Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth...It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens. (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah)
Baha'i Shrine, Haifa, Israel
Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench. The Hand of Divine power can, alone, deliver mankind from this desolating affliction... (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah)
Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship... So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth... (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah)
Baha'i Shrine, Haifa, Israel. Photo by BahaiPictures.com
O contending peoples and kindreds of the earth! Set your faces towards unity, and let the radiance of its light shine upon you... There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose...Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you... (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah)
Baha'i Shrine, Haifa, Israel. Photo by BahaiPictures.com
Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths...This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future... O ye that dwell on earth! The distinguishing feature that marketh the preeminent character of this Supreme Revelation consisteth in that We have, on the one hand, blotted out from the pages of God’s holy Book whatsoever hath been the cause of strife, of malice and mischief amongst the children of men, and have, on the other, laid down the essential prerequisites of concord, of understanding, of complete and enduring unity. (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah)
Baha'i Shrine, Haifa, Israel
Consort with all men, O people of Bahá, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and good-will. If it be accepted, if it fulfil its purpose, your object is attained. If any one should refuse it, leave him unto himself, and beseech God to guide him. Beware lest ye deal unkindly with him. A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding... (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah)
Baha'i Shrine, near Acre, Israel. Photo by BahaiPictures.com
Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility...
Baha'i House of Worship in India, opened in 1986, here is a fascinating 32 year old documentary about its construction link to video
Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God. The Dawning-Place of the Light of God sheddeth its radiance upon all with the same effulgence. Verily God created women for men, and men for women. The most beloved of people before God are the most steadfast and those who have surpassed others in their love for God, exalted be His glory… (Writings of Baha'u'llah, Compilation on Women)
O people of Bahá! The source of crafts, sciences and arts is the power of reflection. Make ye every effort that out of this ideal mine there may gleam forth such pearls of wisdom and utterance as will promote the well-being and harmony of all the kindreds of the earth. (Tablets of Baha'u'llah)
Baha'i House of Worship near Chicago, USA
Brief Overview
The Baha'i Faith is an independent world religion whose origins date back to 1863 in Persia. Its prophet founder was Baha'u'llah, the son of a nobleman who proclaimed the dawning of a new era. His message stressed the oneness of humanity, the progressive nature of Divine revelation, the fundamental oneness of religion, the essential unity of women and men, and an embrace of science and reason. He equated work performed in the spirit of service as worship, and laid out a vision for achieving peace and world unity.
Despite cruel and violent persecution, the ranks of his followers grew rapidly. The authorities, recognizing that making him a martyr would only increase his reach, decided instead to banish him as a prisoner to Iraq, Turkey, and finally to a prison in Arce in what is today Israel. This too failed to diminish his influence. In fact, today the world center of the Baha'i Faith is located in Haifa, Israel on Mount Carmel – a sacred spot for millions of Baha'is from around the globe.
You can download or read an introductory book about the Baha'i Faith first published in 1923 here
Baha'i House of Worship in Santiago, Chile
Photos
Photos by BahaiPictures.com were taken by Marco Abrar.
Unless otherwise noted, additional photos are from Wikipedia with effects by @roused
Baha'i Shrine, near Acre, Israel. Photo by BahaiPictures.com
Text Quotations
Texts quoted above as well as other sacred texts and authoritative texts can be read or downloaded here