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| Bahá’í News | July 1977 | Bahá’í Year 134 |
Kanichi Yamamoto
The story of the first Japanese believer
Journey to Mazra’ih[edit]
Centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s release from prison city of Akká[edit]
In early days of June 1877 Bahá’u’lláh left city Akká and took up residence in Mazra’ih. To mark centenary this termination confinement Ancient Beauty within walls prison city we call upon His followers all lands devote Nineteen Day Feast of His commemoration historic event, rededicating themselves urgent tasks before them, so that pent-up energies His precious Faith may be released to reach ever greater number seeking souls in ever wider circle their fellow men.
The observance at the World Centre[edit]
In the early afternoon of Saturday, June 11, 1977, the pilgrims and friends serving at the World Centre made their way to Mazra’ih to visit the Mansion that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had rented a century ago for the use of Bahá’u’lláh, His first residence after leaving the prison-city of Akká. While there, each was privileged to visit and offer prayers in the very room occupied by the Blessed Beauty; later, they repaired to the gardens at Báhji.
Meanwhile, the Hands of the Cause present in the Holy Land, the members of the Universal House of Justice and the Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre were paying their respects to the memory of Bahá’u’lláh at the House of ‘Abbud in ‘Akká and at the Garden of Riḍván. The rooms Bahá’u’lláh had occupied were visited and prayers of thanksgiving for His release from confinement were offered in these Holy Places. They then journeyed north to Mazra’ih for prayers at that Holy Spot, and afterward joined the other friends in the Haram-i-Aqdas at Báhji for the formal program of the Commemoration of this great event in the history of the Heroic Age of the Cause.
Prayers were recited; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s account of the end of Bahá’u’lláh’s confinement and Shoghi Effendi’s narrative from God Passes By were read; and finally, just as the sun was casting its last light over the Mediterranean, the friends made their way in the utmost reverence to the Most Holy Shrine for the chanting of the Tablet of Visitation:
“The remembrance of God and His praise, and the glory of God and His splendour, rest upon thee, O thou who art His Beauty! I bear witness that the eye of creation hath never gazed upon one wronged like thee. Thou wast immersed all the days of Thy life beneath an ocean of tribulations. At one time Thou wast in chains and fetters; at another Thou wast threatened by the sword of Thine enemies. Yet, despite all this, Thou didst enjoin upon all men to observe what had been prescribed unto Thee by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
| Contents |
Journey to Mazra’ih |
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Centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s release from ‘Akká | inside cover |
‘God Passes By’ |
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Review by Barbara Casterline of the Guardian’s historic book | 2 |
Kanichi Yamamoto |
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The inspiring story of the world’s first Japanese believer | 4 |
Around the World |
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News from Bahá’í communities in every corner of the globe | 9 |
Cover
In 1902, only 10 years after the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, 23-year-old Kanichi Yamamoto became the first Japanese to embrace the Bahá’í Faith. A warm, friendly and personable man, Mr. Yamamoto served the Faith with courage, steadfastness and vigor until his passing in 1961.
Page 14
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Change of address should be reported directly to Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. Please attach mailing label. Subscription rates: one year, U.S. $8; two years, U.S. $15. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright ©1977. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
Bahá’í News is published monthly for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í world community. Manuscripts submitted should be typewritten and double spaced throughout; any footnotes should appear at the end. The contributor should keep a carbon copy. Send materials to: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A.
Book Review[edit]
By BARBARA CASTERLINE
What is the true nature of man’s history? Is it merely the same process repeated again and again, Iron Age succeeding Golden, Golden succeeding Iron? Is it a steady evolutionary climb from beast-like to humane, from simple to complex? Is it a Hegelian see-saw moving from action to reaction, or a Toynbeean one alternating between challenge and response?
The Bahá’í world view encompasses all three visions of history, and the Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, weaves them into a single powerful braid in God Passes By.
The Guardian shows how the periods associated with the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá each had its beginning, its rise to a zenith, and its consummation; how these periods paralleled those of previous Dispensations, and how the present Iron Age of building a World Order that succeeded them is to be succeeded in turn by the Golden Age of the Bahá’í World Commonwealth.
| ‘Only Shoghi Effendi could know what is salient in the mass of historical fact surrounding the birth of the Bahá’í Faith.’ |
He further demonstrates how the stages the Faith has gone through form part of “one stupendous whole,” a “single evolutionary process, vast, steady and irresistible.” And he shows how the pattern out of which these periods and this growth have been formed is one of “the swift interweaving of seeming reverses with evident victories,” of “disasters that have so often proved themselves to be the prelude to fresh triumphs.”
When Shoghi Effendi refers to the lives of the Twin Founders of the Bahá’í Faith, he uses metaphors of periodicity: the seasons of the year, the ebb and flow of the tides, the daily path of the sun. He speaks of the “wintry desolation” at the beginning of Bahá’u’lláh’s prophetic Mission, of its “vernal years” in Baghdád, of the “summer glory” achieved with its widespread proclamation from Adrianople, and of the “maturing process” when were gathered in ‘Akká its “choicest fruits.” The lowest ebb in the fortunes of the Cause is identified with Bahá’u’lláh’s self-imposed two-year isolation in Sulaymáníyyih; after His return, the Guardian writes, it began “to surge back, and was destined to roll on, steadily and mightily, to a new high-water mark, associated this time with the Declaration of His Mission, on the eve of His banishment to Constantinople.”
Finally, the resplendent sun, used by Bahá’u’lláh Himself to symbolize the appearance of Divinity in the world, becomes the most pervasive image in God Passes By, appearing again and again in the magnificent summary passages in which the Guardian discloses the significance of the events he has been describing, as in the chapter on “the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh”:
“The Sun of Truth, the world’s greatest Luminary, had risen in the Síyáh-Chál of Ṭihrán, had broken through the clouds which enveloped it in Baghdád, had suffered a momentary eclipse whilst mounting to its zenith in Adrianople, and had set finally in ‘Akká, never to reappear ere the lapse of a full millenium.”
In this same passage Shoghi Effendi amplifies the cumulative nature of Bahá’í history, its continuous rise, by summarizing the heights attained by the time of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh: the Faith proclaimed, prophecies of its coming fulfilled, its laws and principles given, its relation to its parent religions defined, its major institutions established, its Covenant bequeathed, its promise of unification given, its warnings and summons issued, its contact with the family of the first member of royalty to espouse it made, its influence on Mount Carmel initiated, and the spiritual conquest of the planet begun.
As we plod along each day with one more meeting to attend, one more mailing to make, one more effort to spread the Cause of God a little farther, it is heartening to pause and look back, as the Guardian enables us to do through his comprehensive account, to see how far we have come.
It is also heartening, when seemingly catastrophic reverses threaten, to recall Bahá’u’lláh’s assurances in The Hidden Words that His calamity is in truth His providence, and then to see chronicled by the pen of Shoghi Effendi how often the Cause has emerged from these seeming deathblows miraculously resurgent and strengthened.
Thus, the cruel captivity of the Báb gave Him the time to write in full His Teachings, and prompted His followers to gather in the village of Badasht to proclaim the day of new laws. The crazed attempt on the life of the Shah led at first to a bloodbath, but its culmination was Bahá’u’lláh’s vision in the darkness of the Síyáh-Chál. The rebellion of Bahá’u’lláh’s half-brother, Mírza Yahyá, resulted temporarily in the weakening, splitting, and exile of the Bahá’í community, but faded into insignificance beside the light produced by the proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission to the world. The attempt of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s half-brother to produce a schism after the death of their Father paled before the ascendancy shown by Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant as His Faith was established in the West. The intent on the part of the Sultan of Turkey’s emissaries to arrest ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was miraculously thwarted, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was enabled instead to accomplish the interment of the Báb’s remains on Mount Carmel and to make His fruitful journey to the West.
The recurrent crises that have characterized Bahá’í history to date and that may be expected to characterize it in future years have consisted of events, sudden and generally unexpected, that sharply eroded the progress of the Faith for a time; yet each of them, the Guardian says, is “a blessing in disguise, affording a providential means for the release of a fresh outpouring of celestial strength, a miraculous escape from imminent and still more dreadful calamities, an instrument for the fulfillment of age-old prophecies, an agency for the purification and revitalization of the life of the community, an impetus for the enlargement of its limits and the propagation of its influence, and a compelling evidence of the indestructibility of its cohesive strength.”
God Passes By is not a book to be hastily skimmed for facts, but to be read aloud so that the full implication of every analogy may be realized, the full weight of every parallel structure felt.
This volume, with an entire history compressed into every vibrant sentence, has as its modest aim “a review of the salient features’ of the birth and rise of the Bahá’í Faith, “as well as of the initial stages in the establishment of its administrative institutions.”
The key word is “salient.” Only Shoghi Effendi could know what is salient in the mass of historical fact surrounding the birth of the Bahá’í Faith; only he could know how each piece could be fitted neatly into place to form a complete picture. In this respect he is the Bahá’í historian’s historian, and his single volume a mega-history, the frame of reference into which all future Bahá’í histories, amplifying detail but not vision, must fit.
Kanichi Yamamoto[edit]
By MARION YAZDI
served the Faith with steadfastness and courage
until he drew his final breath
| ‘When she asked him ... how he knew that it was the truth, he answered by placing his hand to his heart, and said he knew there.’ |
Kanichi Yamamoto has a place of never-ending honor as the first Japanese Bahá’í in the world.
By 1902—only 10 years after the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh—Thornton Chase, an American, had become the first person from the western world to believe in Him; Robert Turner, the first American Negro; Thomas Breakwell, the first Englishman; Hippolyte Dreyfus, the first Frenchman—and Kanichi Yamamoto, a 23-year-old “youth of God,”1 the first Oriental believer in the world.
Industrious, self-reliant, earnest and adventurous, Kanichi had left his parents in the rural village of To-saki in the prefecture of Yamaguchi, Japan, and set out to see the world.
In Hawaii, on his way to America, “Moto,” as he was affectionately known, found work in the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Owen Smith.
The Smiths’ son, Clarence, and Agnes Alexander had recently returned to the islands from Paris where they had attended the meetings of May Bolles and accepted the Bahá’í Faith.
Living with the Smith family was Miss Elizabeth Muther who helped Moto with his English. When Miss Muther also became a Bahá’í, her first thought was to speak about it to Mr. Yamamoto.
The story was recorded by Miss Alexander, who later was to become a Hand of the Cause of God, in an unpublished manuscript, Forty Years of the Bahá’í Faith in Hawaii:
“...the power of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet to her (Miss Muther), and her own earnest prayer, brought about a great event in the spiritual world, as God used her as His instrument to confirm the first Japanese Bahá’í ... When she asked him (Kanichi) how he knew that it was the truth, he answered by placing his hand to his heart, and said he knew there.”2
Miss Muther herself, in a letter dated September 8, 1902, recounted the circumstances of Moto’s acceptance of the Faith:
“I want to tell you of my great joy in being led to give the Message to Moto ... After I became a believer I felt that sometime I might tell Moto. I thought of him while on Maui and prayed that his heart might be prepared to receive the truth...
“Although it was a little difficult to give him the Message because of his imperfect knowledge of English, yet God helped me so that he understands perfectly and is rejoicing in the knowledge of His truth.
“I have just had a talk with him, and he told me how happy he was, and that he expects to write his letter to the Master this evening.
“I feel that he will be a power for good among the Japanese here. He has a very even temper and winning disposition, and seems to have many devoted friends...”3
When Mr. Yamamoto wrote to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá he was so deeply affected that he composed the letter four times but still thought he had not adequately expressed his thoughts in English. Finally, Miss Muther asked him to write in Japanese, for she felt that the Master would surely understand.
He wrote then in his own language, humbly confessing his belief in the Manifestation of God for this day, and asking for the ability to teach the people of his native land.
When he received a Tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá4 in reply, Mr. Yamamoto’s spirit soared to new heights.
In February 1903, he received a second Tablet from the Master: “I pray my Lord to teach thee a language and writing of the Kingdom which will satisfy thee, so as to dispense with all things...”5
Mr. Yamamoto stayed six months in the islands to learn more of the Teachings, and left in the spring of 1903 for Oakland, California, where he became a butler in the home of Mrs. Helen S. Goodall, a Bahá’í who lived at 1537 Jackson St.
Attending the Bahá’í National Convention of the United States in 1948 were Kathryn Frankland, left; Kanichi Yamamoto, center; and his son, Hiroshi Yamamoto.
| ‘Moto is a beautiful believer and carries out the Master’s wishes in his everyday life—so patient and faithful. He is surely unique, as the Master called him in His last Tablet ...’ |
Mrs. Goodall wrote to friends in Hawaii shortly after his arrival:
“It seems wonderful to me how the Spirit has taught Moto, as he does not understand English very well ... He is very happy and goes about the house as if he were walking on air, especially if a believer comes to see us, or we have a meeting.”6
Those early meetings presided over by Mrs. Goodall and her daughter, Ella, assisted by the devoted Mr. Yamamoto, were happy affairs indeed. It was Moto who opened the door and greeted each guest with a beaming smile.
In 1904 Mr. Yamamoto wrote to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, again in Japanese. We are fortunate to have an account of the receipt of that letter in ‘Akká.
The Master’s secretary, Dr. Yunis Khan Afrukhtih, wrote in Nine Years Memories of ‘Akká7 that the only word of Mr. Yamamoto’s letter he could read was the signature.
Dr. Afrukhtih translated an accompanying letter from Helen Goodall and gave it to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá along with the letter in Japanese.
The Master said to him jokingly, “Well, do you not know Japanese?”
The secretary bowed and replied, “No, Master, I hardly know English.”
“Then what shall we do with this letter?” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked, smiling.
“Perhaps you should do with it as you did with the others (from Mr. Yamamoto),” Dr. Afrukhtih replied.
“Very well,” said the Master. “I will turn to Bahá’u’lláh, and He will tell me what to say.”
Accordingly, on August 4, 1904, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed a Tablet, and an English translation was sent to Mr. Yamamoto:
“O thou who art the single one of Japan and the unique one of the Extreme Orient!
“That country hath been deprived of the divine breath until this time; now, God be praised! thou art initiated in the mysteries ...
“Do not wonder at the favor and bounty of the Lord. By the favor of God, how often a drop hath become undulating like a sea, and an atom hath become shining like the sun!”8
A few months after the Tablet was received, Mrs. Goodall wrote to Agnes Alexander and Elizabeth Muther: “Moto is a beautiful believer and carries out the Master’s wishes in his everyday life—so patient and faithful. He is surely unique, as the Master called him in His last Tablet ... It was a miracle that the Master knew what Moto’s letter contained when it was written in Japanese. He answered all his questions.”9
The familiar words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on marriage were revealed in a Tablet to Mr. Yamamoto:
“O thou youth of God! ... As to the question of marriage, according to the law of God: first you must select one, and then it depends upon the consent of the father and mother. Before your selection they have no right of interference.”10
It was important to Yamamoto that his five children attend the Bahá’í Junior Classes in Berkeley, California, taught by Kathryn Frankland. Four of his sons are in the front row. Left to right: Hiroshi, Michiaki, Masao, Shinji. In the back row are Mahmoud Amerie; a niece of Ella Cooper; Marion Carpenter; Mr. Milad; Helen Frankland; a niece of Ella Cooper; and Kathryn Frankland.
| ‘ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá dearly loved Mr. Yamamoto’s three young sons. He held them on His knee, talked to them, and gave each one a special name.’ |
Mr. Yamamoto was married in 1908 in the ballroom of Mrs. Goodall’s Oakland home. An elaborate American wedding was given by the Goodalls; all the Bahá’ís and the Japanese friends of the couple were invited.
After the ceremony, according to Ella Cooper, Moto said to his bride, with characteristic humor, “I don’t want you to be like a Japanese wife, always bowing. I want you to be like an American wife and boss me!”
Five sons and a daughter were born to this union. After his wife’s death in 1919, Mr. Yamamoto married her sister, Fumiko, with whom he had six children.
In 1909, upon the death of her husband, Mrs. Goodall moved to her daughter’s home in San Francisco but kept the Oakland house open for meetings, with Moto in charge.
Among the 40 or so women and one man (John Bosch) who attended these gatherings was Mariam Haney who wrote of Mr. Yamamoto:
“He looked forward to these meetings and it was his great pleasure to prepare the tea, hot biscuits and cakes which were always served. He and his wife and children were very dear to the Bahá’ís.”11
‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived in California during His visit to America on October 3, 1912. His first talk was at the Oakland home later that day.
Other memorable events also took place there including the Feast given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the children’s gathering with the Master.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed in San Francisco at 1815 California Street in a house prepared for Him by Helen Goodall and Ella Cooper. It was Mr. Yamamoto’s privilege to live in the home and serve Him during those never-to-be-forgotten days.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá dearly loved Mr. Yamamoto’s three young sons. He held them on His knee, talked to them, and gave each one a special name: Hiroshi, the oldest, he called Hassan; Shinji, Husayn; Masao, Farok.
The meeting arranged by Mr. Yamamoto for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to address the Japanese YMCA at the Oakland Japanese Independent Church gave the Master special pleasure because the members were Orientals. The women brought their babies for His blessing, and “He showed great favor to the Japanese friends.”12
After the Oakland home passed into other hands in 1919, Moto made a trip to Japan, then took up landscape gardening and moved to Berkeley, California.
It was important to him that his five children attend the Berkeley Bahá’í Junior Classes of Mrs. Kathryn Frankland at 1199 Spruce Street. It was there that I met the Yamamotos in 1920 when I came to the university and helped to teach those delightful youngsters.
Moto enjoyed hearing Hiroshi, Shinji, Masao, Fumiko and Michiaki recite the prayers and The Hidden Words and give talks.
A report in the Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom in 1922 described the classes:
“The Bahá’í Junior Group of Berkeley is very much alive! Under the guidance and careful cultivation of Mrs. Frankland, it is blossoming like a beautiful flower garden.”13
Other issues said that “addresses” given by the Berkeley Juniors at the First Western Teaching Conference, November 24-26, 1922, were “wonderful”;14 that the children “told about their meetings and Feasts, and delivered the Message, and demonstrated beyond doubt that the future of the Cause depends upon their training.”15
A picture of the youth session shows Mr. Yamamoto seated proudly with his five children.
Helen S. Goodall, seen on the porch of her home in Oakland, California, employed Kanichi Yamamoto as a butler in 1903.
[Page 8]
After Pearl Harbor, when Japanese living in America were being taken to detention camps, the Yamamotos telephoned me to say goodbye. They had only a few hours in which to pack.
Moto’s attitude was cheerfulness itself: “The WPA is moving us. Isn’t that wonderful! We can take our own clothes. Everything is fine. Hiroshi and Shinji can stay and come later. Perhaps we can be pioneers like Mrs. Frankland!”
I remarked on his courage and optimism. He replied: “Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá were 40 years in prison, so we can’t mind this.”
To Fumiko, his wife, I said we would pray for their safety and comfort. She expressed her gratitude: “Now I know we will be all right.”
Shinji Yamamoto wrote a revealing account of their life in camp in World Order magazine, Winter 1975-76.
When Mr. Yamamoto returned to Berkeley after the war, we were relieved and happy to have him with us again. He always served the Berkeley friends; in time of need he was there with help, concern and flowers.
On May 1, 1961, Kanichi Yamamoto passed away. His children, now successful in business and the professions, came from several areas of the country to attend the Bahá’í service.
Mr. Yamamoto belonged to the generation that was richly blessed to have known the Master. And his is the imperishable honor to have been the first Japanese believer.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said of him, “There hath come a soul from the remotest horizon who hath entered the Kingdom of God.”16 And again: “...Thou wert a roving bird, thou hast reached the Divine Rose-Garden.”17
- Tablet to Yamamoto, Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. III, p. 561.
- pp. 14-15.
- Ibid., p. 15.
- Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. III, pp. 563-564.
- Ibid., pp. 559-560.
- Agnes Alexander, Forty Years of the Bahá’í Faith in Hawaii (unpublished manuscript), p. 16.
- pp. 361-363.
- Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. III, pp. 560-561.
- Forty Years of the Bahá’í Faith in Hawaii, p. 16.
- Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. III, pp. 561-563.
- Mariam Haney, Mrs. Helen S. Goodall (unpublished manuscript), p. 7.
- F.O. Allen, Star of the West, Vol. III, No. 13, p. 13.
- March 1922, p. 32.
- Ibid., December 1922, p. 22.
- Ibid., March 1923, p. 30.
- Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. III, p. 560.
- Ibid., p. 561.
Around the World[edit]
Sikkim
Counsellors visit two Bahá’í schools[edit]
Two Bahá’í primary schools were visited by Continental Counsellors Shirin Boman and Zena Sorabjee during the first week in February. They were accompanied by a prospective pioneer from Gwalior, Mr. Khare.
The first school visited was in Ranipul, where seven members of the National Spiritual Assembly met the bus on which the visitors were traveling.
The school building had been rented and freshly painted, with classes scheduled to begin on February 14. Three classrooms were ready for nursery school, three teachers were available, and 45 children were to be admitted initially.
The school is totally self-supporting. The residents of Ranipul, where the Temple land is also situated, are enthusiastic about having a Bahá’í primary school in their area.
Mrs. Boman, Mrs. Sorabjee, and Mr. Khare then visited the Bahá’í primary school held at the Bahá’í Center in Tadong. Additional structures to house the classes are planned to be constructed. The central, older building will be retained as the Bahá’í Center.
During the visit, the Tadong school held a concert for the entire community, which the governor attended. After an explanatory talk about the Faith, the Bahá’í children recited prayers.
Before the prayers began, one small child, repeating the daily instruction given the children, delighted the audience by stepping forward and instructing them: “Close your eyes and fold your hands!”
The visitors to Tadong report that they heard a number of expressions of appreciation of the concert from people, other than Bahá’ís, who attended.
Sierra Leone
First Women’s Conference delights House of Justice[edit]
The first National Bahá’í Women’s Conference ever to be held in Sierra Leone was attended for three days, from April 8-10, by Bahá’í women who discussed the principles and commandments of the Blessed Beauty.
Specifically, topics of discussion were women and Bahá’í administration: Bahá’í laws; children’s classes, and what it means to be a Bahá’í.
In a cable to the conference, the Universal House of Justice said it was “delighted” at the news of the conference and was praying at the Holy Shrines for the success of efforts to win the goals.
One of the women who attended the conference taught a children’s class on April 17, just one week later. Four children attended.
Guyana
The National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Guyana was the site of the Third Annual Children’s Conference held March 27. One hundred eighty-five children attended, representing 15 communities and 20 children’s classes.
[Page 10]
Hong Kong and Macau
Lawrence Ip, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Hong Kong and Macau, was married at the Bahá’í National Center of Hong Kong on March 31 to Veamora Cornejo, who has been a full-time Bahá’í traveling teacher in the Philippines for the past two years. The nationalities represented by the 350 Bahá’í guests at the reception were American, British, Canadian, Chinese, Indian, Iranian, and Malaysian.
Ghana
Chief wishes all mankind could understand Faith[edit]
The letter of a Paramount Chief in Ghana, who is not a Bahá’í, is shared by Sue E. Badiei, who with her husband was a pioneer in Ghana for 3½ years. She said the Chief is “someone whom we befriended,” and that he is in charge of several other chiefs.
The Paramount Chief wrote:
“I have to acknowledge with sincere thanks the Air Mail parcel of books dispatched to me. The two books, Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh are so interesting and uplifting that I devoted a whole day to reading them without thinking of any food.
“...I wish all mankind, especially my people, could have a clear understanding about this sublime teaching of the Great Bahá’u’lláh.
“I have for many years been reading books of various religions but could not come to a definite understanding why God should have different names. Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings have thrown more daylight upon my understanding that there is but one God...
“As I am writing early this morning, I have already gone through The Hidden Words and Selected Writings and all is color within me. I have forgotten myself as a Paramount Chief. I have taken God as the most Paramount Chief in the world...”
Benin
Bahá’ís deepen during institute[edit]
A two-day Deepening Institute, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Benin and conducted by West African Continental Counsellor Thelma Khelghati, was attended by 30 believers representing 10 Local Assemblies.
The Institute was held May 28-29 at the Bahá’í National Center in Cotonou, Benin.
Using the Writings for reference, the Bahá’ís discussed why Bahá’u’lláh accepted to suffer, God’s destiny for humanity, and the station of the Universal House of Justice.
After general discussion, four work groups were formed for intensive study of the Writings.
At the conclusion of the Institute, Mrs. Khelghati invited each Bahá’í to make individual plans to promote and consolidate the Faith. Many completed personal goals for the Faith.
Assembly members make individual goals[edit]
In response to the Riḍván message to Benin from the Universal House of Justice, which encouraged all Benin believers to make personal teaching, deepening, and consolidation goals, each member of the National Spiritual Assembly has made individual plans for this Bahá’í year.
Leslie L. Gottert, secretary of the National Assembly, said, “The members of the National Assembly hope that by their example they can encourage all members of Local Assemblies, and each Bahá’í in Benin, to make and accomplish individual plan goals for this year.”
[Page 11]
North America
3 National Assemblies in historic meeting[edit]
The National Spiritual Assemblies of the United States, Alaska, and Canada met the weekend of June 17-19 at the new Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Toronto to discuss the major challenges the condition of society in North America presents to the Faith at this time.
Each of the National Assemblies expressed concern about the rapid decline of society and its impact upon Bahá’ís, the stagnation of youth activities, and the need for the Bahá’í community to become more distinctive and resist compromising its high standards of conduct.
While at the joint meeting, the National Assemblies discovered that each of them had planned major events for the month of September, coinciding with the anniversary of the first mention of the Faith in North America in September 1893.
The National Assemblies feel that the Faith is on the brink of widespread advancement in North America.
In a message to the Universal House of Justice on June 20, the National Assemblies said they are “keenly conscious” of their “responsibilities” as “co-executors Divine Plan Beloved Master” and are “determined” to “exert every effort early achievement of all goals.” In its reply, the Universal House of Justice said it was delighted by the spirit of devotion and cooperation manifested at the meeting.
Besides meeting jointly, two working sessions were held. National Assembly members broke into three groups to discuss specific issues facing North American Bahá’ís. Recommendations were based on these discussions.
Topics explored during the first working session included native and minority teaching, administrative development and information sharing among the three National Assemblies, and the roles of children and youth in the Faith.
In the second working session, the groups discussed deepening, consolidation of Local Spiritual Assemblies, and individual teaching.
A letter resulting from the joint meeting was addressed to the Bahá’ís in North America. It was the first time that three North American National Assemblies had addressed the Bahá’ís throughout the continent.
Speaking of the meeting, Soo Fouts, assistant secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, said later, “The biggest need is to stimulate the individual Bahá’í to rise to his destiny in the 20th century.”
Ecuador
Hand of Cause Muhájir attends conference, first summer school[edit]
A satellite conference to the International Teaching Conferences in Bahia, Brazil, and Merida, Mexico, was held February 16-21 in Ecuador at the request of the Universal House of Justice. The conference, held in the town of Cuenca, served as the inauguration of the first annual Bahá’í summer school in Ecuador.
The Hand of the Cause Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, who was present for two days, inspired the friends to make plans that would ensure the speedy accomplishment of the Five Year Plan goals.
Approximately 75 attended, including four Persian believers who had come to Ecuador following the International Teaching Conferences to visit their families who are pioneering.
Teaching plans were made at the conference, one project being formulated for the Province of Chimborazo, which has the highest concentration of Indians in Ecuador. The friends involved in the project hope to enroll thousands of new believers.
A monetary gift was made during the conference that will enable the community of Cuenca to begin construction on its Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. The construction had been delayed previously for lack of funds.
The National Spiritual Assembly has designated the Cuenca Bahá’í community as the sponsor for future annual summer schools.
Jamaica
After the International Teaching Conference in Mérida, Mexico, the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga traveled to Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago. He is seen here in Kingston, Jamaica, on the day of his arrival, February 21. To Mr. Olinga’s left is his wife, Elizabeth.
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Dominican Republic
The friends in the Dominican Republic gathered April 29-May 1 at the Alianza Cibaena in Santiago for the 17th Bahá’í National Convention of the Dominican Republic.
United Kingdom
University seminar focuses on Faith[edit]
Since no less than six people in Europe are currently engaged in doctoral research on aspects of the Bahá’í Faith, a Bahá’í Studies Seminar was held at the University of Lancaster in the United Kingdom on April 16-17.
Scholars from Belgium and The Netherlands, as well as the United Kingdom, attended the seminar, which was held with the cooperation of the Religious Studies and Sociology departments at the university.
Topics with which the papers dealt included the reformation of Shi’ism, the Yazd episode of 1850, and a review of American sociologist Peter L. Berger’s commentary on the Bahá’í Faith.
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Dominican Republic for B.E. 134-5 are shown here with Auxiliary Board member Feliz Ramón Gomez of Puerto Rico (front row center). In the front row, left to right, are Caridad Martínez, Sheila Rice-Wray, Mr. Gomez, Caroline Hoff and Elina de Pimental. Back row, left to right, are Léido Durán, Alejandro Pérez, Rowell Hoff, Rafael Felipe Peña, Pedro de Jesus.
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Switzerland
Aim of Swiss is victory[edit]
Swiss Bahá’ís met in Geneva May 21-22 for a Victory Conference. The 90 friends who were gathered there “pledged to teach with greater confidence and a heightened sense of urgency in order to win the goals...,” said a report received from Switzerland.
The Hand of the Cause Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, who was present at the conference, said our lives are fulfilled by telling others the Healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
After Dr. Muhájir’s talk, 55 of the friends volunteered for special teaching activities.
Reminiscences of five of the Bahá’ís who had attended the first European Teaching Conference held 29 years earlier in Geneva gave others present an insight into the spread of the Cause.
The report said the Victory Conference “has already resulted in new activities, and will no doubt produce many more.”
More than 90 Swiss Bahá’ís attended a Victory Conference in Geneva on May 21-22. The Hand of the Cause Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir shown at right addressing the gathering said our lives are fulfilled by telling others the Healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh. Below members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland for B.E. 134 pose with Continental Counsellor Louis Hénuzet and two Auxiliary Board members.
El Salvador
A National Women’s Conference held in San Salvador, El Salvador, in March was attended by 50 Bahá’í women and Continental Counsellor Artemus Lamb.
Fifty women confer on role in Faith[edit]
Fifty Bahá’í women of different ages from 14 Bahá’í communities learned about Bahá’í women in the family and the community, prayer, and the meaning of the Bahá’í principle of the equality between men and women at a National Women’s Conference held in San Salvador in March.
At the close of the conference, which was co-sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors for Central America and the National Women’s Committee for El Salvador, members of the National Assembly had lunch with the participants at the conference.
Some prominent non-Bahá’í women
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were invited to attend a tea and special meeting to discuss the role of Bahá’í women in the Faith, the family, and the community.
United States
Bahá’í community prepares to launch Victory Campaign[edit]
The American Bahá’í community has been challenged by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears to win a resounding victory in the remaining months of the Five Year Plan.
The proposal for victory presented by Mr. Sears calls for personal study, individual teaching, and consolidation of victories won. The aim is to heighten teaching and deepening activities while inspiring the friends to redouble their efforts to win or surpass each and every goal of the Five Year Plan.
Scheduled to be launched in early September, the Victory Plan, as it is called, includes a weekend of intensive study of the teaching compilation, The Individual and Teaching, recently released by the Universal House of Justice; a national fireside month from September 20 to October 20; and a period of nationwide deepenings from October 20 to November 12, the anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh.
The “victory weekend” of study classes is to be held September 10-11. Mr. Sears has developed an inspirational four-part cassette tape program to assist the study classes, and plans to make brief visits to classes that weekend in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. These cities were chosen by the National Spiritual Assembly at the beginning of the Five Year Plan for special teaching emphasis.
The mobilization begun with the “victory weekend” will shift into even higher gear on September 20 when the month of firesides begins.
The National Spiritual Assembly has set a goal of 20,000 firesides to be held during that period.
The entire Victory Plan, says Glenford E. Mitchell, secretary of the National Assembly, “is perceived as an integrated teaching cycle bringing together the elements of study, expansion, and consolidation in a unified program that provides a complete experience the friends can carry forward.”
Liberia
American pioneer speaks about Liberia[edit]
Africa has been good to Laura Hill.
Mrs. Hill, the daughter of Christian missionaries from the United States, spent most of her childhood in Angola.
Later, after meeting and marrying Jim Hill, she returned to Africa—this time to Liberia—because of his work.
That was 23 years ago, and the Hills have lived in Liberia ever since.
It was there, some years after their arrival, that the Hills first became aware of the Bahá’í Faith.
Mrs. Hill became a Bahá’í in 1964, and her husband accepted the Faith in 1975.
Actually, the Faith preceded the Hills in Liberia by only three years. From the infant community formed in 1951 by pioneer William Foster has come a National Spiritual Assembly formed at Riḍván 1975.
The city the Hills live in—Monrovia—was named for an American President, James Monroe. Unlike most African nations, Liberia has no history of colonization, having been created in 1820 as a homeland for former slaves.
On stepping off an airplane in Liberia, says Mrs. Hill, one notices lush tropical vegetation in the rainy season, swirling dust in the dry season.
The people of Liberia speak “a sort of English,” she says, or else one of 28 tribal languages.
Pioneers are needed in Liberia, she says, but because of government employment policies that favor Liberians, it often is difficult for an outsider to find work.
Mrs. Hill says that in general, the pioneer must have special skills. Even foreign medical doctors must have a specialty if they hope to practice medicine in Liberia. Areas outside of Monrovia, she says, “are crying” for self-supporting pioneers.
Surinam and French Guiana
The first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Surinam and French Guiana was elected at Riḍván, 1977. The Hand of the Cause Dhikru’lláh Khádem, who represented the Universal House of Justice at the inaugural convention, is seen in the center of the front row. An article about this National Assembly’s formation appeared in the June issue of Bahá’í News.
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At present, consolidation work in outlying areas is being done on weekends. Only a single pioneer lives in the interior of the country.
Traveling to outlying areas “almost requires a four-wheel drive vehicle,” says Mrs. Hill. However, buses and taxis are available.
The Liberian Bahá’ís are relying heavily on the help of traveling teachers to win the Five Year Plan goals. Of the 45 Local Spiritual Assemblies to be formed by the end of the plan, 30 are now in existence.
But progress is being made, says Mrs. Hill. Liberians are attracted by the Message of the Oneness of God. Those who belong to churches are disheartened by the sometimes commercial aspects of religion.
“This religion (Bahá’í) speaks to the heart, and so has great appeal to the Africans,” says Mrs. Hill. “The Message is presented with simplicity by Bahá’ís of various ethnic backgrounds, which appeals to the Liberians.”
The Bahá’ís began a 15-minute radio show in January that is broadcast weekly in Monrovia and also reaches the surrounding areas.
Since 1971 a five-minute Bahá’í television program has been on the air. The time is devoted to readings from the Writings.
Canada
Downward trend in Assembly numbers undergoes reversal[edit]
In its preliminary Riḍván report, the Canadian Bahá’í News said, “Much has happened since the National Spiritual Assembly set the goal of 300 Local Spiritual Assemblies for us to achieve by this Riḍván!”
In October, the midpoint of the Five Year Plan, the goal seemed nearly out of reach. The high victories of the Nine Year Plan, when Canada had 200 Local Assemblies, 46 more than the goals that had been set, seemed dim and far off.
During the intervening year between the Nine Year Plan and the Five Year Plan—which began at Riḍván 1974—the number of Assemblies had dropped to 192.
In the following year, 1975, instead of making progress, the number of Assemblies declined to 186.
But 1976 was the nadir of achievements. Besides falling back to 180 Assemblies at Riḍván, ground continued to be lost. In July of that year, just before receiving a cautionary letter from the Universal House of Justice, the number had reached a low of 175.
It is since October, 1976, that Canadian Bahá’ís have seen an encouraging reversal in the downward trend. Month by month the total number of Assemblies has increased until at the time of the preliminary Riḍván report, the number was up to 219.
The Canadian Bahá’ís are confident the upward trend will continue until their Local Assembly goal is won.
Sicily
The Hand of the Cause Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, standing center, visited the Bahá’ís of Catania, Sicily, in May 1977. He spoke about projects for entry by troops in Sicily.
Dr. Muhájir, Counsellor meet Catania believers[edit]
The Sicilian town of Catania was “twice blessed,” said a report from the Local Spiritual Assembly, with the visits of the Hand of the Cause Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir in May, and Counsellor Adib Taherzadeh in April.
During Dr. Muhájir’s visit, there was one declaration.
Of his visit, the Local Assembly says, “It was as though the Blessed Beauty took us by the hand and led us toward the Divine Fragrances.”
To the friends gathered from Catania and surrounding communities, Dr. Muhájir presented plans for entry by troops in Sicily.
Dr. Muhájir was accompanied by Hayede Vahdat, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.
Counsellor Taherzadeh’s personal recollections of Bahá’u’lláh, as told to him by his father, deeply moved those present at his talk in April.
The Counsellor also emphasized the significance and functions of the Administrative Order, stressing its importance in the development of the Faith.
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Hawaii
Jamshed Fozdar (center), a Bahá’í who visited Hawaii to speak to Buddhist groups, presented copies of his books, The God of Buddha and Buddha Maitrya-Amitabha Has Appeared to Governor George Ariyoshi (right) on June 7. Mr. Fozdar was accompanied by Tracy Hamilton, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands.
Bahá’í addresses Hawaiian Buddhists[edit]
Jamshed Fozdar, a Bahá’í communications engineer and comparative religions scholar, visited Hawaii in June to speak with Buddhist groups about his book, Buddha Maitrya-Amitabha Has Appeared. The book asserts that the Fifth Buddha, the Buddha Maitrya, appeared in the past century. Mr. Fozdar identifies the Fifth Buddha as Bahá’u’lláh.
The author spoke to a Buddhist gathering on the island of Maui, at Lahaina, and at a symposium at the University of Hawaii along with other authorities on Buddhism.
Mr. Fozdar also addressed a Mankind Day observance on June 12 sponsored by the Hawaiian Bahá’í community.
Fiji Islands
Hand of Cause Faizí pays two-week visit[edit]
The Hand of the Cause of God A. Q. Faizí visited the Fiji Islands March 12-27 and consulted with the Auxiliary Board, the National Spiritual Assembly, the Local Spiritual Assembly of Suva, the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, and the Translation and Review Committee.
On three evenings he met at the National Center with the friends.
At the National Center, Mr. Faizí gave a public talk on child education. He visited the University of the South Pacific, and presented Bahá’í books to the deputy vice-chancellor and the head of the School of Education.
Mr. Faizí attended one of the regular “social evenings” in Suva, and talked with the 18 non-Bahá’ís who were also there.
He dined with the director of the Indian Cultural Center and his wife.
The Bahá’í community of Nasinu enjoyed two visits from him, and the youth benefited from the deepening session he conducted for them.
Mr. Faizí was the guest of honor at a Naw-Rúz party in Koronivia. More than 100 people, half of whom were not Bahá’ís, also were at the party. Twenty of the guests were non-Bahá’í children from Raiwaqa.
At the party, Mr. Faizí explained the significance of Naw-Rúz, spoke about the New Day of God, and emphasized the importance of educating children from their earliest years.
One of the guests at the Naw-Rúz party was the principal of the Fiji College of Agriculture. He invited Mr. Faizí to give a talk to his students one evening the following week.
Mr. Faizí spoke for an hour and a half to the students at the College of Agriculture, and answered questions for another hour.
He also spoke at the Nasinu Teacher Training College to an audience of more than 200 students and staff.
Mr. Faizí reached an even wider audience when he was interviewed on Radio Fiji, and when an article about his visit was printed in the Fiji Times. People throughout Fiji heard the broadcast and saw the newspaper article; many Bahá’ís received inquiries about the Faith as a result.
The evening before Mr. Faizí left Fiji, 250 people heard him speak at the Grand Pacific Hotel. The proclamation was directed toward the Indian community, in keeping with one of Fiji’s Five Year Plan goals, which is to teach the Indians.
Of Mr. Faizí’s visit, the Fijian Bahá’ís said: “He warmed our hearts with his love and kindness, and filled us with the determination to teach the Cause and win all our goals.”
New Zealand
National Assembly elected 20th year[edit]
The Bahá’ís of New Zealand met at Riḍván 1977 for the 20th time in as many years to elect their National Spiritual Assembly.
For four days, beginning April 22, the 36 delegates consulted on a full range of topics, forwarding their recommendations to the newly elected National Assembly.
The Continental Board of Counsellors, represented by Violette Hoenke, had the pleasure of announcing the appointment of two new Auxiliary Board members in New Zealand. A total of 18 were appointed throughout Australasia.
The believers were exhorted by several speakers including Continental Counsellor Owen Battrick to try to win the Five Year Plan goals as soon as possible.
Bahá’í News and what they say about it...
“Bahá’í News is for all of us our comfort, our stimulus, our vision of the countless efforts being carried out (in every land) with Divine help from the Supreme Concourse...!” (Bolivia)
“...the delayed issues...arrived yesterday and will you believe it? I pored over the first issue then another...hours slipped by and I looked down at the table and found my lunch untouched and four hours cold!” (El Salvador)
“The Bahá’í News often is...the only tie to home and the so-called ‘outside world.’ Often, it is the only piece of literature we receive in our native tongue...The Bahá’í News...becomes...the letter from home. Besides, it encourages the pioneer to know what his Bahá’í brothers are doing in other parts of the world and it inspires him to double his efforts.” (Ecuador)
...what do you say?
