A Compilaton on Scholarship
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Edition 1, (September 2006)
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CONTENTS
Baha'i Terms of Use
[Letter to selected National Spiritual Assemblies]
EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH AND 'ABDU'L-BAHA AND FROM THE
LETTERS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI AND THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE ON
SCHOLARSHIP
1. THE STATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
1.1 Importance of Knowledge and Learning
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
1: "Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is
incumbent upon..."
2: "Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his
ascent. Its..."
From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha
3: "Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the
day, and..."
4: "...I most urgently request the friends of God to make every
effort, as much..."
5: "All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared
with this..."
From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
6: "...Baha'u'llah considered education as one of the most
fundamental factors..."
1.2 Characteristics of the "truly learned"
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
7: "Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Baha. By the Lord! Ye
are..."
8: "The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the
sage..."
9: "Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My
Revelation, and..."
10: "Consider, how can he that faileth in the day of God's
Revelation..."
From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha
11: "...there are those famed and accomplished men of learning,
possessed of..."
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
12: "In connection with the question as to whether Baha'is should
be familiar..."
13: "The Cause needs more Baha'i scholars, people who not only
are devoted..."
1.3 Scope of "Baha'i Scholarship"
From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
14: "At this early stage in the development of the Faith, it
would not..."
1.4 Appreciation of Scholarship
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
15: "Respect ye the divines and learned amongst you, they whose
conduct accords..."
16: "O people of God! Righteous men of learning who dedicate
themselves to..."
17: "Beware, O My loved ones, lest ye despise the merits of My
learned servants..."
From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha
18: "...the religion of God is the promoter of truth, the founder
of science and..."
19: "There are certain pillars which have been established as the
unshakeable..."
From a Letter Written by Shoghi Effendi
20: "The responsibilities of the members of the Spiritual
Assemblies that are..."
2. FUNCTIONS OF BAHA'I SCHOLARSHIP
2.1 Promotion of Human Welfare
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
21: "The Great Being saith: The learned of the day must direct
the people to..."
22: "True learning is that which is conducive to the well-being
of the world, not..."
From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha
23: "The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of
education...."
From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
24: "The news of the co-operation of the Baha'i young men and
women in..."
From a Letter of the Universal House of Justice
25: "The further emergence of the Faith from obscurity is
reflected in distinctive..."
2.2 Defence of the Faith
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
26: "If any man were to arise to defend, in his writings, the
Cause of God against..."
From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha
27: "The second of these spiritual standards which apply to the
possessor of..."
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
28: "Shoghi Effendi was delighted to hear of your conversation
with Sir ......."
29: "There is an answer in the teachings for everything;
unfortunately the..."
2.3 Expansion and Consolidation of the Baha'i Community
From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha
30: "Pure souls, such as Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, upon him be the Glory
of God,..."
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
31: "We had heard through various channels the wonderful way your
children had..."
32: "The university training which you are receiving at present
will be of immense..."
33: "Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful
scholars of its..."
34: "If the Baha'is want to be really effective in teaching the
Cause they need to..."
From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
35: "The Universal House of Justice ... regards Baha'i
scholarship as of..."
2.4 Contribution to Scholarly Development
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
36: "He was very happy to hear from you, and to see with what
keen appreciation..."
37: "Regarding the advice you requested from him concerning what
studies you..."
From Letters Written by or on Behalf of the Universal House of
Justice
38: "You are already a qualified practitioner in your field, and
no doubt you..."
39: "As the Baha'i community grows it will acquire experts in
numerous fields..."
40: "Indeed, let them [the Baha'i youth] welcome with confidence
the challenges..."
41: "The House of Justice recognizes that the questions you
raise, concerning..."
3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES
3.1 Spiritual Foundation
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
42: "Therefore, hath it been said: "Knowledge is a light which
God casteth into..."
43: "We have decreed, O people, that the highest and last end of
all learning..."
From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha
44: "Although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest
glory of..."
45: "And every branch of learning, conjoined with the love of
God, is approved..."
46: "Scientific knowledge is the highest attainment upon the
human plane,..."
From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
47: "Between the truth which comes from God through His Prophets,
and the..."
From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
48: "Just as there is a fundamental difference between divine
Revelation itself..."
49: "The combination of absolute loyalty to the Manifestation of
God and..."
50: "The House of Justice suggests that the issues raised in your
letter..."
3.2 "Useful" Sciences
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
51: "It is permissible to study sciences and arts, but such
sciences as are..."
From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha
52: "The individual should, prior to engaging in the study of any
subject, ask..."
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
53: "The choice you have made for your course of study is surely
most..."
54: "Philosophy, as you will study it and later teach it, is
certainly not..."
From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
55: "In response to your letter of ... in which you seek guidance
on the..."
3.3 Attitudes of the Scholar
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
56: "Amongst the people is he whose learning hath made him proud,
and who hath..."
57: "Show forbearance and benevolence and love to one another.
Should any..."
58: "Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay, strive to make him
aware of the truth..."
59: "Warn, O Salman, the beloved of the one true God, not to view
with too..."
From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha
60: "Good behaviour and high moral character must come first, for
unless the..."
From Letters Written by or on Behalf of the Universal House of
Justice
61: "...the believers must recognize the importance of
intellectual honesty and..."
62: "When studying at school or university Baha'i youth will
often find..."
63: "The House of Justice agrees that it is most important for
the believers,..."
64: "The House of Justice feels that Baha'i scholars must beware
of the..."
3.4 Methodological Issues
65: "Weigh not the Book of God with such standards and sciences as
are current..."
66: "When the eyes of the people of the East were captivated by the
arts..."
From the Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha
67: "There are only four accepted methods of comprehension--that is
to say,..."
From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
68: "The concern was expressed that many of the friends, holding
that there..."
69: "The House of Justice had hoped that the publication of the
statement..."
70: "From your letter the House of Justice understands that you
desire to..."
71: "The principal concern of the House of Justice is over a
methodological..."
3.5 The Covenant
From Letters Written by or on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
72: "Concerning the course of study you may follow:.... The Cause
is..."
73: "The Guardian feels that a sound knowledge of history, including
religious..."
75: "It seems what we need now is a more profound and co-ordinated
Baha'i..."
76: "He was very pleased to hear you do a lot of lecturing for the
Cause; this..."
From Communications of the Universal House of Justice
77: "In the field of Baha'i scholarship we feel that it is most
important not..."
78: "There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from
this time..."
[LETTER TO SELECTED NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES]
10 February 1995
To selected National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Baha'i Friends,
We have been asked by the Universal House of Justice to send you the
enclosed copy of a compilation on scholarship prepared recently at its
request by the Research Department at the Baha'i World Centre.
It is the hope of the House of Justice that a study of this compilation
will serve as a stimulus and a guide in the further development of Baha'i
scholarship, and that the unique features of this vital aspect of Baha'i
activity will be clarified through a perusal of its contents.
The House of Justice calls upon the members of the community of the
Greatest Name, young and old, men and women alike, to strive to develop
and offer to humanity a new model of scholarly activity along the lines
set out in this compilation, animated by the spirit of inquiry into the
limitless meaning of the Divine Teachings. This scholarly endeavour should
be characterized by the welcome it offers to all who wish to be involved
in it, each in his or her own way, by mutual encouragement and cooperation
among its participants, and by the respect accorded to distinguished
accomplishment and outstanding achievement. The spirit and approach should
be far removed from the arrogance, contention, and exclusiveness which
have too often sullied the name of scholarship in the wider society, and
which have created barriers to the sound development of this worthy
pursuit.
It is left to your discretion to determine the use you should make of the
enclosed material.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
For Department of the Secretariat
Enclosure
cc: The Hands of the Cause of God
International Teaching Centre
Counsellors
EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH AND 'ABDU'L-BAHA AND FROM THE
LETTERS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI AND THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE ON
SCHOLARSHIP
Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice
February 1995
1. THE STATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
1.1 Importance of Knowledge and Learning
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
1: "Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent
upon..."
Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon
everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest
have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been
revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen--a Pen out of
whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of
the world are brought to light.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas" (Wilmette:
Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1988), p. 39) [1]
2: "Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent.
Its..."
Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its
acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences,
however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and
not those which begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the
claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world.... In
truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a source of glory,
of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him. Thus
hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in this Most Great Prison.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", pp. 51-52) [2]
From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha
3: "Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day,
and..."
Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day, and strain
every nerve to carry forward the divine civilization....
Included must be promotion of the arts, the discovery of new wonders, the
expansion of trade, and the development of industry. The methods of
civilization and the beautification of the country must also be
encouraged; and also to be inculcated is absolute obedience to the
Government and total avoidance of any trace of sedition.
(From a Tablet, translated from the Persian) [3]
4: "...I most urgently request the friends of God to make every effort, as
much..."
...I most urgently request the friends of God to make every effort, as
much as lieth within their competence, along these lines. The harder they
strive to widen the scope of their knowledge, the better and more
gratifying will be the result. Let the loved ones of God, whether young or
old, whether male or female, each according to his capabilities, bestir
themselves and spare no efforts to acquire the various current branches of
knowledge, both spiritual and secular, and of the arts.
(From a Tablet, translated from the Arabic) [4]
5: "All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with
this..."
All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this
power of intellectual investigation and research, which is an eternal gift
producing fruits of unending delight. Man is ever partaking of these
fruits. All other blessings are temporary; this is an everlasting
possession. Even sovereignty has its limitations and overthrow; this is a
kingship and dominion which none may usurp or destroy. Briefly, it is an
eternal blessing and divine bestowal, the supreme gift of God to man.
Therefore, you should put forward your most earnest efforts toward the
acquisition of science and arts. The greater your attainment, the higher
your standard in the divine purpose. The man of science is perceiving and
endowed with vision, whereas he who is ignorant and neglectful of this
development is blind. The investigating mind is attentive, alive; the
callous and indifferent mind is deaf and dead. A scientific man is a true
index and representative of humanity, for through processes of inductive
reasoning and research he is informed of all that appertains to humanity,
its status, conditions and happenings. He studies the human body politic,
understands social problems and weaves the web and texture of
civilization. In fact, science may be likened to a mirror wherein the
infinite forms and images of existing things are revealed and reflected.
It is the very foundation of all individual and national development.
Without this basis of investigation, development is impossible. Therefore,
seek with diligent endeavour the knowledge and attainment of all that lies
within the power of this wonderful bestowal.
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912" (Wilmette:
Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1982), p. 50) [5]
From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
6: "...Baha'u'llah considered education as one of the most fundamental
factors..."
...Baha'u'llah considered education as one of the most fundamental factors
of a true civilization. This education, however, in order to be adequate
and fruitful, should be comprehensive in nature and should take into
consideration not only the physical and the intellectual side of man but
also his spiritual and ethical aspects.
(9 July 1931 to an individual believer) [6]
1.2 Characteristics of the "truly learned"
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
7: "Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Baha. By the Lord! Ye are..."
Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Baha. By the Lord! Ye are the
billows of the Most Mighty Ocean, the stars of the firmament of Glory, the
standards of triumph waving betwixt earth and heaven. Ye are the
manifestations of steadfastness amidst men and the daysprings of Divine
Utterance to all that dwell on earth.
(The Kitab-i-Aqdas, paragraph 173) [7]
8: "The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage..."
The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage endowed
with penetrating wisdom are the two eyes to the body of mankind. God
willing, the earth shall never be deprived of these two greatest gifts.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p. 171) [8]
9: "Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My
Revelation, and..."
Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My Revelation,
and drunk from the Ocean of My knowledge, and soared in the atmosphere of
My love, and cast away all else besides Me, and taken firm hold on that
which hath been sent down from the Kingdom of My wondrous utterance. He,
verily, is even as an eye unto mankind, and as the spirit of life unto the
body of all creation. Glorified be the All-Merciful Who hath enlightened
him, and caused him to arise and serve His great and mighty Cause. Verily,
such a man is blessed by the Concourse on high, and by them who dwell
within the Tabernacle of Grandeur, who have quaffed My sealed Wine in My
name, the Omnipotent, the All-Powerful.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", pp. 207-208)
[9]
10: "Consider, how can he that faileth in the day of God's Revelation..."
Consider, how can he that faileth in the day of God's Revelation to attain
unto the grace of the "Divine Presence" and to recognize His
Manifestation, be justly called learned, though he may have spent aeons in
the pursuit of knowledge, and acquired all the limited and material
learning of men? It is surely evident that he can in no wise be regarded
as possessed of true knowledge. Whereas, the most unlettered of all men,
if he be honoured with this supreme distinction, he verily is accounted as
one of those divinely-learned men whose knowledge is of God; for such a
man hath attained the acme of knowledge, and hath reached the furthermost
summit of learning.
("The Kitab-i-Iqan" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1983), pp.
145-146) [10]
From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha
11: "...there are those famed and accomplished men of learning, possessed
of..."
...there are those famed and accomplished men of learning, possessed of
praiseworthy qualities and vast erudition, who lay hold on the strong
handle of the fear of God and keep to the ways of salvation. In the mirror
of their minds the forms of transcendent realities are reflected, and the
lamp of their inner vision derives its light from the sun of universal
knowledge. They are busy by night and by day with meticulous research into
such sciences as are profitable to mankind, and they devote themselves to
the training of students of capacity. It is certain that to their
discerning taste, the proffered treasures of kings would not compare with
a single drop of the waters of knowledge, and mountains of gold and silver
could not outweigh the successful solution of a difficult problem. To
them, the delights that lie outside their work are only toys for children,
and the cumbersome load of unnecessary possessions is only good for the
ignorant and base. Content, like the birds, they give thanks for a handful
of seeds, and the song of their wisdom dazzles the minds of the world's
most wise....
...the happiness and greatness, the rank and station, the pleasure and
peace, of an individual have never consisted in his personal wealth, but
rather in his excellent character, his high resolve, the breadth of his
learning, and his ability to solve difficult problems....
For every thing, however, God has created a sign and symbol, and
established standards and tests by which it may be known. The spiritually
learned must be characterized by both inward and outward perfections; they
must possess a good character, an enlightened nature, a pure intent, as
well as intellectual power, brilliance and discernment, intuition,
discretion and foresight, temperance, reverance, and a heartfelt fear of
God. For an unlit candle, however great in diameter and tall, is no better
than a barren palm tree or a pile of dead wood....
An authoritative Tradition states: "As for him who is one of the
learned:(1) he must guard himself, defend his faith, oppose his passions
and obey the commandments of his Lord. It is then the duty of the people
to pattern themselves after him."
("The Secret of Divine Civilization" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust,
1990), pp. 21-22; pp. 23-24; pp. 33-34) [11]
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
12: "In connection with the question as to whether Baha'is should be
familiar..."
In connection with the question as to whether Baha'is should be familiar
with the different sciences and branches of study, Shoghi Effendi wishes
me to inform you that both Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha have given a very
high position to men of culture and knowledge and Baha'u'llah says in one
of His Tablets that respect shown to such people is incumbent upon all
Baha'is. Furthermore there is no doubt that familiarity with different
branches of study widens one's point of view and we can then understand
and realize the significance of the Baha'i Movement and its principles
much more.
(14 December 1924 to an individual believer) [12]
13: "The Cause needs more Baha'i scholars, people who not only are
devoted..."
The Cause needs more Baha'i scholars, people who not only are devoted to
it and believe in it and are anxious to tell others about it, but also who
have a deep grasp of the Teachings and their significance, and who can
correlate its beliefs with the current thoughts and problems of the people
of the world.
(21 October 1943 to an individual believer) [13]
1.3 Scope of "Baha'i Scholarship"
From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
14: "At this early stage in the development of the Faith, it would not..."
At this early stage in the development of the Faith, it would not be
useful to propound a highly restrictive definition of the term "Baha'i
scholarship". In a letter written on behalf of the House of Justice to an
Association for Baha'i Studies recently, it is stated that: