Institute

The meaning of the term institute, as used by Bahá’ís, has evolved over time; it may refer to different concepts depending on how the term is used. This disambiguation page explains some of the main uses and lists related Bahaipedia articles.

Training institutes

Main article: Training institute

A training institute is an agency, or institution, which exists for the training of individuals through the development of both spiritual insights and practical skills of service, accomplished through structured study of Bahá’í teachings. The ultimate goal of a training institute is to empower participants spiritually and morally by helping them build their capacity to engage in acts of service to humanity. This is carried out through an educational process—referred to as the institute process—involving groups (study circles) who study a set of materials with the help of a tutor. Training institutes figured prominently in Plans set forth by the Universal House of Justice beginning in 1996 with the Four Year Plan.

Examples

• Ruhi Institute

Teaching institutes

Main article: Teaching institute

A teaching institute, also known as an institute, was a type of educational gathering held to impart knowledge about the Bahá’í Faith and related topics, with the goal of helping Bahá’ís to be of service to their communities. The term was also used to refer to quarters used for these events, especially in the case of purpose-built structures; however, the Universal House of Justice noted that an "institute" referred to a function, and not necessarily a building. Teaching institutes figured prominently in the early Plans set forth by the Universal House of Justice shortly after its establishment, beginning in 1964 with the Nine-Year Plan.

Examples

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