’Idál, 18 Qudrat (Power), 181 B.E.
Teaching the Cause
Quotes for Reflection:
The essence of belief in Divine unity consisteth in regarding Him Who is the Manifestation of God and Him Who is the invisible, the inaccessible, the unknowable Essence as one and the same. By this is meant that whatever pertaineth to the former, all His acts and doings, whatever He ordaineth or forbiddeth, should be considered, in all their aspects, and under all circumstances, and without any reservation, as identical with the Will of God Himself. This is the loftiest station to which a true believer in the unity of God can ever hope to attain. Blessed is the man that reacheth this station, and is of them that are steadfast in their belief. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
When delivering the glad tidings, speak out and say: the Promised One of all the world’s peoples hath now been made manifest. For each and every people, and every religion, await a Promised One, and Bahá’u’lláh is that One Who is awaited by all; and therefore the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh will bring about the oneness of mankind, and the tabernacle of unity will be upraised on the heights of the world, and the banners of the universality of all humankind will be unfurled on the peaks of the earth. When thou dost loose thy tongue to deliver this great good news, this will become the means of teaching the people. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 2
The reality of Divinity is sanctified above this degree of knowing and realization. It has ever been hidden and secluded in its own holiness and sanctity above our comprehending. Although it transcends our realization, its lights, bestowals, traces and virtues have become manifest in the realities of the Prophets, even as the sun becomes resplendent in various mirrors. These holy realities are as reflectors, and the reality of Divinity is as the sun, which, although it is reflected from the mirrors, and its virtues and perfections become resplendent therein, does not stoop from its own station of majesty and glory and seek abode in the mirrors; it remains in its heaven of sanctity. At most it is this: that its lights become manifest and evident in its mirrors or manifestations. Therefore, its bounty proceeding from them is one bounty, but the recipients of that bounty are many. This is the unity of God; this is oneness—unity of Divinity, holy above ascent or descent, embodiment, comprehension or idealization—divine unity. The Prophets are its mirrors; its lights are revealed through Them; its virtues become resplendent in Them, but the Sun of Reality never descends from its own highest point and station. This is unity, oneness, sanctity; this is glorification whereby we praise and adore God. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
The Bahá’í Faith confesses the unity of God and the justice of the divine Essence. It recognizes that Almighty God is an exalted, unknowable and concealed entity, sanctified from ascent and descent, from egress and regress, and from assuming a physical body. The Bahá’í Faith, which professes the existence of the invisible God, the One, the Single, the Eternal, the Peerless, bows before the loftiness of His Threshold, believes in all divine Manifestations, considers all the Prophets from Adam to the Seal of the Prophets as true divine Messengers Who are the Manifestations of Truth in the world of creation, accepts Their Books as having come from God, believes in the continuation of the divine outpourings, emphatically believes in reward and punishment and, uniquely among existing revealed religions outside Islam, accepts the Prophet Muḥammad as a true Prophet and the Qur’án as the Word of God. — Universal House of Justice 4
Question for Consideration
Based on the quotes above, draft a narrative that introduces Bahá’í concepts like “Promised One,” “Unknowable Essence,” “Manifestation of God,” “Divine Unity,” and an analogy of the sun and mirrors to use when teaching about the Faith. 5
Gemini Response:
Imagine a sun, a celestial body so vast and radiant that it defies human comprehension. In its infinite glory, this sun is the unknowable essence of God. While we cannot perceive this divine essence directly, its light shines forth, illuminating the universe.
To make this light accessible to humanity, God sends forth divine Manifestations or Messengers. These Manifestations are like mirrors, reflecting the light of the sun or the divine essence. Just as a mirror doesn’t contain the sun but reflects its light, so do the manifestations, which reflect the divine light. They are not God but channels through which God’s love, wisdom, and guidance flow.
Throughout history, God has sent forth countless Manifestations, including Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh. Each Manifestation brought a new revelation tailored to the needs of the time and place. However, they all proclaimed the same fundamental truths: God’s unity, humanity’s oneness, and every individual’s inherent worth.
Bahá’u’lláh, the latest of these divine Manifestations, is often called the Promised One. This title signifies that He fulfills the prophecies and hopes of all the world’s religions. He came to unite humanity and establish a new world order based on justice, peace, and spiritual progress.
By understanding the concept of the Manifestations and the unknowable essence of God, we can deepen our appreciation for the divine teachings. The Bahá’í Faith invites us to explore these profound truths and to apply them to our daily lives.
ChatGPT Response:
The Bahá’í Faith presents a unique and beautiful vision of God, humanity, and religion. Central to its teachings are several key concepts: the Promised One, the Unknowable Essence of God, the Manifestation of God, and the principle of Divine Unity. These ideas form the foundation of the Faith and provide a framework for understanding the relationship between God, the divine Messengers, and humanity.
God: The Unknowable Essence
In the Bahá’í teachings, God is described as the Unknowable Essence—a reality so exalted and transcendent that no human mind can fully grasp it. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains:
The reality of Divinity is sanctified above this degree of knowing and realization. It has ever been hidden and secluded in its own holiness and sanctity above our comprehending.
God is beyond all limitations, including form, place, or physicality. This divine Essence is the Source of all existence, pouring out its love, light, and wisdom to sustain creation. While humanity cannot directly perceive or comprehend God, His light and guidance are made accessible through the Manifestations of God.
Manifestations of God: Mirrors Reflecting the Divine Light
The Manifestations of God—such as Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh—serve as perfect mirrors that reflect the light of God’s attributes into the world. This analogy, beautifully elaborated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, helps clarify their role:
These holy realities are as reflectors, and the reality of Divinity is as the sun, which, although it is reflected from the mirrors…does not stoop from its own station of majesty and glory and seek abode in the mirrors.
The Manifestations are not God Himself but are uniquely endowed to channel His attributes—such as justice, mercy, and love—into the world. Just as we see the sun’s light reflected in a polished mirror without the sun leaving its station, we experience God’s presence and guidance through the lives and teachings of His Manifestations.
Divine Unity: The Oneness of God and His Manifestations
The principle of Divine Unity emphasizes that there is only one God, and all His Manifestations are expressions of His will. As Bahá’u’lláh writes:
The essence of belief in Divine unity consisteth in regarding Him Who is the Manifestation of God and Him Who is the invisible, the inaccessible, the unknowable Essence as one and the same.
While the Manifestations differ in name and historical context, their purpose is the same: to guide humanity closer to God, promote unity, and establish justice. Their teachings reveal different facets of the same divine truth, tailored to the needs of the time and place in which They appear.
The Promised One: Fulfillment of Humanity’s Aspirations
In every age, the Manifestations of God have promised the coming of a future Redeemer who will unite all humanity and usher in an era of peace and justice. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá proclaims that Bahá’u’lláh is the fulfillment of these prophecies:
…the Promised One of all the world’s peoples hath now been made manifest. For each and every people, and every religion, await a Promised One, and Bahá’u’lláh is that One Who is awaited by all.
Through His teachings, Bahá’u’lláh has laid the foundation for the unity of humankind. He calls on all peoples to set aside their differences and work together to establish a global civilization characterized by justice, harmony, and peace.
Sun and Mirrors: A Teaching Analogy
To explain these concepts, imagine the sun high in the sky. It is too brilliant to look at directly, yet its light and warmth are essential for life. If you hold up a mirror, the sun’s light is reflected clearly, allowing you to experience its radiance. The sun represents God, the source of all light and life. The mirrors represent the Manifestations of God, who perfectly reflect God’s light into the world. Though we cannot approach the sun itself, its reflection in the mirror provides us with all we need to live, grow, and thrive.
Conclusion: A Universal Call to Unity
The Bahá’í teachings invite us to recognize the Manifestations of God as divine educators, accept Bahá’u’lláh as the Promised One of this age, and work together to fulfill the vision of a united and peaceful world. This understanding helps us draw closer to the Unknowable Essence, align our lives with divine will, and contribute to the betterment of humanity.
In the words of Bahá’u’lláh:
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. 6
Claude Response:
Imagine a seeker standing before a vast landscape, contemplating the nature of God. Just as sunlight appears in different mirrors—each reflection unique yet emanating from the same source—so too do the Manifestations of God reveal Divine Reality.
The Unknowable Essence is like the sun: eternal, luminous, and beyond complete human comprehension. Its light reaches us through the Prophets, mirrors that reflect divine attributes without containing the full magnitude of the Divine. Each Manifestation, from Adam to Muḥammad to Bahá’u’lláh, is a perfect mirror revealing God’s qualities to humanity.
Bahá’u’lláh, the Promised One awaited by all peoples, brings a transformative message: a true understanding of Divine Unity means recognizing that the Manifestation’s will is identical to God’s will. When we see a Manifestation, we glimpse the divine light—not as the full sun, but as its radiant reflection.
This perspective invites us beyond mere belief into a profound spiritual recognition: humanity’s oneness mirrors God’s oneness. As multiple mirrors reflect one sun, diverse peoples can reflect divine attributes united in their fundamental spiritual essence.
The narrative emphasizes that Divine Unity transcends intellectual understanding as an experiential truth of spiritual connection and universal love.
Pi Response
For centuries, humanity has yearned for the advent of a unifying figure, a “Promised One,” to bring peace, harmony, and understanding to our fractured world. In the Bahá’í Faith, we believe that Bahá’u’lláh, whose name translates to “Glory of God,” is the fulfillment of this promise. He revealed teachings that offer a blueprint for a just and united global civilization based on recognizing humanity’s oneness, the harmony of science and religion, and the independent investigation of truth.
As we delve into the mysteries of the divine, we acknowledge God as an “Unknowable Essence.” While our limited human understanding cannot fully grasp the all-encompassing reality of the Divine, we come to know God through the manifestations or “Mirrors” that reflect His attributes and qualities. These manifestations, known as the “Manifestations of God,” represent a series of divine educators, including Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muḥammad, and, in our time, Bahá’u’lláh.
To illustrate this concept, let us consider the analogy of the sun and mirrors. Imagine the sun as the Unknowable Essence of God, whose radiant light, symbolic of divine attributes and qualities, reaches our world through the various mirrors that reflect its brilliance. In this analogy, the Manifestations of God serve as these mirrors, revealing the light of God’s attributes to humanity.
By acknowledging and accepting these divine educators and their revelations, we embrace the principle of “Divine Unity.” This unity acknowledges God’s oneness, the common source of all religions, and the interconnectedness of all creation. By accepting the divine origins of the major world religions, Bahá’ís view Bahá’u’lláh’s message as a continuation of God’s eternal guidance to humankind, ultimately aiming to establish global unity and foster universal peace.
In conclusion, the Bahá’í Faith offers a vision of hope and transformation, inviting individuals to explore the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and contribute to the betterment of our world through love, unity, and selfless service.
Perplexity Response:
The Bahá’í Faith, a monotheistic religion founded in the 19th century by Bahá’u’lláh, emphasizes the unity of God and the essential oneness of humanity. Central to its teachings are several profound concepts that help articulate its spiritual framework.
Key Concepts in the Bahá’í Faith
Divine Unity
At the heart of Bahá’í belief is the concept of Divine Unity, which posits that God is an unknowable essence—a transcendent reality beyond human comprehension. This essence is not confined to any physical form and remains sanctified above all human understanding. Bahá’ís believe that while God’s true nature is inaccessible, His will and purpose are revealed through Manifestations of God, who serve as intermediaries between the divine and humanity[1][3].
Manifestation of God
The term Manifestation of God refers to those Prophets and Messengers throughout history who have brought divine teachings to humanity. Figures such as Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and most recently, Bahá’u’lláh are Manifestations through whom God’s attributes and guidance are made evident. Each Manifestation reflects the qualities of God but does not embody His Essence; instead, they serve as mirrors reflecting divine light[2][4].
The Promised One
Bahá’ís believe each religious tradition anticipates a Promised One who will fulfill divine prophecies. In this context, Bahá’u’lláh is recognized as the Promised One for all peoples, heralding a new era of unity and peace among humanity. His teachings aim to uplift society by promoting the oneness of mankind and establishing a universal faith that transcends divisions[1][2].
Analogy of the Sun and Mirrors
To illustrate these concepts, Bahá’ís often use the sun and mirrors analogy. In this analogy, God is likened to the sun—an eternal source of light and life—while the Manifestations of God are compared to mirrors that reflect this light. Just as a mirror does not diminish the sun’s brilliance but merely reflects it, so do the Manifestations reveal God’s attributes without altering His Essence. This analogy emphasizes that while we can perceive divine qualities through these figures, God’s true nature remains exalted and beyond our complete understanding. The reflections in various mirrors may differ in clarity or size, but they all originate from the same source—the sun[3][4].
Conclusion
In summary, the Bahá’í Faith presents a cohesive understanding of divinity through its emphasis on Divine Unity, recognizing both an unknowable essence and its manifestations in history. The teachings encourage believers to see past differences in religious traditions and embrace a collective identity as part of one human family united under the guidance of God’s will as revealed through His chosen Messengers.
Citations
[3] Wikipedia – God in the Baháʼí Faith
[5] The Bahá’í Faith
[6] Who are the Baha’is and why are they so persecuted?
[7] The Bahá’í Faith at a glance
[8] YouTube – Behind the Bahá’í faith, one of the fastest growing religions
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/5#063247220. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 101. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/5#770184727. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 192-193. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/14#680505120. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “19 October 1983 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 18, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19831019_001/1#543897037. ↩
- 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, 85-88. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH. ↩
- “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 behooveth 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. Happy are those whom the all-glorious Pen was moved to remember, and blessed are those men whose names, by virtue of Our inscrutable decree, We have preferred to conceal.”
Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/2#053948477. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 