Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
In brief, the sun is one sun, the light is one light which shines upon all
phenomenal beings. Every creature has a portion thereof, but the pure
mirror can reveal the story of its bounty more fully and completely.
Therefore, we must adore the light of the Sun, no matter through what
mirror it may be revealed. We must not entertain prejudice, for prejudice
is an obstacle to realization. Inasmuch as the effulgence is one
effulgence, the human realities must all become recipients of the same
light, recognizing in it the compelling force that unites them in its
illumination.
As this is the radiant century, it is my hope that the Sun of Truth may
illumine all humanity. May the eyes be opened and the ears become
attentive; may souls become resuscitated and consort together in the
utmost harmony as recipients of the same light. Perchance, God will remove
this strife and warfare of thousands of years. May this bloodshed pass
away, this tyranny and oppression cease, this warfare be ended. May the
light of love shine forth and illumine hearts, and may human lives be
cemented and connected until all of us may find agreement and tranquillity
beneath the same tabernacle and with the standard of the Most Great Peace
above us move steadily onward.
O Thou kind Lord! O Thou Who art generous and merciful! We are the
servants of Thy threshold and are gathered beneath the sheltering shadow
of Thy divine unity. The sun of Thy mercy is shining upon all, and the
clouds of Thy bounty shower upon all. Thy gifts encompass all, Thy loving
providence sustains all, Thy protection overshadows all, and the glances
of Thy favor are cast upon all. O Lord! Grant Thine infinite bestowals,
and let the light of Thy guidance shine. Illumine the eyes, gladden the
hearts with abiding joy. Confer a new spirit upon all people and bestow
upon them eternal life. Unlock the gates of true understanding and let the
light of faith shine resplendent. Gather all people beneath the shadow of
Thy bounty and cause them to unite in harmony, so that they may become as
the rays of one sun, as the waves of one ocean, and as the fruit of one
tree. May they drink from the same fountain. May they be refreshed by the
same breeze. May they receive illumination from the same source of light.
Thou art the Giver, the Merciful, the Omnipotent.
12 May 1912
Talk at Meeting of International Peace Forum
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church
West 104th Street, New York
Notes by Esther Foster
When we review history from the beginning down to the present day, we find
that strife and warfare have prevailed throughout the human world.
Wars—religious, racial or political—have arisen from human ignorance,
misunderstanding and lack of education. We will first consider religious
strife and conflict.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account