Study
& Education
One of the main tenets
of the Bahá'í Faith is "Independent Investigation of the Truth."
It means that individuals are responsible for researching and discovering
the truth for themselves. Not relying on others to inform us of
the Word of God. Bahá'u'lláh states in his Tablet to a true seeker:
"O My brother! When a true seeker determineth
to take the step of search in the path leading unto the knowledge
of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse his
heart, which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries
of God, from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and
the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy. He must purge
his breast, which is the sanctuary of the abiding love of the
Beloved, of every defilement, and sanctify his soul from all
that pertaineth to water and clay, from all shadowy and ephemeral
attachments. He must so cleanse his heart that no remnant of
either love or hate may linger therein, lest that love blindly
incline him to error, or that hate repel him away from the truth."
-- Bahá'u'lláh
Another fundamental Bahá'í Principle is "Universal Compulsory
Education."
"Bahá'u'lláh has announced that inasmuch
as ignorance and lack of education are barriers of separation
among mankind, all must receive training and instruction. Through
this provision the lack of mutual understanding will be remedied
and the unity of mankind furthered and advanced. Universal education
is a universal law".
-- 'Abdu'l-Bahá
"The Promulgation of Universal Peace"
Bahá'ís believe that education should become universal and should
incorporate moral and spiritual values. It should be offered equally
to boys and girls and be made compulsory by the governments of the
world. Education should go beyond mere rote learning in order to
provide students with the tools to analyze social conditions; take
part in community planning and action; and allow them to investigate
truth on their own.
Bahá'u'lláh places great importance on learning. He said that everyone--men
and women, rich and poor--should receive an education. Universal
education will enable each person to read the sacred Writings and
to search for truth without having to depend on what friends or
neighbors say. It will also give each person the chance to learn
skills that will help him earn a living and thus fulfill the Bahá'í
obligation to work.
Schools can help one learn to read, learn the skills necessary
to earn a living, and learn about arts and sciences. Such learning
is an important kind of education, but there is another kind: Spiritual
education--learning about one's self, about God, and about the purpose
of one's life--is equally important because it gives direction and
purpose to everything one does. "The source of all learning," Bahá'u'lláh
writes, "is the knowledge of God."
Parents are responsible for the education of their children. If
they cannot afford to educate them, the Community must. Great attention
must be given to the Spiritual education of children because the
values and morals they receive will guide them the rest of their
lives.
Bahá'u'lláh commands that children be taught "the principles of
religion, so that the Promise and the Threat, recorded in the Books
of God, may prevent them from the things forbidden" He describes
reward and retribution, or punishment, as the "two pillars" that
uphold justice and also as "two fountains for the life of the people
of the world." Children who understand the rewards of obedience
to God and the punishments for disobedience are better prepared
to face the challenges and tests of life. They have a moral compass
to guide them. Train up a child in the Way he should go," the Bible
says, "and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Children
must also be taught that working to support themselves is an obligation,
and they must be encouraged to learn a trade or profession.
With the continuing concern about the wise use of natural resources,
it is important to remember Bahá'u'lláh's statement that man himself
is full of hidden talents and potential that only education can
uncover: "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value.
Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable
mankind to benefit therefrom."
More Bahá'í Writings on the subject of education have been compiled
by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and
are available at the Bahá'í
Library online.
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