Reincarnation: “What is truly meant by ‘return’ is the reappearance of past attributes in future creatures”

The Master then gave an explication on the subject of reincarnation:

This reincarnation in which people have traditionally believed is contrary to what has been revealed in the Books of God. What is truly meant by ‘return’ is the reappearance of past attributes in future creatures, and the similarity of the perfections possessed by successive generations to the characters and qualities of their precursors. It is like when we say that this flower is the same flower of last year; the meaning is that the same colour and fragrance of the previous flower are now manifest in this one. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 26 December 1912, London, England, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)

“Existence itself consists of perpetual permanence.”

Existence itself consists of perpetual permanence. Show me something that does not exist perpetually! Ultimately, all things come to occupy different degrees of existence and undergo a transformation in their forms. Consider even this flower; it shall never be totally effaced from the earth. In the end, its present form shall be altered; it will not simply fade into nothingness. Neither does existence end in obliteration, nor can complete nonexistence ever come into existence in this world. Nonexistence is darkness, while existence is light. When light comes, darkness is driven out. It is not the case that darkness shall ever become light. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 26 December 1912, London, England, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)

What is Satan?

It was then asked: ‘What is Satan?’ The Master responded:

One’s insistent self. Were you to leave a child to persist in his natural state, he would develop a character that is reprehensible and fiendish… [The] corrupt inclinations all stem from human nature, and the force which compels him to indulge those inclinations is the struggle for survival. The divine Manifestations have come to save humankind from the darkness of their natural state, for humanity shall not acquire knowledge without the presence of a teacher. By what means have people come to know that honesty is good? Through education and training, of course; otherwise, a person’s natural inclination is to lie… Indeed, there is a restraining force - that is, an internal inhibitor - latent within people, but this force can only begin to exert its influence through the acquisition of education and the cultivation of godliness. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 25 December 1912, London, England, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)

What to do if physically attacked?

At this point, one of the attendees inquired: ‘How, then, are we to defend ourselves?’ [if attacked physically] To this, the Master replied:

Indeed, reward and punishment constitute the basis of order in this world. For instance, were a person to come here and attempt to strike you - or even murder you - it would be unseemly for me to sit and remain silent. In such a situation, I must certainly rise up to defend you. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 25 December 1912, London, England, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)

Apostles weren’t given permission to have “the body of His Holiness Jesus Christ put in the Jews’ cemetery”. They “bought a piece of land and interred Him”

In their own day the people beat them [disciples of Christ], put them in prison, ridiculed them, exiled them from their own cities and finally martyred them. They even did not give permission that they might be buried in their own cemeteries. They were not willing to have the body of His Holiness Jesus Christ put in the Jews’ cemetery. The Apostles went and bought a piece of land and interred Him. Then the Jews took their refuse there. Later men came and built a great church over it This was built by the mother of one of the Caesars, after three hundred years. Even up to this time in certain parts it is known as the Church of Refuse. This is really the Tomb of Christ. It was the place where all the refuse of the city was gathered in the day of Christ. For three hundred years it continued in this manner. You can go now and see what wonderful change there is, see what a wonderful church is built, how many jewels and precious stones are collected there. The statue of Christ is bejeweled with all kinds of precious stones, so are the statues of Mary and others. How different the attitude of the people in the days of Manifestations. They persecute, deride and ridicule them, put a crown of thorns upon their heads, beat them in the street, spit in their faces and finally crucify them. But later on they worship their images, kiss the ground upon which they walked, or the stone upon which they sat. This is the attitude of the people. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some believers in Philadelphia, June 8-10, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

The effects of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s talks “are due to the assistance of the Blessed Beauty”

I have made the subject of my talks here only one of the principles of the Blessed Beauty. I have not as yet touched upon others of greater importance. It is because I perceive the pulse of the people and the needs of the present circumstances that the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty successively rain down and assist me. These effects that you see are not only the result of addresses but are due to the assistance of the Blessed Beauty. Of course, everyone says that peace is desirable but the power to influence and conform is what is required. The Blessed Beauty is indeed my helper and protector, to the degree that were I, for example, even to make war the subject of my talks, the same effects would become apparent. It is indeed the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty that aid us. Otherwise how would Westerners show such consideration to us Easterners? 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, April 13, 1912, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary, vol. 1’)

“The appearance of the divine Manifestations is like the coming of springtime.”

The appearance of the divine Manifestations is like the coming of springtime. It is self-evident that spring does not remain forever. We pray that the divine Spring may again be the cause of the rejuvenation of the garden of existence. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, April 12, 1912, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary, vol. 1’)

Preparation for the Nineteen-day Feast and the attitude to maintain while attending

You must continue to keep the Nineteen-day Feast. It is very important,—very good. But when you present yourselves in the meetings, before entering them, free yourselves from all that you have in your hearts;—free your thoughts and minds from all else save God and speak from the heart—that all may make this a gathering of love;—make it the cause of illumination;—make it a gathering of attracted hearts; surround it with the lights of the Supreme Concourse. Thus may you be gathered together in the utmost love.

Turn to God and say:

O God! dispel all those elements which are the cause of discord, and prepare for us those things which are the cause of unity and agreement! O God! cause to descend upon us Heavenly Fragrance and change this gathering into a gathering of Heaven! Grant to us every benefit and every food! Prepare for us the food of love! Give to us the food of knowledge! Bestow upon us the food of Heavenly Illumination!

In your heart remember these things and then enter the Unity Feast.

Each one of you must think how to make the other members of your assembly happy and pleased. Each one must consider all those who are present as better and greater than himself. Each one must consider himself less than the rest. Consider their station as high, and think of your own station as low. Should you act and live according to these behests, know verily and of a certainty, that such a Feast is indeed the Heavenly Food; that Supper is indeed the Lord’s Supper. I am the servant of that gathering. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some believers in Philadelphia, June 8-10, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

Apostles weren’t given permission to have “the body of His Holiness Jesus Christ put in the Jews’ cemetery”. They “bought a piece of land and interred Him”

In their own day the people beat them[the disciples of Christ], put them in prison, ridiculed them, exiled them from their own cities and finally martyred them. They even did not give permission that they might be buried in their own cemeteries. They were not willing to have the body of His Holiness Jesus Christ put in the Jews’ cemetery. The Apostles went and bought a piece of land and interred Him. Then the Jews took their refuse there. Later men came and built a great church over it This was built by the mother of one of the Caesars, after three hundred years. Even up to this time in certain parts it is known as the Church of Refuse. This is really the Tomb of Christ. It was the place where all the refuse of the city was gathered in the day of Christ. For three hundred years it continued in this manner. You can go now and see what wonderful change there is, see what a wonderful church is built, how many jewels and precious stones are collected there. The statue of Christ is bejeweled with all kinds of precious stones, so are the statues of Mary and others. How different the attitude of the people in the days of Manifestations. They persecute, deride and ridicule them, put a crown of thorns upon their heads, beat them in the street, spit in their faces and finally crucify them. But later on they worship their images, kiss the ground upon which they walked, or the stone upon which they sat. This is the attitude of the people. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some believers in Philadelphia, June 8-10, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

Disciples of Christ: - How they were badly treated when alive but revered years later

Consider how the disciples [of Christ] were treated. While they were alive people would not have anything to do with them, but later on they felt greatly glorified if they had even the remotest relationship with them. They became respected and revered;—even the earth that was touched by their feet. Now the people prostrate themselves before their tombs, but they were persecuted while they lived. At that time people did not like to be known as relatives of these Disciples of Christ.

While I was traveling in Palestine I came across a stony piece of ground. I saw that a number of people had gathered around one stone, kissing it, weeping and supplicating. I asked one, ‘What is this’? He told me that the Apostles of Christ, once upon a time, had passed by this place and sat upon these rocks, but there were so many rocks they did not know on which the Apostles had sat. Therefore they prostrated themselves before all of them that perchance they might come across and kiss the right stone. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some believers in Philadelphia, June 8-10, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

Next Manifestation of God: “not definite that it will be 1000 years; it may be 2000, or 10,000 or 20,000 years”

…during the cycle of the Blessed Perfection —May My life be a sacrifice to His believers—all are beneath His shadow. He is the Unique and Peerless One till the next Manifestation. It is, however, not definite that it will be 1000 years; it may be 2000, or 10,000 or 20,000 years; but it is definite that for the coming 1000 years there will appear no Manifestation; for 1000 years there shall arise no Sun. All the appearances will be beneath the shade of the Most Great Appearance; they will be as stars of guidance. All of them shall gather around this Fountain of Life; all of them will become illumined with the rays of this Sun; all of them will receive a share and a portion from this great Sea; all of them will become vivified with this soul imparting breeze and all of them will be under the down-pour of this rain. The aim is this: His Holiness the Báb gave the Glad-tidings concerning the Appearance of the Manifestation of God, and His Holiness, the Blessed Perfection, was the “Promised One” of all the nations and religions. The Báb was the “Morning Star,” heralding the glorious Dawn of the Sun of Reality. Now all of us are under Its shadow and receive the refulgent Bestowals from It. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Ahmad Sohrab, one of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's secretaries and translators from 1912 to 1919; Star of the West, volume 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

“Jesus taught that fasting and praying give strength to the spirit of man”

In Mark, 9:7-29, is related the story of the afflicted child who was brought to Jesus by the disciples after their vain efforts to cast out from him the spirit which tormented him and of his being healed by Jesus, who said, in reply to a question from the disciples, that: "This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”

Thus Jesus taught that fasting and praying give strength to the spirit of man, so that it may become enabled to heal the different violent and strong sicknesses which possess him. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From Table Talks by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded Corinne True, Haifa; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 18, February 7, 1914)

“Nothing, after prayer, will cause the development of the spirit, save fasting.”

Nothing, after prayer, will cause the development of the spirit, save fasting. The First Point, the Báb, ordained for all the people to fast until they should reach the age of forty-two, but the Blessed Perfection [Bahá’u’lláh] said: “We love fasting! Unless the people become old and weak, they should fast.” Thus the limit for fasting was appointed. One should begin to observe the fast from the age of fifteen, and continue the observance of it until the body may become too weak to do so without injury. His Holiness, the Blessed Perfection, used to fast throughout the set time every year.

In the Kitab-i-Aqdas the rules for fasting are as follows: Eating and drinking should cease before the rising of the sun and until the setting thereof. The traveler, the sick, pregnant women and nursing mothers are free from this obligation. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From 'Table Talks' by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Corinne True, Haifa; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 18, February 7, 1914)

“One of the chief reasons” why “the divine principles…[are] neglected and thrown aside and forgotten”

Material and spiritual matters have always advanced hand in hand but at the present time the material side is predominant and the divine principles have been neglected and thrown aside and forgotten. One of the chief reasons for this growing apathy is that the ministers of religion have taught that religion is opposed to science and reason and have thus enforced imitation. You must, therefore, relate religious verities to science. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, April 12, 1912, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary, vol. 1’)

“Differences between religions are due to misunderstanding and imitation.”

Differences between religions are due to misunderstanding and imitation. If these imitations were to be eliminated, all religions would be united. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to a reporter, April 11, 1912, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary, vol. 1’)

Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Howard MacNutt, after the Titanic disaster.

A great steamship has been lost at sea. Today newspaper accounts of the Titanic are reflecting the sorrow and mourning of the whole world, all the power of man, all his pride and the skill of human invention were helpless against the power of the sea. Men of great wealth, men of prominence and celebrity, likewise men who were unimportant and unknown in the eye of the world,—all have found the same tomb under the waves. If this fate marked the end of human accomplishment, if this death was oblivion to human hopes and possibilities, the whole world might mourn. Unless the soul of man is quickened by the breaths of the Holy Spirit and he becomes vivified by the life of the Supreme Kingdom, all his powers, efforts and accomplishments are in vain. Look about you as we ride in this automobile. Shall any of these things you are now looking upon remain or endure? If you possessed all you could wish for,—these great buildings, wealth, luxury, the pleasures of life in this world, would any of these things increase your eternal happiness or insure you everlasting existence? I am summoning you to the world of the Kingdom. I am calling you away from this world. Nothing you can ever think of here will remain. You, yourself, will pass away as the roses wither at the touch of winter’s breath. I wish for you heavenly happiness. I am praying that the confirmations of God may descend upon you, that you may become His servant, that you may go forth to save mankind from the bondage of this mortal world. I wish you to escape from this hell of materialism. Be not occupied with material things. Have no anxiety about your affairs. You are under the protection of Baha’u’llah, —in His service. Live in the spiritual world as I do. Think of nothing else.

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s counsel to Lua Getsinger: “Thou must be firm and unshakable in thy purpose, and never, never let any outward circumstances worry thee.”

Thou must be firm and unshakable in thy purpose, and never, never let any outward circumstances worry thee. I am sending thee to India to accomplish certain definite results. Thou must enter that country with a never-failing spirituality, a radiant faith an eternal enthusiasm, an inextinguishable fire, a solid conviction, in order that thou mayest achieve those services for which I am sending thee.

Let not thy heart be troubled. If thou goest away with this unchanging condition of invariability of inner state, thou shalt see the doors of confirmation open before thy face, thy life will be a crown of heavenly roses, and thou shalt find thyself in the highest station of triumph.

Strive day and night to attain to this exalted state. Look at me! Thou dost not know a thousandth part of the difficulties and seemingly unsurmountable passes that rise daily before my eyes. I do not heed them; I am walking in my chosen highway; I know the destination. Hundreds of storms and tempests may rage furiously around my head; hundreds of Titanics may sink to the bottom of the sea, the mad waves may rise to the roof of heaven; all these will not change my purpose, will not disturb me in the least; I will not look either to the right or to the left; I am looking ahead, far, far. Piercing through the impenetrable darkness of the night, the howling winds, the raging storms, I see the glorious Light beckoning me forward, forward. The balmy weather is coming, and the voyager shall land safely.

1912: ‘Abdu’l-Baha gives examples of “many capable women appear who have displayed special genius in government and political administration”

In history many capable women appear who have displayed special genius in government and political administration, such as Semiramis; Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, and Queen Victoria, of England. In the religious world,—the Israelites wandered for forty years in the wilderness and could not conquer the Holy Land. Finally a woman achieved the signal victory. During the Christian dispensation the apostles became agitated after the Crucifixion of Jesus; even Peter denied Him thrice, but Mary Magdalene became the cause of their becoming firm and steadfast. In the religion of Baha’u’llah, Qurrat al-‘Ayn [Tahirih] and many other Persian women demonstrated their knowledge and wisdom to such an extent that even the men were astonished, and listened to their advices and lectures. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from an interview with a San Francisco newspaper reporter, October 3, 1912; Star of the West volume 4, no. 12, October 16, 1913)

There should be “complete equality” between men and women

Correspondent: I have heard that you advocate the complete equality of men and women. This radical teaching coming from an Oriental thinker is of great interest and supreme significance. Just at this juncture the California women are clamoring for the right to vote for all the national and state officials, and your opinion on this important question will be greatly appreciated by the people.

‘Abdu’l-Baha: The question of equality between men and women has made greater advancement in America than elsewhere, and day by day it is assuming greater importance and becoming nearer to realization. However, as long as complete equality does not exist between male and female, the world of humanity will not make extraordinary progress. The woman is an important column, and there is another equally important. If we aim to have a durable building, the foundations of both columns must be laid very deep. The women are the first teachers and instructors of the small children. They teach them and inculcate morality in their minds and hearts. Later they go to universities for higher education and specialization. Now if the teacher or instructor is deficient, how can the schooler be properly trained? Therefore, it is proven that the culture and refinement of the men are intensified and will bloom and attain to perfect fruition when the women are equally educated and given the same educational facilities. Consequently the women must enjoy all the learning they are able to assimilate, in order that they may reach to the same level as men. The same privileges and opportunities must be conferred upon women;—so that just as they share together life and its responsibilities, they may also share with him the same virtues of the world of humanity. Undoubtedly partnership in education and culture presupposes equality in rights.