Buddhism and the Baha’i Faith

Research for the “Noble Path by Dan DangRemaining research can be found at

http://bci.org/prophecy-fulfilled/#buddhaConceptualized by Zabine Van Ness

Many of the slides are taken out of “Heart to Heart”

List of content

All people have formed a God in the world of thought 4The Unseen is holy above imagination 51st Noble Truth of Buddhism :Change leads to suffering and sorrow ? 61st Noble Truth of Buddhism such as: change leads to suffering and sorrow ? 72nd Noble Truth of Buddhism : Attachment to this world causes this sorrow ? 8Rid yourselves of attachment to all created things 93rd Noble Truth of Buddhis: How to end the suffering ? 104th Noble Truth of Buddhism : The Middle Way 11Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 1st Noble Path: Right View ? 12Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 2nd Noble Path: Right Aim ? 13Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 3rd Noble Path: Right Speech ? 14Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 4th Noble Path: Right Action ? 15Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 5th Noble Path: Right Living ? 16Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 6th Noble Path: Right Effort ? 17Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 7th Noble Path: Right Mindfulness ? 18Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 8th Noble Path: Right Contemplation ? 19Do Baha’is worship their ancestors ? 20Can I come back to this world after death? 21Flowers return...why can’t I? 22Do Baha’is believe in reincarnation? 23How do the Prophets return? 24

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Is there any hope for the spiritually darkened in the next world? 25How does Baha’i Faith connect with Buddha’s revelation? 26Does Baha’u’llah’s claim fulfill prophecies of the past? 27What is the purpose of religion? 28Did Buddha believe in a Creator? 29Will another Buddha arise? 30He will be known as Maitreya 31What is His Promise? 32The Holy Land…the Infinite Light of Truth 33The higher life will he make known 34Overview of the Baha’i Faith 35Who is Baha’u’llah? 36How does Baha’u’llah declare that he represents God to mankind? 37What is the mission of Baha’u’llah 38Does Baha’u’llah have knowledge of the inner reality of God? 39What are some of the ways in which Baha’u’llah is the Glory of God? 40The Dawn of a New Day 41What is the purpose of religion? 42Who are some of the messengers of God? 43Same sun – new day 44Religion must be the cause of unity 45Relationship between silence and meditation 46Stream of divine mystery 47

All people have formed a God in the world of thought

“All the people have formed a god in the world of thought, and that form of their own imagination they worship; when the fact is that the imagined concept is comprehended by the mind which is the comprehended, for imagination is accidental (effect), while mind is essential (cause). Surely the essential is greater than the accidental.

“Therefore consider: All the sects and peoples worship their own thought; they create a god in their minds and proclaim him to be "the creator of all things," while that form is a superstition. Thus people adore and worship illusion.

Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha V3, p. 561

The Unseen is holy above imagination

“The Essence of the Divine Entity and the Unseen of the Unseen is holy above imagination and beyond thought. Consciousness doth not reach It. Within the capacity of comprehension of a created reality that Ancient (uncreated) Reality cannot be contained. It is a different world; from it there is no information; arrival thereat is impossible; attainment thereto is inaccessible and prohibited. This much is known: It exists, and Its existence is certain and proven -- but the condition is unknown.

Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha v3, p. 561

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 1st Noble Truth of Buddhism :Change leads to suffering and sorrow ?

“All the philosophers and sages knew that It is, but they were perplexed in the comprehension of Its existence and were at last discouraged, and left this world in great despair. For the comprehension of the condition and mysteries of that Reality of realities and Mystery of mysteries, there is need for another power and another sense. That power and sense is not possessed by mankind, therefore they have not found any information. For example: If a man possess the power of hearing, the power of tasting, the power of smelling and the power of feeling, but no power of seeing, he cannot see. Hence, through the powers and senses present in man the realization of the Unseen Reality, which is pure and holy above the reach of doubts, is impossible. Other powers are needed and other senses required. If those powers and senses are obtained, then information can be had; otherwise, not.”

Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha v3, p. 561

Does the Bahai Faith mention the 1st Noble Truth of Buddhismsuch as: change leads to suffering and sorrow ?

“Such is this mortal abode: a storehouse of afflictions and suffering. It is ignorance that binds man to it, for no comfort can be secured by any soul in this world, from monarch down to the most humble commoner. If once this life should offer a man a sweet cup, a hundred bitter ones will follow; such is the condition of this world.”

Abdu’l-Baha, Selections, p. 200

“These brief few days shall pass away, this present life shall vanish from our sight; the roses of this world shall be fresh and fair no more, the garden of this earth’s triumphs and delights shall droop and fade. The spring season of life shall turn into the autumn of death, the bright joy of palace halls shall give way to moonless dark within the tomb. And therefore is none of this worth loving at all, and to this the wise will not anchor his heart.” Abdu’l-Baha, Selections, p. 220-I

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 2nd Noble Truth of Buddhism : Attachment to this world causes this sorrow ?

Baha’u’llah sees the world in a similar way. The Baha’i teachings identify our attachment to the things of this world as the cause of our sorrows.

“If we suffer it is the outcome of material things, and all the trials and troubles come from this world of illusion. For instance, a merchant may lose his trade and depression ensues. A workman is dismissed and starvation stares him in the face. A farmer has a bad harvest, anxiety fills his mind. A man builds a house which is burnt to the ground and he is straightway homeless, ruined, and in despair.

“All these examples are to show you that the trials which beset our every step, all our sorrow pain, shame and grief, are born in the world of matter…”

Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 110

Rid yourselves of attachment to all created things

Baha’u’llah likens humankind to a bird that has been attracted to the earth.

“Could ye apprehend with what wonders of My munificence and bounty I have willed to entrust your souls, ye would, of a truth, rid yourselves of attachment to all created things, and would gain a true knowledge of your own selves… Suffer not your idle fancies, your evil passions, your insincerity and blindness of heart to dim the lustre, or stain the sanctity, of so lofty a station. Ye are even as the bird which soareth.. through the immensity of the heavens, until, impelled to satisfy its hunger, it turnethlonginly to the water and clay of the earth below it, and, having been entrapped in the mesh of its desire, findeth itself impotent to resume its flight to the realms whence it came. Powerless to shake off the burden weighing on its sullied wings, that bird, hitherto an inmate of the heavens, is now force to seek a dwelling-place upon the dust. Wherefore… defile not your wings with the clay of waywardness and vain desires, and suffer them not to be stained with the dust of envy and hate, that ye may not be hindered from soaring in the heavens of My divine knowledge.”

Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, no CLIII, pp. 325-6

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 3rd Noble Truth of Buddhism :How to end the suffering ?

Baha’u’llah also calls in people to detach themselves from the things of this world.

“Rejoice not in the things ye possess; tonight they are yours, tomorrow others will possess them.” Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, no. CLIII, pp. 325-6

“O My Servant! Free thyself from the fetters of this world, and loose thy soul from the prison of self. Seize thy chance, for it will come to thee no more.” Baha’u’llah, Hidden Words, Persian no. 40

“Disencumber yourselves of all attachment to this world and the vanities thereof. Beware that ye approach them not, inasmuch as they prompt you to walk after your own lusts and covetous desires, and hinder you from entering the straight and glorious Path.”

Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, no. CXXVIII, pp. 274-5

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the Path or the 4th Noble Truth of Buddhism : The Middle Way, the way of moderation that avoid extremes ?

Baha’u’llah also praises the path of moderation and extends it to all matters.

“… the ninth leaf of the Most Exalted Paradise is this: In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is

carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil.”

Baha’u’llah, Tablets, p. 69

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 1st Noble Path: Right View ?

“The essence of that We have revealed for thee is Justice, is for man to free himself from idle fancy and imitation, discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye.”

Baha’u’llah, Words of Wisdom, Tablets, p.157

“He whose sight is illumined with the light of understanding will assuredly detach himself from the world and the vanities thereof… Let not the world and its vileness grieve you.”

Abdu’l-Baha, Divine Art of Living, p.66

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 2nd Noble Path: Right Aim ?

“Universal benefits derive from the grace of the Divine religions, for they lead their true followers to sincerity of intent, to high purpose, to purity and spotless honour, to surpassing kindness and compassion, to the keeping of their covenanted, to concern for the rights of others, to liberality, to justice in every aspect of life, to humanity and philanthropy, to valour and to unflagging efforts in the service of mankind.”

Abdu’l-Baha, Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 98

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 3rd Noble Path: Right Speech ?

“A true seeker… must cling unto patience and resignation, observe silence, and refrain from idle talk. For the tongue is a smouldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly poison. Material fire consumeth the body, whereas the fire of the tongue devoureth both heart and soul. The force of the former lasteth but for a time, whilst the effects of the latter endure a century.That seeker should also regard backbiting as grievous error, and keep himself aloof from its dominion, inasmuch as backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheththe life of the soul.”

Baha’u’llah, Book of Certitude, pp. 123-4

“No man of wisdom can demonstrate his knowledge save by means of words. This showeth the significance of the Word as is affirmed in all the Scriptures, whether of former times or more recently. For it is through its potency and animating spirit that the people of the world have attained so eminent a position. Moreover words and utterances should be both impressive and penetrating. However, no word will be infused with these two qualities unless it be uttered wholly for the sake of God and with due regard unto the exigencies of the occasion and the people.”

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 172

“Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the world of humanity.”Abdu’l-Baha, Bahai World Faith, p. 384

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 4th Noble Path: Right Action ?

“Beware, O People of Baha, lest ye walk in the ways of them whose words differ from their deeds… Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the professions of most men, be they high or low, differ from their conduct. It is through their deeds that ye can distinguish yourselves from others… Happy is the man that heedeth My counsel.”

Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, no. CXXXIX, p. 305

“Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds. Every one must show forth deeds that are pure and holy, for words are the property of all alike, whereas such deeds as these belong only to Our loved ones. Strive then with heart and soul to distinguish yourselves by your deeds? In this wise We counsel you in this holy and resplendent tablet.”

Baha’u’llah, Hidden Words, Persian no. 76

“The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed his deeds, know verily that his death is better than his life.”

Baha’u’llah, Tablets, p. 156

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 5th Noble Path: Right Living ?

“The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred…”

Baha’u’llah, Hidden Words, Persian no. 82

“It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades and the like… Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others.”

Baha’u’llah, Tablets, p. 26

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 6th Noble Path: Right Effort ?

“Success or failure, gain or loss, must, therefore, depend upon man’s own exertions. The more he striveth, the greater will be his progress.”

Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, no. XXXIV, p. 81

“Arise, therefore, and, with the whole enthusiasm of your hearts, with all the eagerness of your souls, the full fervour of your will, and the concentrated efforts of your entire being, strive to attain the paradise of His presence… and to obtain a portion of this perfume of celestial glory.”

Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, no. CLI, p. 320

“Our greatest efforts must be directed towards detachment from the things of the world; we must strive to become more spiritual, more luminous, to follow the counsel of the Divine Teaching, to serve the cause of unity and true equality…”

Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 87

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 7th Noble Path: Right Mindfulness ?

“He is not to be numbered with the people of Baha who followeth his mundane desires, or fixeth his heart on the things of the earth. He is My true follower who, if he come to a valley of pure gold, will pass straight through it aloof as a cloud, and will neither turn back, nor pause. Such a man is, assuredly, of Me… And if he met the fairest and mist comely of women, he would not feel his hearth seduced by the least shadow of desire for her beauty. Such a one, indeed is the creation of spotless chastity.”

Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, no. LX, pp. 117-8

“Live then the days of thy life, that are less than a fleeting moment, with thy mind stainless, thy heart unsullied, thy thoughts pure and thy nature sanctified, so that, free and content, thou mayest put away this mortal frame…”

Baha’u’llah, Hidden Words, Persian no.44

Does the Baha’i Faith mention the 8th Noble Path: Right Contemplation ?

“… while you meditate you are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: the light breaks forth and the reality is revealed… The spirit of man is itself informed and strengthened during meditation; through it affairs of which man knew nothing are unfolded before his view…

“Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries. In that state man abstracts himself; in that state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves. TO illustrate this, think of man as endowed with two kinds of sight; when the power of insight is being used the outward power of vision does not see.This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal nature, discerns the reality of things…The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror: if you put if before earthly objects it will reflect them. Therefore if the spirit of man is contemplating earthly subjects he will be informed of these.

“But if you turn the mirror of your spirits heavenwards, the heavenly constellations and the rays of the Sun of Reality will be reflected in your hearts, and the virtues of the Kingdom will be obtained.”

Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, pp. 174-6

Do Baha’is worship their ancestors ?

“People think religion is confined to an edifice, to be worshipped at an altar. In reality it is an attitude toward divinity which is reflected through life. The confirmations of the Spirit come to that man or woman who accepts his life with radiant acquiescence. Release comes by making of the will a door through which the confirmations of the Spirit come. By religion we mean those necessary bonds which unify the world of humanity. This has ever been the essence of religion, for this object have all the Manifestations come to the world. Alas! that the leaders of religion afterwards have abandoned this solid foundation and have fabricated a set of blind dogmas and rituals which are at complete variance with the foundation of divine religion.”

Abdu’l-Baha, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 438

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The real teaching of Buddha is the same as the teaching of Jesus

Christ. The teachings of all the Prophets are the same in

character.

Reported statement of „Abdu‟l-Bahá, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London, p. 63

[Bahá’u’lláh] is the one promised in all the scriptures of the

past…to Buddhism, the Maitreya Buddha….

Bahá‟í International Community, 1992 May 29: “Statement on Bahá‟u‟lláh”, p. 26

How does the Bahá’í Faith connect with Buddha’s Revelation?

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Does Bahá’u’lláh claim to fulfill prophecies of the past?

While breathing the foul air of the Siyah-Chal, with His feet in stocks and His

head weighed down by the mighty chain, Bahá’u’lláh received, as attested by

Him…, the first intimations of His station as the Supreme Manifestation of God

–

He whose appearance had been foretold by the Prophets of old in such terms as

the 'reincarnation of Krishna', the 'fifth Buddha', the 'Shah Bahram', the 'Lord of

Hosts', the Christ returned 'in the glory of the Father', the 'Spirit of God', and by

the Báb as 'Him Whom God shall make manifest'.

Adib Taherzadeh, The Child of the Covenant, p. 57

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What is the purpose of religion?

The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God's holy Will is to establish

unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world; make it not the cause of dissension

and strife. The religion of God and His divine law are the most potent instruments and

the surest of all means for the dawning of the light of unity amongst men. The progress

of the world, the development of nations, the tranquility of peoples, and the peace of

all who dwell on earth are among the principles and ordinances of God. Religion

bestoweth upon man the most precious of all gifts, offereth the cup of prosperity,

imparteth eternal life, and showereth imperishable benefits upon mankind.

Bahá‟u‟lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 129

Did Buddha believe in a Creator?

In a famous Pali text attributed to Sariputra, the great disciple of Buddha, and accepted by all Paliorthodoxy He says: 'Oh disciples, there is a non-born, a non-produced, [a] non-created, a non-formed, if there were not, oh disciples, a non-born, a non-produced, a non-created and a non-formed, there would be no issue for the born, the produced, the created, the formed.' Since Buddha maintained that everything in the world has come into existence due to the law of Karma, law of action and reaction, there can be no action without the doer and willer of action. There must have been the first action and the fixing of the law of Karma. Whoever fixed that law and had the power to carry it out must have been confident of its result. No law can come into existence by itself without an intelligent Entity. The Master Mind behind all creation, therefore, is the First Cause. People call Him God. Buddha called Him the First Cause.

Will another Buddha arise?

And the Blessed One replied:

...'I am not the first Buddha Who came upon this earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the world, a Holy One, a supremely enlightened One, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a Master of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths which I have taught you. He will preach to you His religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at the climax and glorious at the goal, in spirit and in the letter. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure, such as I now proclaim.' His disciples will number many thousands, while Mine number many hundreds.'

He will be known as Maitreya

The Blessed One replied:

'He will be known as Maitreya, which means He Whose name is "kindness.'"

Note: As you may already know, Baha'u'llah's given name, Husayn, is Arabic for "kindness."

What is His Promise?

"What is this promise?" asked Buddha, and the disciple replied,

"There is in the West a Paradisian country called the Holy Land, exquisitely adorned with gold and silver and precious gems. There are pure waters with golden sands, surrounded by pleasant walks covered with large lotus flowers. Joyous music is heard, and flowers rain down three times a day. There are singing birds whose harmonious notes proclaim the praises of religion and in the minds of those who listen to their sweet sounds, remembrance arises of the Buddha, the law and the brotherhood. No evil birth is possible there, and even the name of hell is unknown. He who fervently and with a pious mind repeats the words 'Amitabha Buddha' will be transformed to the happy region of this holy land, and when death draws near, Buddha with His saintly followers will stand before him, and there will be perfect tranquility."

Seat of the Universal House of Justice in Haifa in the Holy Land

The Holy Land…the Infinite Light of Truth

You say it lies in the West. This means look for it where He Who enlightens the world resides.“

"Your description," Buddha continued, "is beautiful; yet it is insufficient and does little justice to the glory of the Holy Land. The worldly can speak of it in a worldly way only, they use worldly similes and worldly words. But the Holy Land in which the holy live is more beautiful than you can say or imagine. However, the repetition of the name 'Amitabha Buddha' is meritorious only if you speak it with such devout attitude of mind as will cleanse your heart and attune your will to do works of righteousness. He only can reach the happy land whose soul is filled with the Infinite Light of Truth. He only can live and breathe in the spiritual atmosphere of the Western Paradise who has attained enlightenment."Further, Buddha stated,"A true follower of the Tathagata (a title of Buddha meaning 'He Who has thus come') does not found his trust on austerities and rituals but, giving up the idea of self, relies with his whole heart upon Amitabha, which is the unbounded light of truth."

Entrance to the Shrine of Baha’u’llahin Bahji in the Holy Land

The higher life will he make known

At that period, brethren, there will arise in the world an Exalted. One named Metteyya, Arahat, Fully Awakened, abounding in wisdom and goodness, happy, with knowledge of the worlds, unsurpassed as a guide to mortals willing to be led, a teacher for gods and men, an Exalted One,a Buddha, even as I am now... ...He, by himself, will thoroughly know and see, as it were face to face, this universe, with Its worlds of the spirits, Its Brahmas and Its Maras, and Its world of recluses and Brahmins, of princes and peoples, even as I now, by myself, thoroughly know and see them. -Digha Nikaya 1

The truth [the Norm, the Dhamma], lovely in origin, lovely in Its progress, lovely in Its consummation, will he(Metteyya Buddha) proclaim, both in the spirit and in letter, the higher life will he make known, in all Its fullness and in all Its purity, even as I do know. He will be accompanied by a congregation of some thousands of Brethren, even as I an now accompanied by a congregation of some hundreds of Brethren. –

--Digha Nikaya 2This prophecy of Gautama Buddha clearly predicts that the teaching of Mettayya Buddha will be a worldwide teaching

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Who are some Who have spoken on behalf of God?

Know thou assuredly that the essence of all the Prophets of God is one and the same. Their unity is absolute. God, the Creator, saith: There is no distinction whatsoever among the Bearers of My Message….

The measure of the revelation of the Prophets of God in this world, however, must differ. Each and every one of them hath been the Bearer of a distinct Message, and hath been commissioned to reveal Himself through specific acts. It is for this reason that they appear to vary in their greatness.

…any apparent variation in the intensity of their light is not inherent in the light itself, but should rather be attributed to the varying receptivity of an ever-changing world.

Bahá‟u‟lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 78

God

One God – One Holy Spirit – One Word

3228 BC 2000/1700 BC 1300/1200 BC 1100 BC 232/273 BC 1-30 AD 570-632 AD 1819-’50 AD 1817-’92AD