Compilation on Peace Part 1

Compilation on Peace.

by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHa'U'LLaH

1: This is the Day in which G.o.d's most excellent favours have been poured...

This is the Day in which G.o.d's most excellent favours have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is inc.u.mbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness. It behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to the exaltation of their stations, and to the promotion of their best interests....

("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", rev. ed. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publis.h.i.+ng Trust, 1983), p. 6) [1]

2: G.o.d's purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to...

G.o.d's purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to liberate the children of men from the darkness of ignorance, and guide them to the light of true understanding. The second is to ensure the peace and tranquillity of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can be established.

("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", pp. 7980) [2]

3: O ye that dwell on earth! The distinguis.h.i.+ng feature that marketh the...

O ye that dwell on earth! The distinguis.h.i.+ng feature that marketh the preeminent character of this Supreme Revelation consisteth in that We have ... laid down the essential prerequisites of concord, of understanding, of complete and enduring unity. Well is it with them that keep My statutes.

("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", p. 97) [3]

4: The Great Being, wis.h.i.+ng to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and...

The Great Being, wis.h.i.+ng to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing a.s.semblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, partic.i.p.ating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world's Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure of every people, government and nation. We fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of G.o.d, may attain unto this station, and s.h.i.+eld mankind from the onslaught of tyranny. ...The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his own home. These things are obligatory and absolutely essential. It is inc.u.mbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action.... That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In another pa.s.sage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.

("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", pp. 249250) [4]

5: O ye rulers of the earth! Wherefore have ye clouded the radiance of the...

O ye rulers of the earth! Wherefore have ye clouded the radiance of the Sun, and caused it to cease from s.h.i.+ning? Hearken unto the counsel given you by the Pen of the Most High, that haply both ye and the poor may attain unto tranquillity and peace. We beseech G.o.d to a.s.sist the kings of the earth to establish peace on earth. He, verily, doth what He willeth.

O kings of the earth! We see you increasing every year your expenditures, and laying the burden thereof on your subjects. This, verily, is wholly and grossly unjust. Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive burdens on your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves; nay rather choose for them that which ye choose for yourselves. Thus We unfold to your eyes that which profiteth you, if ye but perceive. Your people are your treasures. Beware lest your rule violate the commandments of G.o.d, and ye deliver your wards to the hands of the robber. By them ye rule, by their means ye subsist, by their aid ye conquer. Yet, how disdainfull ye look y upon them! How strange, how very strange!

Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some degree better your own condition and that of your dependents.

O rulers of the earth! Be reconciled among yourselves, that ye may need no more armaments save in a measure to safeguard your territories and dominions. Beware lest ye disregard the counsel of the All-Knowing, the Faithful.

Be united, O kings of the earth, for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled amongst you, and your peoples find rest, if ye be of them that comprehend. Should any one among you take up arms against another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but manifest justice.

("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", pp. 253254) [5]

6: The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless...

The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be achieved so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed are suffered to pa.s.s unheeded.

("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", p. 286) [6]

7: We pray G.o.d-exalted be His glory-and cherish the hope that He may...

We pray G.o.d-exalted be His glory-and cherish the hope that He may graciously a.s.sist the manifestations of affluence and power and the daysprings of sovereignty and glory, the kings of the earth-may G.o.d aid them through His strengthening grace-to establish the Lesser Peace. This, indeed, is the greatest means for ensuring the tranquillity of the nations. It is inc.u.mbent upon the Sovereigns of the world-may G.o.d a.s.sist them-unitedly to hold fast unto this Peace, which is the chief instrument for the protection of all mankind. It is Our hope that they will arise to achieve what will be conducive to the well-being of man. It is their duty to convene an all-inclusive a.s.sembly, which either they themselves or their ministers will attend, and to enforce whatever measures are required to establish unity and concord amongst men. They must put away the weapons of war, and turn to the instruments of universal reconstruction. Should one king rise up against another, all the other kings must arise to deter him. Arms and armaments will, then, be no more needed beyond that which is necessary to ensure the internal security of their respective countries.

If they attain unto this all-surpa.s.sing blessing, the people of each nation will pursue, with tranquillity and contentment, their own occupations, and the groanings and lamentations of most men would be silenced. We beseech G.o.d to aid them to do His will and pleasure. He, verily, is the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below, and the Lord of this world and of the world to come. It would be preferable and more fitting that the highly-honoured kings themselves should attend such an a.s.sembly, and proclaim their edicts. Any king who will arise and carry out this task, he, verily will, in the sight of G.o.d, become the cynosure of all kings. Happy is he, and great is his blessedness!

("Epistle to the Son of the Wolf", rev. ed. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publis.h.i.+ng Trust, 1988), pp. 3031) [7]

8: The sixth Glad-Tidings is the establishment of the Lesser Peace, details...

The sixth Glad-Tidings is the establishment of the Lesser Peace, details of which have formerly been revealed from Our Most Exalted Pen. Great is the blessedness of him who upholdeth it and observeth whatsoever hath been ordained by G.o.d, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", (Wilmette: Baha'i Publis.h.i.+ng Trust, 1988), p.23) [8]

9: ... In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to...