The essence of God
Bahá’u’lláh teaches that God is essentially unknowable. There’s no way for us – no matter how intelligent or wise we are – to understand the reality of God.
But God does not leave us without a means of knowing and worshiping Him.
God has revealed Himself to humankind at different times in history through a series of divine Messengers, including Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Each of these Messengers has been the founder of one of the great religions and their teachings guide and educate us and provide the basis for the advancement of human society.
But God does not leave us without a means of knowing and worshiping Him.
God has revealed Himself to humankind at different times in history through a series of divine Messengers, including Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Each of these Messengers has been the founder of one of the great religions and their teachings guide and educate us and provide the basis for the advancement of human society.
The Manifestations of God
Bahá’u’lláh refers to the divine Messengers as ‘Manifestations of the names and attributes of God’ – usually shortened to ‘Manifestations of God’.
The station of the Manifestations of God is unique in creation. They have a dual nature, at once human and divine. But they are not identical with God.
Bahá’u’lláh uses the imagery of mirrors that perfectly reflect the sun. If we point a well-polished mirror towards the sun, we can see the sun perfectly reflected in the mirror. The Manifestations of God are like mirrors that reflect the Light of God to humanity.
"These sanctified Mirrors... are, one and all, the Exponents on earth of Him Who is the central Orb of the universe, its Essence and ultimate Purpose. From Him proceed their knowledge and power; from Him is derived their sovereignty. The beauty of their countenance is but a reflection of His image, and their revelation a sign of His deathless glory." ~ Bahá'u'lláh
The station of the Manifestations of God is unique in creation. They have a dual nature, at once human and divine. But they are not identical with God.
Bahá’u’lláh uses the imagery of mirrors that perfectly reflect the sun. If we point a well-polished mirror towards the sun, we can see the sun perfectly reflected in the mirror. The Manifestations of God are like mirrors that reflect the Light of God to humanity.
"These sanctified Mirrors... are, one and all, the Exponents on earth of Him Who is the central Orb of the universe, its Essence and ultimate Purpose. From Him proceed their knowledge and power; from Him is derived their sovereignty. The beauty of their countenance is but a reflection of His image, and their revelation a sign of His deathless glory." ~ Bahá'u'lláh
Progressive revelation
As diverse as they are, all the great religions come from the same Source and are the successive chapters of one religion from God. Bahá’u’lláh describes this as ‘the changeless faith of God’ and the Bahá’í sacred texts refer to this succession of religious revelation from God as ‘progressive revelation’.
God may be beyond our reach, but the Manifestations come to us from time to time. They live among us, give us guidance, and fill us with the energy we need to progress both materially and spiritually.
"I testify before God that each one of these Manifestations hath been sent down through the operation of the Divine Will and Purpose, that each one hath been the bearer of a specific Message, that each hath been entrusted with a divinely revealed Book…" ~ Bahá'u'lláh
God may be beyond our reach, but the Manifestations come to us from time to time. They live among us, give us guidance, and fill us with the energy we need to progress both materially and spiritually.
"I testify before God that each one of these Manifestations hath been sent down through the operation of the Divine Will and Purpose, that each one hath been the bearer of a specific Message, that each hath been entrusted with a divinely revealed Book…" ~ Bahá'u'lláh
Bahá'u'lláh is the Manifestation of God for today
Bahá’u'lláh speaks about the special nature of the era in which we live:
"This is the Day in which God’s most excellent favours 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." ~ Bahá'u'lláh
Bahá’u’lláh is the Manifestation of God for this Day, a figure whose coming has been promised in scriptures and traditions down the ages. He says:
"The Revelation which, from time immemorial, hath been acclaimed as the Purpose and Promise of all the Prophets of God, and the most cherished Desire of His Messengers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of the Almighty and at His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men. The advent of such a Revelation hath been heralded in all the sacred Scriptures." ~ Bahá'u'lláh
"This is the Day in which God’s most excellent favours 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." ~ Bahá'u'lláh
Bahá’u’lláh is the Manifestation of God for this Day, a figure whose coming has been promised in scriptures and traditions down the ages. He says:
"The Revelation which, from time immemorial, hath been acclaimed as the Purpose and Promise of all the Prophets of God, and the most cherished Desire of His Messengers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of the Almighty and at His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men. The advent of such a Revelation hath been heralded in all the sacred Scriptures." ~ Bahá'u'lláh
Bahá'í teachings
Bahá’u’lláh characterizes this time in history as the age of human maturity. It is the time when humankind can and will be united and build a peaceful, global society. Among the principles which the Bahá'í Faith promotes as vital to the achievement of this goal are the following:
- the oneness of God
- recognition of the unity and relativity of religious truth
- the abandonment of all forms of prejudice
- assurance to women of full equality of opportunity with men
- the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth
- recognition that true religion is in harmony with reason and the pursuit of scientific knowledge
- the realization of universal education
- the responsibility of each person to independently search for truth
- the establishment of a global commonwealth of nations
Bahá'í way of life
The purpose of the Bahá’í way of life is to develop one’s God-given talents and capacities for one’s own spiritual well-being and in service to humankind.
Outwardly Bahá’ís live in ways that may not appear to be much different from their neighbours and friends. Inwardly, though, Bahá’ís strive for moral and spiritual growth through daily prayer and meditation, and study of the Bahá’í scriptures. Bahá’ís also observe a day-time fast for 19 days ending at sunset on 20 March.
An important element of the collective life of the community is the non-adversarial decision-making practice known as consultation. In addition to building consensus, consultation is an arena for personal spiritual development, demanding as it does patience, openness and forbearance on the part of those consulting.
The Bahá’í Faith has its own calendar, beginning at Naw-Rúz, the Bahá’í New Year, on 21 March. The centerpiece of Bahá’í community life is the Nineteen Day Feast Held once every 19 days, the Feast is the local community's regular worship gathering -- and more.
Open to adults and children, the Feast promotes and sustains the unity of the local Bahá'í community. It always contains three elements: spiritual devotion, administrative consultation, and social fellowship. As such, it combines religious worship with grassroots governance and social enjoyment.
For Bahá’ís the life-long process of spiritual growth finds its highest expression in service to humanity. Whether in terms of spiritual practice, moral behaviour, social activism or community participation, Bahá'ís seek to continually improve themselves and the world around them.
Outwardly Bahá’ís live in ways that may not appear to be much different from their neighbours and friends. Inwardly, though, Bahá’ís strive for moral and spiritual growth through daily prayer and meditation, and study of the Bahá’í scriptures. Bahá’ís also observe a day-time fast for 19 days ending at sunset on 20 March.
An important element of the collective life of the community is the non-adversarial decision-making practice known as consultation. In addition to building consensus, consultation is an arena for personal spiritual development, demanding as it does patience, openness and forbearance on the part of those consulting.
The Bahá’í Faith has its own calendar, beginning at Naw-Rúz, the Bahá’í New Year, on 21 March. The centerpiece of Bahá’í community life is the Nineteen Day Feast Held once every 19 days, the Feast is the local community's regular worship gathering -- and more.
Open to adults and children, the Feast promotes and sustains the unity of the local Bahá'í community. It always contains three elements: spiritual devotion, administrative consultation, and social fellowship. As such, it combines religious worship with grassroots governance and social enjoyment.
For Bahá’ís the life-long process of spiritual growth finds its highest expression in service to humanity. Whether in terms of spiritual practice, moral behaviour, social activism or community participation, Bahá'ís seek to continually improve themselves and the world around them.
Copyright 2012 The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Philadelphia. All rights reserved.
