This
section of the site is to act as a resource for expanding our knowledge
of the Bahá’í teachings and those of other religions.
This months topic is:
Faith
From the Hindu Teachings
By Faith is Fire kindled.
By Faith is offered Sacrifice.
Sing we now Faith, the pinnacle of joy.
Bless Faith, the one who gives.
Bless him who wills, but has not.
Bless him who gives his worship unstinting.
Bless this song I sing.
As the Gods evoked Faith
from the mighty Asuras,
so may my prayer for the generous worshipper be accepted!
The Gods, led by the Spirit,
honour Faith in their worship.
Faith is composed of the heart’s intention.
Light comes through Faith.
Through Faith men come to prayer,
Faith in the morning.
Faith at noon and at the setting of the Sun.
O Faith, give us Faith!
From the Buddhist Teachings
Let us live happily,
hating none though others hate.
Let us live without hate among those who hate.
Let us live happily,
free from disease, among the diseased.
Let us live diseaseless among the diseased.
Let us live happily,
ungrieving among others who grieve.
Let us live without grief among those who grieve.
Let us live happily, without possessions.
Let us feed on happiness like the shining gods.
Victory breeds hate, the defeated will grieve.
Who goes beyond victory and defeat is happy.
No fire like passion,
no sickness like hate,
no grief like the ego’s
and no joy like peace.
No disease like greed,
no sorrow like desire.
He who knows this
is fit for Nirvana.
No gift like health,
no wealth like calm of mind,
no faith like trust,
no peace like Nirvana.
— Dhammapada
From the Jewish Teachings
...And He will teach us His ways, And we will walk in
His paths; For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the
Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge between many peoples, And shall
decide concerning mighty nations afar off; And they shall beat their
swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war
any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his
fig tree; And none shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the Lord
of hosts hath spoken. For let all peoples walk each one in the name
of its god, But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever
and ever.
— Micah
From the Christian Teachings
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they
spin not; and yet I say unto you, the Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is
to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more
will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall
eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all
these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father
knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom
of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
— St. Luke
From Islamic Teachings
It is God who hath reared the Heavens without pillars
thou canst behold; then mounted his throne, and imposed laws on the
sun and moon: each travelleth to its appointed goal. He ordereth all
things. He maketh his signs clear, that ye may have firm faith in a
meeting with your Lord.
— Qur’án
From the Bahá’í Teachings
Oh, trust in God! for His Bounty is everlasting, and in
His Blessings, for they are superb. Oh! put your faith in the Almighty,
for He faileth not and His goodness endureth for ever! His Sun giveth
Light continually, and the Clouds of His Mercy are full of the Waters
of Compassion with which He waters the hearts of all who trust Him.
His refreshing Breeze ever carries healing in its wings to the parched
souls of men!
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
