Mysteries of the Great Beyond & 131st Ascension Anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh

Dr. A.  K. Merchant*

Material civilization has advanced immeasurably; astounding breakthroughs in science and technology have been achieved; the gates to the accumulated knowledge of humanity have been flung open. And principles set out by Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892) for the upliftment and progress of society and foe ending systems of domination and exclusion have come to be widely accepted. Considering that His teaching that humanity is one people, or that women are equal with men, or that education must be universal, or that rational investigation of the truth must prevail over fanciful theories and prejudices. Across all nations, a large segment of the world’s population now agree with these fundamental values. But when they were first articulated only a small number of people understood and accepted. No wonder, Baha’u’llah wrote, “the people are wandering in the path of delusion bereft of discernment to behold the Resplendent Beauty with own eyes and hear His melody with their own ears.”

From the very beginning of their spiritual mission the Avatara, Messenger, Tathagata, Tirthankara, Prophet make it clear to the peoples where They appear that this world is a snare and one should be willing to renounce it. For, real life is the life of spirit, the life in the Great Beyond.

Bahá’u’lláh, a title that means "the Glory of God", was born in Tehran, Iran. He was the son of a wealthy Minister. His family could trace its ancestry back to the Sassanian dynasty of Iran's imperial past. Bahá’u’lláh led a led a princely life as a young man, receiving an education that focused largely on calligraphy, horsemanship, classical poetry, and swordsmanship. He had wealth and fame but renounced both when the Divine summons came while He was imprisoned in a dungeon assuring Him to fear not and that as the Bearer of divine Revelation for this Age He would transform the prevailing system of antagonism and enmity among the peoples to establish a new World Order.

Bahá’u’lláh taught that all the divine Educators such as Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Sri Krishna, Buddha, Christ, prophet Muhammad and the Báb have successively prepared humanity to live in harmony and peace expanding their geographic boundaries and appreciating civilization’s positive gifts.  Bahá’u’lláh, therefore, gave the principles and basic laws for the unification of the human race in a single social Order whose boundaries are those of the planet. He wrote: “Let your vision be world embracing…” “Soon will the present-day order be rolled up and new one spread out in its stead.”

Bahá’ís  believe that the tensions and sufferings now prevailing in society are analogous to those experienced by its individual members in passing from youth to adulthood.  The human race as a distinct organic unit has passed through the stages of infancy and childhood, and is now in the culminating period of its turbulent adolescence, approaching its long- awaited coming of age. “My object,” Bahá’u’lláh wrote, “is none other than the betterment of the world and the tranquillity of its peoples. The wellbeing of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”

If the teachings brought by Bahá’u’lláh are what will enable humanity to advance to the highest levels of unity, then one must search the soul for the right response. It is the constant effort of all Bahá’is to encourage their fellow humans, regardless of age, gender, race, caste, and creed, to build capacity for systematic learning arising from the spiritual truths and accumulated store of human knowledge generated through scientific  enquiry.

On 29 May 1892 at 3:00 am when night still lay softy over day, Bahá’u’lláh drew His last breath. It was eight hours after sunset, twenty-one days after He had first fallen ill. For 74 years He had blessed the earth with His presence. Now His spirit had departed to the Great Beyond, whose mysteries cannot be unravelled by mortal men and women. (643 words)

----------------------------------

*The author is a social worker, independent researcher and an active member of the Bahá’i Community of India