The Baha’i Cause now encircling the world is a movement for
unity of religions, universal peace and a universal language. Its founders, the
Báb, Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha have brought to humanity a message which
transforms for its followers this earth world into a spiritual Rose-Garden.
To present to you some of their thoughts on happiness is the
purpose of this compilation of quotations. Asked the intimate goal of a human
life ‘Abdu’l-Baha replied that it assuredly was not to eat, nor to sleep, nor
to dress, nor to repose on the conch of negligence. Rather it is to find one's
way to eternity and understand the divine signs; to receive wisdom from the
Lord of Lords and to move steadily forward like a great sea.
Speaking with a group of friends He said:
"To see the joy of divine gladness on your faces is the
cause of my happiness for when I see you happy, I am happy also. The divine
Messengers come to bring joy to this earth, for this is the planet of
tribulation and torment and the mission of the great Masters is to turn men
away from these anxieties and to infuse life with infinite joy.”
"When the divine message is understood all troubles
will vanish. Shadows disappear when the universal lamp is lighted for whosoever
becomes illumined thereby no longer knows grief. He realizes that his stay on
this planet is temporary and that life is eternal. When once he has found
reality he will no longer retreat into darkness.”
''Reflect on the tribulations the divine Messengers endure
in each age -- exile, prison, the cross, decapitation; yet they ever remain
tranquil. Behold the apostles of Christ! They had many trials.
The friends of Baha’u’llah in Persia have undergone unspeakable calamities.
Their possessions were seized and destroyed, their children captured, their
lives sacrificed; yet at the hour of martyrdom they danced with joy, for they
were completely detached from the life of this world. Trials have never
prevented men from knowing the happiness of the beyond. Nay, rather, this is
the path.''
