Celebrating the two hundredth Anniversaries of The Birth of Baha'u'llah and The Bab |
Introduction In 2017 Baha'is around the world will celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the Birth of Baha'u'llah. Then in 2019 they will celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the Birth of the Bab. This journal will contain poems and prose inspired by these two anniversaries. In addition, I will include thoughts and poems inspired by the scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah and the Bab. Before Naw-Ruz of 2015, the Baha'i or Badi calendar "was synchronized to the Gregorian calendar".1 After Naw-Ruz of 2015, the date of the vernal equinox was established as the birthplace of Baha'u'llah which unlocked the Baha'i calendar from the Gregorian calendar.2 Because of this the dates of the celebrations are now calculated according to the Baha'i/Badi calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar which was the case before Naw-Ruz 2015. Bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab Remembering 'Abdu'l-Baha Twin Holy Days Celebrated on the fist and second day following the eight new moon after Naw-Ruz The Celebration of the Birth of the Báb occurred on October 21, 2017. The Bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb will occur on October 29, 2019 Born: 1 Muharram 1235 AH - 20 October 1819 The Bicentenary Celebration of the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh occurred on October 22, 2017 The Celebration of the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh will occur on October 30, 2019 Born: 2 Muharram 1233 AH - 12 November 1817 Centenary of the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha More information as 2021 progresses. Links to Articles Articles in the Huffington Post Baha’is Prepare for Bicentennial in 2017 By Shastri Purushotma (December 30, 2016) Baha’is To Celebrate “Twin Holy Days” For First Time Worldwide By Shastri Purushotma (November 5, 2015) 200 Years Since His Birth: Who Is Bahá’u’lláh? by Genevieve Seri (September 9. 2017) Articles in Baha'i Chronicles http://bahaichronicles.org/ Articles in Beyond Foreignness 200 Articles in 200 Days for the 200th Anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Birth by Michael Curtotti The Short Obligatory Prayer Revealed by Bahá'u'lláh "I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting." Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh, CLXXXI The Remover of Difficulties Revealed by The Bab "Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants and all abide by His bidding!" Selections from the Writings of the Báb Prayer for America Revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha "O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal." Baha'i Prayers Footnotes |
Khadijih Begum: Wife of the Bab July 18, 2019 at 6:57pm Khadijih Begum:{footnote:#}http://bahaichronicles.org/khadijih-baghum/
Wife of the Bab
Blessed of women,
she saw the light of the Holy Spirit
that emanated from His being
when He prayed,
and she accepted
Him as the Manifestation of God,
as the Lord of the Age.
Her physical body
reposes somewhere in Shiraz,
while her soul dwells
in the sanctified paradise
with The Bab,
The Remembrance of God.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem 39 in the 200 I am writing... [Read more] The Path of Prayer and Praise July 16, 2019 at 6:33pm The Path of Prayer and Praise
"The most acceptable prayer is the one offered with the utmost spirituality and radiance; its prolongation hath 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."
The Bab{footnote:#} Selections from the Writings of the Bab , 3. Excerpts from the Persian Bayán, Worship thou God in such wise that if thy worship
There are many ways to pray and praise,
Each rel... [Read more] Reflection of God's Beauty: To the Bab July 17, 2019 at 11:43am Reflection of God's Beauty:
To the Bab
Mirror of divine beauty
He revealed God's grace
to humanity.
Lamp ignited
by the Holy spirit
His faith is a facet
of God's religion.
Forerunner of Baha'u'llah
His scriptures were the first rays
of a new dispensation.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem 37 of the 200 I am writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab.
... [Read more] The Birdge: To The Bab July 14, 2019 at 2:52pm The Bridge:
To The Bab
It is the power of the Holy Spirit
that inspire humanity's reawakening
through the Manifestations of Divinity.
The Bab the bridge between
the Prophetic Cycle
and the Cycle of Fulfillment;
He is the Gate
to the knowledge of God.
All the Messengers of the past--
Abraham,
Moses,
Zoroaster,
Krishna,
Buddha,
Jesus Christ,
Mohammad--
proclaimed the Word of God
and revealed a chapter
in the religion of God
to humanity.
The Bab,
the ... [Read more] Meditation on the Inventation of The Bab July 14, 2019 at 4:04pm Meditation on the Invention
of the Bab
"...Assuredly we are today living in the Days of God. These are the glorious days on the like of which the sun hath never risen in the past. These are the days which the people in bygone times eagerly expected. What hath then befallen you that ye are fast asleep? These are the days wherein God hath caused the Daystar of Truth to shine resplendent. What hath then caused you to keep your silence? These are the appointed days which ye have been... [Read more] The Catalyst: To The Bab July 14, 2019 at 2:17pm The Catalyst:
To The Bab
Two centuries have passed
since His birth in Shiraz,
and humanity moves toward unity.
His birth in 1819,
and His death in 1850
were the catalyst
to humanity's transformation.
This year we celebrate
the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab,
who--along with Baha'u'lllah--
has created a vision of unity
for humanity.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem 34 in the 200 I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Bir... [Read more] Ahmad Shirazi: The Son of the Bab July 18, 2019 at 7:06pm Ahmad Shirazi:{footnote:#}http://bahaichronicles.org/ahmad-shirazi/
The Son of the Bab
His physical body
shaded by a cypress,
his soul ascended through veils of light
to join Fatimah--
the Prophet's daughter--
in paradise,
where he awaited
the arrival of his parents.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem 33 in the 200 I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab.
... [Read more] Alphabet of Faith: To The Bab July 12, 2019 at 7:14pm Alphabet of Faith:
To The Bab
A li-Muhammad, on May 23, 1844, announced that He had received a new revelation from God. He took the title "Bab", which means "Gate". because he was also the forerunner of someone who would bring a much greater Revelation from God.{footnote:#}http://bahaichronicles.org/bab/
B ábu’l-Báb, "Gate of the Gate, was the title The Bab gave to Mullá Husayn Bushrú’í the first person to declare his belief in The Bab.{footnote:#}ht... [Read more] Meditation: To The Bab July 9, 2019 at 6:44pm Meditation:
To The Bab
"The Mighty Doer" {footnote:#}From a prayer revealed by the Bab, Baha'i Prayers , page 80. ,
Unknowable Creator,
Who,
in this day,
is made known to humanity
through the twin Manifestations
of The Bab and Baha'u'llah.
The "Lord of Joy" {footnote:#}From the Long Healing Prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah, Baha'i Prayers , page 94. ,
forever hidden
behind veils of light,
shed the Holy Spirit
upon the person
of Al... [Read more] Meditation on the Surih of Sorrows July 7, 2019 at 9:48pm Meditation on the Surih of Sorrows
One hundred sixty nine years
after the Bab's martyrdom,
I contemplate Baha'u'llah's words
in the Surih of Sorrows.
These words
are the tears
shed by the Pen of Glory
for the Gate of God.
I can hear
the mourning
of the Celestial Concourse,
and the Maids of Heaven
as I read the sentences inscribed
by the Ancient Beauty.
Even the Holy Spirit weeps
at what has befallen
the Temple of the All-Glorious
in this age.
... [Read more] July 9, 1850 in Tabriz, Iran (Persia) July 7, 2019 at 9:07pm July 9, 1850 in Tabriz, Iran (Persia)
Torrid echoes of fear resounded
through halls of power
resulting
in The Bab's
execution.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Line Count: 5
Form: Free verse
Syllable Count: 24
Prompt: Torrid
Written For
Deadline 4 PM WDC Time 7/7
Inspiration: The Martyrdom of The Bab. For more information about His Holiness The Bab see {link:http://bahaichronicles.org/bab/}. A copy of this poem can also be found in . This is poem 28 of the 200 I... [Read more] Dawn: To The Bab July 6, 2019 at 10:43pm Dawn:
To The Bab
The first rays of dawn
Turn the clouds of morning red
Salvation proclaimed
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem 27 in the 200 I am writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab.
... [Read more] Prayer To The Bab July 6, 2019 at 10:33pm Prayer to The Bab
Oh, Thou Tree of Divine Guidance,
Thou who are the Gate to Paradise,
Help me spread the joyful tidings
That the promised one of all scriptures
Has come to unite humanity.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem 26 in the 200 I am writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab.
... [Read more] Remover of Difficulties July 6, 2019 at 8:35pm Remover of Difficulties
"Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!"
The Bab{footnote:#} Baha'i Prayers , Page 27.
Is there any Remover of difficulties save God?
My difficulties disperse
Disappear like fog at dawn
When I place them in God's hands
Say: Praised be God!
I intone my gratitude
To the Almighty
And raise my voice in praise
To the Ancient of Days
... [Read more] Religion Renewed June 26, 2019 at 8:48pm Religion Renewed
Under dogma's veils
the lamps of religion smoldered,
their light smothered
by doctrine's concealing shroud.
On the evening of May 23, 1844,
Siyyid Ali-Muhammad,
The Bab,
renewed religion.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem #24 of the 200 I wrote to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab.
... [Read more] The Connection: To The Bab June 22, 2019 at 5:56pm The Connection:
To The Bab
He is
one of the the connections,
the intermediaries,
between the Unknowable Essence of divinity
and humanity.
Like those who have gone before,
and those who will come after,
He is the mirror,
the manifestation,
of the attribute of God.
An independent prophet,
He revealed Sacred Scriptures,
renewed religion,
and foretold one greater than Himself
who would come after.
He is the door,
leading humanity
from its childhood
into its adulthoo... [Read more] Preparing The Heart June 17, 2019 at 6:40pm Preparing the Heart
"O Thou Remnant of God! I have sacrificed myself wholly for Thee; I have accepted curses for Thy sake, and have yearned for naught but martyrdom in the path of Thy love."
The Bab{footnote:#} Selections from the Writings of the Bab , page 59. {footnote:#}Quoted in The Dawn of a New Faith—and the Persecution that Followed {link:https://bahaiteachings.org/the-dawn-of-a-new-faith-and-the-persecution-that-followed} by Steve McLean.
The knowledge of H... [Read more] Unfailing Protection July 6, 2019 at 9:13pm Unfailing Protection:
Meditation on One of My Favorite Prayer Revealed by The Bab
Unfailing protection
revealed by the King of Messengers,
and written in His own hand
in the form of a pentacle.
For me,
the pentacle,
an ancient symbol of protection,
was purified
for superstition and prejudice
when His Holiness The Bab
revealed this prayer of protection.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem 21 in the 200 poems I'm writing the celebrate the Bicentenary of... [Read more] The Martyrdom of The Bab June 9, 2019 at 1:17pm The Martyrdom of The Bab
The silence
in the market square way palatable,
the crowd listen
to the last words of Siyyid Ali-Muhammad--
descend of the Prophet Muhammad
through His grandson Husayn Ali.
The crowd waited,
inhaled as The Bab
and Anis
hung suspended
before the regiment
of rifles ready
to fire.
The regiment fired,
the bodies of the The Bab
and Anis were merged.
Their deaths did not prevent
the renewal of religion
through Baha'u'llah
the promised ... [Read more] Unshelfish Prayer June 9, 2019 at 3:21pm Prayer
"The most acceptable prayer is the one offered with the utmost spirituality and radiance; its prolongation hath 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."
The Bab{footnote:#} Selections From the Writings of The Bab , 3. Excerpts from the Persian Bayán "Worship thou God in such wise that if thy worship lead..."
A bastion of faith,
unselfishly offered
with radiant j... [Read more] Who is The Bab? June 4, 2019 at 2:49pm Who is The Bab?{footnote:#}https://www.bahaiblog.net/2014/10/bab-harbinger-great-light/?fbclid=IwAR0lwR3CLFSg7Jg7XgL7hJwtsEgr_PKU-lfo_H5B_J7k2bml-Xa8rKWwsUw
He is the Primal Point,
He is the bridge between
the age of prophecy
and that of fulfillment:
the long awaited Mihdi.
He is the Primal Point,
John the Baptist come back,
herald of God's great light{footnote:#}Baha'u'llah ,
and Elijah returned:
Morning star shining bright.
He is the Primal Point,
revealer ... [Read more] Letters of the Living July 18, 2019 at 10:23pm Letters of the Living
“O thou who art the first to believe in Me! Verily I say, I am the Bab, the Gate of God, and thou art the Babu’l-Bab, the gate of that Gate. Eighteen souls must, in the beginning, spontaneously and of their own accord, accept Me and recognise the truth of My Revelation.”
The Bab{footnote:#}The Bab's words to Mulla Husayn, the first of the Letters of the Living.
Each
of the eighteen,
freed themselves
of preconceived ideas
and dogma.
The l... [Read more] Rejoice! For This Is The Immortal Youth May 21, 2019 at 7:01pm Rejoice!
For This Is The Immortal Youth
"Lo, the gates of Paradise were unlocked, and the hallowed Youth came forth bearing a serpent plain.{footnote:#}Qur'an 7:107 Rejoice! This is the immortal Youth, come with crystal waters."
Baha'u'llah{footnote:#} Days of Remembrance , Declaration of the Bab: Section 27.
Immortal youth,
Revealed in the rear sixty,{footnote:#}Refers to the Islamic date of the Bab's declaration.
Rejoice! For God's promise ... [Read more] Angels of Light Proclaim the Declaration of The Bab May 17, 2019 at 1:48pm Angels of Light
Proclaim the Declaration of The Bab
O Angel of light! Sound a blast upon the trumpet at the advent of this Revelation, for the letter Há’ hath been joined to the letter of ancient glory. Praise be to Thee, O Thou Who art “He”, O Thou besides Whom there is none but “He”!
Baha'u'llah{footnote:#} Days of Remembrance , Declaration of the Bab: Section 26
Angels of light
sounded the trumpets of dawn
and proclaimed the advent of the Bab.
... [Read more] Mausoleum of The Bab: The Queen of Carmel May 14, 2019 at 2:10pm Mausoleum of The Bab:
The Queen of Carmel
{embed:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDW50AEqhBQ}
{xlink:https://www.justsomelyrics.com/589812/bah%C3%A1%C2%B4%C3%AD-artists-queen-of-carmel-lyrics.html}lyrics
Halfway up the Mountain
the Queen of Carmel stands
her golden crown reflecting
the Glory of the Lord.
Surrounded by verdant gardens
she looks across the bay,
calling out to Zion,
she proclaims God's new day:
"The Day of Revelation."
Robed in white,
she bec... [Read more] |