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| Bahá’í News | September 1988 | Bahá’í Year 145 |
The fifth Continental Indigenous Council
TO THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
JOYOUSLY SHARE NEWS EXCITING RECENT DEVELOPMENT. YOUTH AMBASSADORS OF AMERICA, WITH HEAD OFFICE IN BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, U.S. MAINLAND, SPONSORED YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM ON MAUI PAST TWO WEEKS. PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED ELEVEN YOUTH, FOUR ADULTS FROM SOVIET UNION INCLUDING WIFE, CHILDREN OF MINISTER OF SCIENCE VELIKOV, PLUS FIVE YOUTH FROM CALIFORNIA, ABOUT FIFTEEN MAUI YOUTH AND OTHER LOCAL PEOPLE.
LSA MAKAWAO (MAUI) VOLUNTEERED BAHÁ’Í ASSISTANCE WITH COOKING INCLUDING ORGANIZING, SEEKING FOOD DONATIONS, PLANNING MENUS, ALL COOKING AND GENERAL CLEANUP. TWO BAHÁ’ÍS FROM KAUAI, ONE YOUTH AND ONE ADULT, FLEW TO MAUI TO SERVE AS FULL-TIME KITCHEN CREW AND ASSIST MAUI BAHÁ’ÍS. ALL WERE INTRODUCED EARLY ON AND WERE KNOWN AS BAHÁ’ÍS AND REFERRED TO AS THE BAHÁ’Í YOUTH THROUGHOUT TWO-WEEK PROGRAM.
WONDERFUL RAPPORT ESTABLISHED, BONDING AND FRIENDSHIPS DEVELOPED, LEADING TO TEARFUL FAREWELLS, ENTHUSIASM TO REMAIN FRIENDS AND VISIT EACH OTHER’S COUNTRY. LAST NIGHT (JULY 28) DURING EVENING FAREWELL SOCIAL, BAHÁ’Í YOUTH WERE INTRODUCED AND AS THEIR FAREWELL THEY PRESENTED COPIES OF ‘THE PROMISE OF WORLD PEACE’ TO EACH PARTICIPANT. EACH PEACE STATEMENT WAS INSCRIBED WITH FOLLOWING: ‘TO THE YOUTH AMBASSADORS OF THE WORLD: WE BELIEVE WORLD PEACE IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE BUT INEVITABLE. WE ENCOURAGE YOU, CO-WORKERS, IN YOUR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL. WITH LOVE FROM YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THE BAHÁ’Í YOUTH.’
OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF HAWAII
JULY 29, 1988
Bahá’í News[edit]
A personal eyewitness account of recent teaching victories in Taiwan | 1 |
Nearly 60 tribes represented at fifth Continental Indigenous Council | 6 |
A newspaper report of Bahá’í-sponsored ‘Peace Monument’ in Brazil | 10 |
Women from four countries attend fifth East West Seminar for Peace | 13 |
Around the world: News from Bahá’í communities all over the globe | 14 |
Bahá’í News is published monthly 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 the Periodicals Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. Changes of address should be reported to the Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center. Please attach mailing label. Subscription rates within the U.S.: one year, $12; two years, $20. Outside the U.S.: one year, $14; two years, 24$. Foreign air mail: one year, $20; two years, $40. Payment must accompany the order and must be in U.S. dollars. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1988, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
Taiwan[edit]
Teaching successes: A personal account[edit]
The Bahá’í world has been hearing about the successful teaching in Taiwan from many sources, but most specifically from the Universal House of Justice. Messages relating statistics of the large numbers of enrollments and the consolidation activities have been circulated to National Spiritual Assemblies and published worldwide. The message dated February 7, 1988, reported 1,165 new believers, representing a 74 per cent increase in the Taiwan Bahá’í community’s membership. When I left Taiwan in March 1988 there were more than 1,500 new believers. The city of Taipei had, on one weekend, enrolled 50 new Bahá’ís, and the work continues. The needs were so great that the National Spiritual Assembly had tripled its Fund goal, while contributions had risen by 70 per cent.
Why Taiwan? What makes Taiwan newsworthy? The Bahá’í world has had reports of large numbers of enrollments in the past. India’s teaching victories are well-known, while areas in Africa and South America have also seen large increases in the number of enrolled Bahá’ís. But somehow Taiwan has caught the imagination of the friends everywhere. For many of us who were and are directly involved, it’s no mystery why Taiwan is news.
But first, a personal note: When I first heard, last August, that Taiwan had had 700 new enrollments since May, I was not overly excited. Like many who had been deeply involved in what we sometimes refer to as “mass teaching,” I had become disillusioned with the idea. Too often I had returned to places where I had previously taught only to find no interest or recognition on the part of those who had signed enrollment cards. More often, the new believers couldn’t be found at all! It was too painful. I felt there was a crying need for continuity, for a plan, for a support system. It seemed that all we ever did was “hit and run.” The thrill was in the teaching, the enrolling. This I knew was not enough, but I couldn’t change things by myself.
| This personal account of recent teaching successes in Taiwan was written by Jene Bellows of Skokie, Illinois, who spent five months in Taiwan as co-ordinator of the National Spiritual Assembly’s consolidation program. |
Andy, a new Bahá’í, signs his declaration card. Later his aunt also became a Bahá’í and rented a Center for the Faith in Chiayi, Taiwan.
I had found my teaching niche working with the Chinese. Let others, I told myself, experience the heartache of trying to locate mass-taught new believers for consolidation purposes. I was finished with mass teaching campaigns.
Then I was asked to go to Taiwan to coordinate the National Spiritual Assembly’s consolidation program. Now, that got my attention! The National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan had plans to teach and consolidate, all at the same time! It seemed a dream come true. I couldn’t wait to go.
I stayed in Taiwan for five months. So much happened, and it wasn’t always easy. After working so closely with the National Spiritual Assembly, the Auxiliary Board members, and the many lovely friends—Chinese, pioneers and traveling teachers—in that vibrant community I would love to share the stories everywhere if I could.
But I want to tell of the victories, which are by no means limited to the number of enrollments. The new believers are happy to become Bahá’ís,
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they love the teachings and are quick to
enroll. Many are educated, thinking
people, open to learning about the
world. It was not hard to teach them. I
could tell you about Yang Hong-I, Ah
Kuan, Michael, Steve, Tony, Andy,
Jane, Hwei Jie and many, many
others ... all the new Chinese Bahá’ís
whose hearts were touched by Bahá’u’lláh.
I remember and still share
through correspondence the joy of
these new believers.
But to my mind the story to tell first is that of the teachers who overcame self and ego every day, and taught the Faith with such love: the young Malaysian girls; a Japanese youth who is an example to young Bahá’ís everywhere; the traveling teachers who came from Alaska, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States. I remember laughter and tears, silliness and sadness, praying and playing. And I remember hard-earned wisdom.
Consultation! I remember consultation: mini-courses, multi-languages, all working, teaching, praying together. We overcame differences because all decisions were made through consultation. Love and respect were the result.
In the beginning the enrollments were youth. Soon after I arrived last October, I made my first full circuit around the island to the teaching sites. Of all the new believers, I met only two adults at that time. When I left Taiwan, however, there were many adults among the new believers ... whole families had become Bahá’ís ... the police chief of a village, high-school teachers, business people, to name a few. The new believers were bringing their friends and family members to meet the Bahá’ís, to help them learn about Bahá’u’lláh.
Most of the teaching, at least initially, was done in local tea and coffee houses. It is the way in Taiwan. In the U.S., the young people hang out in shopping malls. When I was young, we hung out in drug stores. The youth gathering places were where the Bahá’ís made friends and taught the Faith.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan meets to discuss progress in the country’s teaching campaign.
Bahá’í teachers pause to celebrate the Chinese new year in Taiwan.
As success followed success, the Universal House of Justice spread the news around the Bahá’ís world. National Spiritual Assemblies responded to the call for help and made goals to send traveling teachers to Taiwan. Many young people soon arrived to help; but a significant development helped broaden the base of enrollments: older Bahá’ís, adults from other countries, joined the teams. A member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska came to Taiwan for three months. With one of the Malaysian Chinese teachers, she moved into the Bahá’í Center in Makung City, in the Peng Hu Islands (formerly the Pescadores). A wonderful couple, senior citizens from Vancouver, Canada, rented their home and came to Taiwan for four months and lived, with a Taiwanese girl, in the Bahá’í Center in Taidong, a town in southeastern Taiwan where about 400 young people had become Bahá’ís within a few weeks.
Other adults soon joined the teams.
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Old and young alike worked side by
side, teaching and deepening. The
younger new believers showered love
on the older Bahá’í friends. The diversity of the teachers attracted considerable attention, and the credibility
of the teaching work was enhanced. To
the Chinese, age is an asset. The older
you are, the more important you are in
the family and the more respect you
have earned. For many months, the
teachers on the teams had all been
younger people. It wasn’t until the
gray-haired friends joined the teaching
teams that the older Chinese began to
listen. And to enroll.
And what of consolidation? This is the question on everyone’s mind. How does it work? Does it work? The friends are looking for a model, for a guaranteed successful way to teach—to expand and consolidate.
There is no guarantee, except to follow the teachings given to us so generously by the Central Figures of the Faith and our beloved Universal House of Justice.
The letters from the Guardian and the House of Justice published in the booklet “A Special Measure of Love” tell us what to do. The letters from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets of the Divine Plan tell us how to teach, as do the letters and instructions of the Guardian in The Advent of Divine Justice. It is not a secret.
Street teaching in one of Taiwan’s many towns and villages.
The Universal House of Justice’s peace statement is presented to Father Jack, a Catholic missionary in Shan Mei Chuen, a small village in the Chiagi mountains. He has been a strong friend of the Bahá’ís.
In Taiwan there was unity. There was obedience. There was love. There was audacity. There was creativity. There was perseverance. There was sacrifice. There was prayer. There was humility. And there were tests. Group tests were resolved through consultation. The only time we got in trouble was when we didn’t follow through on the decisions that were made. Sometimes there were misunderstandings about a decision. That’s when trust came in, and flexibility accompanied by a willingness to sacrifice self. I saw the friends, all of us, members of institutions, and teachers young and old, grow. Maturity was the result.
It all began with the National Spiritual Assembly. Several years ago, when the Universal House of Justice called for a vast increase in the enrollment of new believers from all strata of society, the National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan obeyed. It decided to launch a widespread teaching campaign. When I visited Taiwan in 1986, I knew there was such a campaign, but I heard no news of great success at the time. But they persevered.
Then the enrollments began to come in. Starting in May 1987 the increase became significant. I asked a few of the teachers who had been working with the campaign from the beginning to share with me their impressions of the reason for this success.
[Page 4]
Another new Taiwanese Bahá’í signs his declaration card
A deepening session is held at the Bahá’í Center in Makung, Taiwan.
They had been teaching for some time, I was told, but with few enrollments. Although self-conscious, they were determined. One weekend, feeling somewhat subdued in spirit, they went to the home of one of the pioneers who had been in Asia for more than 30 years and had taken part, with the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Muhájir, in many teaching efforts in Korea, the Philippines and Japan. They shared teaching stories, studied the Writings, and prayed together. They fell in love with Bahá’u’lláh all over again, with a new depth of commitment and understanding. They also fell in love with each other. And they decided to take that love to the people of Taiwan.
From that time on they “loved” the people into the Faith, sharing the message with their hearts, yet following always the guidance of the Universal House of Justice regarding enrolling mass-taught believers. They brought the love of Bahá’u’lláh and His plan for world peace to the people of Taiwan. I saw this and was privileged to be a part of it.
The other story to tell is that of the National Spiritual Assembly. The working relationship we had with that institution is an example for local and national Assemblies everywhere.
When I went to Taiwan my assignment was to coordinate the consolidation—but as time went by the National Spiritual Assembly, in its wisdom, realized that expansion and consolidation had to work hand-in-hand. The coordinator of the teaching work and I were paired as coordinators of the project. This was not easy for either of us, but the National Assembly trusted us to work together. The campaign was on our shoulders, we were told. But we weren’t left alone; we had instant access to the National Assembly, giving us the support and guidance of that institution, in a tangible way, whenever we asked for and needed it. We all worked together. There was a shared commitment that placed no member of the Faith higher than another. We all had our jobs to do: National Assembly members, teachers, and coordinators. There was mutual respect and trust, not to mention deep love and appreciation. There was unity.
And there was a plan. The National Assembly told us we could not open a new locality without finding and renting a Center as soon as possible. The new believers needed a place to go immediately. The Center had to be open every night, easily accessible to the new friends. One or two people had to live in the Center. And of course, the Center was to be the home base for the teachers who traveled on a circuit, as assigned, to visit and go back and forth to the areas where they had been teaching.
Systems for follow-up were implemented. Traveling teachers who joined the teams had to be briefed by the coordinators before they could take part. The National Assembly established a minimum of rules, regulations and guidelines. We who were working in the field were expected to work out our day-to-day activities. There was no strict hierarchy. Any teacher or other individual who felt the need could bypass the coordinators and go directly to the National Spiritual Assembly for guidance.
New believers were included and involved in the activities from the outset. And they came to the Centers at night, after finishing their work or studies, to
[Page 5]
pray with us before going home to bed.
Everywhere we went we heard “Alláh’-u’Abhá.”
One of the most important elements of any teaching campaign is communication. Without adequate communication there can’t be unity. All nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly were involved, and it was obvious to us that not only did every member know exactly what was going on, but that the teaching campaign was top priority on everyone’s agenda. The unity was there. But without close communication with the National Assembly we, the teachers and coordinators, could have become the victims of doubt. Small concerns would have grown larger. Incomplete or inaccurate information shared with the decision-makers could have led to wrong decisions, thus slowing down and confusing the work. The National Assembly was on top of every aspect of the campaign, and responded immediately to our needs. This, I believe, was the foundation of its success.
Another thought relates to consolidation. That’s where the tests come in. Consolidation is a long process; some people respond immediately while others take longer. Some never become active. It takes perseverance and patience. And it takes teaching to keep consolidation going. Without the spirit of teaching, the consolidation work becomes a chore. A fine balance must be maintained. All who are involved—teachers and administrators—must be flexible. What worked last week may not work this week. What worked in Africa may not work in Taiwan. What worked in Taiwan may not work in the U.S. or anywhere else.
John Cheng (foreground), a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan, teaching with one of the teams in Tsaofun.
What does work is following the principles, teachings and guidelines already given to us. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told us to make a beginning and all would come right. That is what Taiwan did. It made a beginning when the National Spiritual Assembly obeyed the Universal House of Justice’s call for a vast increase in the enrollment of new believers. And when difficulties arose, the friends didn’t give up. They persevered.
Bahá’ís old and new gather at the new Bahá’í Center in Chiayi, Taiwan. The author is seated at the right in the front row.
When I went to Taiwan it was to join a six-month campaign; but after I arrived the National Spiritual Assembly told us there was no termination date. The teaching campaign would not end. It was to become a way of life for the Bahá’í community.
Indeed, how can it be otherwise? Do we stop teaching after we have reached some numerical goal? Is there anyone we can leave out, anyone who doesn’t need to hear of Bahá’u’lláh? Didn’t the House of Justice send its message of peace to all the peoples of the world? We know the answers to these questions.
What makes Taiwan news? Is it so different? Not really. We can all do the same. Perhaps the reason for the deep interest in Taiwan’s success is that we are all restless to get on with establishing the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. After all, that is our goal, our reason for being. We have our administrative institutions in place, we are involved with social and economic development projects around the world, our offices of external affairs have successfully brought to the attention of the world’s leaders the suffering of the blessed martyrs in Iran. Our Faith has truly emerged from obscurity. All that is left is to fill in our ranks, to TEACH! TEACH! TEACH! To “lay aside (our) every minor concern” and TEACH the Cause!
United States[edit]
Indians consult at Indigenous Council[edit]
The winds blew steadily from north, south, east and west August 1 welcoming Indian people from all parts of the Americas to the fifth Continental Indigenous Council at Indian Memorial Park on the edge of the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota.
The days were blessed with rain, bringing to an end a long drought in the northern plains.
These seemed to be physical manifestations of the spiritual refreshment brought to the area by the gathering of more than 400 people including more than 300 from nearly 60 tribes who met to consult on the spiritual well-being and unity of their people and the long-awaited fulfillment of their prophecies.
The Continental Indigenous Councils, sponsored by the Bahá’ís, are held every 2-3 years with the meeting-place rotating among Alaska, Canada and the U.S.
This year’s Council was sponsored by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and held August 1-5 in the approximate geographical center of the North American continent.
Indian communities around the world were represented as tribal members came from Greenland, Canada (including the Yukon territories north of the Arctic Circle), Costa Rica, the U.S. and even Australia.
A roll call underscored the great diversity of tribes present with everyone from Athabascan and Aztec to Yaqui and Yuchi and many tribes in between among those who identified themselves.
In traditional American Indian style there were no keynote speakers; instead, there was a format in which participation by all those attending was encouraged.
Consultation was held on the spiritual destiny of the Indian people, and thanks were given to Bahá’u’lláh for having “brought brothers from all four directions together finally.”
Counsellors Jacqueline Delahunt (left) and Lauretta King congratulate Lakota hoop dancer Dallas Chief Eagle, who declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh shortly after performing at the Continental Indigenous Council.
An address was made by a special guest, Hooper Dunbar, a member of the Universal House of Justice who was welcomed as a long-lost brother by many of those present who remembered his many teaching trips to their native lands.
Mr. Dunbar pointed out that Indians have the largest population of all races in the Bahá’í Faith, but that the North American Indians represent only a small percentage of that population.
In our quest to spread the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, he said, we must be “warriors of the spirit” against our lower selves.
“Teaching the Faith,” said Mr. Dunbar, “will attract the Holy Spirit’s assistance to help break the horse of the lower spirit.”
Other Bahá’í guests taking part in the Council included Lauretta King, a Tlingit from Alaska who is a Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre in Haifa, Israel, and four Counsellors for the Americas: Jacqueline Delahunt, a member of the Lakota tribe; Ruth Pringle, William Roberts and Fred Schechter.
National Spiritual Assemblies represented were those of the U.S. (by Aberta Deas; Robert Henderson; Ches-
[Page 7]
A colorful sign beckons Council participants to take a break.
The Council is enlivened by spirited drumming from the Running Antelope Singers of Big Eagle, South Dakota.
ter Kahn, a Navajo from Arizona; Dorothy Nelson and James Nelson); Alaska (by Eugene King, a Tlingit elder, and Walter Austin); Canada (by Louise Leblanc of the Tlingit/Tutchone tribes); and Mexico (by Carmen de Burafato).
They were joined by two Auxiliary Board members, Steven Birkland and Kevin Locke, a member of the Standing Rock Lakota tribe.
Several traditional native leaders, both men and women, also were present to lend their guidance and prayers.
A brief time-out from consultation for a spirited game of volleyball.
The first two days of the Council were spent in fellowship as the friends set up their campsites and watched the “big top” go up for the Council circle. The next three days were devoted to consultation, prayer and celebration.
The consensus of consultation was, as indicated in a message sent to the Universal House of Justice, that although they gratefully acknowledge the help of non-Indian homefront pioneers and traveling teachers, the Indian Bahá’ís feel ready to assume a greater responsibility in spreading the Message of Bahá’u’lláh among their people, moving steadily forward in a spirit of unity to fulfill their destiny as set forth by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets of the Divine Plan.
To open the Council, Mr. Locke described the vision of the great chief Tatanka Iyotake, Sitting Bull, who understood and articulated the spiritual power inherent in the Indian people.
Around 1890 Sitting Bull called a gathering of tribes to consult about the spiritual health and survival of native peoples, saying to them, “Let us put our hearts together and see what future we can make for our children.”
Before the meeting could be held, however, Sitting Bull was killed by government police who feared an Indian uprising.
As consultation at this latest Council began it was pointed out that this “circle of tribes” had come together “to bring unity not only to our tribes, but to all humankind.”
A call for pledges, symbolizing the readiness of Indian believers to “shed illumination upon the world,” resulted in more than 100 pledges from non-Bahá’ís as well as Bahá’í participants.
A number of discussion groups were held to focus consultation on particular areas of interest:
[Page 8]
As is evident from this picture, the weather during the Indigenous Council ranged from hot to cold and from wet to dry.
- Arlene Trouse, a member of the Lummi/Coast Sahsh tribe from Bellingham, Washington, and Woody Blackcloud, a Hunkpapa/Lakota from Little Eagle, South Dakota, led a discussion on the goals of the Six Year Plan and the readiness of the Indian Bahá’ís to bring the Faith to their people.
- Mary Jane Litchard, an Eskimo now living in Mobridge, South Dakota, led a group discussion on the role of women as peace-makers.
- Atwell Seward, a Cherokee from Vermillion, South Dakota, and Dalen Corazon from Forest Park, Illinois, conducted a workshop on family life.
- Lorraine Mafi-Williams, an Aborigine from Australia, came to the Council to share the wisdom of the Aboriginal culture and prophecies.
- John Robinson of Redmond, Washington, facilitated a group discussion on race unity.
- Charles and Lois Myers-Pelton of Aberdeen, South Dakota, led a workshop entitled “Peacemaking from Within.”
The Counsellors and members of National Spiritual Assemblies were asked to address the Council, and each offered the love and support of the institutions of the Faith to help bring into being the spiritual destiny of the American Indians.
Another moving speech was made by 10-year-old Demarus Teruk, an Eskimo Bahá’í from Mobridge who was trained in public speaking by Gayle Woolson of Evanston, Illinois.
The members of the U.S. National Assembly hosted a reception for the Tribal Council chairman and Councils of North and South Dakota and also met with the Cheyenne River Tribal Council and the Looking Horse family which keeps the original sacred pipe of the Lakota.
Young Bahá’ís study the ‘Word of God’ deepening booklet.
Following the Council, the National Assembly held its regular monthly meeting in Mobridge.
Among a contingent of 50 Navajo Bahá’ís from Arizona who came to the Council were the Pine Spring Singers, a group of young boys who played drums and sang, encouraging everyone to dance, and a group of young girls in traditional Navajo dress who circulated through the audience, greeting the guests and offering them pieces of candy.
Some of the older Navajo women also wore lovely traditional dresses of buckskin.
The gathering also enjoyed pow-wow style dancing to the drums of the Running Antelope Singers, fiddle playing by Riel Aubuchon from British Columbia, Canada, Eskimo drumming by Jens Lyberth from the Northwest Territories, and a traditional Hawaiian dance by Norman Ing.
A Wopila, or ceremony of thanksgiving, was held to offer thanks for the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.
A tribute of honor was paid to those who had passed on, while a naming ceremony was held for two children who were receiving their Indian names.
The families of the children gave presents to friends in honor of their children, and a general gift-giving ceremony was held at which others offered presents to thank or to welcome one another.
Four “tipis” were set up next to the larger Council tent, the first and largest
[Page 9]
of which was used to house the children’s classes.
The children, Indian and non-Indian, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í, learned Bahá’í songs from many Indian cultures and took part in an archaeological walk along the banks of the nearby Missouri River to study the remains of two ancient Indian villages.
An audio-visual program about ancient Arikara Indian settlements in the Missouri River area was shown at an amphitheatre in the campground.
In the second tipi, an Intensive Study Institute for youth was held using as its text the “Word of God” booklet.
The other two tipis were set up for personal prayer and for registration. Fires were kept burning in two of the tipis, as temperatures during the week ranged from hot to quite chilly.
Hooper Dunbar, a member of the Universal House of Justice, uses the ‘talking stick’ to address the Council.
A fifth tipi, in a design created for the Council by Woody Black Cloud of Little Eagle, South Dakota, was painted and set up by a group of pre-youth.
On the final evening of the Council, a traditional Indian dinner was served consisting of a huge pot of stew, boiled in the open over a large cook-fire, with fry bread and choke cherry pudding.
The food was prepared by Debbie End of Moon from Wakpala, South Dakota, helped by a group of volunteers.
The Council ended later in the evening with a “farewell circle” in which each person spoke for the last time to everyone else in the circle.
Although sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly and National Teaching Committee, it was pointed out on several occasions that the Council was actually organized in large part by a committee of Indian believers from North and South Dakota.
Above: Young and old alike join in a traditional Indian dance. Below: After all is said and done, all that remains is to grab a few hours’ sleep before resuming one’s hectic schedule.
Brazil[edit]
Bahá’ís sponsor ‘Peace Monument’[edit]
Artist Siron Franco inspects details of the Bahá’í-sponsored Peace Monument which was dedicated September 20 in Goiania, Brazil.
The following are English translations of articles that appeared last May
15 in the newspaper O Popular of Goiania, Brazil, about the Bahá’í-sponsored “Peace Monument” project in that city.
Front page
In 1986, in the “Bosque de Buritis” botanical garden, was installed the base upon which is to be constructed the Peace Monument, which will be inaugurated September 20, International Peace Day. The initiative is going to be coordinated by Shahrokh Pezeshk, a member of the Bahá’í community, and has won the support of many people such as Siron Franco, responsible for the artistic authorship of the project. The monument has the form of an hourglass, in the center of which there will be glass compartments containing earth from nine countries, representing the five continents.
Second section (under the headline “Peace Monument, Symbol of Union”)
By Karla Jaime Morais
In the song “Imagine,” ex-Beatle John Lennon encouraged people to consider the possibility of a different world—“Imagine all the people living life in peace ...”—and to accomplish that end, suggested the unity of mankind in search of this common objective.
Lennon was assassinated, in one more proof of how fragile peace is, but his thoughts continue to resound:
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one; I hope one day you’ll join us, and the world will be as one,” he believed.
Adding its voice to the chorus of those who sing for times of greater equilibrium and tranquillity, an initiative was born in Goiania and is being carried forward by a group of persons.
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A blueprint for the Peace Monument in Goiania, Brazil.
It is the project for the construction of the Peace Monument, the inauguration of which is scheduled for September 20, instituted by the United Nations as International Peace Day.
The idea was put forth at the time of the formulation of the program of the fourth Bahá’í Week of Goiania and the first National Symposium on Peace in the Nuclear Era, which took place in September 1986. On that occasion, a tree was planted for peace, earth from five countries was symbolically poured on the spot, and the base of the monument was inaugurated, in the Bosque de Buritis, explains Shahrokh Pezeshk, a member of the organizing committee of the sixth Bahá’í Week of Goiania, and who is the general coordinator of the project.
Shahrokh says he is wearing various hats for the time being, but he predicts that “great support” will be forthcoming from all sides, “which will come like an avalanche of contributions of resources.” And in fact, the proposal has been winning supporters, one of whom is plastic artist Siron Franco, responsible for the artistic design of the monument.
“At first my idea was to make a big column of glass, with earth from various countries, modeled after those bottles filled with sand that are made in the Northeast. The idea evolved and wound up as an hourglass, which arose in answer to a practical necessity to guard against vandalism, and also for aesthetic reasons. The hourglass is tied to an image of time, which flows precisely where the pieces of earth will be. The monument may also be seen as two pyramids, one of which is inverted. All this is laden with symbolism, without mentioning the practical side: being in a higher place, the glass belt runs less risk of being destroyed,” the artist stated.
The symbolism mentioned by Siron is also taken up by Shahrokh: “The plastic form and functioning of the monument remind one of a stylized hourglass, consisting of two pyramid trunks, the top one being placed upside down over the other. As the pyramid is known as a symbol of concentration of forces and power, it expresses our material needs, in the form of science, and the concentration of forces of spiritual power, in the form of true religion or a philosophy of life.
“The hourglass, representing the human temple, shows the need for harmony between the two powers, in order to have a complete temple,” he explains, in a text in which he presents a synthesis of the project for the construction of the monument.
Continuing, he analyzes the fact that the hourglass “can also be considered as the human temple composed of material, spiritual and moral needs,” and that “it may also be considered the temple of humanity represented by woman and man, with the union and balance of these two forces essential to the development and progress of humanity.” He concludes that the monument is “a complete symbol of peace in the sense that it shows the past (history), the present and the future. The past is the upper part, where we have the whole experience of war and peace; the present at each moment, descend-
[Page 12]
ing to the earth; and the future, which
will be whatever mankind chooses.”
Universal peace is one of the fundamental principles of the Bahá’í Faith, a religion established in many countries and which was born in Persia, now called Iran, in 1844; it arrived in Brazil in 1921. In Goiania, the Bahá’í community elected its first local Spiritual Assembly 12 years ago.
“There is a concern for peace in the Bahá’í Faith,” Shahrokh confirms, pointing out that the followers of this religion are people who have normal activities and are professionals, and that “it is not permitted (in the Bahá’í Faith) to use religion as a profession.”
The common ideal of peace is what attracted the participation of Siron Franco. “I have always taken a stand in favor of ecology, in my work,” he says, “taking art to the public square, so to speak. This work is my contribution, from an aesthetic point of view, to peace.”
In the belt linking the two pyramids, the hourglass will have glass compartments representing the five continents of the world, through earth sent from each of them—from Australia, Asia (represented by Israel), Africa (represented by Ghana), the Americas (by the United States, Brazil and Uruguay) and Europe (by Portugal, Sweden and Holland), bringing the total to nine countries.
“Each country’s earth will have its own characteristics,” says Siron, adding that each compartment will be distinct in order to individualize the earth contained therein. “And on one side of the hourglass, there will be a larger compartment with all the earths mixed, without losing their identity, but with love, in a symbolism that will make sense when the world has no more flags.” Separating one compartment from another, vertical strips of yellow, blue, red, white and green will stand out. “At first,” says Siron, “I started with the use of the three basic colors— a symbol of perfection—and from the mixture of the three I arrived at the two others, for a total of five, which also represents the continents.”
Above the hourglass will be the symbol of radiation, from the creative viewpoint of Siron, who at the time of the radioactive accident in Goiania transformed it, making the head of a bird emerge from one of its angles.
“The greatest fear today is precisely nuclear destruction, perhaps the greatest threat to peace,” says Siron, who is clearly in search of new forms of expression to comprise the monument. “Art evolves,” he says. The monument really is dynamic, as an opening will be left on the upper surface to permit receiving more earth from countries interested in participating. The contributions will be deposited every year.
‘As the pyramid is known as a symbol of concentration of forces and power, it expresses our material needs, in the form of science, and the concentration of forces of spiritual power, in the form of true religion or a philosophy of life.’
The design calls for a monument of a little over five meters (16 1/2 feet), which will absorb about 50 tons of concrete. In order to carry forward the work, Shahrokh, as general coordinator, divided the execution among other coordinators, each of whom is responsible for a part of the work. Representatives of each area have been meeting weekly to discuss progress. The coordination of these projects is the responsibility of Shahrokh’s wife, Venus Sahihi Pezeshk, who also serves as landscape architect. The structural calculations of the monument, “made to last a thousand years,” according to the general coordinator, are ready, and were done by Ricardo Veiga of Metodo Engenharia Ltda. Enedino Neto is responsible for the publicity coordination, to which is linked City Councilman Nonato Motta, who is in charge of contact with the authorities. “In the political area I’m going to continue giving the support I have always given,” he says, “as when we presented the request in the City Council; it was approved by Mayor Nion Albernaz, instituting Peace Week.”
The building coordination was assigned to Marcio Jose Correa, president of the Engineering Club of Goias State. “The intention,” he says, “is to implant an embryo, to render assistance to the cause of peace. It is only possible to build a nation around peace.” He says further that “the project is fully viable; the contracting firms of Goiania should participate, because those people have never refused to contribute to this type of movement.” Marcio synthesizes his intention: “Engineering does not only build nuclear weapons, but also instruments of peace.”
Taking part in the areas under the coordination of Marcio, who is in charge of the hourglass, is the Canadian firm Soheil Custom Fabricators, which offered to evaluate the project and indicate which type of glass is most appropriate for the work. A multilaminated glass, similar to bullet-proof glass, may be used.
There remains the coordination of events, to which no one has as yet been appointed, and for which Shahrokh himself has assumed temporary responsibility.
“On September 19,” he says, “the awarding of the National Peace Prize will take place, which is to become a tradition. One month before, the Bahá’í community will award the local Best Citizen of Peace prize, and then a mixed commission will make the evaluation of the winners (from all over Brazil), in Brasilia, to choose one single name.” A small bronze hourglass in the form of the Peace Monument will be given to the local winners, and the recipient of the national prize will receive a larger one in the same format. All will be made by Andre Crispim, who has wide experience in terms of artistic execution.
“On September 20,” Shahrokh continues, “the Monument will be inaugurated, and the expectation is that representatives of embassies and various authorities will come. In the future,” he continues, “we’re going to ask the United Nations to declare the Monument to be the Patrimony of Humanity, so that it will have official protection.”
United States[edit]
Fifth East West Seminar for Peace held[edit]
Women from Finland, Sweden, the Soviet Union and the United States came together June 26-July 1 for the fifth annual East West Seminar for Peace held at the Bosch Bahá’í School in California’s Santa Cruz mountains.
The seminar began with a lovely Russian tea reception and ended with a public reception at City Hall hosted by the mayor and city council of Santa Cruz. Messages of support were received from many groups around the world.
The 75 women united in drawing up an agenda based on priority issues relating to peace. (Ten Bahá’ís took part including two members of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly.) Those areas considered to be most important by a majority of the participants included: eliminating the concept of “the enemy”; working for a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty; tactics for resolving conflict peacefully without losing diversity; exchanging information on strategies for peace education; and creating a “think bank” of ideas that have worked.
The participants first heard global reports from each of the four national groups as a background for their deliberations. The Soviet women’s report included the following concerns: opposition to nuclear energy, even for peaceful uses; concern that the peace movement is losing its momentum; creation of nuclear-free zones worldwide; a 50 per cent reduction in strategic arms; and the signing of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.
After a week of intensive work, three resolutions were drawn up and signed by participants to be shared with government leaders all over the world.
There was an overwhelming consensus of concern about the environment. Many scientists agree that even more stringent measures to reduce the air pollution responsible for the greenhouse effect can only buy time to adjust to a warmer world; and this is only a part of the over-all problem.
Pictured are many of the 75 women from Finland, Sweden, Russia and the United States who took part June 26-July 1 in the fifth annual East West Seminar for Peace held at the Bosch Bahá’í School near Santa Cruz, California. (Photo by S. Tavana)
Another dominant theme was conflict management and alternative forms of conflict resolution. Some of the steps necessary for the mediation of disputes were discussed: fact-finding; encouraging parties to discuss possible solutions/remedies; enlisting the help of expert mediators; and coming to an agreement.
Other highlights of the seminar were a real California earthquake, a barbecue, an evening of jazz, another of Russian songs, a slide presentation on black artists, and a walk under a full moon.
The atmosphere was characterized by trust, friendship, cooperation and a deep feeling of commitment to establishing peace for our children, their children, and future generations.
In creating and maintaining such an atmosphere, the seminar fulfilled the intention of Nordic Women for Peace who in 1982 began these seminars to help bridge the East-West gap and promote international women’s networks which in turn would develop strategies for peace, justice and a better understanding among nations.
The seminars grew from a series of marches by Nordic Women for Peace, the first of which, in 1981, was an effort to unify the women of Europe. Previous seminars were held at Aaland Island, Finland (1983), Leningrad, Russia (1984), Lillehammer, Norway (1985), Lovanger, Sweden (1986), and at the World Congress of Women in Moscow (1987).
The 1988 seminar, sponsored by Continuing the Peace Dialogue, was endorsed by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament, Women for International Peace and Arbitration, Beyond War, the National Women’s Conference Committee, and Educators for Social Responsibility. Many groups and individuals contributed to scholarship aid, making possible a greater diversity of delegates to the seminar.—Shiva Tavana
The world[edit]
Bahá’ís reach out, embrace Maoris[edit]
Two large teaching events held recently in New Zealand focused on cultural exchanges between Bahá’ís and the Maori people, opening doors to mutual sharing and learning. They also addressed a primary goal of the Six Year Plan for New Zealand: giving “special attention to understanding the culture, traditions and unique qualities of the Maori people.”
Both events were held at a marae, a traditional Maori meeting place, where the Bahá’ís were formally welcomed by the elders of the Maori community.
The first, held at Papawai Pa near Greymouth, involved discussions about the land, myths and legends of the Maori, and the relationship between some of the traditional practices and beliefs and Bahá’í laws. One of the elders of the Papawai Pa joined the discussion, sharing stories of the history of the Maori community.
The second event, at Aramiro marae in the Waitetuna Valley, looked at aspects of prayer and meditation in the Maori culture and in the Faith. Again, the Bahá’ís were formally welcomed by the host community. A report of the event reads in part: “The elders had been praying for the return of the spirit and the Bahá’ís contacted them.”
Bahá’ís and their guests gather outside the Wharenui (meeting house) at Tangata marae, Matamata, New Zealand, during a special meeting to celebrate the victories of the ‘Rescue Plan,’ initiated in January 1988 and completed at Riḍván. One of the major achievements of the nationwide plan was the formation of 66 local Spiritual Assemblies, fulfilling a goal of the Six Year Plan.
Because the event was held in a traditional, familiar environment, the local people felt free to ask questions and to share stories of the history of their people. At its close, some books and a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in an engraved wooden frame were presented by the Bahá’ís to the elders of the host community.
Bangladesh[edit]
In March, 234 people in Bangladesh embraced the Faith. Ten new local Spiritual Assemblies were formed in the Khulna district, where the Faith has recently been proclaimed to more than a thousand people.
Said Akhtar Khavari, a Bahá’í visitor from abroad, accompanied by Dr. S.S. Bahar, spent six days teaching in Khulna. During that time, 158 people were enrolled and five new local Assemblies were formed.
A four-day medical camp was held last January 20-23 in three villages near Sirajganj, Bangladesh. Three Bahá’í doctors, P. Shahidi, S. Shabani and B. Shahed, treated 500 general patients and 100 dental patients and vaccinated more than 300 animals.
While the camp was open, two Bahá’ís visited nearby Assemblies. As a result of the camp and their efforts, 28 people were enrolled in the Faith.
At a similar camp in Kumuria, 29 people embraced the Cause and one new local Assembly was formed.
Mali[edit]
A teaching institute held last December in Bamako, Mali, was dedicated to the memory of a prominent artist and Bahá’í, Lamine Sidibe.
Mr. Sidibe was involved with the National Drama Troupe of Mali and traveled extensively throughout Africa and Europe. His work enabled him to share the Faith with his colleagues and others including high government officials.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Mali organized the institute in part to reflect the great value of artists in teaching the Cause.
Mauritius[edit]
Two Auxiliary Board members, 59 delegates, 140 other adult Bahá’ís and 52 children gathered last May at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Mauritius for that country’s 25th Bahá’í National Convention. In a cable to the Universal House of Justice they reported: ‘TV coverage first day Convention. Deeply inspired Supreme Institution message. Consultation stressing teaching fulfillment goals. Determined sustained service Cause.’
Lowell Johnson, a Bahá’í from South
Africa (left in back row), introduced
his book ‘The Eternal Covenant’ to 40 Bahá’ís in Mauritius during a recent
two-day visit to the Bahá’í Institute in Belle-Rose.
Sikkim[edit]
More than 400 adults and 200 children attended a Naw-Rúz Peace Conference held on the Temple Land School premises at Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim.
The program was opened with a speech by Krishnan Iyer, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Sikkim, and this was was followed by entertainment by the school children of Tadong and Ranipool.
The honored guest at the conference, S.D. Lepcha, the minister of animal husbandry, congratulated the Bahá’ís for the disciplined education in their schools and for the efforts by Bahá’ís around the world in establishing peace.
Same-day news coverage was given to the conference by All India Radio.
Japan[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Shimonoseki, Japan, completed the first of a series of mass-teaching events last June 3-5 with a successful International Peace Festival.
The small Bahá’í community on the southern tip of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, was supported by the Area Teaching Committee and by Bahá’ís from all over Japan during the three days of teaching.
Janet Maloney, a well-known Bahá’í television personality from Tokyo, was interviewed by several newspapers, resulting in articles about the Peace Festival in several newspapers.
The festival, held in a large shopping center in Shimonoseki, included copies of the peace statement, pictures of Bahá’í centers and activities around the world, books and pamphlets, activity corners including an English conversation table, a Japanese discussion table, a “world citizen” questionnaire, and tables for children’s activities.
Six video tapes of Janet Maloney shows featured her singing Bahá’í songs, talking about peace and the Faith, and conducting a peace quiz.
As a result of the festival, 10 people embraced the Faith and many more became friends of the Bahá’ís.
Brazil[edit]
The first group of physicians to take part in a medical project organized by the International Bahá’í Refugee Office and the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil, in cooperation with the Brazilian government, recently settled in Belém, Pará Province.
The Bahá’í Refugee Office chose Brazil as a starting point for the effort because of the needs for essential support services related to health and medicine in that country, and the responsive attitude of the Brazilian government.
The project takes advantage of the skills of many Bahá’í refugee doctors who are unable to practice in their new countries.
In petitioning the government, the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly and the coordinator of the International Bahá’í Refugee Office traveled to seven states in the interior of Brazil, talking to chancellors of those universities with medical colleges, the Secretary of State for Health, and the Officer of Social Security. As a result, government officials were quite willing to issue visas to the refugees.
On arrival, each doctor is required to take courses in Portuguese and two refresher medical courses at the Federal University of Pará. This is followed by an examination. During this time they also attend to patients at a medical center five times a week under the supervision of a local physician.
Afterward, their medical papers are legalized, and the Brazilian government issues permanent residence visas to the doctors and their families if they are willing to settle in areas that lack adequate medical services.
World Centre[edit]
Pictured with members of the recently appointed International Teaching Centre are the Hands of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and Alí Akbar Furútan (front row, third and fourth from right). In the back row (left to right) are Hartmut Grossmann, Mas’úd Khamsí, Magdalene Carney, Donald Rogers and Farzám Arbáb. Others in the front row are (left to right) Joy Stevenson, Lauretta King, Peter Vuyiya and Isobel Sabri.
Germany[edit]
On April 16, a 50-member men’s choir, all non-Bahá’ís, performed a 45-minute worship service at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Langenhain, Germany, using holy texts and songs from the Bahá’í writings and the Bible. It marked the first time that such an event was held in the Bahá’í Temple.
The melodies for the Bahá’í texts, taken from The Hidden Words, were composed by Michael Neunteufel, a Bahá’í from Austria who is a close friend of the choir director, Heinz Gorges, who, in cooperation with the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany, arranged the historic service.
The choir, honored in 1977 with the title “Master Choir,” consists of employees in a large factory in Ubach-Palenberg, near Aachen.
Choir members came to Langenhain with their families, 80 people in all, and expressed their appreciation for the friendliness and hospitality shown by those at the Bahá’í National Center.
In addition to choir members and their families, the event drew some 100 friends and their guests including some members of the media who praised the event as an unparalleled experience of high spiritual content.
About 230 people gathered June 5 at the National Bahá’í Center in Langenhain, Germany, to hear Professor Ervin Laszlo speak about the Bahá’í peace statement.
About 75 were not Bahá’ís. They included local citizens, the mayor, and representatives of conservation movements.
Mexico[edit]
Thanks to the perseverance of a U.S. Bahá’í in her 70s, a new locality was opened and a new Assembly formed in the town of Mulegé on the southern Baja California peninsula.
Maggie McClendon of Santa Cruz, California, lived in Mulegé, which is 600 miles south of San Diego on the Sea of Cortez, from November 1987 to April 1988. She was able to support herself for the most part by playing piano in the evenings at one of the town’s largest hotels, for which she received room and board but no salary. As a result, her days were free for making friends and teaching the Faith.
During December she was joined by Chris Hoyt, a Bahá’í from Manzanillo, Mexico, and a young man from Anaheim, California. At that time they had their first declarations including a seeker whom Mrs. McClendon had been teaching for some time.
By March, when Mrs. McClendon was visited by Harold and Marjorie Johnson of San Diego, accompanied by another Bahá’í from Ensenada, Mexico, there had been a total of nine declarations, eight adults and one youth.
During the Johnsons’ visit a deepening class on the importance of daily prayer was attended by five of the new Bahá’ís and some seekers. It was followed by a Unity Feast at which each person read a short prayer or passage from the Writings.
A new Bahá’í, Margarito Medina of Mulegé, Mexico (center) is pictured with his Bahá’í teacher, Mrs. Maggie McClendon (left) and another Bahá’í Jeanne Serrano.
Afterward, the Bahá’ís visited another new believer who had broken a leg and found, to their pleasure, that he had used his convalescence to memorize the short obligatory prayer and had taught his two children to recite from memory the prayer that begins “O God, Guide Me ...”
Not too long after these events, another adult was enrolled in the Faith and the community was able to form its first local Spiritual Assembly.
Canada[edit]
Several Bahá’í physicians from the U.S. and Canada recently attended the eighth World Congress of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) in Montreal.
About 2,000 doctors were present at the Congress. Affiliated groups in 55 countries have a total membership of 170,000.
On the morning of June 5, when an interfaith service was held, three Bahá’ís were among those representing the world religions. They briefly introduced the Faith, and one of them, a French-Canadian, recited a prayer in French.
The co-founders of the international movement, Nobel Prize winners Drs. Evengi Chazov and Bernard Lown, responded favorably when given copies of the peace statement by one of the Bahá’ís, Dr. A.M. Ghadirian.
The IPPNW, whose position is neutral and non-partisan, seeks to encourage physicians around the world to unite on the basis of their professional commitment to preserve life and health and to work for the prevention of a nuclear disaster. Its next World Congress will be held in October 1989 in Hiroshima, Japan.
More than 100 youth gathered last May 6-8 for the first Bahá’í youth conference ever held at the new Maxwell International Bahá’í School on Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The school, which opened in September as a coeducational residential secondary school for grades 7-9, is administered by the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.
Marshall Islands[edit]
Last December 21, an adventurous team of Bahá’ís set off from Majuro, in the Marshall Islands, on a trimaran boat, “Hawah,” to launch its second teaching campaign to the outer islands in the Marshalls group.
The team, composed of husband and wife John Sammons and Jane Lamb and their Marshallese friends, visited the northeastern group of islands including Aur, Maleolap, Wotje, Likiep, Ailuk, Utrik and Mejit.
In March, 11 people embraced the Cause in Jang on the remote island of Maleolap. As a result, a local Spiritual Assembly was formed, bringing to 24 the number of Assemblies in the Marshall Islands.
The “Hawa” is expected to continue its travels for 18 months until all the atolls in the Marshalls have been visited. The expedition is the first of its kind to take place in these islands.
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