Jamál, 14 Raḥmat (Mercy), 182 B.E.
Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development
Quotes for Reflection:
As you know, the attention of the Bahá’í world has been, and will continue to be for at least the next fifteen years, focused on advancing the process of entry by troops. It is expected that, as this process gathers momentum at the local level, one of the natural consequences will be the emergence of a vibrant Bahá’í community life characterized by a desire to apply the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to the needs of society. Effective social action will result, then, as capacity at the grassroots of the community increases and collective consciousness is raised. — Universal House of Justice 1
Question for Consideration
What is the process of entry by troops and how does it relate to the “emergence of a vibrant Bahá’í community life characterized by a desire to apply the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to the needs of society?”
Perplexity Pro Response 2
The “process of entry by troops” in the Bahá’í Faith refers to a stage of accelerated growth in which large numbers of people, often from diverse backgrounds, become Bahá’ís within a specific region or locality. This is not a sudden, isolated event but a gradual, organic, and systematic process that unfolds as the Bahá’í community builds capacity for outreach, spiritual education, and community development [1] [2] [3]. The Universal House of Justice has emphasized that this process is underway in many parts of the world and should be approached with careful preparation, training, and consolidation to ensure its sustainability and long-term impact [2] [3] [4].
What is the “process of entry by troops”?
Definition
Entry by troops is the phenomenon of large groups of people embracing the Bahá’í Faith, typically as a result of systematic teaching efforts and the community’s ability to welcome and integrate new believers [1] [2].
Nature
It is a process, not a one-time event, requiring the community to be prepared both spiritually and administratively to receive, nurture, and consolidate new members [2] [3] [4].
Preparation
Essential elements include training institutes, the strengthening of Bahá’í administrative institutions (like Local Spiritual Assemblies), and the development of teaching plans that are both strategic and adaptable to local realities [2] [3] [4].
Sustainability
The process is sustained by balancing expansion (welcoming new believers) with consolidation (deepening their understanding and participation), ensuring that the growth leads to enduring, vibrant communities [3] [4].
How does this relate to the emergence of a vibrant Bahá’í community life?
The process of entry by troops is intimately connected with the emergence of a vibrant Bahá’í community life characterized by the practical application of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to societal needs:
Community Building
As more individuals join the Faith and participate in its core activities—such as devotional gatherings, children’s classes, junior youth groups, and study circles—a “rich tapestry of community life” emerges [5]. These activities foster unity, spiritual growth, and a sense of collective purpose.
Rising Capacity
The increase in numbers is matched by a rise in the community’s capacity for service, consultation, and collective action. This enables the community to address both its spiritual and material needs more effectively [6] [5].
Social Action
A natural consequence of this growth is a heightened desire and ability to apply Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to the betterment of society. As the community’s consciousness and capacity grow, Bahá’ís are drawn into social action—initiatives that promote education, health, justice, and unity in their localities [6] [5] [7].
Integration with Society
The Universal House of Justice has stated that, as the process of entry by troops gathers momentum, Bahá’í communities will become more engaged with the broader society, contributing to its material and spiritual progress through coherent, sustainable, and grassroots efforts [5] [7].
Model of Unity and Service
The Bahá’í community aims to be a model of unity, inclusivity, and constructive social change, demonstrating how spiritual principles can be translated into practical solutions for contemporary challenges [6] [7].
It is expected that, as this process gathers momentum at the local level, one of the natural consequences will be the emergence of a vibrant Bahá’í community life characterized by a desire to apply the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to the needs of society. Effective social action will result, then, as capacity at the grassroots of the community increases and collective consciousness is raised. [6]
Key Features of the Relationship
| Process of Entry by Troops | Emergence of Vibrant Community Life |
|---|---|
| Large-scale, systematic growth | Rich pattern of spiritual, social, and educational activities |
| Requires preparation and training | Collective application of spiritual principles to social needs |
| Focus on expansion and consolidation | Increased capacity for service and social action |
| Leads to greater social involvement | Community becomes a model for unity, justice, and constructive change |
In summary, the process of entry by troops is both a catalyst for and a result of the emergence of vibrant Bahá’í community life. As more people join and are integrated into the community, the collective capacity to serve and transform society grows, embodying the Bahá’í vision of applying spiritual teachings to the advancement of civilization [6] [5] [7] [3].
Citations
[1] Entry by Troops – Bahaipedia
[2] Process of Entry by Troops – Bahai.works
[3] Promoting Entry by Troops – Bahá’í Library Online
[4] Promoting Entry by Troops: Study Guide – Bahá’í Library Online
[7] Social Action – The Bahá’í Faith
[8] Entry by troops – Bahá’í Reference Library
[9] Community Social Action – International Environment Forum
[10] Bahá’í social action – BBC
[11] Office of Social and Economic Development – Bahaipedia
[12] My Thoughts on the Different Layers of Contributing to the Discourses of Society – Baha’i Blog
[13] Release of a Compilation on Entry by Troops – Bahai.works
[15] For the Betterment of the World – Baha’i Faith, Baha’i Center of Washtenaw County
[16] A Spiritual Path to Unity & Social Justice – Baha’is of the United States
[17] Evolving conceptual framework – Reddit
[18] Clarification on approaching social change – Reddit
[19] Entry by troops (time to be announced) | Sen McGlinn’s blog
[20] Social Action – Baha’is of the United States
Follow-Up Approaches Proposed by Perplexity
- Explore methods to increase grassroots capacity in Bahá’í communities.
- Identify examples of social action inspired by Bahá’í teachings.
- Analyze how collective consciousness influences community development.
- Investigate the role of local initiatives in advancing entry by troops.
- Examine challenges faced during the process of entry by troops.
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/381390788. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “The Process of Entry by Troops.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. July 5, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/as-you-know-the-attention-of-t-dVhejrbJRZuiT1WzcjIE6Q. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 