|
The
Bahá'í Sacred Writings total nearly 100 volumes
of text. These include the Writings of the Báb,
Bahá'u'lláh and
'Abdu'l-Bahá. Their Writings constitute the core
of the Bahá'í Sacred Writings and teachings. There
are also many statements and books by the Guardian of the Faith,
Shoghi Effendi, and the Institutions of the
Bahá'í Faith.
There
is a "searchable" collection of the Bahá'í
Writings called "True
Seeker" which has been compiled by Mark Tofiq.
The
Bahá'í Library has entire copies of many Bahá'í
books on line to read. (Specific examples are found just below.)
We are grateful for their hard work making these available.
Writings
of the Báb
The
Báb is the Fore-runner of the Bahá'í
Faith. He was born in 1819 and martryed in 1850.
-
 Writings
of Bahá'u'lláh
The
Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. He lived from 1817
to 1892. His Writings are beautifully spiritual and enlightening.
-
Epistle
to the Son of the Wolf
This
was Bahá'u'lláh's last work (1892 A.D.). Bahá'u'lláh
proclaims Who He is, why He has come, affirms that God is
the source of His revelation, gives proofs of His station
and outlines His general teachings and directives.
-
-
The
Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh
This
is a marvelous collection of short verses ideal for meditation.
Bahá'u'lláh describes these as "the inner
essence" of the revelations of the Prophets, clothed
in "the garment of brevity".
-
The
Kitáb-i-Íqán
Shoghi Effendi calls this the most important Book next to
the Most Holy Book. Part one deals with the reasons for
man's opposition to the Prophets of God, the signs of the
return of Christ and interpretation of symbolic terms. Part
two deals with the nature of God and His Manifestations,
Their sovereignty, Proofs of the Báb's Revelation,
and the anticipation of His Own Revelation.
-
-
Proclamation
of Bahá'u'lláh
Contains
His summons to the kings and rulers and religious leaders
of the world and His announcement to humanity.
-
The
Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys
This is a masterpiece of mystical composition. The theme
is the journey of the soul from this world to the realms
of nearness to God. The Four Valleys is a separate work
which explains the four ways in which the Unseen is seen,
the four stages of the human heart and the four kinds of
mystic wayfarers seeking the Intended One.
-
Tablets
of Bahá'u'lláh
This
contains some celebrated works of Bahá'u'lláh
including the Tablet of Carmel, The Most Holy Tablet (also
known as the Tablet to the Christians), Glad Tidings, Tablet
of the World, and Book of the Covenant - 16 in all.
-
The
Kitáb-i-Aqdas
Bahá'u'lláh's
"Charter of His New World Order" in which He sets
forth the Laws of God for this Age and ordains the necessary
institutions through which the integrity and unity of His
Faith can alone be safeguarded. Revealed in early 1873 while
in 'Akká.
Writings
of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
'Abdu'l-Bahá is the Son of Bahá'u'lláh.
Some of His books are records of public talks He gave and
discussions with people He encountered on His travels in Paris,
London and the United States from the years 1911-1912.
-
'Abdu'l-Bahá in London
Collection
of talks given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London during the
autumn of 1911. The talks deal with a wide range of topics.
-
Foundations
of World Unity
Selections from public addresses during 'Abdu'l-Bahá's
journey through Europe and America (1911-1912) and from
letters written to friends in the West answering questions
on the theme of world unity and universal peace.
-
Memorials
of the Faithful
A
labor of love by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in remembrance of the
faithful ones who expended their lives in the path of Bahá'u'lláh.This
is filled with soul-stirring stories of the early Bahá'ís.
-
Paris
Talks
Collection
of talks given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris also during
the autumn of 1911. The talks deal with a wide range of
topics, especially the fundamental principles of the Bahá'í
Faith. Also incorporates some later addresses (up to 1913)
and letters.
-
The
Promulgation of Universal Peace
Collection
of 139 talks given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the United
States and Canada from April through December of 1912. The
talks deal with a wide range of topics, especially the fundamental
principles of the Bahá'í Faith. The addresses
are given to a very wide range of audiences. This contains
something for everyone.
-
The
Secret of Divine Civilization
A
treatise on the true nature of civilization and a blueprint
for "the future reorganization of the world".
Although originally addressed to the rulers and the peoples
of Persia, this is a timeless work emphasizing the spiritual
basis of civilization.
-
Selections
from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Compilation
of 237 letters, mostly to the early believers of the east
and west. Published to "increase the fervor" of
Bahá'ís and to "add to their perception
of that wondrous harmony of the human and divine".
-
Some
Answered Questions
A
very important work. While 'Abdu'l-Bahá was confined
to the city of 'Akká by the Turkish government, Laura
Clifford Barney posed questions, recorded answers and took
steps to ensure the accuracy of the result. These interviews
took place from 1904-1906. This is arranged in five parts:
1.
On the influence of the Prophets in the evolution of humanity
2. Some Christian Subjects
3. On the powers and conditions of the Manifestation of
God
4. On the origin, powers and conditions of man
5. Miscellaneous Subjects.
-
Tablets
of the Divine Plan
Shoghi Effendi, in God Passes By, calls these Tablets
the "mandate" and the "supreme charter
for teaching". The 14 Tablets to the Bahá'ís
of the United States, Canada and Greenland were revealed
in 1916 and 1917 as a direct consequence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's
visit to America. The world-wide teaching work for this
entire century has been guided by this lofty charter.
-
A
Travelers Narrative
A moving narrative recounting events in the life of the
Báb and His followers. One of the first books written
for the public during Bahá'u'lláh's lifetime.
-
Will
and Testament
'Abdu'l-Bahá's "Charter of a future world
civilization" that called into being, outlined the
features of, and set in motion the processes of the Bahá'í
administrative order. Shoghi Effendi says this document
"is indispensable for a complete understanding"
of the spirit, mission, and future of the Bahá'í
Cause.
Writings
of Shoghi Effendi
The institution of the Guardianship was established by 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
He appointed Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian of the Bahá'í
Faith and the only interpreter of Bahá'u'lláh's
teachings after Himself.
-
The
Advent of Divine Justice
Shoghi Effendi's celebrated letter of 1938 to the Bahá'ís
of the United States and Canada in which he sets forth
the spiritual prerequisites for success in every activity.
-
Bahá'í
Administration
Contains letters from the Guardian to the National Spiritual
Assembly or to believers in America from 1922-1932. This
work deals with overcoming problems existing among the
older religious bodies: allaying traditional suspicion
and strife, overcoming historical differences, creating
the means of mutual cooperation and fellowship for world
peace, the method of Bahá'í Administration.
-
Citadel
of Faith
Messages to America, 1947-1957. "Careful study of
these communications will impart to the reader a profound
understanding of the unique character of the mission conferred
upon the American Bahá'í Community, not
only in foreign fields but on its own home front, and
will reveal to the individual members of that favored
community a new vision of the nature of that spiritual
primacy which is their birthright."...Paul Haney
-
-
God Passes By
A history of the first 100 years of the Bahá'í
Dispensation. The first period (1844-1853) centers around
the gentle Báb. The second period (1853-1892) revolves
around Bahá'u'lláh, awesome in the majesty
of His strength, power and glory. The third period (1892-1921)
revolves around the vibrant personality of 'Abdu'l-Bahá,
mysterious in essence, unique in station, astoundingly
potent in both the charm and strength of His character.
The fourth period (1921-1944) is motivated by the forces
radiating from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá,
i.e. the founding of the Administrative Order of the Faith
of Bahá'u'lláh. Masterful work first published
in 1944.
-
Promised Day is Come
Written in 1941, this 121 page letter explains the reasons
for the world's present moral and social chaos and offers
assurance that God has not abandoned humanity. All are
reminded of their duty to accept the Manifestation of
God for this age and work towards bringing about the new
world order.
-
World
Order of Bahá'u'lláh
These letters from the Guardian comprise perhaps his most
significant letters to the world. They provide a clear
vision of the relation between the Bahá'í
community and the process of social evolution under the
Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh. It establishes
the Bahá'í Administrative Order as the nucleus
and pattern of the emerging world civilization. It discloses
the full degree to which Bahá'u'lláh's Message
applies to the entire world.
|
