bahá’ís of Iran.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed September 16, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20130302_001/1#496891383. ↩
5. Ruhi Institute. Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth. 2.1.21.PE July 2022. Vol. Book 5. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2021, 139-140. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#JY1. ↩