Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
Let this century be the sun of previous
centuries, the effulgences of which shall last forever, so that in times
to come they shall glorify the twentieth century, saying the twentieth
century was the century of lights, the twentieth century was the century
of life, the twentieth century was the century of international peace, the
twentieth century was the century of divine bestowals, and the twentieth
century has left traces which shall last forever.
19 May 1912
Talk at Church of the Divine Paternity
Central Park West, New York
Notes by Esther Foster
Religions are many, but the reality of religion is one. The days are many,
but the sun is one. The fountains are many, but the fountainhead is one.
The branches are many, but the tree is one.
The foundation of the divine religions is reality; were there no reality,
there would be no religions. Abraham heralded reality. Moses promulgated
reality. Christ established reality. Muḥammad was the Messenger of
reality. The Báb was the door of reality. Bahá’u’lláh was the splendor of
reality. Reality is one; it does not admit multiplicity or division.
Reality is as the sun, which shines forth from different dawning points;
it is as the light, which has illumined many lanterns.
Therefore, if the religions investigate reality and seek the essential
truth of their own foundations, they will agree and no difference will be
found. But inasmuch as religions are submerged in dogmatic imitations,
forsaking the original foundations, and as imitations differ widely,
therefore, the religions are divergent and antagonistic. These imitations
may be likened to clouds which obscure the sunrise; but reality is the
sun. If the clouds disperse, the Sun of Reality shines upon all, and no
difference of vision will exist. The religions will then agree, for
fundamentally they are the same. The subject is one, but predicates are
many.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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