The Bahá’í Faith teachings emphasize that each person is in charge of his or her own spiritual development. While institutions exist to guide and release energies, and Bahá’í community life is to be characterized by an atmosphere of cordial consultation and encouragement, the responsibility for spiritual growth ultimately rests with each individual.
The Bahá’í Faith began in Persia in 1844 when a few people recognized The Báb’s message and Bahá’u’lláh. There are more than 100,000 localities throughout the world with millions of members.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh has written the following and it best sums up the purpose of being a Bahá’í:
“See ye no strangers; rather see all men as friends, for love and unity come hard when ye fix your gaze on otherness. … For each of the creatures is a sign of God, and it was by the grace of the Lord and His power that each did step into the world; therefore they are not strangers, but in the family; not aliens, but friends, and to be treated as such.”
To investigate more about the Bahá’í Faith and to learn about Community life, Walking a Spiritual Path, What Bahá’ís Believe and the Training Institute please visit www.bahai.org.
