today is the first day of Ridván (arabic: paradise), designated one of the two "Most Great Festivals" by Bahá'u'lláh. it was on this day in 1863 that He for the first time declared that He was the Promised One sent by God. the festival was held in the Najibiyyih garden, situated just outside of Baghdad in Iraq. as He was being deported by the government to Constantinople (Istanbul), He gathered His family and a few followers there for a festival. here's a lovely story:
"Every day, ere the hour of dawn, the gardeners would pick the roses which lined the four avenues of the garden, and would pile them in the center of the floor of His blessed tent. So great would be the heap that when His companions gathered to drink their morning tea in His presence, they would be unable to see each other across it. All these roses Baha'u'llah would, with His own hands, entrust to those whom He dismissed from His presence every morning to be delivered, on His behalf, to His Arab and Persian friends in the city..."
(Nabil cited in God Passes By, p. 153)
Bahá'u'lláh stayed in the Ridván garden for twelve days, His family arrived on the ninth day. the first, ninth and twelfth days are Holy Days and Baha'is should not be working during these days.
so what do we do today? well, first of all, the entire period is spent in festivity with gifts and presents, etc., as a reminder that the crisis (Bahá'u'lláh's exile from Baghdad) was turned into a victory (the public declaration of His Mission). yesterday we had a nice gathering at the Baha'i center with some devotionals, music and food/cakes.
the second thing that happens is the election of the Local Spiritual Assemblies. the whole administrative order of the Baha'i Faith is quite unlike anything ever seen in the institutions of previous religions. it is what I consider truly democratic.
every community that has more than 9 believers over the age of 21, chooses the believers who best combine the qualities of "unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience" (Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, p. 88). naturally, all voting is made anonymously. but what's so amazing here is that all nomination, presentation and campaigning is forbidden. it is a duty and privilege to serve, but there is no "Baha'i career" to be made. imagine how much money is saved (in comparison, hillary clinton received $51,567,732 in campaign money between 2001-06, source), how much trouble is saved in terms of debates, slander, gossip and whatnot. the elections are generally very calm occasions held in a spiritual atmosphere, which is something that can definitely not be said about the elections you see in the world today...
the task of the local assemblies is to oversee the affairs, activities and happenings in the community. the guiding principle is consultation, which is a very interesting process. again, very different from how things work today in the politics and companies. read more about it here, and here. it is not the easiest of processes, as some things are difficult to get used to and understand, but I think it is mostly due to our own lack of personal development.
there's also more to read about the spiritual assemblies here. there is a lot that can be read/said/written on this subject, but it's a lifelong process of learning... :)
"Every day, ere the hour of dawn, the gardeners would pick the roses which lined the four avenues of the garden, and would pile them in the center of the floor of His blessed tent. So great would be the heap that when His companions gathered to drink their morning tea in His presence, they would be unable to see each other across it. All these roses Baha'u'llah would, with His own hands, entrust to those whom He dismissed from His presence every morning to be delivered, on His behalf, to His Arab and Persian friends in the city..."
(Nabil cited in God Passes By, p. 153)
Bahá'u'lláh stayed in the Ridván garden for twelve days, His family arrived on the ninth day. the first, ninth and twelfth days are Holy Days and Baha'is should not be working during these days.
so what do we do today? well, first of all, the entire period is spent in festivity with gifts and presents, etc., as a reminder that the crisis (Bahá'u'lláh's exile from Baghdad) was turned into a victory (the public declaration of His Mission). yesterday we had a nice gathering at the Baha'i center with some devotionals, music and food/cakes.
the second thing that happens is the election of the Local Spiritual Assemblies. the whole administrative order of the Baha'i Faith is quite unlike anything ever seen in the institutions of previous religions. it is what I consider truly democratic.
every community that has more than 9 believers over the age of 21, chooses the believers who best combine the qualities of "unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience" (Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, p. 88). naturally, all voting is made anonymously. but what's so amazing here is that all nomination, presentation and campaigning is forbidden. it is a duty and privilege to serve, but there is no "Baha'i career" to be made. imagine how much money is saved (in comparison, hillary clinton received $51,567,732 in campaign money between 2001-06, source), how much trouble is saved in terms of debates, slander, gossip and whatnot. the elections are generally very calm occasions held in a spiritual atmosphere, which is something that can definitely not be said about the elections you see in the world today...
the task of the local assemblies is to oversee the affairs, activities and happenings in the community. the guiding principle is consultation, which is a very interesting process. again, very different from how things work today in the politics and companies. read more about it here, and here. it is not the easiest of processes, as some things are difficult to get used to and understand, but I think it is mostly due to our own lack of personal development.
there's also more to read about the spiritual assemblies here. there is a lot that can be read/said/written on this subject, but it's a lifelong process of learning... :)
Happy Ridvan!
ReplyDeleteBaha'i greetings from Portugal.