Daily Frameworks for 02 December 2024

Kamál, 11 Qawl (Speech), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

THE world’s equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind’s ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System—the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

The features of the “new World Order” are delineated in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá and in the letters of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice. The institutions of the present-day Bahá’í Administrative Order, which constitute the “structural basis” of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order, will mature and evolve into the Bahá’í World Commonwealth. In this regard, Shoghi Effendi affirms that the Administrative Order “will, as its component parts, its organic institutions, begin to function with efficiency and vigor, assert its claim and demonstrate its capacity to be regarded not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New World Order destined to embrace in the fullness of time the whole of mankind.” ²

The phrase “advance in the process of entry by troops” accommodates the concept that current circumstances demand and existing opportunities allow for a sustained growth of the Bahá’í world community on a large scale; that this upsurge is necessary in the face of world conditions; that the three constituent participants in the upbuilding of the Order of Bahá’u’lláh—the individual, the institutions, and the community—can foster such growth first by spiritually and mentally accepting the possibility of it, and then by working towards embracing masses of new believers, setting in motion the means for effecting their spiritual and administrative training and development, thereby multiplying the number of knowledgeable, active teachers and administrators whose involvement in the work of the Cause will ensure a constant influx of new adherents, an uninterrupted evolution of Bahá’í Assemblies, and a steady consolidation of the community. — Universal House of Justice ³

To optimize the use of these capacities, the individual draws upon his love for Bahá’u’lláh, the power of the Covenant, the dynamics of prayer, the inspiration and education derived from regular reading and study of the Holy Texts, and the transformative forces that operate upon his soul as he strives to behave in accordance with the divine laws and principles. In addition to these, the individual, having been given the duty to teach the Cause, is endowed with the capacity to attract particular blessings promised by Bahá’u’lláh. “Whoso openeth his lips in this Day,” the Blessed Beauty asserts, “and maketh mention of the name of his Lord, the hosts of Divine inspiration shall descend upon him from the heaven of My name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. On him shall also descend the Concourse on high, each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light.” — Universal House of Justice ⁴

In most clusters, movement from one stage of growth to the next is being defined in terms of the multiplication of study circles, devotional meetings and children’s classes, and the expansion they engender. Devotional meetings begin to flourish as consciousness of the spiritual dimension of human existence is raised among the believers in an area through institute courses. Children’s classes, too, are a natural outgrowth of the training received early in the study of the main sequence. As both activities are made open to the wider community through a variety of well-conceived and imaginative means, they attract a growing number of seekers, who, more often than not, are eager to attend firesides and join study circles. Many go on subsequently to declare their faith in Bahá’u’lláh and, from the outset, view their role in the community as that of active participants in a dynamic process of growth. Individual and collective exertions in the teaching field intensify correspondingly, further fuelling the process. Established communities are revitalized, and newly formed ones soon gain the privilege of electing their Local Spiritual Assemblies. — Universal House of Justice ⁵

None of the accomplishments of the individual or the community could be sustained without the guidance, encouragement and support of the third participant in the Plan—the institutions of the Faith. It is heartening to see to what extent the institutions are promoting individual initiative, channeling energies into the teaching field, underscoring the value of systematic action, fostering the spiritual life of the community and nurturing a welcoming environment. In helping the community to remain focused on the aim of the Plan, they are learning in practical terms what it means to maintain unity of vision among the friends, to put mechanisms in place that facilitate their endeavors and to allocate resources in accordance with priorities wisely set. These priorities include, of course, areas of activity that require the specialized skills of individuals. Worthy of particular mention in this category are the work of external affairs, which National Spiritual Assemblies are following diligently, and ventures of social and economic development, as, for example, undertaken by Bahá’í-inspired organizations. While tending to needs of this kind, the institutions find themselves increasingly capable of directing the thrust of the effort exerted by the generality of the believers towards the prosecution of the central tasks of the Plan. — Universal House of Justice ⁶

Question for Consideration (provided quotes)

Based on the quotes above, how do the three participants/protagonists — individuals, communities, and institutions — contribute to upbuilding the New World Order envisioned by Baháú’lláh? ⁷

Perplexity Response ⁸

The three participants – individuals, communities, and institutions – contribute to upbuilding the New World Order envisioned by Bahá’u’lláh in the following ways:

Individuals

1. Draw upon their love for Bahá’u’lláh and the power of the Covenant.
2. Engage in regular prayer, study of Holy Texts, and strive to behave according to divine laws and principles.
3. Fulfill their duty to teach the Cause, attracting blessings promised by Bahá’u’lláh.
4. Take initiative in the teaching field and view themselves as active participants in the growth process.
   

Communities

1. Multiply study circles, devotional meetings, and children’s classes.
2. Open activities to the wider community, attracting seekers.
3. Intensify collective teaching efforts.
4. Revitalize established communities and form new ones.
   

Institutions

1. Promote individual initiative and channel energies into the teaching field.
2. Foster the spiritual life of the community and nurture a welcoming environment.
3. Maintain unity of vision among the friends.
4. Allocate resources according to wisely set priorities.
5. Direct the efforts of believers towards the central tasks of the Plan.
   

Together, these three protagonists work towards embracing masses of new believers, facilitating their spiritual and administrative training, and multiplying the number of active teachers and administrators. This collaborative effort aims to ensure a constant influx of new adherents, uninterrupted evolution of Bahá’í Assemblies, and steady consolidation of the community.

Question for Consideration (Perplexity sources)

How do the three participants/protagonists — individuals, communities, and institutions — contribute to upbuilding the New World Order envisioned by Baháú’lláh?

Perplexity Response

The New World Order envisioned by Bahá’u’lláh is a comprehensive system involving three main protagonists: individuals, communities, and institutions. Each plays a vital role in the development and functioning of this order, contributing to its ultimate goal of establishing a unified and harmonious global society.

Individuals

Individuals are central to the Bahá’í vision as they are tasked with personal spiritual growth and the propagation of the Faith. They draw upon their love for Bahá’u’lláh, the power of the Covenant, and the inspiration from prayer and study of the Holy Texts to transform themselves and their surroundings [1]. Each believer is encouraged to teach the Cause and attract blessings promised by Bahá’u’lláh, thus contributing to community growth and development [1]. The individual initiative is crucial for setting in motion spiritual and administrative training, which multiplies knowledgeable teachers and administrators [1].

Communities

Communities are seen as dynamic entities that grow through collective activities such as study circles, devotional meetings, and children’s classes [1]. These activities help raise consciousness about the spiritual dimension of human existence and attract new believers. As communities expand, they elect Local Spiritual Assemblies, which further consolidate their structure and function [1]. The collective efforts in teaching and community-building intensify, revitalizing established communities and fostering new ones [1].

Institutions

Institutions form the backbone of the Bahá’í Administrative Order, which is considered the nucleus of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order [2]. The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing body, guiding elected bodies like Local and National Spiritual Assemblies [3]. These institutions promote individual initiative, channel energies into teaching fields, foster spiritual life, and maintain unity of vision among believers [3]. They also ensure systematic action and resource allocation according to set priorities, including social and economic development ventures [3].

In summary, individuals contribute through personal transformation and teaching efforts; communities grow through collective activities that attract new believers; and institutions provide structure, guidance, and support for these processes. Together, they form an organic system that evolves towards the realization of Bahá’u’lláh’s New World Order.

Perplexity Sources

[1] The Bahá’í Administrative Order – Bahai.org

[2] World Order, Administrative Order | Sen McGlinn’s blog

[3] Administration – Bahaipedia, an encyclopedia about the Bahá’í Faith

[4] Issues Relating to the Development of the Bahá’í Administrative Order

[5] The Bahá’í Administrative Order – Bahaiworks

[6] The Bahá’í Administrative Order | Baha’i Faith Blog – Uplifting Words

[7] The National Spiritual Assembly | Bahá’í Reference Library – Bahai.org

[8] Administration, Bahá’í – The Baha’i Encyclopedia Project

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How does the Bahá’í Administrative Order differ from other religious administrative structures?
• What role does the Universal House of Justice play in the evolution of the Bahá’í World Order?
• How do individual initiatives contribute to the growth of the Bahá’í community?
• What are the key principles guiding the Bahá’í Administrative Order?
• How do devotional meetings and children’s classes contribute to the spiritual growth and expansion of the community?
• What role do communities play in the upbuilding of the New World Order?
• How do institutions support the spiritual and administrative development of believers?
• What are some examples of how institutions promote individual initiative?

1. 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/4#581649978. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 30, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-aqdas/16#622549593. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 153 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 30, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19960421_001/1#381104884. ↩
4. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 153 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 30, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19960421_001/1#049014307. ↩
5. Universal House of Justice. “17 January 2003 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 30, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20030117_001/1#572510771. ↩
6. Universal House of Justice. “27 December 2005 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 30, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20051227_001/1#287742582. ↩
7. 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, 103-106. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.
8. perplexity (Free Version) ↩