Education

Compilations[edit]

Methods[edit]

Funding[edit]

Voluntary funding for education

Disciplines[edit]

By age[edit]

From Lights of Guidance (to categorize or add to subpages)[edit]

Education of Man[edit]

"Man is even as steel, the essence of which is hidden: through admonition and explanation, good counsel and education, that essence will be brought to light. If, however, he be allowed to remain in his original condition, the corrosion of lusts and appetites will effectively destroy him."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Bahá'í Education, A Compilation, p. 5, in Lights of Guidance, no. 706)

Education of the Physical and Intellectual, Spiritual and Ethical Aspects of Man[edit]

"...Bahá'u'lláh considered education as one of the most fundamental factors of a true civilization. This education, however, in order to be adequate and fruitful, should be comprehensive in nature and should take into consideration not only the physical and the intellectual side of man but also his spiritual and ethical aspects. This should be the program of the Bahá'í youth all over the world."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 9, 1931, in Lights of Guidance, no. 707)

Man Said to be Greatest Representative of God[edit]

"Man is said to be the greatest representative of God, and he is the Book of Creation because all the mysteries of beings exist in him. If he comes under the shadow of the True Educator and is rightly trained, he becomes the essence of essences, the light of lights, the spirit of spirits; he becomes the centre of the divine appearances, the source of spiritual qualities, the rising-place of heavenly lights, and the receptacle of divine inspirations. If he is deprived of this education he becomes the manifestation of satanic qualities, the sum of animal vices, and the source of all dark conditions."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Bahá'í World Faith, 1971 ed., p. 332, in Lights of Guidance, no. 708)

Modern Education Lacking in Ability to Produce a Mature Mind[edit]

"People today indeed do tend to be very superficial in their thinking, and it would seem as if the educational systems in use are sorely lacking in ability to produce a mature mind in a person who has reached supposedly adult life! All the outside influences that surround the individual seem to have an intensely distracting effect, and it is a hard job to get the average person to do any deep thinking or even a little meditation on the problems facing him and the world at large. Over and over again Bahá'u'lláh cried out against the heedlessness of humanity, and warns of the fate such an attitude must lead to. Did we not know what God plans to do, and will do, with the world in the future, we should certainly be as hopeless as many of the best thinkers of our generation have become."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, September 22, 1948, in Lights of Guidance, no. 709)

Each Should Be Educated According to His Needs and Deserts[edit]

"Among other teachings and principles Bahá'u'lláh counsels the education of all members of society. No individual should be denied or deprived of intellectual training although each should receive according to capacity. None must be left in the grades of ignorance, for ignorance is a defect in the human world. All mankind must be given a knowledge of science and philosophy; that is, as much as may be deemed necessary. All cannot be scientists or philosophers but each should be educated according to his needs and deserts."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 ed., p. 108, in Lights of Guidance, no. 710)

Education Extended to Prisoners[edit]

"...Kindness, training and education extended to prisoners is exceedingly important. Therefore as thou has exerted an effort in this, has awakened some of them, and hast been the cause of the turning of their faces to the divine Kingdom, this praiseworthy deed is highly acceptable. Assuredly persevere. Convey on my behalf to the two prisoners in San Quentin the utmost kindness, and tell them: 'That prison in the sight of wise souls is a school of training and development. Ye must strive with heart and soul that ye may become renowned in character and knowledge.'"

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 116-117, in Lights of Guidance, no. 711)

Humankind Are as Children in School, and Prophets Are Their Teachers[edit]

"O true companions! All humankind are as children in a school, and the Dawning-Points of Light, the Sources of divine revelation are the teachers, wondrous and without peer. In the school of realities they educate these sons and daughters, according to teachings from God, and foster them in the bosom of grace, so that they may develop along every line, show forth the excellent gifts and blessing of the Lord, and combine human perfections; that they may advance in all aspects of human endeavour, whether outward or inward, hidden or visible, material or spiritual, until they make of this mortal world a widespread mirror, to reflect that other world which dieth not."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 128, in Lights of Guidance, no. 712)

Learning is the Greatest Bestowal of God[edit]

"It is clear that learning is the greatest bestowal of God; that knowledge and the acquirement thereof is a blessing from Heaven. Thus it is incumbent upon the friends of God to exert such an effort and strive with such eagerness to promote divine knowledge, culture and the sciences, that ere long those who are school children today will become the most erudite of all the fraternity of the wise. This is a service rendered unto God Himself, and it is one of His inescapable commandments."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Bahá'í Education, A Compilation, Wilmette, 1977 ed., p. 38, in Lights of Guidance, no. 713)

Give Them Advantage of Every Useful Kind of Knowledge[edit]

"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. Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 1982 ed., sec. 102, p. 129: Ibid., p. 1, in Lights of Guidance, no. 999)