Tabernacle of Unity

The Tabernacle of Unity is a small book, first published in July 2006, containing Bahá’u’lláh's Tablet, from the early 'Akká period, to Mánikchí Ṣáḥib, a prominent Zoroastrian, and a companion Tablet addressed to Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl, the secretary to Mánikchí Ṣáḥib at that time.

These, together with three shorter inspirational Tablets, offer a glimpse of Bahá’u’lláh's relationship with the followers of Zoroastrianism.

The title of this work is taken from the following passage:

“ The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers.Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Verily I say, whatsoever leadeth to the decline of ignorance and the increase of knowledge hath been, and will ever remain, approved in the sight of the Lord of creation. Say: O people! Walk ye neath the shadow of justice and truthfulness and seek ye shelter within the tabernacle of unity. ”

Tablet to Mánikchí Ṣáḥib (Lawh-i-Mánikchí Ṣáḥib)

This Tablet, revealed at the request of Mánikchí Ṣáḥib in pure Persian, consists of 19 paragraphs. It emphasizes the universality of Bahá’u’lláh's prophetic claim, and includes some of the central teachings of the Faith.

Responses to questions of Mánikchí Ṣáḥib from a Tablet to Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl

This is a lengthy Tablet revealed on 1 July 1882. Among the subjects discussed are:

• The nature of creation.
• The connection between faith and reason.
• The reconciliation of the differences that exist among the laws and ordinances of various religions (Hinduism, the Mahabad Faith, Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam).
• Their respective claims to exclusivity.
• Their differing degrees of eagerness to welcome others into their fold.

Tablet of the Seven Questions (Lawh-i-Haft Pursish)

This Tablet is Bahá’u’lláh's reply to questions asked by Ustád Javán-Mard, an early Bahá’í of Zoroastrian background and ex-student of Mánikchí Ṣáḥib.

The questions are relating to the following subjects:

• In what tongue and towards what direction should God be worshipped?
• The Faith of God
• Opposition
• Sháh Bahrám
• The Bridge of Sirát, Paradise and Hell
• The soul
• The lineage and ancestry of Bahá’u’lláh

Two Other Tablets

These two short Tablets, each addressed to a believer of Zoroastrian background, are inspirational in nature, calling the believers for deeds, not words.

References

• Tabernacle of Unity
• Bahá’u’lláh (2006). Tabernacle of Unity. Haifa, Israel: Bahá’í World Centre. ISBN 0853989699.

• Hatcher, J.S. (1997). The Ocean of His Words: A Reader's Guide to the Art of Bahá’u’lláh. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá’í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0877432597.

• Taherzadeh, A. (1984). The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 3: `Akka, The Early Years 1868-77. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0853981442.

External links

• BWNS: New volume of Bahá’í sacred writings is published
• Tablet to Mánikchí Ṣáḥib, a provisional translation with an introduction and a brief outline, by Ramin Neshati.
• Bahá’u’lláh on Hinduism and Zoroastrianism: The Tablet to Mirza Abu'l-Fadl Concerning the Questions of Manakji Limji Hataria, Introduction and Translation by Juan R.I. Cole