Aug 3, 2009, 12.00am IST
A K MERCHANT.
Sacred scriptures of the Baha'i faith caution us of the possible grave consequences of excessive materialism.
They say: "The cause of chaos lies in the perceived differences among religions; it finds its origin in the animosity of sects and denominations..." Therefore, the central issue facing all peoples of the world is that of striking a balance between the material and spiritual aspects of life on earth. To this end, the Baha'is believe, it is worthwhile to remember today the martyrdom of its Prophet-Herald, the Bab and the death of thousands of early Baha'is for it is relevant in present circumstances.
The universal crisis we face today is essentially spiritual in its causes. In the supreme sacrifice of the Bab ^ his suffering and martyrdom ^ humanity shall discover the truth of its collective coming-of-age, capable of seeing the entire panorama of its development as a continuum.
Only a renaissance of religious values can provide the impetus to the peoples of the world to accept that they are one people. Then it becomes possible to build together the foundations of global civilisation. The Bab proclaimed the unity and truth of all great religions, enjoined upon his disciples to break with past rites and ways of worship and to live in harmony with people of all faiths and beliefs, and to await the coming of Baha'u'llah, the Promised One for all ages.
The Bab called upon his followers to stay united and be prepared for many sacrifices because of the stranglehold of the orthodox religious leaders and the corrupt government. He wrote: "Worship thou God in such ways that if your worship lead you to the fire, no alteration in your adoration would be produced, and so likewise if your recompense should be paradise. Thus and thus alone should be the worship which befits the one True God. Should you worship Him because of fear, this would be unseemly in the sanctified Court of His presence, and could not be regarded as an act by you dedicated to the Oneness of His Being. Or if your gaze should be on paradise, and you should worship Him while cherishing such a hope, you would make God's Creation a partner with Him, notwithstanding the fact that paradise is desired by men."
Fire and paradise both bow down and prostrate themselves before God. That which is worthy of His essence is to worship Him for His sake, without fear of fire, or hope of paradise. According to the Bab, the most acceptable prayer is the one offered with the utmost spirituality and radiance; its prolongation has not been and is not beloved by God. The more detached and the purer the prayer, the more acceptable is it in the presence of God.
Indeed, every generation, every century, age, nation, religion and movement has its martyrs who lay down their lives for a great cause. The Baha'i faith is no exception. July has a special significance because on the ninth day of this month the Bab was publicly executed before the gaze of some 10,000 of his countrymen. The unifying impact of his revolutionary message is nowhere more readily apparent than in the implications of changes that have taken place in the scientific and technological life.
The writer is a trustee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India and the Lotus Temple.
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