Lawh-i-Maqsud – Principles of the Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings

We have already been exploring the Lawh-i-Maqsud – written in the closing years of Bahá’u’lláh’s life. In addition to the themes already discussed we find some of Baha’u’llah’s most characteristic teachings, a number of which Abdu’l Baha identifies as principles of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. Bahá’u’lláh gives us a panoramic vista of unity among human beings illuminating dimension after dimension. The following are brief extracts from this one message. It contains much more.

If any man were to meditate on that which the Scriptures, … have revealed, he would readily recognize that their purpose is that all men shall be regarded as one soul … The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. … The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men. … The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his own home. These things are obligatory and absolutely essential. … That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. … It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world.  … O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity. … Great is the station of man. Great must also be his endeavours for the rehabilitation of the world and the well-being of nations.

Here we see principles such as the oneness of humanity, the oneness of religion, adoption of a world language and the lesser peace. We see also the dignity of the human person. It is clear that any one of these principles alone is insufficient to what is required. Together they show us a way to reconciliation and peace among the billions who together make up our human family.

(This article is the 179th in a series of what I hope will be 200 articles in 200 days for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh. The anniversary is being celebrated around the world on 21 and 22 October 2017, The articles are simply my personal reflections on Bahá’u’lláh’s life and work. Any errors or inadequacies in these articles are solely my responsibility.) Image Credits: Bahji. Bahá’u’lláh’s last home. At left is the room where Bahá’u’lláh greeted many of His guests. It is also the room in which He passed away, in 1892. Bahá’í World Centre archives, 2004  https://www.bahaullah.org/bahji/beloved-visitor Copyright © Bahá’í International Community