Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, January 1908/Inscription on the Greatest Name Stone
| Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, January 1908 Inscription on the Greatest Name Stone |
 Proofread once
|
INSCRIPTION ON THE GREATEST NAME STONE
[edit]“The star is a symbol of man’s body (Haykal). The Báb designed the star and wrote 360 forms of the Name of Bahá’u’lláh in the center. These represented the Lights of the Perfection of God which could be contained in the body of a perfect man—Manifestation.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá designed the engraving on the stone. The center symbol means the Greatest Name. One star represents the name Báb, and the other star was used to balance the design.12
Question: Do the hieroglyphics seen inside the great Pyramid refer to Bahá’u’lláh?
Answer: Maybe, but if this is so, it will be known in the future. There are prophecies in the old Persian books that were taken to India long ago by Zoroastrians when they were driven from Persia. In every old gospel, or sacred book, if it be carefully studied, reference to this Day may be found. The old Pársí books are in India, for the Pársís fled to India.
Question: Was Confucius a prophet? Yes, though not so great as Buddha.
Question: What is the meaning of verse 52 on page 16 of The Hidden Words:
[Page 63]
“O Son of Man!”
“My Calamity is My Providence. In appearance it is fire and vengeance; in reality it is Light and Mercy,” etc.13
Answer: These are the Words of Bahá’u’lláh referring to His persecutions and those of His Martyrs.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: “The form of the cross is made by two lines crossing each other at right angles. It is to be found in everything—even in this piece of cloth. It is the symbol of spiritual sacrifice.”
He said: “The present disturbances in Persia remind us of the French Revolution. In time, peace will come. Although the Bahá’ís will make no war in Persia or any other country, the flag of Bahá’u’lláh will overcome every other flag, and all rulers will do homage to it.”
“You are very fortunate to have come here while there are no disturbances.” We answered that we appreciated this blessing and that in His Presence we felt we were at home. He replied, “This is your home.
“You should be very happy to meet the Persian pilgrims in this Holy Place. California and Persia are very far apart, but the pilgrims from the furthermost parts of the earth meet at ‘Akká by the power of the Word of God.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said He had revealed a Tablet to some Persians in which He wrote that the believers were drops of one sea, rain from one cloud, flowers of one garden, and stars of one heaven.
[Page 64]
On His way home from a visit one morning, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá noticed a large hawk hovering over the garden. Another had also seen it, and that was a terrified little bird, but when the bird saw Him it flew straight to Him for protection, while the hawk sailed away.
One day at luncheon ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked us if we were glad to be at ‘Akká and if we were happy. We answered that we were very happy to be there with Him but that when we thought of our faults we were unhappy. He replied emphatically, “Think not of yourselves, but think of the Bounty of God. This will always make you happy.” Then He smilingly referred to the Arabic saying regarding the peacock, that “He is contented because he never looks at his feet—which are very ugly—but always at his plumage which is very beautiful.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s approbation and encouragement—ignoring one’s faults and dwelling on one’s virtues—clear the spiritual vision so that, in His Presence, the soul becomes acutely conscious of its own unworthiness. This is God’s Way of teaching, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá daily practices the Command, “If a man have ten bad qualities and one good one, look at the one and ignore the ten.”14
Question: Is it necessary to arise to say the midnight prayer, or the prayer of the Dawn, or to wash the hands and face before using these?
Answer: No, the ablution is only for the obligatory daily prayer which should be said three times a day.15
[Page 65]
Question: Does ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wish the believers to take part in charitable or political affairs, or should they interest themselves in spiritual things only?
Answer: Any movement that is for the benefit of mankind should be joined by the Bahá’ís. If they are not asked to help, they should offer their services, especially in all kinds of charitable work. They must not be exclusive but general and serve believers and unbelievers alike. They should also take the usual voter’s part in all elections.16