Pilgrims' notes

The Old Pilgrim House in the Holy Land.

Pilgrim's Notes are a category of Bahá’í literature consisting of the notes taken by Bahá’í pilgrims about their experiences meeting the Central Figures, Shoghi Effendi, and later members of the Bahá’í Administration. These notes often convey the pilgrim's personal spiritual experiences of their pilgrimage, along with the actions and statements of the central figures, as they remember them. More generally, the term may be used for any narrative of the central figures' words and deeds based on the recollection of individual Bahá’ís. These notes are often very moving, or may assist in understanding abstruse elements of Bahá’í belief and history, but do not authoritatively convey official Bahá’í teachings.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi both refused to sign pilgrim's notes, and made clear that the notes did not carry any sort of authority. Shoghi Effendi did encourage pilgrims to share their experiences with the members of their community upon their return, provided that they avoided spreading the perception that their recollections—however precious—held any authority. In 1929 a letter written on the behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer included the following regarding pilgrims notes:

"The notes of all pilgrims, whoever they may be, taken during the time of the Master or hence, are merely personal impressions of the pilgrim and have to be considered as such. They have no special significance. Everything which either the Master or Shoghi Effendi desired to communicate to the friends they have mentioned in their letters. Hearsay and notes of pilgrims have only a personal value, because they reawaken past impressions. In many cases Shoghi Effendi has gone a step further and even discouraged publishing them....
...The interests of the Cause have often suffered from reports taken over by pilgrims — not untruths, but misunderstandings — and it is our duty to do our utmost for that aim."[1]

In 1997 the Universal House of Justice expressed that it had not enacted any guidelines or policies regarding the publication of pilgrims notes on the internet in a letter written on its behalf, but in the same letter also advised that individuals use wisdom when sharing them.[2] In 2013 a letter written on behalf of the House provided more guidance, stating that it may be appropriate to consult ones National Spiritual Assembly before distributing notes on a wide scale.[3]

Notable Pilgrim's Notes[edit]

Ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: 1892 - 1921[edit]

Ministry of the Guardian: 1921 - 1957[edit]

Post-Guardian: 1957 - Present[edit]

References[edit]

Reddit has a related post:
Pilgrim's notes
  1. ↑ https://bahai-library.com/uhj_sharing_pilgrims_notes
  2. ↑ https://bahai-library.com/uhj_pilgrims_notes_online
  3. ↑ https://bahai-library.com/uhj_sharing_pilgrims_notes
  4. ↑ Historical Dictionary of the Baha'i Faith by H. C. Adamson, p 593
  5. ↑ Publication mentioned in letter by Thornton Chase, Los Ang., 16 Nov. 1910
  6. ↑ Publication mentioned in letter by Thornton Chase, Los Ang., 16 Nov. 1910
  7. ↑ https://historical.ha.com/itm/books/first-editions/l-b-pemberton-a-modern-pilgrimage-to-palestine-philadelphia-dorrance-and-company-1925-first-edition-octa/a/6048-37173.s
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