Called by different
names
throughout the ages, the eternal God, the Creator of the universe, is limitless,
all-knowing,
all-powerful and all-loving. God is one. The reality of God is beyond human understanding,
yet
we are able to find
expressions of God’s attributes in every created thing.
Beyond all differences of race,
culture, class or ethnicity, regardless of differences in customs, opinions, or
temperaments,
every individual is a member of one gloriously diverse human family. Each unique individual
has
a role to
play in carrying forward an ever-advancing material and spiritual civilization.
Humanity’s
spiritual, intellectual and moral capacities have been cultivated through the successive
teachings of the Founders of the world’s religions—the Manifestations of God. Among Them are
Krishna, Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha,
Jesus Christ, Muhammad and, most recently, the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. Each religion originates
with God and is suited to the age and place in which it is revealed. In essence, the
religion of
God is one and is progressively unfolding.
The Bahá'í Faith originated with
Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), Whose title means “the Glory of God.” Bahá'ís regard Him as the
latest
in the succession of Divine Messengers Who founded the world’s major religions. He is the
Promised One
They foretold.
Bahá'u'lláh’s coming was heralded by the Báb (1819-1850), meaning
“the
Gate.” The Báb proclaimed His divine mission in 1844, which is considered the beginning of
the
Bahá'í Era—a new cycle of human history
and social evolution.
The anniversaries of the birth of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh are
celebrated by Bahá'ís around the world as the Twin Holy Holy Birthdays.
The Bahá'í Faith was born in
Persia
(today Iran) in the mid-19th century. In less than 200 years it has become a universal faith
present in every country in the world with adherents from virtually every national, ethnic,
religious,
and tribal background.
The Bahá'í Faith first reached the Malay Peninsula in the
1870s
with the arrival of Bahá'í teachers from Iran. It was almost a century later, however, that
the
Peninsula had its first Malaysian Bahá'í—Mr.
Yankee Leong, who accepted the Faith in 1953.
Daily prayer and meditation,
offered
both in private and in the company of others, is regarded by Bahá'ís as essential spiritual
nourishment, providing inspiration for positive personal and social change. Bahá'ís consider
work done
in the spirit of service as the highest form of worship. Individuals pray and observe an
annual
19-day period of fasting during daylight hours. The Bahá'í Faith has no clergy, and has
simple
practices for life’s rites of passage,
such as marriage and funerals.
The writings of the Báb and
Bahá'u'lláh are considered by Bahá'ís to have been revealed by God. As the Creative Word of
God,
these sacred writings have the power to touch the deepest parts of our hearts and transform
us
and the world
around us. Bahá'u'lláh revealed over a hundred volumes of sacred texts, including prayers
and
meditations, a book of laws. The Bahá'í writings address the needs of the age and offer
inspiration for individuals working to better
themselves and their communities.
The affairs of the Bahá’í
community
are governed by institutions established by Bahá'u'lláh. Administrative Order comprises
both
elected and appointed institutions at local, national, and international levels. Nonpartisan
elections,
without nominations or campaigns and conducted by secret ballot, and collective decision
making
are hallmarks of Bahá’í administration. These and other principles constitute a model of
just
and unified global governance.
In the Bahá'í teachings, refining
one’s inner character and offering service to humanity are inseparable. This twofold purpose
shapes the endeavours of Bahá'ís in all areas of life here in Malaysia and all over the
world.
“Regard man as a
mine
rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures,
and
enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”
—Bahá'u'lláh
Dawn of the Light portrays several individuals from different continents as they relate their
own personal search after truth and meaning. They share their discovery that God has sent two
Divine Manifestations—the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh—Whose teachings are revolutionizing human thought
and behaviour, changing darkness into light. The film shows glimpses of how this same discovery
is inspiring the efforts of many across the globe to serve humanity and to contribute to
building a new pattern of life.
