presentation given by jesse villagomez at texas bahá'í school september 2010

Presentation given by Jesse Villagomez at Texas Bahá'í School September 2010

Baha’u’llah says: “is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and external conditions?”

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 240)

Isaiah "they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks, and nation shall not rise up against nation, neither shall they learn war no more?“ Isaiah 2 King James Version

Painted by Leonardo da Vinci

”Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Mark 16:15-16 (King James Version)

The disciples of Christ…scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the Divine Guidance, till at last they made the world another world, illumined the surface of the earth…Let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps!

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 442)

Christ, in His blessed day, in reality only educated eleven men…

… With this small army Christ conquered the world of the East and the West.

His name, beloved and adored by a few disciples, now commands the reverence of kings and nations of the world...The little army of disciples has become a mighty cohort of millions.

Abdu’l-Baha

2.1 billion Christians in the World Today

From 11 Apostles to

The leader of the apostles was Peter and on the night of the crucifixion… denied Christ…

(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 49)

The two great apostles, St Peter and St John the Evangelist, were once simple, humble workmen, toiling for their daily bread.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 59)

Some of them were catchers of fish. Most of them were ignorant men, not trained in the knowledge of this world. All of them were men of the least consequence in the eyes of the world… (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 5)

"Peter…was…incapable of keeping count of the days of the week. Whenever he decided to go fishing, he would tie up his weekly food into seven parcels, and every day he would eat one of them, and when he had reached the seventh, he would know that the Sabbath had arrived…" If the Son of Man was capable of infusing into apparently so crude and helpless an instrument such potency as to cause, in the words of Bahá'u'lláh, "the mysteries of wisdom and of utterance to flow out of his mouth," and to exalt him above the rest of His disciples, and render him …the founder of His Church, how much more can the Father, Who is Bahá'u'lláh, empower the most puny and insignificant among His followers to achieve… such wonders as would dwarf the mightiest achievements of even the first apostle of Jesus Christ!

(Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 214)

O ye apostles of Bahá'u'lláh, -- May my life be sacrificed for you!

…Like unto the apostles of Christ, who were filled with Him, these souls also have become filled with His Holiness Bahá'u'lláh; that is, the love of Bahá'u'lláh has so mastered every organ, part and limb of their bodies, as to leave no effect from the promptings of the human world…

Any soul from among the believers of Bahá'u'lláh who attains to this station will become known as the Apostle of Bahá'u'lláh. Therefore strive ye with heart and soul so that ye may reach this lofty and exalted position

(Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 48)

(Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 48)

“Ours is the duty to… strive to widen our vision, and to deepen our comprehension of this Cause, and to arise,…to play our part, however small, in this greatest drama of the world's spiritual history. (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 25)

"May all the privileged participators, enlisting under the banner of Bahá'u'lláh…distinguish themselves by such deeds of heroism as will rival, nay outshine, the feats accomplished nineteen hundred years ago, by that little band of God-intoxicated disciples who, fearlessly preaching the Gospelof a newly arisen Messiah, contributed so decisively to the illumination, the regeneration and the advancement of the entire European continent.“

Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 72)

six month trip across 2,000 miles of difficult country

Flys at the speed of 567 mph, it has an intercontinental range of 8,350 miles. Can accommodate up to 524 passengers.

Plan

Do Check

Act

The Apollo 11 space flight landed the first humans on Earth's Moon on July 20, 1969.

Neil Armstrong – first man on the moon.

Flys at the peed of 567 mph, it has an intercontinental range of 8,350 miles.[13] The 747-400 passenger version can accommodate up to 524 passengers.

…in 1935…Shoghi Effendi called upon national communities to adopt formal teaching plans.

He described meetings to promote world unity as “an experiment to test the efficacy of the indirect method of teaching”

Over time certain approaches – such as firesides and pioneering– proved through experiments to be more effective than others, all communities were encouraged to adopt them and they became mainstays of propagation. Pg 68 Revelation & Social Reality: Learning to Translate What Is Written into Reality.

The Beloved Guardian explained that the growth of the Faith would go through three stages

1.Steady flow of fresh recruits followed by2.Entry by troops and3.Mass Conversion

In 1996 the Universal House of Justice focusedall Bahá'ís the world over with a new course of action:

“advance in the process of entry by troops.”

Revelation & Social Reality – Learning to Translate What Is Written into Reality Pgs. 76 - 78

The Four Year Plan, the Twelve Month Plan, The Five Year Plans beginning in 2001 and 2006 and the subsequent Plans that will unfolduntil the year 2021 are a series of progressivesteps… in which the Bahá'í world is learning how to advance the process of entry by troops.

“culture of learning” Revelation & Social Reality – Learning to Translate What Is Written into Reality Pgs. 76 - 78

Process in a “culture of Learning” for the:• Individual• Institutions• Community

Plan

Do Check

Act

Study of the Writings

The Bahá'í Culture of Learning (Process)

The Word is the firstinstructor in the schoolof existence…Every word that proceedethout the mouth of God,Is endowed with suchpotency as can instill new life into everyhuman frame”

Baha’u’llah



Consultation

"The purpose of consultation is to show that the views of several individuals are assuredly preferable to one man, even as the power of a number of men is of course greater than the power of one man… Thus consultation… hath been enjoined upon the believers, so that they may confer upon ordinary and personal matters, as well as on affairs which are general in nature and universal…In short, consultation…in all things and on all issues." Abdu’l-Baha



Consultation

The attainment of any object is conditioned upon knowledge, volition and action. Unless these three conditions are forthcoming there is no execution or accomplishment.

Abdu'l-Baha

Action



ConsultationAction

Reflection

Through the faculty of meditation man attains to eternal life; through it he receives the breath of the Holy Spirit -- the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and meditation.

(Abdu'l-Baha)



ConsultationAction

Reflection

…the Cause has so many burdens to bear at this time, we are forced to do as 'Abdu'l-Bahá said -- give up the important for the most important.

(Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 117)

Say: O people, the first duty is to recognize Say: O people, the first duty is to recognize the one true God -- magnified be His glory -- the one true God -- magnified be His glory -- the second is to show forth constancy in His the second is to show forth constancy in His Cause and, after these, one's duty is to Cause and, after these, one's duty is to purify one's riches and earthly possessions purify one's riches and earthly possessions according to that which is prescribed by according to that which is prescribed by God. God.

Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’u’lláh, Huqúqu'lláh CompilationHuqúqu'lláh Compilation 2007 #2 2007 #2

What is the Huqúqu'lláh

After one has paid all his necessary expenses 19% of what is left is then taken by him and given as Huqúq.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Huqúqu’lláh, C46

AbrahamKrishnaMosesZoroasterBuddhaChristMuhammadThe Báb Bahá'u'lláh

Tithing – 10%Giving AlmsTithing – 10%Giving AlmsGiving AlmsTithing – 10%Khums – “one-fifth of wealth”Huqúqu'lláh - 19%Huqúqu'lláh - 19% after necessary expenses

God

Huqúqu’lláh is indeed a great law. It is incumbent* upon all to make this offering, because it is the source of grace, abundance, and of all good.

Bahá’u’lláh, Huqúqu’lláh, C13

The Right of God is an obligation upon everyone…

(Bahá'u'lláh, Compilations, Huqúqu'lláh p. 14)

*Meaning of incumbent: Obligatory

Huqúqu’lláh Is Incumbent Upon All

With humility before our sovereign Lord, we With humility before our sovereign Lord, we now announce that as of Ridván 1992, the now announce that as of Ridván 1992, the beginning of the Holy Year, the Law of beginning of the Holy Year, the Law of Huqúqu’lláh, the Right of God, will become Huqúqu’lláh, the Right of God, will become universally applicable. All are lovingly called to universally applicable. All are lovingly called to observe it.observe it.

The Universal House of Justice, The Universal House of Justice, Ridván MessageRidván Message, 1991, Huqúqu'lláh Compilation 2007, #28, 1991, Huqúqu'lláh Compilation 2007, #28

Payment of the Right of God is a spiritual obligation that is fulfilled voluntarily. Just as the laws of obligatory prayer, daily recitation of the Greatest Name, and fasting are left to the conscience of the believer…observance of the law of the Right of God is a devotional practice left to the faith and conscience of the individual.

To demand the Huquq is in no wise permissible….

(Compilations, Huqúqu'lláh)

Income$1000

“Necessary”

Expenses $900

Income$1000

Savings $100

Income

$1000

“Necessary” Expenses

$900

Savings $100

Income

$1000

“Necessary” Expenses

$900

$19Right of God

$81Belongs to you

Huqúqu’lláh is indeed a great law. It is incumbent* upon all to make this offering, because it is the source of grace, abundance, and of all good.


The Right of God is an obligation upon everyone…

(Bahá'u'lláh, Compilations, Huqúqu'lláh p. 14)

*Meaning of incumbent: Obligatory

Huqúqu’lláh Is Incumbent Upon All

$4000 Income with

“necessary”

expensesof $4000

Person calculates to see if they owe the Right of God

Has this person observed the law of the Right of God?

$4000 Income

unknown amount of necessary expenses

Person does not calculate to see if they owe Right of God

Has this person observed the law of the Right of God?

Savings of$5,000

Person “A”

Savings of$5,000

Person “B”

Should a man wish to adorn himself with the ornaments of the earth, to wear its apparels, or partake of the benefits it can bestow, no harm can befall him, if he alloweth nothing whatever to intervene between him and God, for God hath ordained every good thing, whether created in the heavens or in the earth, for such of His servants as truly believe in Him.

... we wish to let you know that in these days it is not deemed advisable to enact detailed rulings for Huqúqu’lláh. Thus the friends are left free, and whenever no definite rulings exist they may fulfil in each case that which they understand from the texts, and may honour their Huqúqu’lláh obligations according to their own judgement and the promptings of their own conscience.

The Universal House of Justice, Huqúqu’lláh, C62

Who Decides What is a Necessary Expense?

...the Huqúq offering is but a test applied by Him unto His servants and maidservants.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Huqúqu’lláh, C26 [75]

Huqúq offering is a test

…with fire We test the gold, and with gold We test Our servants.

Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words, Arabic #55

Right of God Takes Priority to Donations to Bahá'í FundsContributions to the funds of the Faith cannot be considered as part of one’s payment of Huqúqu’lláh; moreover, if one owes Huqúqu’lláh and cannot afford both to pay it and to make contributions to the Fund, the payment of Huqúqu’lláh should take priority over making contributions.


Thou hast asked which is to take precedence: the Huququ'lláh, the debts of the deceased, or the cost of burial. It is God's command that the cost of burial take precedence, then payment of debts, then the Right of God. The settlement of debts is a most important command set forth in the Book. Well is it with him who ascendeth unto God, without any obligations to Huququ'lláh and to His servants.

(Compilations, Huququ'llah)

What is the priority of debts & the Right of God

Give them [the children] the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge…Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their lives to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that will benefit mankind.

(Abdu'l-Bahá, in Bahá'í Education: Compilation, p. 30)

Methods for Calculating the Right of God

The minimum amount subject to Huqúqu’lláh is reached when one’s possessions are worth the number of Váhid (19); that is, whenever one owneth 19 mithqáls of gold, or acquireth possessions attaining this value, after having deducted therefrom the yearly expenses, the Huqúq becometh applicable and its payment is obligatory.


After one has paid all his necessary expenses 19% of what is left is then taken by him and given as Huqúq.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Huqúqu’lláh, C46

October, 2009 Understanding the Huqúqu'lláh


Nothing that existeth in the world of being hath ever been or ever will be worthy of mention. However, if a person be graciously favoured to offer a penny-worth—Nay—even less…, this would in His sight be…superior to all the treasures of the earth…Beesch ye God that He may enable everyone to discharge the obligation of the Huqúq…

(Baha’u’llah Compilations, Huququ'llah)




ConsultationAction

Reflection

The time and conditions of payment are left to each individual.


If one spontaneously offereth Huqúq with the utmost joy and radiance it will be acceptable, and not otherwise.

Bahá’u’lláh, C27

It is clear and evident that the payment of It is clear and evident that the payment of the Right of God is conducive to prosperity, the Right of God is conducive to prosperity, to blessing, and to honour and divine to blessing, and to honour and divine protection.protection.

Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’u’lláh, Huqúqu'lláh Compilation 2007, #12Huqúqu'lláh Compilation 2007, #12



ConsultationAction

Reflection

The institution of Huqúqu’lláh will, during the course of this Dispensation, contribute to the spiritualization of humanity through the promotion of a new attitude to the acquisition and use of material resources. It will provide the material resources necessary for great collective enterprises designed to improve all aspects of life, and will be a powerful element in the growth of a world civilization.


Isaiah "they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks, and nation shall not rise up against nation, neither shall they learn war no more?“ Isaiah 2 King James Version

Painted by Leonardo da Vinci

presentation given by jesse villagomez at texas bahá'í school september 2010

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abdulbaha slide

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world abdulbaha

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human world

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