Bahaipedia:Reference desk/Archive 1

Translation of Writings

The main page, today, has the following beside a photograph: "Built in the third stage of the building of the Arc, the Centre for the Study of the Sacred Texts is the base of the scholars and translators who study and translate the Bahá’í texts to assist the Universal House of Justice."

How can the present administration translate the sacred texts without the infallibility of a Guardian to interpret the writings? Any "interpretation" done now can only be a guess! - User:Baha'sManServant

Hi, there is no longer any interpretation of the Writings. The present work of translation involves, to my understanding, the arduous task of finding an example of how Shoghi Effendi translated [insert whatever you're trying to translate]. So for particular words or phrases the translators will look to see how Shoghi Effendi translated those things in other places and use those translations. David 20:13, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

Shoghi Effendi had so much to do...he answered every letter written to him. He managed the entire faith. He restored properties. He designed gardens. We are told that the Holy writings of the Baha'i Faith are more than a hundred volumes, including those of The Bab, Baha'u'llah, and Abdul-Baha. Shoghi Effendi could not, possibly, have translated enough things to have every possible word or phrase available to modern translators...so what do we Do in the case of an, as yet, untranslated tablet which does not contain words already interpreted by Shoghi Effendi?

Yes, you're right. And perhaps that is part of the reason we don't have more of the original writings available to us in English. I don't have an answer for you but if you are still curious you can try asking at the bahai-library.com forum. Best, David 23:32, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

A dream someone had ...

Hello -

I'm looking for a story of a dream one of the Friends had of the Master - it's likely in one of the older books. I don't have much to go by, but here's the scenario:

The author <dreamer> and the Master are on a hill of some sort. All around, there is mud and humanity struggling to get to where they are, pleading for some kind of rescue, any sort of help. The dreamer turns to the Master, and pleads with Him, asking why these poor souls cannot be aided. The Master replies <gist> 'But we are helping - we are building a world in which this suffering will no longer be happening ...' Something to that affect.

Since my information is so sketchy, it's been a difficult slog through the 'index' sections of several books, including Balyuzi's book. Any help would be appreciated ...

Marty Flick San Mateo, CA

Hi Marty,

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for but the theme is similar:

“ Ruhiyyih Khanum said she had a dream one night: she dreamed that the dam had burst and that there was a great flood, She rushed down to the water's edge to try to save someone, but the current swept them past. She reached out to try to grasp and save another. She grasped one by the hair, and, with great effort, brought that one to shore. Then she tried to reach another, but the current swept him by. She looked up at the side of the mountain, and there she saw 'Abdu'l-Baha, who looked like a Prophet of God, with his white turban and flowing beard, with his back to the flood, working very hard. She rushed up the mountain side, grasped His sleeves and said, "Oh, 'Abdu'l-Baha, come and help me save some of these people who are drowning in the flood." 'Abdu'l-Baha went right on, working very rapidly and said nothing. She grasped his sleeve again and said, "Oh 'Abdu'l-Baha, these people are drowning, come help me save some of these people who are drowning in the flood." 'Abdu'l-Baha, without stopping his work turned to her with a smile and Said, "'Abdu'l-Baha is building the machine to stop the flood." (Source: Ruth Moffett pilgrim's note, no longer available online) ”

Let me know if it isn't it and I'll ask around for you.

Warm regards,

David 06:59, 3 April 2009 (UTC)

Actually it is online at [1] see page 20. Smkolins (talk) 05:23, 17 September 2020 (PDT)

History of the "Long Healing Prayer"

My wife is teaching a youth class and the question of some of the history of the Long Healing Prayer came up. I tried looking in the Revelation of Baha'u'llah but was unable to find info. Also checked through Ocean. Any other Ideas?

BTW found out that 'Abdul Baha had a profession of making rugs. (from Star of the West)

Thanks for the effort.

ethnic healers

want numbers of ethnic healers around the world and boat builders where do i find the number of bahai's in australiasia

new guardian in the future

a friend told me about the reference in the gleanings about this quote. a nsa member told me that the writtings of the guardian represented the guardian that seems very logical. then there is only one guardian.

world wide NSAs#161 or more

do we know the maximum # that can be established in the future?

Source: Ruth Moffett pilgrim's note, no longer available online

[2], [3], [4]

Supreme Prophet

On a painting by a Baha'i(now passed on) I saw this unreferenced quote following one by Baha'u'llah and am wondering if it is in fact a quote from the Baha'i writings. I could not find it on Ocean.

"By God's decree the Supreme Prophet is directed to planet Earth for the Divine Mission."

I would like to know the source, if possible.

Thank you

Hello, I couldn't find the referenced quote either. Here are some similar along the theme of God sending a Manifestation for a specific purpose:

“ God sent His Prophets into the world to teach and enlighten man, to explain to him the mystery of the Power of the Holy Spirit, to enable him to reflect the light, and so in his turn, to be the source of guidance to others. PT#18:6 p061 ”

“ What, then, is the mission of the divine Prophets? Their mission is the education and advancement of the world of humanity. They are the real Teachers and Educators, the universal Instructors of mankind. PUP.364 ”

“ God sends Prophets for the education of the people and the progress of mankind…. The sure proof that they are Manifestations of God is in the education and progress of the people. AL.042 ”

“ God leaves not His children comfortless, but, when the darkness of winter overshadows them, then again He sends His Messengers, the Prophets, with a renewal of the blessed spring. PT#7:7 p032 ”

David 18:42, 15 August 2010 (EDT)

Baha'i day begins at sunset

Hello,

Why does the Baha'i day begin at sunset and not at sunrise or at midnight? OntarioChampagne 11:32, 18 August 2011 (UTC)

Frequented Fane

Does the term Frequented Fane refer to the Person of the Manifestation, and where can references dealing with this subject be found?

I do not have citations but I believe it refers to the Revelation of the Promised One- the hopes of the prophets gone before, the Pavilion set out, the outspread banquet… ou will find these kinds of words used to describe the Revelation.

Horse of Baha'u'llah

I have heard that the name of Baha'u'llah's horse was Saeed or Said. I remember reading it a long time ago when first hearing of this but can't seem to find it again. Can you please confirm or deny? Thanks,

From an article by John Walbridge:

The twelfth day was appointed for departure. The garden was filled with people coming for final farewells. It was late afternoon before the party got underway. Bahá'u'lláh mounted a fine roan stallion named Sa`udi (he also had two others, named Sa`id and Farangi), and the party left the garden amidst displays of affection and grief.

Sa'ud is an indirect Quranic name for boys that means “happy”, “fortunate”, “blessed”. Sa'id has roughly the same meaning, “happy”. Farangi is a Persian word meaning “Frankish” or “European”. Using Sa'udi and Farangi for horses' names might indicate their origin (perhaps the horses were raised in Arabia and Europe, respectively, or perhaps they belonged to Arabian and European breeds), but that's pure speculation on my part. Dragfyre (talk) 15:02, 10 August 2017 (PDT)

I have read that his first donekey was called Lightening because he was very fast and when that donkey died he named his new donkey Thunder. It comes from recently translated tablets on the web. I will find the site and post it. I found the site and they list their source coming from: [Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha’u’llah Vol 4. page 105]

Source of quote

Please supply the source, specific author (i.e., Baha'u'llah,Abdul'Baha etc.) for the following quote taken from the original context.

"There is a Power in this Cause. A mystical Power. It , it rends the mountains, and administers the complicated affairs ofThe Faith........" —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Lbedmonds (talk • contribs) .

According to this page:

"There is a power in this cause, a mysterious power, far, far beyond the ken of men and angels...." This passage is from Ahmad Sohrab's diary and should be considered as interesting material, but not as scripture. Dragfyre (talk) 15:02, 10 August 2017 (PDT)

Administration of Bahaikipedia

Is the United States Bahai National Center in charge of operations of Bahaikipedia? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Chadyoung (talk • contribs) .

No, User:David is in charge. :) Dragfyre (talk) 15:02, 10 August 2017 (PDT)

language

Do you have writings in the Persian language ?

As far as I'm aware, we don't have a special section devoted to the Bahá'í writings in Persian. Some of our archived files, including issues of Star of the West, have Persian sections. Apart from these, you can always try looking at the Persian version of the Baha'i Reference Library, which has a good selection of authoritative writings. Hope this helps! Dragfyre (talk) 10:09, 28 December 2017 (PST)

First to Recognize Baha'u'llah

I would like to have the second sentence cited page etc because I believe that is a factual error: that is, that Mirza Aqa Jan was the first to recognize Baha'u'llah. I am looking for the information but I believe it was either the Bab or Abdul-Baha who recognized Baha'u'llah first. The Bab sent the Star with derivatives of the word Baha to Mirza Husayn Ali. This is my first time to comment on any form of Wikipedia, but I will follow up. My email is Nightingale09@icloud.com Victor.

Allah-u-Abha Victor, welcome to Bahaikipedia. I'd recommend creating an account to use the site (as this will mean your IP address will be anonymous). Source (which was missing) for Mirza Aqa Jan being designated first to believe in Bahá’u’lláh is God Passes By, specifically this passage:

To Mírzá Áqá Ján, “the first to believe” in Him, designated later as Khádimu’-lláh (Servant of God)—a Bábí youth, aflame with devotion, who, under the influence of a dream he had of the Báb, and as a result of the perusal of certain writings of Bahá’u’lláh, had precipitately forsaken his home in Káshán and traveled to ‘Iráq, in the hope of attaining His presence, and who from then on served Him assiduously for a period of forty years in his triple function of amanuensis, companion and attendant—to him Bahá’u’lláh, - http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-8.html.utf8?query=mirza%7Caqa%7Cjan&action=highlight#gr27

It's interesting to ponder, presumably the Bab, 'Abdu'l-Baha and even Quddus and Mulla Husayn had some sort of inkling as to the station of Bahá’u’lláh. I think what Shoghi Effendi is referring too is that Mirza Aqa Jan was the first to believe in Bahá’u’lláh purely from His writings and the writings of the Báb? Not sure though. Jagar (talk) 21:06, 9 January 2018 (PST)

Baha'is on Nevis

Are there currently Baha'is on Nevis?? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 98.151.207.175 (talk • contribs) on 14 July, 2018.

From doing some googling, it would seem that there are. You can use this page as a starting place if you are trying to contact them: http://www.bahai.org/national-communities/ —The preceding unsigned comment was added by David (talk • contribs) on 14 July, 2018.

Breaths of the Holy Spirit

What are the synonyms of "Breaths of Holy Spirit" used by Shoghi Effendi? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.218.61.152 (talk • contribs) on 11 October, 2018.

jewelry, hair and dress code

Hi, Do Baha'is have any restrictions with wearing jewelry, hair length or dress code?

There are some restrictions concerning hair, see here for more information: https://bahai9.com/wiki/Grooming. With regards to dress and jewelry, I think we are just expected to conform to the Faith's teachings in general regarding decency and moderation (see for example https://bahai9.com/wiki/Holiness). See also: https://bahai9.com/wiki/Clean_clothing David (talk) 12:25, 7 January 2019 (PST)

Pilgrimage.

Where do I sign up for Pilgrimage ?

Here: https://bahai.bwc.org/pilgrimage/main/apply.asp David (talk) 14:00, 25 March 2019 (PDT)

Twin Holy Days Video

Where can I access the new Twin Holy Days Video made by the Universal House of Justice released September 2019? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 189.253.89.138 (talk • contribs) on 7 October, 2019.

You can find it here: https://bicentenary.bahai.org/the-bab/ and the corresponding news article: https://news.bahai.org/story/1354/ David (talk) 17:13, 6 October 2019 (PDT)

Analogy of building a dam

Where does 'Abdu'l-Baha use the analogy of the Baha'is building a new dam while others upstream are trying to fix a hopelessly defective dam?

I happen to run across this story while doing some proof-reading, I'm sure it's in many other places: https://bahai.works/Audio:Gregory_Dahl/Study_tape_on_the_Bah%C3%A1%E2%80%99%C3%AD_response_to_today%27s_world#time19:50 David (talk) 16:28, 14 March 2020 (PDT)