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 |
Inspiration March 11, 2022 at 4:30pm Inspiration
I nscribed by the Pen of Glory{footnote:#}Baha'u'llah ,
N ew perceptions of unity--
S weet tones of the Most Exalted--
P roclaims humanity's oneness,
I mpels gender equality;
R eligion's foundation one.
A nnounce God's new revelation,
T o the Children of the Book.
I ntone a prayer of thanksgiving;
O h, raise your voices in praise
N ow is the time for unity.
... [Read more] Hallelujah February 24, 2022 at 9:58pm Hallelujah
Ayyam-i-Ha is celebrated between sunset on February 24 to sunset on March 1.
H allelujah! Ayyam-i-Ha is here!
A re your ready to spread joy and cheer?
L ift up your voices in exaltation,
L iven up the Intercalary Days with celebration,
E xpress your gratitude to the Blessed Beauty,
L ight up the Days of Ha with service to humanity,
U se these days to give gift of your time,
J oy that will be remembered for a lifetime.
A re your ready to spread joy and ... [Read more] My Heart Listens and Speaks February 8, 2022 at 8:59pm My Heart Listens and Speaks
The heart needing love
listened for the melody
of the Nightingale{footnote:#}One of the title of Baha'u'llah singing
in the Garden of Paradise.
My heart filled with light
and begin to speak
about the Glory of God{footnote:#}Meaning of Baha'u'llah. .
My heart continues
to listen to the Nightingale's song,
and to speak
through my poems and prose.
... [Read more] The Call of the Divine Beloved February 7, 2022 at 5:50pm The Call of the Divine Beloved
God in His {footnote:#} The Call of the Divine Beloved , Page 22 line 3. splendor
calls humanity to step
onto the path of search
for the Kaaba
of the Love of God.
... [Read more] I Will Follow Baha'u'llah February 7, 2022 at 1:19pm I Will Follow Baha'u'llah
I will follow Baha'u'llah
on the path of certitude
that leads through the valley of shadows
and up the mountains of tests
into the garden of paradise.
I will walk with Baha'u'llah,
through storms and calm,
along the road of faith
and into the spiritual realm.
... [Read more] Revival February 7, 2022 at 12:16pm Revival
R efresh yourself with God's living word
E very morning and evening.
V erbalizes your praise and gratitude,
I ntone prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah,
V oice your joy for Christ returned,
A rrived in the Father's Glory,
L aid down the prerequisites for world peace.
... [Read more] Arise January 30, 2022 at 1:21pm Arise
Arise and inhale
the fragrance of grace
from the hyacinths of paradise,
which the Holy Spirit wafts
across the planet.
Arise to glory
by proclaiming the oneness
of humanity.
Arise to splendor
for Baha'u'llah,
the Prince of Peace,
has come.
Arise,
O denizens of Earth,
and join together--
as one family--
in love and harmony.
Arise and worship God
in your service
to your fellowman.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Inspired by the writing of... [Read more] The Healer January 28, 2022 at 6:07pm The Healer
"He is the Healer," {footnote:#}{link:http://www.bahaiprayers.org/healing6.htm}
He soothes the pain of our souls
with the elixir of life.
"He is the Healer,"
He sends Divine Physicians
to minister to our wounded spirits.
"He is the Healer,"
He gives sight and hearing
to our souls eyes and ears.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}Inspired by the healing prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah. ... [Read more] Hasten to Proclaim January 27, 2022 at 1:05pm Hasten to Proclaim
Hasten to proclaim
the name of Baha'u'llah,
the Glory of God.
Hasten to proclaim
the glad tiding of God's love
shining across the planet.
Hasten to proclaim
that the Lord of Host has come
to unite humanity.
Hasten to proclaim
the joyful tidings that peace
will illuminate the Earth.
Hasten to proclaim
the glorious news that the
Prince of Peace has come.
Hasten to proclaim
that the Spirit of Truth is
the Glory of God.
{dropnot... [Read more] Walking With Baha'u'llah January 22, 2022 at 1:12pm Walking With Baha'u'llah
With Baha'u'llah,
I will never walk alone
through the valley of shadows
as I march toward my home.
The Glory of God is with me,
in my trek through matters domain,
He will remain by my side
even when my soul ascends
to the spiritual plain.
... [Read more] Humanity January 18, 2022 at 4:55pm Humanity
Written while listening to the prayers of the Bab and Baha'u'llah, set to music.
We are eagles ascending,
flying out of the darkness
into the light of a new day.
We are children of the Great Spirit,
coming together
in the dawn.
Our prayers give us wings
that carry us above
the walls of separation.
... [Read more] The Tongue of Poets January 22, 2022 at 7:30pm The Tongue of Poets
"Treasures lie hidden beneath the throne of God;
the key to those treasures is the tongue of poets."
Tradition quoted by the Bab
The tongues of poets' are their pens,
metaphor and simile the ink,
that lets them reveal
in line and stanza,
in rhythm and rhyme
the divine gems
concealed beneath God's throne.
... [Read more] The Candle's Sacrifice January 14, 2022 at 12:59pm The Candle's Sacrifice
"Behold the candle how it gives its light. It weeps its life away drop by drop in order to give foth its flame of light"
'Abdu'l-Baha{footnote:#} Vignettes , page 12
Drop by drop the candle bleeds
offering up its life
as a sacrifice.
Drops of wax descend,
as the flame burns clear and bright;
illuminating the night.
O Lord, let my odes
be candles to humanity
lighting the darkness
with the radiance of unity.
... [Read more] A Poet's Destiny January 14, 2022 at 12:41pm A Poet's Destiny
"Nothing has been created without a special destiny, for every creature has an innate station of attainment."
'Abdu'l-Baha{footnote:#} The Covenant of Baha'u'llah , page viii (1950)
What is a poet's special destiny?
To share their visions with humanity!
We give praise to God through our poetry,
In lines of metaphor and simile.
In stanza and line, we express gratitude,
While writing in a prayerful attitude.
... [Read more] Meditation on Heavenly Melodies January 13, 2022 at 3:26pm Meditation on Heavenly Melodies
I wrote this poem while listening to prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah and the Bab being sung.
Remember blessings
and the divine melody
the nightingale sings.
Wondrous beauty
revealed to Baha'u'llah
His sacred mission.
People of the book
rise out of your sepulchers
proclaiming God's names.
Paradise descends
out of the heaven of love
with the Promised one.
... [Read more] Raining Down January 12, 2022 at 12:30pm Raining Down:
Written after Reading and Meditating on
"The Clouds from the Realm Above" {footnote:#}Located in The Call of the Divine Beloved , pages 3-7.
I meditate on
the clouds that are raining down
the anthems of peace.
Behold the starlings
their radiant wings reflecting
the light raining down.
Clouds are raining down
the perfume of God's new day;
resurrection's musk.
... [Read more] Baha'u'llah's House January 9, 2022 at 5:13pm Baha'u'llah's House
Welcome to Baha'u'llah's house!
Please enter in love,
for love is the cause of creation
and this is a house of love.
Please join us in prayer,
for this is a house of prayer,
of service to humanity.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}I begin this poem sometime in 156 B.E. I finally finished it this year.
... [Read more] Echoes of Faith: Progressive Revelation December 31, 2021 at 4:05pm Echoes of Faith:
Progressive Revelation
I hear the echoes of faith--
of "God does whatsoever He will!" --
reverberating through the temples of religion.
I see the light--
of "There is no God but God!" --
reflected from mirrors Divine Manifestation:
Krishna,
Zoroaster,
Abraham,
Moses,
Buddha,
Christ,
Muhammad,
the Bab,
and Baha'u'llah.
I hear the echoes of faith--
of "God will not be ask of His doings!" --
reverberating th... [Read more] Divine Physician: To Baha'u'llah December 26, 2021 at 1:59pm Divine Physician
To Baha'u'llah
He is the All-Wise physician,
who has come to heal humanity
of the cancer of hate and disunity.
He is the voice of God,
proclaiming a New Earth and a New Heaven
renewing the foundation of religion.
... [Read more] The Central Figures December 18, 2021 at 5:33pm The Central Figures
The Bab
He is the first rays of dawn,
the herald of a new day,
the gate to world peace and unity,
and the forerunner of the Glory of God{footnote:#}Baha'u'llah .
Baha'u'llah
He is the light that shines in the darkness,
the lamp lit by the Holy Spirit,
the Sun of Baha,
whose setting was not followed by night.
'Abdu'l-Baha
"What would The Master{footnote:#}One of the titles of 'Abdu'l-Baha. do?... [Read more] The Pivot of Unity: The Covenant of Baha'u'llah December 5, 2021 at 4:50pm The Pivot of Unity:
The Covenant of Baha'u'llah
Waves of splendor flow
Illuminating the night
With divine scriptures
... [Read more] Lean On Me: To 'Abdu'l-Baha November 24, 2021 at 2:32pm Lean On Me:
To 'Abdu'l-Baha
He said,
"Lean on me,
for I will be with you always."
He is ready
to come to our aid
from the Abha paradise,
all we have to do
is to humbly ask
for his the assistance
in our efforts
to proclaim Baha'u'llah's
glorious name.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem #100 of the 100 poems I am writing for the Centenary of the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha.
... [Read more] 'Abdu'l-Baha's Legacy November 23, 2021 at 4:36pm 'Abdu'l-Baha's Legacy
Unselfish service to the Ancient Beauty{footnote:#}One of Baha'u'llah's titles.
demonstrated in his daily life
through assistance to the indigent,
homeless, and poverty-stricken.
His explanations
and interpretations
of the revelation
of Baha'u'llah,
that are found in
the letters
and the books he wrote.
The transcripts of the talks he gave
on his journey through Europe
and America.
The written memories
of those ... [Read more] The Purpose of Life: To 'Abdu'l-Baha November 22, 2021 at 2:46pm The Purpose of Life:
To 'Abdu'l-Baha
To promote the oneness of humanity
through benevolent service
to humankind.
He fed the hungry,
purchased coats for the freezing,
and nursed the sick
no matter what their religion,
the color of their skin,
or the nation of their birth
each day of his earthly life.
Through word and deed
he lived the purpose of life.
{dropnote:"Poet's Note:"}This is poem #98 of the 100 I am writing for the Centenary of the Ascensi... [Read more] Exemplar: To 'Abdu'l-Baha November 21, 2021 at 2:45pm Exemplar:
To 'Abdu'l-Baha
Inspired by {xlink:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRE8vDU_ufs}Exemplar .
Each time I view the documentary
my love for 'Abdu'l-Baha increase,
and my desire to proclaim
the glorious news to humanity
of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah.
I listen to the speaker
talk about the one
who Baha'u'llah announced
as the shelter to all humanity.
'Abdu'l-Baha--
Servant of Glory--
gave assistance to the poor,
anno... [Read more] |