constitution—that is to say, when the two parents are weak, the children
will be weak; if they are strong, the children will be robust. In the same
way, purity of blood has a great effect; for the pure germ is like the
superior stock which exists in plants and animals. For example, you see
that children born from a weak and feeble father and mother will naturally
have a feeble constitution and weak nerves; they will be afflicted and
will have neither patience, nor endurance, nor resolution, nor
perseverance, and will be hasty; for the children inherit the weakness and
debility of their parents.
Besides this, an especial blessing is conferred on some families and some
generations. Thus it is an especial blessing that from among the
descendants of Abraham should have come all the Prophets of the children
of Israel. This is a blessing that God has granted to this descent: to
Moses from his father and mother, to Christ from his mother’s line; also
to Muḥammad and the the Báb, and to all the Prophets and the Holy
Manifestations of Israel. The Blessed Beauty(7) is also a lineal
descendant of Abraham, for Abraham had other sons besides Ishmael and
Isaac who in those days migrated to the lands of Persia and Afghanistan,
and the Blessed Beauty is one of their descendants.
Hence it is evident that inherited character also exists, and to such a
degree that if the characters are not in conformity with their origin,
although they belong physically to that lineage, spiritually they are not
considered members of the family, like Canaan,(8) who is not reckoned as
being of the race of Noah.
But the difference of the qualities with regard to culture is very great,
for education has great influence. Through education the ignorant become
learned; the cowardly become valiant. Through cultivation the crooked
branch becomes straight; the acid, bitter fruit of the mountains and woods
becomes sweet and delicious; and the five-petaled flower becomes
hundred-petaled. Through education savage nations become civilized, and
even the animals become domesticated. Education must be considered as most
important, for as diseases in the world of bodies are extremely
contagious, so, in the same way, qualities of spirit and heart are
extremely contagious. Education has a universal influence, and the
differences caused by it are very great.
Perhaps someone will say that, since the capacity and worthiness of men
differ, therefore, the difference of capacity certainly causes the
difference of characters.(9)
But this is not so, for capacity is of two kinds: natural capacity and
acquired capacity. The first, which is the creation of God, is purely
good—in the creation of God there is no evil; but the acquired capacity
has become the cause of the appearance of evil. For example, God has
created all men in such a manner and has given them such a constitution
and such capacities that they are benefited by sugar and honey and harmed
and destroyed by poison. This nature and constitution is innate, and God
has given it equally to all mankind. But man begins little by little to
accustom himself to poison by taking a small quantity each day, and
gradually increasing it, until he reaches such a point that he cannot live
without a gram of opium every day. The natural capacities are thus
completely perverted. Observe how much the natural capacity and
constitution can be changed, until by different habits and training they
become entirely perverted. One does not criticize vicious people because
of their innate capacities and nature, but rather for their acquired
capacities and nature.
In creation there is no evil; all is good. Certain qualities and natures
innate in some men and apparently blameworthy are not so in reality. For
example, from the beginning of his life you can see in a nursing child the
signs of greed, of anger and of temper. Then, it may be said, good and
evil are innate in the reality of man, and this is contrary to the pure
goodness of nature and creation. The answer to this is that greed, which
is to ask for something more, is a praiseworthy quality provided that it
is used suitably. So if a man is greedy to acquire science and knowledge,
or to become compassionate, generous, and just, it is most praiseworthy.
If he exercises his anger and wrath against the bloodthirsty tyrants who
are like ferocious beasts, it is very praiseworthy; but if he does not use
these qualities in a right way, they are blameworthy.
(“Some Answered Questions”, pp. 212–15) [37]
“38: As to the difference between that material civilization now
prevailing,...”
As to the difference between that material civilization now prevailing,
and the divine civilization which will be one of the benefits to derive
from the House of Justice, it is this: material civilization, through the
power of punitive and retaliatory laws, restraineth the people from
criminal acts; and notwithstanding this, while laws to retaliate against
and punish a man are continually proliferating, as ye can see, no laws
exist to reward him. In all the cities of Europe and America, vast
buildings have been erected to serve as jails for the criminals.
Divine civilization, however, so traineth every member of society that no
one, with the exception of a negligible few, will undertake to commit a
crime. There is thus a great difference between the prevention of crime
through measures that are violent and retaliatory, and so training the
people, and enlightening them, and spiritualizing them, that without any
fear of punishment or vengeance to come, they will shun all criminal acts.
They will, indeed, look upon the very commission of a crime as a great
disgrace and in itself the harshest of punishments. They will become
enamoured of human perfections, and will consecrate their lives to
whatever will bring light to the world and will further those qualities
which are acceptable at the Holy Threshold of God.
See then how wide is the difference between material civilization and
divine. With force and punishments, material civilization seeketh to
restrain the people from mischief, from inflicting harm on society and
committing crimes. But in a divine civilization, the individual is so
conditioned that with no fear of punishment, he shunneth the perpetration
of crimes, seeth the crime itself as the severest of torments, and with
alacrity and joy, setteth himself to acquiring the virtues of humankind,
to furthering human progress, and to spreading light across the world.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 105, pp. 132–33)
[38]
“39: Among the safeguards of the Holy Faith is the training of children,
and...”
Among the safeguards of the Holy Faith is the training of children, and
this is among the weightiest of principles in all the Divine Teachings.
Thus from the very beginning mothers must rear their infants in the cradle
of good morals—for it is the mothers who are the first educators—so that,
when the child cometh to maturity, he will prove to be endowed with all
the virtues and qualities that are worthy of praise.
And further, according to the Divine commandments, every child must learn
reading and writing, and acquire such branches of knowledge as are useful
and necessary, as well as learning an art or skill. The utmost care must
be devoted to these matters; any neglect of them, any failure to act on
them, is not permissible.
Observe how many penal institutions, houses of detention and places of
torture are made ready to receive the sons of men, the purpose being to
prevent them, by punitive measures, from committing terrible
crimes—whereas this very torment and punishment only increaseth depravity,
and by such means the desired aim cannot be properly achieved.
Therefore must the individual be trained from his infancy in such a way
that he will never undertake to commit a crime, will, rather, direct all
his energies to the acquisition of excellence, and will look upon the very
commission of an evil deed as in itself the harshest of all punishments,
considering the sinful act itself to be far more grievous than any prison
sentence. For it is possible so to train the individual that, although
crime may not be completely done away with, still it will become very
rare.
The purport is this, that to train the character of humankind is one of
the weightiest commandments of God, and the influence of such training is
the same as that which the sun exerteth over tree and fruit. Children must
be most carefully watched over, protected and trained; in such consisteth
true parenthood and parental mercy.
Otherwise, the children will turn into weeds growing wild, and become the
cursed, Infernal Tree,(10) not right from wrong, distinguishing not the
highest of human qualities from all that is mean and vile; they will be
brought up in vainglory, and will be hated of the Forgiving Lord.
Wherefore doth every child, new-risen in the garden of Heavenly love,
require the utmost training and care.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [39]
“40: The root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance, and we must therefore hold
fast...”
The root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance, and we must therefore hold fast
to the tools of perception and knowledge. Good character must be taught.
Light must be spread afar, so that, in the school of humanity, all may
acquire the heavenly characteristics of the spirit, and see for themselves
beyond any doubt that there is no fiercer Hell, no more fiery abyss, than
to possess a character that is evil and unsound; no more darksome pit nor
loathsome torment than to show forth qualities which deserve to be
condemned.
The individual must be educated to such a high degree that he would rather
have his throat cut than tell a lie, and would think it easier to be
slashed with a sword or pierced with a spear than to utter calumny or be
carried away by wrath.
Thus will be kindled the sense of human dignity and pride, to burn away
the reapings of lustful appetites. Then will each one of God’s beloved
shine out as a bright moon with qualities of the spirit, and the
relationship of each to the Sacred Threshold of his Lord will be not
illusory but sound and real, will be as the very foundation of the
building, not some embellishment on its façade.
It followeth that the children’s school must be a place of utmost
discipline and order, that instruction must be thorough, and provision
must be made for the rectification and refinement of character; so that,
in his earliest years, within the very essence of the child, the divine
foundation will be laid and the structure of holiness raised up.
Know that this matter of instruction, of character rectification and
refinement, of heartening and encouraging the child, is of the utmost
importance, for such are basic principles of God.
Thus, if God will, out of these spiritual schools illumined children will
arise, adorned with all the fairest virtues of humankind, and will shed
their light not only across Persia, but around the world.
It is extremely difficult to teach the individual and refine his character
once puberty is passed. By then, as experience has shown, even if every
effort be exerted to modify some tendency of his, it all availeth nothing.
He may, perhaps, improve somewhat today; but let a few days pass and he
forgetteth, and turneth backward to his habitual condition and accustomed
ways. Therefore it is in early childhood that a firm foundation must be
laid. While the branch is green and tender it can easily be made straight.
Our meaning is that qualities of the spirit are the basic and divine
foundation, and adorn the true essence of man; and knowledge is the cause
of human progress. The beloved of God must attach great importance to this
matter, and carry it forward with enthusiasm and zeal.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 111) pp. 136–37)
[40]
“41: Were there no educator, all souls would remain savage, and were it
not for...”
Were there no educator, all souls would remain savage, and were it not for
the teacher, the children would be ignorant creatures.
It is for this reason that, in this new cycle, education and training are
recorded in the Book of God as obligatory and not voluntary. That is, it
is enjoined upon the father and mother, as a duty, to strive with all
effort to train the daughter and the son, to nurse them from the breast of
knowledge and to rear them in the bosom of sciences and arts. Should they
neglect this matter, they shall be held responsible and worthy of reproach
in the presence of the stern Lord.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 98, pp. 126–27) [41]
“42: And among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is the promotion of
education....”
And among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is the promotion of education.
Every child must be instructed in sciences as much as is necessary. If the
parents are able to provide the expenses of this education, it is well,
otherwise the community must provide the means for the teaching of that
child.
(From a letter written by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the Central Organization for a
Durable Peace, The Hague, (December 17, 1919), p.12; also published in
“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 227, p. 304) [42]
“43: There are certain pillars which have been established as the
unshakeable...”
There are certain pillars which have been established as the unshakeable
supports of the Faith of God. The mightiest of these is learning and the
use of the mind, the expansion of consciousness, and insight into the
realities of the universe and the hidden mysteries of Almighty God.
To promote knowledge is thus an inescapable duty imposed on every one of
the friends of God. It is incumbent upon that Spiritual Assembly, that
assemblage of God, to exert every effort to educate the children, so that
from infancy they will be trained in Bahá’í conduct and the ways of God,
and will, even as young plants, thrive and flourish in the soft-flowing
waters that are the counsels and admonitions of the Blessed Beauty. Work
then with heart and soul, loose your tongues to further this endeavour,
sacrifice your possessions so that the School of I_sh_qábád will ever
advance in discipline and order.(11)
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [43]
“44: Thou didst write as to the children: From the very beginning, the...”
Thou didst write as to the children: From the very beginning, the children
must receive divine education and must continually be reminded to remember
their God. Let the love of God pervade their inmost being, commingled with
their mother’s milk.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 99, p. 127) [44]
“45: My wish is that these children should receive a Bahá’í education,
so...”
My wish is that these children should receive a Bahá’í education, so that
they may progress both here and in the Kingdom, and rejoice thy heart.
In a time to come, morals will degenerate to an extreme degree. It is
essential that children be reared in the Bahá’í way, that they may find
happiness both in this world and the next. If not, they shall be beset by
sorrows and troubles, for human happiness is founded upon spiritual
behaviour.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 100, p. 127) [45]
“46: Child education is a matter of the utmost importance. The infant,
while...”
Child education is a matter of the utmost importance. The infant, while
yet a suckling, must receive Bahá’í training, and the loving spirit of
Christ and Bahá’u’lláh must be breathed into him, that he may be reared in
accord with the verities of the Gospel and the Most Holy Book.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [46]
“47: O thou who gazest upon the Kingdom of God!...”
O thou who gazest upon the Kingdom of God!
Thy letter was received and we note that thou art engaged in teaching the
children of the believers, that these tender little ones have been
learning the Hidden Words and the prayers and what it meaneth to be a
Bahá’í.
The instruction of these children is even as the work of a loving gardener
who tendeth his young plants in the flowering fields of the All-Glorious.
There is no doubt that it will yield the desired results; especially is
this true of instruction as to Bahá’í obligations and Bahá’í conduct, for
the little children must needs be made aware in their very heart and soul
that “Bahá’í” is not just a name but a truth. Every child must be trained
in the things of the spirit, so that he may embody all the virtues and
become a source of glory to the Cause of God. Otherwise, the mere word
“Bahá’í”, if it yield no fruit, will come to nothing.
Strive then to the best of thine ability to let these children know that a
Bahá’í is one who embodieth all the perfections, that he must shine out
like a lighted taper—not be darkness upon darkness and yet bear the name
“Bahá’í”.
Name thou this school the Bahá’í Sunday School.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [47]
“48: We have previously written and sent out a detailed letter regarding
the...”
We have previously written and sent out a detailed letter regarding the
education of children in faith, certitude, learning and spiritual
knowledge, and their being taught to call upon the Heavenly Kingdom with
suppliant hearts.
It is certain that ye will exert every effort toward this end.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [48]
“49: As to thy question regarding the education of children: It behoveth
thee...”
As to thy question regarding the education of children: It behoveth thee
to nurture them at the breast of the love of God, and urge them onward to
the things of the spirit—that they may turn their faces unto God; that
their ways may conform to the rules of good conduct and their character be
second to none; that they make their own all the graces and praiseworthy
qualities of humankind; that they acquire a sound knowledge of the various
branches of learning—so that from the very beginning of life they may
become spiritual beings, dwellers in the Kingdom, enamoured of the sweet
breaths of holiness, and may receive an education religious, spiritual,
and of the Heavenly Realm. Verily will I call upon God to grant them a
happy outcome in this.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 122, p. 142) [49]
“50: Exert every effort to acquire the various branches of knowledge and
true...”
Exert every effort to acquire the various branches of knowledge and true
understanding. Strain every nerve to achieve both material and spiritual
accomplishments.
Encourage the children from their earliest years to master every kind of
learning, and make them eager to become skilled in every art—the aim being
that through the favouring grace of God, the heart of each one may become
even as a mirror disclosing the secrets of the universe, penetrating the
innermost reality of all things; and that each may earn world-wide fame in
all branches of knowledge, science and the arts.
Certainly, certainly, neglect not the education of the children. Rear them
to be possessed of spiritual qualities, and be assured of the gifts and
favours of the Lord.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [50]
“51: O ye two servants at the Holy Threshold!...”
O ye two servants at the Holy Threshold!
We have been greatly cheered and refreshed to know that ye have organized
meetings for the education of children. Whoso is active in those meetings
whether as a teacher of the children or a sponsor, will certainly become
the recipient of confirmations from the invisible Realm, and endless
bounties will compass him about.
With great joy, therefore, encouragement is offered for this highly
laudable endeavour that ye may witness an exceeding great reward.
Await ye the sure and certain confirmations of the All-Merciful.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [51]
“52: O ye two well-loved handmaids of God! Whatever a man’s tongue
speaketh,...”
O ye two well-loved handmaids of God! Whatever a man’s tongue speaketh,
that let him prove by his deeds. If he claimeth to be a believer, then let
him act in accordance with the precepts of the Abhá Kingdom.
Praised be God, ye two have demonstrated the truth of your words by your
deeds, and have won the confirmations of the Lord God. Every day at first
light, ye gather the Bahá’í children together and teach them the communes
and prayers. This is a most praiseworthy act, and bringeth joy to the
children’s hearts: that they should, at every morn, turn their faces
toward the Kingdom and make mention of the Lord and praise His Name, and
in the sweetest of voices, chant and recite.
These children are even as young plants, and teaching them the prayers is
as letting the rain pour down upon them, that they may wax tender and
fresh, and the soft breezes of the love of God may blow over them, making
them to tremble with joy.
Blessedness awaiteth you, and a fair haven.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 115, p. 139) [52]
“53: O thou steadfast in the Covenant!...”
O thou steadfast in the Covenant!
Your letter hath come and imparted great delight, with its word that,
praised be God, the youth of the Abhá paradise are verdant and tender,
from showers scattered out of clouds of heavenly grace; that they thrive
and flourish in the April rains of heavenly guidance, and are progressing
day by day.
It is certain that each and every one of them will grow to be as a banner
of guidance, a symbol of the bestowals that come from the Realm of the
All-Glorious. They will be sweet-singing nightingales in the gardens of
knowledge, gazelles delicate and comely, roaming the plains of the love of
God. You must attach the greatest importance to the education of children,
for this is the foundation of the Law of God, and the bedrock of the
edifice of His Faith.
If it were known how much joy you have imparted through what hath been
done for the children, the believers would surely educate all their
children in the same way.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [53]
“54: O true companions!...”
O true companions!
All humankind are as children in a school, and the Dawning-Points of
Light, the Sources of divine revelation, are the teachers, wondrous and
without peer. In the school of realities they educate these sons and
daughters, according to teachings from God, and foster them in the bosom
of grace, so that they may develop along every line, show forth the
excellent gifts and blessings of the Lord, and combine human perfections;
that they may advance in all aspects of human endeavour, whether outward
or inward, hidden or visible, material or spiritual, until they make of
this mortal world a wide-spread mirror, to reflect that other world which
dieth not.
... Because, in this most momentous of ages, the Sun of Truth hath risen
at the highest point of the spring equinox, and cast its rays on every
clime, it shall kindle such tremulous excitement, it shall release such
vibrations in the world of being, it shall stimulate such growth and
development, it shall stream out with such a glory of light, and clouds of
grace shall pour down such plentiful waters, and fields and plains shall
teem with such a galaxy of sweet-smelling plants and blooms, that this
lowly earth will become the Abhá Kingdom, and this nether world the world
above. Then will this fleck of dust be as the vast circle of the skies,
this human place the palace-court of God, this spot of clay the Dayspring
of the endless favours of the Lord of Lords.