Daily Frameworks for 26 October 2024

Jalál, 12 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

Man is like unto a tree. If he be adorned with fruit, he hath been and will ever be worthy of praise and commendation. Otherwise a fruitless tree is but fit for fire. The fruits of the human tree are exquisite, highly desired and dearly cherished. Among them are upright character, virtuous deeds and a goodly utterance. The springtime for earthly trees occurreth once every year, while the one for human trees appeareth in the Days of God—exalted be His glory. Were the trees of men’s lives to be adorned in this divine Springtime with the fruits that have been mentioned, the effulgence of the light of Justice would, of a certainty, illumine all the dwellers of the earth and everyone would abide in tranquility and contentment beneath the sheltering shadow of Him Who is the Object of all mankind. The Water for these trees is the living water of the sacred Words uttered by the Beloved of the world. In one instant are such trees planted and in the next their branches shall, through the outpourings of the showers of divine mercy, have reached the skies. A dried-up tree, however, hath never been nor will be worthy of any mention. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the future! Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth, but behold the day will come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches thereof shall be laden with fruit. Rejoice and be glad that this day has dawned, try to realize its power, for it is indeed wonderful! God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world! — ’Abdu’l-Bahá ²

It is on…Bahá’ís, like you, that the Guardian centres all his hopes for the future progress and expansion of the Cause, and it is on their shoulders that he lays all the responsibility for the upkeep of the spirit of selfless service among their fellow-believers. Without that spirit no work can be successfully achieved. With it triumph, though hardly won, is but inevitable. You should, therefore, try all your best to carry aflame within you the torch of faith, for through it you will surely find guidance, strength and eventual success. . ..every one of them is able, in his own measure, to deliver the Message … Everyone is a potential teacher. He has only to use what God has given him and thus prove that he is faithful to his trust. — Shoghi Effendi ³

When teaching among the masses, the friends should be careful not to emphasize the charitable and humanitarian aspects of the Faith as a means to win recruits. Experience has shown that when facilities such as schools, dispensaries, hospitals, or even clothes and food are offered to the people being taught, many complications arise. The prime motive should always be the response of man to God’s message, and the recognition of His Messenger. Those who declare themselves as Bahá’ís should become enchanted with the beauty of the Teachings; and touched by the love of Bahá’u’lláh. The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws, and principles of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must obey. — Universal House of Justice ⁴

Question for Consideration

As faith burns more brightly in one’s heart, it opens more possibilities to help others recognize Bahá’u’lláh. What are some characteristics of that faith? ⁵

Gemini Response:

Based on the provided quotes, here are some characteristics of a faith that burns brightly and opens possibilities to help others recognize Bahá’u’lláh:

Spiritual Depth and Connection

• Deep and abiding love for God: This love is the foundation of faith and inspires selfless service.
• Profound understanding of the divine teachings: This understanding allows one to articulate the message of the Cause with clarity and conviction.
• Personal connection with Bahá’u’lláh: This connection provides strength, guidance, and inspiration.
  

Selfless Service

• Desire to serve humanity: This desire is motivated by love for God and a recognition of the oneness of humankind.
• Willingness to sacrifice personal interests: This willingness to sacrifice demonstrates a commitment to the Cause.
• Focus on the spiritual well-being of others: This focus is essential for inspiring others to embrace the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
  

Burning Desire to Teach

• Passion for sharing the message of the Cause: A deep conviction in the truth of the teachings fuels this passion.
• Willingness to engage in dialogue with others: This willingness to engage in dialogue allows for exchanging ideas and deepening understanding.
• Commitment to living the teachings: This commitment demonstrates the transformative power of the Cause and inspires others to follow suit.
  

Positive and Hopeful Outlook

• Belief in the ultimate triumph of the Cause: This belief provides strength and perseverance in facing challenges.
• Focus on the potential of humanity: This focus inspires hope and optimism for the future.
• Commitment to building a better world: This commitment motivates one to work towards a more just and equitable society.
  

By embodying these characteristics, one can become a powerful force for good and help to spread the message of Bahá’u’lláh to the world.

ChatGPT Response:

When faith burns brightly in one’s heart, it manifests in qualities that naturally attract others and help them recognize the truth of Bahá’u’lláh’s message. Here are the key characteristics of such a vibrant, guiding faith:

Upright Character and Virtuous Deeds

Bahá’u’lláh describes these as the “fruits” of the human tree, the qualities that demonstrate the value of one’s faith. An upright character, reflecting honesty, integrity, and humility, draws others to the Faith by embodying its teachings in daily life. Virtuous deeds—actions motivated by love, justice, and service—help bring peace and contentment to others and uplift communities.

Joy and Hope for the Future

’Abdu’l-Bahá encourages the faithful to “lift up” their hearts and look to the future with optimism and faith. This hopeful outlook, despite challenges, conveys a deep belief in the transformative power of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to bring about a unified and just world. This joy and hope can inspire and attract others who seek meaning and direction.

Commitment to Selfless Service

Shoghi Effendi explains that selfless service is essential for the Cause to progress, and it is upon each individual to carry “the torch of faith.” This selflessness, when sustained, attracts divine assistance and ensures that the work undertaken will succeed, even if difficult. A spirit of service, free from personal motives, resonates deeply with others and creates a natural invitation to explore the Faith.

Spiritual Radiance

The faithful have a “radiant star” set in their hearts, as described by ’Abdu’l-Bahá, whose light has the potential to “brighten the whole world.” This spiritual radiance is a visible quality, born of an inward connection to the divine, that fosters a peaceful, reassuring, and welcoming presence. It reflects the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and often inspires others to seek its source.

Clear Understanding and Purpose

The Universal House of Justice stresses that those who teach the Faith should emphasize the spiritual purpose of the message. Faith grounded in understanding enables one to convey the teachings clearly, focusing on love for Bahá’u’lláh and the significance of His Revelation rather than material gains or incentives. This clarity of purpose ensures the Faith is presented authentically and allows potential believers to be drawn to its core principles.

Trust in Divine Guidance and Strength

Shoghi Effendi emphasizes that each individual “is a potential teacher” and has been endowed with gifts to serve the Faith. Faith opens individuals to trust in divine assistance, allowing them to take initiative and persevere with courage, knowing that their efforts, guided by God, will bear fruit. This strength of purpose and trust in divine guidance encourages others to explore the Faith.

In sum, a strong faith shines as a beacon of integrity, joy, service, and humility, igniting an inspiring example for others. This burning faith can illuminate others’ hearts, helping them to feel the love of Bahá’u’lláh and draw nearer to Him.

Claude Response:

Based on these rich passages, true faith that enables teaching appears to have several key characteristics:

Living and fruit-bearing

• Like a tree that must “be adorned with fruit”
• Produces “upright character, virtuous deeds and a goodly utterance.”
• Is nourished by the “living water of the sacred Words.”
• Proliferates through “divine mercy” when properly nourished
  

Transformative power

• Can grow from a seed into “a glorious tree.”
• Branches become “laden with fruit”
• Contains a “radiant star” whose light can “brighten the whole world.”
• Is capable of miraculous growth “in one instant”
  

Oriented toward future unfoldment

• Requires looking “with eyes of faith into the future”
• Recognizes the potential in small beginnings (the seed)
• Understands the “power” of this day
• Centers hope on “future progress and expansion.”
  

Manifests through service

• Maintains “the spirit of selfless service”
• Uses “what God has given him”
• Proves “faithful to his trust”
• Recognizes that “everyone is a potential teacher.”
  

Primarily spiritual

• Focused on “the response of man to God’s message”
• Creates enchantment with “the beauty of the Teachings”
• Sparked by “the love of Bahá’u’lláh”
• Goes beyond humanitarian aspects to spiritual recognition
  

Combines inner transformation with basic knowledge

• Requires “catching the spark of faith”
• Needs basic information about the Central Figures
• Includes recognition of laws to follow
• Acknowledges an administration to obey
  

Evidenced by its results

• Without fruit, a tree is “but fit for fire.”
• True faith leads to “eventual success”
• Produces guidance and strength
• Contributes to universal illumination and tranquility
  

The quotes suggest that this kind of faith is deeply personal and universally effective – it transforms the individual while making them an instrument for others to do likewise. It’s about believing and becoming a living embodiment of the teachings, like a fruitful tree that grows and nourishes others.

The emphasis seems to be on authentic spiritual transformation rather than external actions or material incentives. True faith naturally creates teaching opportunities by making one’s life a testament to the power of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation.

Pi Response:

The passages from Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice shed light on the characteristics of faith that can help individuals recognize Bahá’u’lláh and contribute to the advancement of the Cause:

• Fruitful actions: Bahá’u’lláh likens people to trees and emphasizes that the fruits of one’s actions, such as upright character, virtuous deeds, and goodly utterance, are essential aspects of faith. These qualities reflect the individual’s devotion and contribute to humanity’s enlightenment and unity.
• Future-oriented vision: Faith requires a future-oriented vision, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá suggests. The ability to see beyond the present and have hope in the future fosters resilience and determination in one’s efforts to teach the Cause.
• Selfless service: Shoghi Effendi highlights the importance of selfless service, which propels the progress and expansion of the Faith. Embracing this spirit of service strengthens the community and enables individuals to work together towards a common goal.
• Utilizing personal potential: Every individual has the potential to teach and share the Message according to their unique capacities. By recognizing and utilizing one’s abilities, each person can contribute to the growth of the Faith.
• Focusing on spiritual connection: The Universal House of Justice advises against overemphasizing material aspects when teaching the Faith. Instead, the focus should be on fostering a spiritual connection with the Teachings and the love of Bahá’u’lláh. This approach deepens the understanding and commitment of new believers.
  

In summary, faith that can effectively help others recognize Bahá’u’lláh is characterized by fruitful actions, a future-oriented vision, selfless service, utilizing personal potential, and focusing on spiritual connection. By embodying these qualities and attributes, individuals can contribute to the growth and development of the Bahá’í community and inspire others to embrace the transformative message of Bahá’u’lláh.

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, 257. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/7#381745460. ↩
2. ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses Given by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá in 1911. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 2006, 68. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/3#915979998. ↩
3. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Guidelines for Teaching,” Bahá’í Library Online, 1991, 1940. https://bahai-library.com/compilationguidelinesteaching/. ↩
4. Universal House of Justice. “13 July 1964 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19640713_001/1#718792135. ↩
5. Ruhi Institute. Teaching the Cause. 2.1.1.PE April 2023. Vol. Book 6. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2023, 39-40. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.