Extracts From the Writings of Baha'u'llah:
36: It is the bounden duty of parents to rear their children to be staunch
in...
It is the bounden duty of parents to rear their children to be staunch in
faith ... For every praiseworthy deed is born out of the light of
religion, and lacking this supreme bestowal the child will not turn away
from any evil, nor will he draw nigh unto any good.
(From a Tablet - translated from Persian, published in "Baha'i Education,
a compilation", 1976 World Centre edition, p. 6) [36]
Extracts From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha:
37: Praised be God, the women believers have organized meetings where they
will...
Praised be God, the women believers have organized meetings where they
will learn how to teach the Faith, will spread the sweet savours of the
Teachings and make plans for training the children.
...those present should concern themselves with every means of training
the girl children; with teaching the various branches of knowledge, good
behaviour, a proper way of life, the cultivation of a good character,
chastity and constancy, perseverance, strength, determination, firmness of
purpose; with household management, the education of children, and
whatever especially applieth to the needs of girls--to the end that these
girls, reared in the stronghold of all perfections, and with the
protection of a goodly character, will, when they themselves become
mothers, bring up their children from earliest infancy to have a good
character and conduct themselves well.
Let them also study whatever will nurture the health of the body and its
physical soundness, and how to guard their children from disease.
("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec. 94, pp. 123-24) [37]
38: Work ye for the guidance of the women in that land, teach the young
girls and...
Work ye for the guidance of the women in that land, teach the young girls
and the children, so that the mothers may educate their little ones from
their earliest days, thoroughly train them, rear them to have a goodly
character and good morals, guide them to all the virtues of humankind,
prevent the development of any behaviour that would be worthy of blame,
and foster them in the embrace of Baha'i education. Thus shall these
tender infants be nurtured at the breast of the knowledge of God and His
love. Thus shall they grow and flourish, and be taught righteousness and
the dignity of humankind, resolution and the will to strive and to endure.
Thus shall they learn perseverance in all things, the will to advance,
high mindedness and high resolve, chastity and purity of life. Thus shall
they be enabled to carry to a successful conclusion whatsoever they
undertake.
Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of
children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every effort in
this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in
whatever way ye train it. Therefore it is incumbent upon the mothers to
rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let
them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith
and certitude, the fear of God, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and
all good qualities and traits. Whensoever a mother seeth that her child
hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if
the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel
the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight
verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however,
permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child's character
will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse.
("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec. 95, pp. 124-25) [38]
39: ...it is incumbent upon the father and mother to train their children
both in...
...it is incumbent upon the father and mother to train their children both
in good conduct and the study of books; study, that is, to the degree
required, so that no child, whether girl or boy, will remain
illiterate....
("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec 101, p. 127) [39]
40: 'Abdu'l-Baha's supreme joy is in observing that a number of leaves
from among...
'Abdu'l-Baha's supreme joy is in observing that a number of leaves from
among the handmaidens of the Blessed Beauty have been educated, that they
are the essence of detachment, and are well-informed of the mysteries of
the world of being; that they raise such a call in their glorification and
praise of the Greatest Name as to cause the inmates of the Fanes of the
Kingdom to become attracted and overjoyed, and that they recite prayers in
prose and poetry, and melodiously chant the divine verses. I cherish the
hope that thou wilt be one of them, wilt cast forth pearls, wilt be
constantly engaged in singing His praise and wilt intone celestial strains
in glorification of His attributes....
(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian) [40]
41: ...Thou hast written about the girls' school. What was previously
written...
...Thou hast written about the girls' school. What was previously written
still holdeth true. There can be no improvement unless the girls are
brought up in schools and centres of learning, unless they are taught the
sciences and other branches of knowledge, and unless they acquire the
manifold arts, as necessary, and are divinely trained. For the day will
come when these girls will become mothers. Mothers are the first educators
of children, who establish virtues in the child's inner nature. They
encourage the child to acquire perfections and goodly manners, warn him
against unbecoming qualities, and encourage him to show forth resolve,
firmness, and endurance under hardship, and to advance on the high road to
progress. Due regard for the education of girls is, therefore, necessary.
This is a very important subject, and it should be administered and
organized under the aegis of the Spiritual Assembly....
(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian) [41]
42: ...it is incumbent upon the girls of this glorious era to be fully
versed in...
...it is incumbent upon the girls of this glorious era to be fully versed
in the various branches of knowledge, in sciences and the arts and all the
wonders of this pre-eminent time, that they may then educate their
children and train them from their earliest days in the ways of
perfection.
(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian) [42]
43: Furthermore, the education of woman is more necessary and important
than...
Furthermore, the education of woman is more necessary and important than
that of man, for woman is the trainer of the child from its infancy. If
she be defective and imperfect herself, the child will necessarily be
deficient; therefore, imperfection of woman implies a condition of
imperfection in all mankind, for it is the mother who rears, nurtures and
guides the growth of the child. This is not the function of the father. If
the educator be incompetent, the educated will be correspondingly lacking.
This is evident and incontrovertible. Could the student be brilliant and
accomplished if the teacher is illiterate and ignorant? The mothers are
the first educators of mankind; if they be imperfect, alas for the
condition and future of the race.
...
It has been objected by some that woman is not equally capable with man
and that she is deficient by creation. This is pure imagination. The
difference in capability between man and woman is due entirely to
opportunity and education. Heretofore woman has been denied the right and
privilege of equal development. If equal opportunity be granted her, there
is no doubt she would be the peer of man. History will evidence this. In
past ages noted women have arisen in the affairs of nations and surpassed
men in their accomplishments....
...
The purpose, in brief, is this: that if woman be fully educated and
granted her rights, she will attain the capacity for wonderful
accomplishments and prove herself the equal of man. She is the coadjutor
of man, his complement and helpmeet. Both are human; both are endowed with
potentialities of intelligence and embody the virtues of humanity. In all
human powers and functions they are partners and coequals. At present in
spheres of human activity woman does not manifest her natal prerogatives,
owing to lack of education and opportunity. Without doubt education will
establish her equality with men....
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", pp. 133-37)
[43]
44: In proclaiming the oneness of mankind He taught that men and women
are...
In proclaiming the oneness of mankind He taught that men and women are
equal in the sight of God and that there is no distinction to be made
between them. The only difference between them now is due to lack of
education and training. If woman is given equal opportunity of education,
distinction and estimate of inferiority will disappear....
He promulgated the adoption of the same course of education for man and
woman. Daughters and sons must follow the same curriculum of study,
thereby promoting unity of the sexes. When all mankind shall receive the
same opportunity of education and the equality of men and women be
realized, the foundations of war will be utterly destroyed....
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", pp. 174-75)
[44]
45: Why should a woman be left mentally undeveloped? Science is
praiseworthy--...
Why should a woman be left mentally undeveloped? Science is
praiseworthy--whether investigated by the intellect of man or woman. So,
little by little, woman advanced, giving increasing evidence of equal
capabilities with man--whether in scientific research, political ability or
any other sphere of human activity. The conclusion is evident that woman
has been outdistanced through lack of education and intellectual
facilities. If given the same educational opportunities or course of
study, she would develop the same capacity and abilities.
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 281) [45]
46: Baha'u'llah has announced that inasmuch as ignorance and lack of...
Baha'u'llah has announced that inasmuch as ignorance and lack of education
are barriers of separation among mankind, all must receive training and
instruction. Through this provision the lack of mutual understanding will
be remedied and the unity of mankind furthered and advanced. Universal
education is a universal law. It is, therefore, incumbent upon every
father to teach and instruct his children according to his possibilities.
If he is unable to educate them, the body politic, the representative of
the people, must provide the means for their education.
The sex distinction which exists in the human world is due to the lack of
education for woman, who has been denied equal opportunity for development
and advancement. Equality of the sexes will be established in proportion
to the increased opportunities afforded woman in this age, for man and
woman are equally the recipients of powers and endowments from God, the
Creator. God has not ordained distinction between them in His consummate
purpose.
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 300) [46]
47: The education of each child is compulsory.... In addition to this
widespread...
The education of each child is compulsory.... In addition to this
widespread education each child must be taught a profession, art, or
trade, so that every member of the community will be enabled to earn his
own livelihood. Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of
worship....
("'Abdu'l-Baha on Divine Philosophy", p. 78) [47]
48: Devote ye particular attention to the school for girls, for the
greatness...
Devote ye particular attention to the school for girls, for the greatness
of this wondrous Age will be manifested as a result of progress in the
world of women. This is why ye observe that in every land the world of
women is on the march, and this is due to the impact of the Most Great
Manifestation, and the power of the teachings of God.
(From a Tablet - Translated from the Persian, published in "Baha'i
Education, a compilation", p. 37) [48]
49: Our hearts rejoiced at thy letter concerning a school for girls....
Our hearts rejoiced at thy letter concerning a school for girls.
Praised be God that there is now a school of this type in Tihran where
young maidens can, through His bounty, receive an education and with all
vigour acquire the accomplishments of humankind. Erelong will women in
every field keep pace with the men.
Until now, in Persia, the means for women's advancement were non-existent.
But now, God be thanked, ever since the dawning of the Morn of Salvation,
they have been going forward day by day. The hope is that they will take
the lead in virtues and attainments, in closeness to the Court of Almighty
God, in faith and certitude--and that the women of the East will become the
envy of the women of the West.
(From a Tablet - Translated from the Persian, published in "Baha'i
Education, a compilation", p. 48) [49]