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The Source of the Arts

7. “…the Prophets of God do not teach the arts; but the tremendous cultural impetus which religion gives to society gradually produces new and wonderful forms of art. We see this in the different styles of architecture and painting associated with the Christian, Muhammadan, Buddhist and other civilizations.”

Letter to an individual on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 3 February 1952.
(From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #41)
 

8. “Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is endowed with such potency as can instil new life into every human frame, if ye be of them that comprehend this truth. All the wondrous works ye behold in this world have been manifested through the operation of His supreme and most exalted Will, His wondrous and inflexible Purpose. Through the mere revelation of the word "Fashioner," issuing forth from His lips and proclaiming His attribute to mankind, such power is released as can generate, through successive ages, all the manifold arts which the hands of man can produce. This, verily, is a certain truth. No sooner is this resplendent word uttered, than its animating energies, stirring within all created things, give birth to the means and instruments whereby such arts can be produced and perfected. All the wondrous achievements ye now witness are the direct consequences of the Revelation of this Name.”

Bahá’u’lláh, “Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh” (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1983), pp. 141-42. (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #4)
 

9. “Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen -- a Pen out of whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of the world are brought to light.”

Bahá’u’lláh, “Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas” (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1995), p. 39.
 

10. “The soul that hath remained faithful to the Cause of God, and stood unwaveringly firm in His Path shall, after his ascension, be possessed of such power that all the worlds which the Almighty hath created can benefit through him. Such a soul provideth, at the bidding of the Ideal King and Divine Educator, the pure leaven that leaveneth the world of being, and furnisheth the power through which the arts and wonders of the world are made manifest.”

Bahá’u’lláh, “Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh” (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1983), p. 161. (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #5)
 

11. “The first condition of perception in the world of nature is the perception of the rational soul. In this perception and in this power all men are sharers, whether they be neglectful or vigilant, believers or deniers. This human rational soul is God's creation; it encompasses and excels other creatures; as it is more noble and distinguished, it encompasses things. The power of the rational soul can discover the realities of things, comprehend the peculiarities of beings, and penetrate the mysteries of existence. All sciences, knowledge, arts, wonders, institutions, discoveries and enterprises come from the exercised intelligence of the rational soul.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “Some Answered Questions” (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1984), p. 217. (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #20)
 

12. “By the power of the Holy Spirit, working through his soul, man is able to perceive the Divine reality of things. All great works of art and science are witnesses to this power of the Spirit.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, recorded in “Paris Talks” (London: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1995), p. 84.
 

13. “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said... : ‘All Art is a gift of the Holy Spirit. When this light shines through the mind of a musician, it manifests itself in beautiful harmonies. Again, shining through the mind of a poet, it is seen in fine poetry and poetic prose. When the Light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvellous pictures. These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God.’”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as recorded by Lady Blomfield in "The Chosen Highway" (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1954), p. 167 (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #23)

Drama and Education

14. “An actor mentioned the drama, and its influence. "The drama is of the utmost importance." said 'Abdu'l Bahá "It has been a great educational power in the past; it will be so again." He described how as a young boy he witnessed the Mystery Play of 'Ali's Betrayal and Passion, and how it affected him so deeply that he wept and could not sleep for many nights.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as recorded in "‘Abdu'l-Bahá in London: Addresses and Notes of Conversations"  (Oakham: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1987), p. 93. (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #22)
 

15. “The Sun of Truth is the Word of God upon which dependeth the education of those who are endowed with the power of understanding and of utterance. It is the true spirit and the heavenly water, through whose aid and gracious providence all things have been and will be quickened. Its appearance in every mirror is conditioned by the colour of that mirror. For instance, when its light is cast upon the mirrors of the hearts of the wise, it bringeth forth wisdom. In like manner when it manifesteth itself in the mirrors of the hearts of craftsmen, it unfoldeth new and unique arts, and when reflected in the hearts of those that apprehend the truth it revealeth wondrous tokens of true knowledge and discloseth the verities of God's utterance.”

Bahá’u’lláh, (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #1)
 

16. “Among the greatest of all great services is the education of children, and promotion of the various sciences, crafts and arts. Praised be God, ye are now exerting strenuous efforts toward this end. The more ye persevere in this most important task, the more will ye witness the confirmations of God, to such a degree that ye yourselves will be astonished.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #13)
 

17. “Wherefore, O loved ones of God! Make ye a mighty effort till you yourselves betoken this advancement and all these confirmations, and become focal centres of God's blessings, daysprings of the light of His unity, promoters of the gifts and graces of civilized life. Be ye in that land vanguards of the perfections of humankind; carry forward the various branches of knowledge, be active and progressive in the field of inventions and the arts. Endeavour to rectify the conduct of men, and seek to excel the whole world in moral character. While the children are yet in their infancy feed them from the breast of heavenly grace, foster them in the cradle of all excellence, rear them in the embrace of bounty. Give them the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge. Let them share in every new and rare and wondrous craft and art.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1978), par 102.3. (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #15)
 

18. “In much of the region, insufficient attention has been given to the education of children. Far more extensive programmes should be initiated in those countries where the need exists, to ensure that Bahá’í children are nurtured, encouraged to acquire trained minds, illumined with a sound knowledge of the Divine Teachings, well equipped to participate in the work of the Cause at all levels and to contribute to the arts, crafts and sciences necessary for the advancement of civilization. Such programmes, when open to all children, Bahá’í or not, offer a potent means of extending the beneficial influences of Bahá'u'lláh's Message to the wider society.”

The Universal House of Justice, Letter to the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in Australasia, 21 April 1996. (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #70)
 

19. “The art of music must be brought to the highest stage of development, for this is one of the most wonderful arts and in this glorious age of the Lord of Unity it is highly essential to gain its mastery. However, one must endeavour to attain the degree of artistic perfection and not be like those who leave matters unfinished.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #9)
 

20. “I rejoice to hear that thou takest pains with thine art, for in this wonderful new age, art is worship. The more thou strivest to perfect it, the closer wilt thou come to God. What bestowal could be greater than this, that one's art should be even as the act of worshipping the Lord? That is to say, when thy fingers grasp the paintbrush, it is as if thou wert at prayer in the Temple.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, (From “The Importance of the Arts” compilation, #12)

 

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Page 1

* Introduction

* The Role of Drama & the Arts in the Bahá’í Community

* The Place of the Arts in the Current Priorities