(1)
The final page of Bahá’u’lláh’s primary work, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, adjures parliamentarians thus: “a single language for the use of all on earth…will be the cause of unity, could ye but comprehend it, and the greatest instrument for promoting harmony and civilization” Akka,
Israel. (*p.42)
(2)
“Therefore, the very first service to the world of man is to establish this auxiliary international means of communication.
It will become the cause of the tranquility of the human commonwealth.” Abdu’l-Bahá addressing the Esperantists of Washington DC,
1912, Promulgation of Universal Peace
(*p48)
(3)
“A fundamental lack of communication between peoples seriously undermines efforts towards world peace. Adopting an international auxiliary language would go far to resolving this problem and necessitates the most urgent attention.” Universal House of Justice, The Promise of World Peace
(*p53)
(4)
“…we encourage Bahá’ís who feel the urge to assist in this area (i.e. “the framework of
their efforts for the promotion of peace”) to learn Esperanto.” Universal House of Justice 17-9-86 (*p89)
CAN A LANGUAGE TEACH THE FAITH & HARMONIZE RELIGIONS TOO?
(5)
“Undoubtedly the activities of the Esperantists have become a vital channel for the proclamation of the Faith in important and often unreachable circles.” Universal House of Justice Haifa, Israel, 4 July 1995 (*p88)
(6)
“…it (Esperanto) will hasten that day, that millennial day, which has been prophesied by the past prophets and seers, that day in which, it is said, the wolf and the lamb will drink from the same fount, the lion and the deer graze in the same meadow. The signification of this Holy Writ is that the contesting races, warring nations, inimical religions, will come to each other in the spirit of love and amity…” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 7 January 1913, Edinburgh,
Scotland. (*pp 35, 36)
(Vidu: FB2B pt1, p50: “internacia helplingvo estas…kunligo de la popoloj kaj granda potenco por unuigi la religiojn.” Abdul Baha, Stutgarto.
(7)
On dispersing “misunderstandings that exist between different religions”: “They bring about warfare and strife, and it is impossible to remove them without this universal language being spread everywhere.”
Abdul Bahá, Paris, Feb 1913, SOW, vol. 11,no17,19Jan1921 p290 http://bahai-library.com/abdulbaha_divine_philosophy&chapter=4
TGI, p104
(8)
“…Shoghi Effendi, as you know, has been invariably encouraging the believers, both in the East and in the West, to make an intensive study of that language (Esperanto), and to consider it as an important medium for the spread of the Cause in international circles. He has been specially urging the friends to have the Cause well represented in all Esperanto Congresses and associations…” Officially in the name of Shoghi Effendi, 3rd August 1935. Haifa, Israel (*p81)
WHICH LANGUAGE YOU SAY? THE HOLY WRITINGS CITE FOUR TONGUES
(9)
“Therefore I hope that you will make the utmost effort, so that this language of Esperanto may be widely spread.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris, France. Bahá’u’lláh
and the New Era,
p.183. (*p45)
(10)
“All through America I have encouraged the Bahá’ís to study Esperanto; and to the extent of my ability I will strive in its spread and promotion.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Bahá’í Year Book 1925, p155)
(11)
“Therefore we have commanded all the Bahá’ís in the Orient to study this language very carefully,
and ere long it will spread all over the East. Therefore I request you also, non-Esperantists and fellow-Esperantists, to put your utmost exertion into the spread and promulgation of this language…” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Edinburgh
(Star of the West
1921 p299-306) (*p36)
ALERT:
The significance of these many clear directives penned by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi urging the Bahá’ís in the strongest terms to engage Esperanto is not interpreted by the Universal House of Justice for the Guardian himself in 1927 has expanded: “repeated and emphatic admonitions of 'Abdu'l-Bahá”
(*p.62)
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“The Cause will not attain its aim and order in the great reign of peace unless its principles are put into practise. We have to assist the different movements which have progressive ideas and are striving for an aim similar to ours.”
Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í News no 10 1926
(13) (A Universal House of Justice letter (17 Sept 1986) addressed to the Bahá’ís of Europe, while notifying national Bahá’í bodies in English-speaking countries, states that the Bahá’ís “share many ideals” with the Esperantists.) (*p.89)
(14)
“One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.”
Shoghi Effendi, 24 Sept 1924 Bahá’í Administration p66.
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(15)
“The Master says that Esperanto will spread and even went so far as to encourage all the friends who possibly can to study it.” Shoghi Effendi. 30 Aug 1928.
(16)
On studying Esperanto, “easy in spoken and written forms”: “Exert your utmost endeavour, then, in this praiseworthy undertaking…”
Shoghi Effendi, 30 Jan 1926 (TGI,
p36; FB2B, p78)
