May 29th Baha'i Holy Day (priests, Earth, creation, scriptures)

[arthra]

BAHA'IS COMMEMORATE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF BAHA'U'LLAH

HAIFA, Israel, 27 May 2007 (BWNS) -- On May 29, Baha'is around the
world will observe the 115th anniversary of the ascension of Baha'u'llah,
the founder of their faith.

Baha'is recognize Baha'u'llah as the divine educator who, as the one
promised in the scriptures of all the world's religions, has come to
inaugurate a new age of peace and justice for the entire human race.

Edward Granville Browne, a prominent scholar from Cambridge University,
was granted an audience with Baha'u'llah near Acre, Palestine, in 1890,
two years before Baha'u'llah's passing, and recounted the meeting this
way:

"The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot
describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power
and authority sat on that ample brow.... No need to ask in whose presence
I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion
and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain!"

Baha'u'llah passed away in the early morning of May 29, 1892, at the
age of 75.

Baha'i historian H.M. Balyuzi later wrote:

"Many there were who came to
mourn Him. They did not bear allegiance to Him, they could not see in
Him the Redeemer of Mankind, yet they knew that a great Being had gone
from their midst.

"They were from diverse backgrounds and sects and faiths and nations -
officials and leading figures and priests, learned men and poets and
men of letters, rich and poor, Druses, Sunni and Shi'ih Muslims,
Christians of diverse denominations, and Jews. From other cities renowned in
the history of the world, such as Damascus and Aleppo and Cairo, they
sent their eulogies and poems and panegyrics and tributes.

"And Baha'u'llah, at the time of His ascension, was still a prisoner of
the Turkish government."

Baha'u'llah was laid to rest in the northernmost room of a house
adjacent to where He had been living outside of Acre. The shrine is the
holiest place in the world for Baha'is - the point to which they turn in
prayer and visit on pilgrimage.



To view the photos and additional features click here:
http://news.bahai.org

[ayani]

Art- reminds me of the quote from Edward Browne:

The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power and authority sat on that ample brow.... No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain!

[arthra]

A meditation for the Ascension of Baha'u'llah from HIs Writings:

Be not dismayed, O peoples of the world, when the day star of My beauty is set, and the heaven of My tabernacle is concealed from your eyes. Arise to further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men. We are with you at all times, and shall strengthen you through the power of truth. We are truly almighty. Whoso hath recognized Me, will arise and serve Me with such determination that the powers of earth and heaven shall be unable to defeat his purpose.

The peoples of the world are fast asleep. Were they to wake from their slumber, they would hasten with eagerness unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. They would cast away everything they possess, be it all the treasures of the earth, that their Lord may remember them to the extent of addressing to them but one word. Such is the instruction given you by Him Who holdeth the knowledge of things hidden, in a Tablet which the eye of creation hath not seen, and which is revealed to none except His own Self, the omnipotent protector of all worlds. So bewildered are they in the drunkenness of their evil desires, that they are powerless to recognize the Lord of all being, Whose voice calleth aloud from every direction: “There is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the All-Wise.”

~ Baha'u'llah from Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah