Tending the Garden/Glossary

GLOSSARY

‘AspuL-Bana: (1844-1921) The eldest son of Bahau'llah. Appointed by Him as the authorized interpreter of the Bahai teachings and as Head of the Faith after His passing.

Auxitiary Boarp Mempers: Individuals appointed to assist the Counsellors to advise, assist, and instruct Baha’is, Baha'i communities, and Baha’ institutions.

Tue BA: (1819-1850) The Founder of the Babi religion whose main purpose was to prepare the way for Baha’u'llah.

Bandi Wor tp Center: Situated in Haifa, Israel. From here the faith is administered internationally. It is also the location for several Bahai holy places, including the Shrines of the Bab and Baha’u’llah.

Bana@uLLAu: (1817-1892) The Founder of the Baha'i Faith. His central message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification into one

global society.

Baniyyiu KuHAnum, also THe Greatest Hoty Lear: (1846-1932) Daughter of Bah@au llah and sister of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

Counsetiors: Appointed by the Universal House of Justice and devoted to the functions of protection and propagation of the Faith.

Covenant: The Covenant in the Bahai Faith could be described as a spiritual contract binding God and humanity. Among its features, the clear designation of succes sion and authority within the Faith.

DECLARATION OF THE BAB: Commemoration of the day when the Bab first openly proclaimed that He was a Manifestation of God, May 23, 1844.

Tue Fast: During a 19-day period from around March 2 to 21 (the dates vary with [Page 234]234 GLOSSARY

the date of the spring equinox), Baha’is do not partake of food or drink during daylight hours. It is a time of spiritual and physical cleansing and rejuvenation.

Tue Greatest Name: At its most basic, the title of Bahau’llah (Arabic; English “The Glory of God”) in various forms. As “Allah-u-Abha” (“God is Most Glorious”), it is sometimes used as a greeting between Bahdis.

Hanps or THE Cause: Hands of the Cause were specially appointed by Baha'u'llah, ’Abdu’'l-Baha, and later by the Guardian; they were charged with the duties of protection and propagation of the Faith.

Haziratu'L-Qups: “The Sacred Fold”; official title designating the headquarters of Bahai administrative activity in a particular country or region.

House or Worsuir: As the name suggests. There are currently seven Baha'i Houses of Worship worldwide and an eighth under construction. In the future they will form the center of a nexus incorporating schools, hospitals, and homes for the aged.

Loca SpiriruaL Assemsty (LSA): an elected council that administers the affairs of the Faith on a local level. In the future it will be known as a local house of justice.

Natrionax Convention: An election held every year to elect the National Spiritual Assembly, the governing body of the country .

Nationa SprriruaLt Assemsiy (NSA): an elected council that administers the affairs of the Faith at a national level.

Naw-Rwz: ‘The first day of the Baha'i year, falling on the first day of spring.

Nine teen-Day Feast: The principal regular gathering of Baha'is of a locality. The Feast takes place at the beginning of the month according to the Baha’ religious calendar, and consists of three phases: devotional, consultative, and social.

Os.icarory Prayers: ‘Three prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah. Baha’is are obligated to recite one of them daily. The choice of prayer is up to the individual believer on any given day. [Page 235]GLOSSARY 235

Pircrmace: Baha’ pilgrimage involves travel to the Bahai Holy Sites in and near Haifa, Israel, where Baha'u'llah spent the last years of His life and is now buried.

Pirerims’ Nores: As the term suggests. Memoranda kept by pilgrims, frequently containing notes on conversations with ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi, or other prominent members of the Faith. Pilgrims’ notes are not considered authoritative.

Pioneers: Those who move to new locations to assist in the development of a Baha’ community.

Qrsiin: “That which one faces; prayer-direction; point of adoration’; the focus to which the faithful turn in prayer. In Islam the Qiblih is the Ka’bah in Mecca; for Bah@is it is the Tomb of Baha’u’llah at Bahji.

Tue Remover or Dirricutties: A short prayer revealed by the Bab, to be said in times of need.

RipvAn: The Ridvan Festival commemorates Bahu llah’s declaration of His mission in the Garden of Ridvan in Baghdad in 1863. The annual election of Local and National Spiritual Assemblies is held during this twelve-day period.

SuHocui Errenpt: (1897-1957) ‘Abdu’ l-Baha appointed His grandson Shoghi Effendi as Guardian of the Baha'i Faith and interpreter of its teachings. His name and title are used interchangeably.

Tascet or Anmap: A tablet written in Arabic by Bah@u'llah in 1865 to a man named Ahmad, of the city Yazd. It was translated in 1924 by Shoghi Effendi, and is often used as a prayer by Baha'is during times of difficulty.

Tascet or VisttaTion: Either of two prayers sometimes recited to commemorate Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and ‘Abdu’1-Baha.

Teacuine: As suggested. In Baha’ usage, collectively descriptive of efforts to propagate the Faith by example and by word.

Ten Year Crusade: (1953-1963) A plan of 10 years initiated by Shoghi Effendi for teaching the Baha'i Faith. Many moved to “virgin” territories where no Bahd’is yet [Page 236]236 GLOSSARY

lived. ‘This plan resulted in the formation of many new National Spiritual Assemblies, and culminated in the election of the Universal House of Justice.

‘TRAVEL TEACHING OR TEACHING TRIP: As the term suggests, a trip undertaken for the purpose of propagating the Faith.

Universat House or Justice: a nine-member body elected at five-year intervals to direct the spiritual and administrative affairs of the Baha'i International Community.