Goals for our gathering:
1. All of us have a desire to help one another, and to see our society advance and prosper. We all look forward to a future where peace and harmony have been established. Such a world is not a utopian dream but can be built through human effort. We need opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and praiseworthy qualities. Acceptance and love for one another, building a peaceful, vibrant and inclusive community are foundational concepts of the Baha’i Faith that will be discussed.
2. Answering your questions is important! One often asked question is: How does a person become a Baha’i?
Baha’u’llah
• The founder of the Baha’i Faith
• Born in 1817 in Persia (now Iran)
• Died a prisoner in 1892 in Akka, Israel
The Baha’i Faith is an independent world religion whose purpose is to unite all the races and people of the world and to establish a civilization based on justice, equality and unity in diversity.
Baha’is are the followers of…
who we believe is the Promised One of all Ages and the great spiritual Educator of our time.
Bahá’u’lláh teaches unity:
1. the Oneness of God
2. the Oneness of religion
3. the Oneness of humankind
• Creator of all things
• Created us out of love
• Unknowable in His essence
There is only one God.
The Manifestations of God
the condition of humanity today.
Bahá’u’lláh …
the Báb
Muhammad
Jesus
Buddha
Zoroaster
Moses
Abraham
… Krishna
The ringstone symbol is a calligraphic symbol designed by Abdu'l-Baha. It incorporates the Arabic letters in “Baha” into a visual representation of the relationships between the worlds of God, of Revelation, and of humanity.
• All the principles of the Baha’i Faith revolve around the oneness of humanity.
• We are one human family and everyone is included!
The aim of the
Baha’i Faith
is to unify
Humanity
Suffering and tremendous influence
characterize the lives of all of the Manifestations.
The Baha’i Faith was founded by
two Divine Educators: the Bab and Baha’u’llah.
Suffering and Influence
Bahá’u’lláh was exiled 4 times and imprisoned for 40 years, but nothing was able to stop His influence.
“I was but a man like others, asleep upon My couch, when lo, the breezes of the All-Glorious were wafted over Me and taught Me the knowledge of all that hath been. This thing is not from Me, but from One who is Almighty and All-Knowing.” Bahá’u’lláh
North American
Continent,
Wilmette, IL
Panama
Uganda, Africa
Germany
Sydney, Australia
India
Santiago, Chile
Local House of Worship
Battambang, Cambodia
Newly completed local House of Worship
in Kenya, Africa
Under construction Baha’i House of Worship
Papua, New Guinea
Future Baha’i House of Worship
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa
Universal House of Justice Building
International Governing Body
World Center Haifa, Israel
Haifa, Israel
Shrine of the Báb
Baha’i Terraces
and Gardens
Baha’i Terraces
and Gardens
Bahji, outside of Akka in the late 1800’s
Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh
Entrance to the
Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh
What Baha’is Do Individually?
Pray Daily
Education of All Children
Classes that help children discover and strengthen their inherent spiritual qualities like kindness, patience and generosity through stories, songs, prayers and art.
What Baha’is Do Locally?
Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program
Groups where �pre-teens and teens develop wisdom, compassion, decision-making skills and a mindset of service to others.
What Baha’is Do Locally?
Study Circles
Where youth & adults learn how we can grow closer to our Creator and find ways to be of service.
What Baha’is Do Locally?
Devotionals
Interfaith devotionals are a common place where we all can pray together as a community. We feel closer to
God and each other.
What Baha’is Do Locally?
What Baha’is Do Nationally & Internationally?
1. Consultative status at the United Nations
- Economic and Social Council
- UNICEF
United Nations Offices
�
What Baha’is Do Nationally & Internationally
2. Advancement of material and spiritual civilization
- thousands of social & economic projects
3. Participation in the discourses of society
- partnering with 1000’s of like-minded organizations
What Baha’is Do Nationally & Internationally
Tahireh Justice Center helping refugees.
NAACP
Immigrant groups – cultural adjustment
Martin Luther King Jr. organizations
Hispanic groups learning English
Promise
Neighborhood
Interfaith groups
Main Principles of the Baha’i Faith
represent one changeless, eternal faith
4. Independent investigation of the truth
5. The equality of Women & Men
6. Harmony of science and religion
This link is used to become a Bahá’í.
bit.ly/BecomeABahai
You are joyfully invited
to join the Bahá’í Faith!
The only requirement to join is to believe in Bahá’u’lláh and strive to follow His teachings.
www.bahai.us
www.bahai.org
www.bahaiteachings.org
phone contact:
1-800-22-UNITE
The following slides are
extra to be used as needed.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Eldest Son of Bahá’u’lláh.
Guided the Faith after His Father’s death in 1892
until his own death in 1921.
Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha’i Faith.
Guided the Faith after the death of
Abdu’l-Baha until his own death in 1957.
Bahá’u’lláh . . .
The
Báb
Abraham
Krishna
Moses
Buddha
Jesus Christ
Muhammad
Cycle of Prophecy
Cycle of Fulfillment