Chapter 1

A Compilaton on Scholarship

by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Edition 1, (September 2006)

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CONTENTS

Baha'i Terms of Use [Letter to selected National Spiritual Assemblies] EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH AND 'ABDU'L-BAHA AND FROM THE LETTERS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI AND THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE ON SCHOLARSHIP 1. THE STATION OF SCHOLARSHIP 1.1 Importance of Knowledge and Learning From the Writings of Baha'u'llah 1: "Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon..." 2: "Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its..." From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha 3: "Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day, and..." 4: "...I most urgently request the friends of God to make every effort, as much..." 5: "All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this..." From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 6: "...Baha'u'llah considered education as one of the most fundamental factors..." 1.2 Characteristics of the "truly learned" From the Writings of Baha'u'llah 7: "Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Baha. By the Lord! Ye are..." 8: "The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage..." 9: "Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My Revelation, and..." 10: "Consider, how can he that faileth in the day of God's Revelation..." From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha 11: "...there are those famed and accomplished men of learning, possessed of..." From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 12: "In connection with the question as to whether Baha'is should be familiar..." 13: "The Cause needs more Baha'i scholars, people who not only are devoted..." 1.3 Scope of "Baha'i Scholarship" From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice 14: "At this early stage in the development of the Faith, it would not..." 1.4 Appreciation of Scholarship From the Writings of Baha'u'llah 15: "Respect ye the divines and learned amongst you, they whose conduct accords..." 16: "O people of God! Righteous men of learning who dedicate themselves to..." 17: "Beware, O My loved ones, lest ye despise the merits of My learned servants..." From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha 18: "...the religion of God is the promoter of truth, the founder of science and..." 19: "There are certain pillars which have been established as the unshakeable..." From a Letter Written by Shoghi Effendi 20: "The responsibilities of the members of the Spiritual Assemblies that are..." 2. FUNCTIONS OF BAHA'I SCHOLARSHIP 2.1 Promotion of Human Welfare From the Writings of Baha'u'llah 21: "The Great Being saith: The learned of the day must direct the people to..." 22: "True learning is that which is conducive to the well-being of the world, not..." From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha 23: "The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of education...." From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 24: "The news of the co-operation of the Baha'i young men and women in..." From a Letter of the Universal House of Justice 25: "The further emergence of the Faith from obscurity is reflected in distinctive..." 2.2 Defence of the Faith From the Writings of Baha'u'llah 26: "If any man were to arise to defend, in his writings, the Cause of God against..." From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha 27: "The second of these spiritual standards which apply to the possessor of..." From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 28: "Shoghi Effendi was delighted to hear of your conversation with Sir ......." 29: "There is an answer in the teachings for everything; unfortunately the..." 2.3 Expansion and Consolidation of the Baha'i Community From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha 30: "Pure souls, such as Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, upon him be the Glory of God,..." From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 31: "We had heard through various channels the wonderful way your children had..." 32: "The university training which you are receiving at present will be of immense..." 33: "Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful scholars of its..." 34: "If the Baha'is want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they need to..." From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice 35: "The Universal House of Justice ... regards Baha'i scholarship as of..." 2.4 Contribution to Scholarly Development From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 36: "He was very happy to hear from you, and to see with what keen appreciation..." 37: "Regarding the advice you requested from him concerning what studies you..." From Letters Written by or on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice 38: "You are already a qualified practitioner in your field, and no doubt you..." 39: "As the Baha'i community grows it will acquire experts in numerous fields..." 40: "Indeed, let them [the Baha'i youth] welcome with confidence the challenges..." 41: "The House of Justice recognizes that the questions you raise, concerning..." 3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES 3.1 Spiritual Foundation From the Writings of Baha'u'llah 42: "Therefore, hath it been said: "Knowledge is a light which God casteth into..." 43: "We have decreed, O people, that the highest and last end of all learning..." From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha 44: "Although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest glory of..." 45: "And every branch of learning, conjoined with the love of God, is approved..." 46: "Scientific knowledge is the highest attainment upon the human plane,..." From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 47: "Between the truth which comes from God through His Prophets, and the..." From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice 48: "Just as there is a fundamental difference between divine Revelation itself..." 49: "The combination of absolute loyalty to the Manifestation of God and..." 50: "The House of Justice suggests that the issues raised in your letter..." 3.2 "Useful" Sciences From the Writings of Baha'u'llah 51: "It is permissible to study sciences and arts, but such sciences as are..." From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha 52: "The individual should, prior to engaging in the study of any subject, ask..." From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 53: "The choice you have made for your course of study is surely most..." 54: "Philosophy, as you will study it and later teach it, is certainly not..." From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice 55: "In response to your letter of ... in which you seek guidance on the..." 3.3 Attitudes of the Scholar From the Writings of Baha'u'llah 56: "Amongst the people is he whose learning hath made him proud, and who hath..." 57: "Show forbearance and benevolence and love to one another. Should any..." 58: "Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay, strive to make him aware of the truth..." 59: "Warn, O Salman, the beloved of the one true God, not to view with too..." From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha 60: "Good behaviour and high moral character must come first, for unless the..." From Letters Written by or on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice 61: "...the believers must recognize the importance of intellectual honesty and..." 62: "When studying at school or university Baha'i youth will often find..." 63: "The House of Justice agrees that it is most important for the believers,..." 64: "The House of Justice feels that Baha'i scholars must beware of the..." 3.4 Methodological Issues 65: "Weigh not the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current..." 66: "When the eyes of the people of the East were captivated by the arts..." From the Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha 67: "There are only four accepted methods of comprehension--that is to say,..." From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice 68: "The concern was expressed that many of the friends, holding that there..." 69: "The House of Justice had hoped that the publication of the statement..." 70: "From your letter the House of Justice understands that you desire to..." 71: "The principal concern of the House of Justice is over a methodological..." 3.5 The Covenant From Letters Written by or on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 72: "Concerning the course of study you may follow:.... The Cause is..." 73: "The Guardian feels that a sound knowledge of history, including religious..." 75: "It seems what we need now is a more profound and co-ordinated Baha'i..." 76: "He was very pleased to hear you do a lot of lecturing for the Cause; this..." From Communications of the Universal House of Justice 77: "In the field of Baha'i scholarship we feel that it is most important not..." 78: "There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from this time..."

[LETTER TO SELECTED NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES]

10 February 1995

To selected National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha'i Friends,

We have been asked by the Universal House of Justice to send you the enclosed copy of a compilation on scholarship prepared recently at its request by the Research Department at the Baha'i World Centre.

It is the hope of the House of Justice that a study of this compilation will serve as a stimulus and a guide in the further development of Baha'i scholarship, and that the unique features of this vital aspect of Baha'i activity will be clarified through a perusal of its contents.

The House of Justice calls upon the members of the community of the Greatest Name, young and old, men and women alike, to strive to develop and offer to humanity a new model of scholarly activity along the lines set out in this compilation, animated by the spirit of inquiry into the limitless meaning of the Divine Teachings. This scholarly endeavour should be characterized by the welcome it offers to all who wish to be involved in it, each in his or her own way, by mutual encouragement and cooperation among its participants, and by the respect accorded to distinguished accomplishment and outstanding achievement. The spirit and approach should be far removed from the arrogance, contention, and exclusiveness which have too often sullied the name of scholarship in the wider society, and which have created barriers to the sound development of this worthy pursuit.

It is left to your discretion to determine the use you should make of the enclosed material.

With loving Baha'i greetings, For Department of the Secretariat

Enclosure

cc: The Hands of the Cause of God International Teaching Centre Counsellors

EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH AND 'ABDU'L-BAHA AND FROM THE LETTERS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI AND THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE ON SCHOLARSHIP

Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice February 1995

1. THE STATION OF SCHOLARSHIP

1.1 Importance of Knowledge and Learning

From the Writings of Baha'u'llah

1: "Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon..."

Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen--a Pen out of whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of the world are brought to light.

("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1988), p. 39) [1]

2: "Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its..."

Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world.... In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in this Most Great Prison.

("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", pp. 51-52) [2]

From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha

3: "Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day, and..."

Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day, and strain every nerve to carry forward the divine civilization....

Included must be promotion of the arts, the discovery of new wonders, the expansion of trade, and the development of industry. The methods of civilization and the beautification of the country must also be encouraged; and also to be inculcated is absolute obedience to the Government and total avoidance of any trace of sedition.

(From a Tablet, translated from the Persian) [3]

4: "...I most urgently request the friends of God to make every effort, as much..."

...I most urgently request the friends of God to make every effort, as much as lieth within their competence, along these lines. The harder they strive to widen the scope of their knowledge, the better and more gratifying will be the result. Let the loved ones of God, whether young or old, whether male or female, each according to his capabilities, bestir themselves and spare no efforts to acquire the various current branches of knowledge, both spiritual and secular, and of the arts.

(From a Tablet, translated from the Arabic) [4]

5: "All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this..."

All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this power of intellectual investigation and research, which is an eternal gift producing fruits of unending delight. Man is ever partaking of these fruits. All other blessings are temporary; this is an everlasting possession. Even sovereignty has its limitations and overthrow; this is a kingship and dominion which none may usurp or destroy. Briefly, it is an eternal blessing and divine bestowal, the supreme gift of God to man. Therefore, you should put forward your most earnest efforts toward the acquisition of science and arts. The greater your attainment, the higher your standard in the divine purpose. The man of science is perceiving and endowed with vision, whereas he who is ignorant and neglectful of this development is blind. The investigating mind is attentive, alive; the callous and indifferent mind is deaf and dead. A scientific man is a true index and representative of humanity, for through processes of inductive reasoning and research he is informed of all that appertains to humanity, its status, conditions and happenings. He studies the human body politic, understands social problems and weaves the web and texture of civilization. In fact, science may be likened to a mirror wherein the infinite forms and images of existing things are revealed and reflected. It is the very foundation of all individual and national development. Without this basis of investigation, development is impossible. Therefore, seek with diligent endeavour the knowledge and attainment of all that lies within the power of this wonderful bestowal.

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1982), p. 50) [5]

From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi

6: "...Baha'u'llah considered education as one of the most fundamental factors..."

...Baha'u'llah considered education as one of the most fundamental factors of a true civilization. This education, however, in order to be adequate and fruitful, should be comprehensive in nature and should take into consideration not only the physical and the intellectual side of man but also his spiritual and ethical aspects.

(9 July 1931 to an individual believer) [6]

1.2 Characteristics of the "truly learned"

From the Writings of Baha'u'llah

7: "Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Baha. By the Lord! Ye are..."

Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Baha. By the Lord! Ye are the billows of the Most Mighty Ocean, the stars of the firmament of Glory, the standards of triumph waving betwixt earth and heaven. Ye are the manifestations of steadfastness amidst men and the daysprings of Divine Utterance to all that dwell on earth.

(The Kitab-i-Aqdas, paragraph 173) [7]

8: "The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage..."

The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage endowed with penetrating wisdom are the two eyes to the body of mankind. God willing, the earth shall never be deprived of these two greatest gifts.

("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p. 171) [8]

9: "Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My Revelation, and..."

Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My Revelation, and drunk from the Ocean of My knowledge, and soared in the atmosphere of My love, and cast away all else besides Me, and taken firm hold on that which hath been sent down from the Kingdom of My wondrous utterance. He, verily, is even as an eye unto mankind, and as the spirit of life unto the body of all creation. Glorified be the All-Merciful Who hath enlightened him, and caused him to arise and serve His great and mighty Cause. Verily, such a man is blessed by the Concourse on high, and by them who dwell within the Tabernacle of Grandeur, who have quaffed My sealed Wine in My name, the Omnipotent, the All-Powerful.

("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", pp. 207-208) [9]

10: "Consider, how can he that faileth in the day of God's Revelation..."

Consider, how can he that faileth in the day of God's Revelation to attain unto the grace of the "Divine Presence" and to recognize His Manifestation, be justly called learned, though he may have spent aeons in the pursuit of knowledge, and acquired all the limited and material learning of men? It is surely evident that he can in no wise be regarded as possessed of true knowledge. Whereas, the most unlettered of all men, if he be honoured with this supreme distinction, he verily is accounted as one of those divinely-learned men whose knowledge is of God; for such a man hath attained the acme of knowledge, and hath reached the furthermost summit of learning.

("The Kitab-i-Iqan" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1983), pp. 145-146) [10]

From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha

11: "...there are those famed and accomplished men of learning, possessed of..."

...there are those famed and accomplished men of learning, possessed of praiseworthy qualities and vast erudition, who lay hold on the strong handle of the fear of God and keep to the ways of salvation. In the mirror of their minds the forms of transcendent realities are reflected, and the lamp of their inner vision derives its light from the sun of universal knowledge. They are busy by night and by day with meticulous research into such sciences as are profitable to mankind, and they devote themselves to the training of students of capacity. It is certain that to their discerning taste, the proffered treasures of kings would not compare with a single drop of the waters of knowledge, and mountains of gold and silver could not outweigh the successful solution of a difficult problem. To them, the delights that lie outside their work are only toys for children, and the cumbersome load of unnecessary possessions is only good for the ignorant and base. Content, like the birds, they give thanks for a handful of seeds, and the song of their wisdom dazzles the minds of the world's most wise....

...the happiness and greatness, the rank and station, the pleasure and peace, of an individual have never consisted in his personal wealth, but rather in his excellent character, his high resolve, the breadth of his learning, and his ability to solve difficult problems....

For every thing, however, God has created a sign and symbol, and established standards and tests by which it may be known. The spiritually learned must be characterized by both inward and outward perfections; they must possess a good character, an enlightened nature, a pure intent, as well as intellectual power, brilliance and discernment, intuition, discretion and foresight, temperance, reverance, and a heartfelt fear of God. For an unlit candle, however great in diameter and tall, is no better than a barren palm tree or a pile of dead wood....

An authoritative Tradition states: "As for him who is one of the learned:(1) he must guard himself, defend his faith, oppose his passions and obey the commandments of his Lord. It is then the duty of the people to pattern themselves after him."

("The Secret of Divine Civilization" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1990), pp. 21-22; pp. 23-24; pp. 33-34) [11]

From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi

12: "In connection with the question as to whether Baha'is should be familiar..."