Reverence

Need to have reverence befitting Holy Days but cultural traditions not contravening Bahá'í principles may find expression in local observances[edit]

"You have asked for suggestions regarding the preparation of the handbook on Bahá'í Holy Days which you are planning to publish. It is important that notwithstanding whatever details you set forth therein, it be made clear that the contents do not constitute procedures that must be rigidly adhered to,

"Dignity and reverence befitting the occasion should obviously characterize observances of Bahá'í Holy Days by the friends, but this does not mean that cultural traditions which do not contravene Bahá'í principles may not, and cannot, find expression in the local observances and meetings of the friends."

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, to an individual believer, 1 August 1983, Cultural Diversity in the Age of Maturity, no. 210)

From Lights of Guidance (to categorize)[edit]

Reverence and Respect Toward The Holy Places[edit]

"You have asked about visiting holy places and the observance of marked reverence toward these resplendent spots. Holy places are undoubtedly centres of the outpouring of Divine grace, because on entering the illumined sites associated with martyrs and holy souls, and by observing reverence, both physical and spiritual, one's heart is moved with great tenderness…."

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 61, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1828)

Showing Reverence Differs from Culture to Culture[edit]

"Problems arise when there are disagreements among the friends as to what is dignified and reverent. The Universal House of Justice is reluctant to specify such matters in detail and urges the believers not to make an issue of them. If a believer is seriously worried about a particular case, he may refer it to his National Spiritual Assembly and should abide by the Assembly's decision."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, March 12, 1980, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1832)

To-dos for this page[edit]

Incorporate from https://bahai-library.com/compilation_arts_bwc