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DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING PHILIP O BRIEN NOBLE-HEARTED, STALWART SERVANT Baha'u'llah. WE LOVINGLY RECALL HIS VALUED SERVICES HOUSE OF WORSHIP WILMETTE, HIS PIONEERING ACHIEVEMENTS IRELAND WHERE HE SERVED WITH GREAT DEVOTION TEACHING, ADMINISTRATIVE FIELDS, AND HIS DEDICATED LABOURS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. HIS INDOMITABLE FAITH COUPLED WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR PRODUCED A JOYOUS AND GALVANISING EFFECT UPON THE FRIENDS. PRAYERS WILL BE OFFERED HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS RADIANT SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. CONVEY LOVING SYMPATHY HIS BELOVED WIFE, CHILDREN AND MEMBERS FAMILY.
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
The Universal House of Justice was saddened to receive the news of the passing of maidservant of Baha'u'llah Peggy Harrison. Her devoted services to the Cause, extending over four decades in Northern Ireland, are deeply appreciated. Assure her daughters and relatives of the prayers of the House of Justice in the Holy Shrines for the progress of her noble soul in the spiritual worlds.
Department of the Secretariat
We are very sad to report that Hugh McKinley, Knight of Baha'u'llah passed away on 9th February. The May issue of the Journal will contain the messages from the Universal House of Justice.
We are pleased to inform you that "The Baha'i World" website, located at: www.bahai.org has been expanded and updated. New material on the site includes compilations from the Baha'i Writings; sections highlighting Baha'i involvement in the areas of social and economic development, human rights, the advancement of women, and moral development; a section presenting Baha'i perspectives on current global trends and movements of social change; retrospective pieces on the Mission of the Bab and the ministry of the Guardian; detailed information on the situation of the Baha'is in Iran; photogalleries featuring the current projects on Mount Carmel and the Eighth International Baha'i Convention; and profiles of Baha'i activities at the United Nations, in the arts, and among youth. Additional tools that allow visitors to more easily explore the site and find specific information have also been incorporated.
It is our hope that these new additions will prove to be a valuable resource for seekers, members of the media, academics, non-governmental organisations, and the Baha'i community itself. Individuals and institutions should feel free to download any of the material on the site for their own teaching and external affairs activities. We only ask that the proper attribution be given to any material used.
In the time since its launch, "The Baha'i World" has received more than 200,000 visits from throughout the planet. It is currently averaging about 10,000 visits per month.
As indicated in previous communications, we encourage National Spiritual Assemblies, if they have not already done so, to establish either websites or public e-mail addresses so that interested inquirers may be directed from "The Baha'i World" site to Baha'i communities in the countries in which they live. Kindly inform us when such sites or contact addresses are established so that links may be added.
Office of Public Information
The Principle of mutual co-operation
As preordained by the Fountainhead of Creation, the temple of the world hath been fashioned after the image and likeness of the human body. In fact each mirroreth forth the image of the other, wert thou but to observe with discerning eyes. By this is meant that even as the human body in this world which is outwardly composed of different limbs and organs, is in reality a closely integrated, coherent entity, similarly the structure of the physical world is like unto a single being whose limbs and members are inseparably linked together.
Were one to observe with an eye that discovereth the realities of all things, it would become clear that the greatest relationship that bindeth the world of being together lieth in the range of created things themselves, and that co- operation, mutual aid and reciprocity are essential characteristics in the unified body of the world of being, inasmuch as all created things are closely related together and each is influenced by the other or deriveth benefit therefrom, either directly or indirectly.
Consider for instance how one group of created things constituteth the vegetable kingdom, and another the animal kingdom. Each of these two maketh use of certain elements in the air on which its own life dependeth, while each increaseth the quantity of such elements as are essential for the life of the other. In other words, the growth and development of the vegetable world is impossible without the existence of the animal kingdom, and the maintenance of animal life is inconceivable without the co-operation of the vegetable kingdom. Of like kind are the relationships that exist among all created things. Hence it was stated that co-operation and reciprocity are essential properties which are inherent in the unified system of the world of existence, and without which the entire creation would be reduced to nothingness.
In surveying the vast range of creation thou shalt perceive that the higher a kingdom of created things is on the arc of ascent, the more conspicuous are the signs and evidences of the truth that co-operation and reciprocity at the level of a higher order are greater than those that exist at the level of a lower order. For example the evident signs of this fundamental reality are more discernible in the vegetable kingdom than in the mineral, and still more manifest in the animal world than in the vegetable.
And thus when contemplating the human world thou beholdest this wondrous phenomenon shining resplendent from all sides with the utmost perfection, inasmuch as in this station acts of co-operation, mutual assistance and reciprocity are not confined to the body and to things that pertain to the material world, but for all conditions, whether physical or spiritual, such as those related to minds, thoughts, opinions, manners, customs, attitudes, understandings, feelings or other human susceptibilities. In all these thou shouldst find these binding relationships securely established. The more this inter-relationship is strengthened and expanded, the more will human society advance in progress and prosperity. Indeed without these vital ties it would be wholly impossible for the world of humanity to attain true felicity and success.
Now consider, if among the people who are merely the manifestations of the world of being this significant matter is of such importance, how much greater must be the spirit of co-operation and mutual assistance among those who are the essences of the world of creation, who have sought the sheltering shadow of the heavenly Tree, and are favoured by the manifestations of divine grace; and how the evidences of this spirit should, through their earnest endeavour, their fellowship and concord, become manifest in every sphere of their inner and outer lives, in the realm of the spirit and divine mysteries and in all things related to this world and the next. Thus there can be no doubt that they must be willing even to offer up their lives for each other.
This is the basic principle on which the institution of Huquq'u'llah is established, inasmuch as its proceeds are dedicated to the furtherance of these ends. Otherwise the one true God hath ever been and will always be independent of all else beside Him. Even as He hath enabled all created things to partake of His boundless grace and loving-kindness, likewise is He able to bestow riches upon His loved ones out of the treasuries of His power. However, the wisdom of this command is that the act of giving is well-pleasing in the sight of God. Consider how well-pleasing must this mighty act be in His estimation that He hath ascribed it unto His Own Self. Rejoice ye then, O people of generosity!
We earnestly hope that in this Most Great Cycle the wondrous attributes of the All-Merciful may, through the infinite bounty and blessings of the King of Glory, find expression in the lives of the servants of God in such wise that the sweet savours thereof will shed fragrance upon all regions. This matter needeth further details, but We have treated it in brief.
Abdu'l-Baha: Huquq'u'llah, pages 508-510
Regional Conference on Training Institutes
This exciting European event - the first of its kind - took place from 31st October - 1st November in the Haziratu'l-Quds in Langenhain in the vicinity of the First European House of Worship. The historic gathering was organised by the Continental Board of Counsellors for Europe with the sole aim of promoting and developing the Training Institutes in various European countries. Members of the National Spiritual Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members as well as members of the Training Institutes assembled from fourteen countries for consultation and were blessed with the presence of five Counsellors.
The love, unity and sense of mission so tangible throughout the duration of the gathering was heightened by the devotions in the House of Worship which allowed the friends to focus spiritually on the many tasks at hand.
The participants gained an impressive insight into the variety of ways to implement the establishment of Training Institutes in the diverse countries. Sharing their understanding of these processes and their experience, the friends were able to return home with a clear sense of mission and a heightened consciousness of the important tasks and challenges outlined in the Four Year Plan.
During the conference, the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany presented a slide show on the House of Worship. It is hoped that all European communities will take an active part in organising and attending events at this site of spiritual significance.