Directives From the Guardian
141 NINE (Number)
"The number nine, which in itself is the number of perfection,
is considered by the Bahá'ís as sacred, because it is
symbolic of the perfection of the Bahá'í Revelation which
constitutes the ninth in the line of existing religions, the latest
and fullest Revelation which mankind has ever known. The
eighth is the religion of the Báb and the remaining seven are:
Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity,
Islám, and the religion of the Sabaeans. These religions are not
the only true religions that have appeared in the world but are
the only ones still existing. There have always been Divine
Prophets and Messengers, to many of whom the Qur'án refers.
But the only ones existing are those mentioned above."
"The Guardian feels that with intellectuals and students of
religion the question of exactly which are the nine existing religions
is controversial, and it would be better to avoid it. He
does not want the friends to be rigid in these matters, but use
their judgment and tact, sometimes one statement is exactly
the right thing for one type of mind and the wrong thing for
another.
"Strictly speaking the 5-pointed star is the symbol of our
Faith, as used by the Báb and explained by Him. But the
Guardian does not feel it is wise or necessary to complicate our
explanations of the Temple by adding this."
"Nine is the highest digit, hence symbolizes comprehensiveness,
culminations; also, the reason it is used in the Temple's
form is because 9 has exact numerical value of `Bahá (in the
numerology connected with the Arabic alphabet) and `Bahá is
the name of the Revealer of our Faith, Bahá'u'lláh. The
9-pointed star is not a part of the teachings of our Faith, but
only used as an emblem representing `9'. In telling people of the
9 religions of the world, that is `existing religions, we should not
give this as the reason the Temple has nine sides. This may have
been an idea of the architect, and a very pleasing idea, which
can be mentioned in passing, but the Temple has 9 sides because
of the association of 9 with perfection, unity and `Bahá."
Directives From the Guardian
pages 51-52
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