Study of the sacred texts is a must.

 

221. Study of the sacred texts is a must for those who desire to approach God’s Holy court and understand the life God desires for us: Baha’i Faith: “Bahá’u’lláh counsels the education of all members of society. No individual should be denied or deprived of intellectual training, although each should receive according to capacity. None must be left in the grades of ignorance, for ignorance is a defect in the human world. All mankind must be given a knowledge of science and philosophy — that is, as much as may be deemed necessary. All cannot be scientists and philosophers, but each should be educated according to his needs and deserts.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 108)

   This is not just a teaching found in the Bahá’í Faith, this teaching is also found in the bible and the other religions of God. It’s just that, given the time, and the education of mankind, this teaching had, at times, to be limited to a chosen few who could share God’s teachings with the rest of the people; but it was still God’s desire that the people learn from and teach one another that they may learn and understand His laws and statutes, which leads to the enlightenment and spiritual transformation of mankind.

 BABI RELIGION: “The Báb set out a demanding program of prayer, devotional practice, fasting and study to be pursued by the spiritual seeker.”

(Peter Smith, The Babi & Baha’i Religions, p. 33)

BAHA’I FAITH: 101. “O ye who have peace of soul! Among the divine Texts as set forth in the Most Holy Book and also in other Tablets is this: it is incumbent upon the father and mother to train their children both in good conduct and the study of books; study, that is, to the degree required, so that no child, whether girl or boy, will remain illiterate. In no case is a child to be left without an education. This is one of the stringent and inescapable commandments to neglect which would draw down the wrathful indignation of Almighty God.” “Teaching and learning, according to the decisive texts of the Blessed Beauty, is a duty.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings, Baha’i World Faith – Abdu’l-Baha Section, pp. 127 and 399)

 BABI RELIGION: “All matters must be referred to the Book of God;”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 9)

 JUDAISM: Leviticus 10:11 “Teach the children of Israel all the statutes which The LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.” Deuteronomy 6:6 “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:” Deuteronomy 6:7 “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 11:18 “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.” Deuteronomy 11:19 “And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”  Christianity: 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 1 Corinthians 2:12 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:13 “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to The Lord.” Galatians 6:6 “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Education is essential and all standards of training and teaching throughout the world of mankind should be brought into conformity and agreement; a universal curriculum should be established and the basis of ethics be the same.” “Therefore, every believer must continually study the sacred Writings and the instructions of the beloved Guardian, striving always to attain a new and better understanding of their import to him and to his society.”

(Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith – p. 240 and Lights of Guidance, p. 359)

 BABI RELIGION: “Man’s highest station, however, is attained through faith in God in every Dispensation and by acceptance of what hath been revealed by Him.” “True knowledge, therefore, is the knowledge of God, and this is none other than the recognition of His Manifestation in each Dispensation.” “When God hath testified that the Book is a sufficient testimony, as is affirmed in the text, how can one dispute this truth by saying that the Book in itself is not a conclusive proof?…”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, pp. 82 and 88)

 ISLAM: “A sensible man acquires education and culture through advice, while brutes and beasts always improve through punishment.”

(Islam, Ali b. Abi Taalib, Letters from Nahjul Balaagh)

Islam: 121. “Those to whom We have sent the book (the Qur’an) study it as it should be studied; they are the ones that believe therein; those who reject faith therein, the loss is their own.” “Thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 2 and 6)

Islam: “Allah’s (God‘s) Apostle said, ‘Recite (and study) the Qur’an.”’ 93. “Bring ye the Law and study it, if ye be men of truth.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 3 and Hadith, Bukhari Vol 9, Book 92, # 466)

  ZOROASTRIANISM: Denkard. Zoroaster, “The father should encourage his children to receive such education as would fit them later to perform their duties as fathers in their turn.”

Denkard. Zoroaster, “The nature that has concern with the greatest development of wisdom (i.e. is studious) must be admired. Attention should be given to the (sacred) writings.” The holy books of Ahura Mazda (God).

 HINDUISM: 2.1 “Austerity, the study of sacred texts, and the dedication of action to God constitute the discipline of Mystic Union.” 2.44 “By study comes communion with The Lord in the Form most admired.”

(Hindu, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)

 Hinduism: 102. “In order to clearly settle his duties those of the other (castes) according to their order, wise Manu sprung from the Self-existent, composed these Institutes (of the sacred Law).” 103. “A learned Brahmana must carefully study them, and he must duly instruct his pupils in them.”

(Hindu, Laws of Manu, chapter 1)

 Hinduism: “Fourfold are our human duties: first to study holy lore, Then to live as good householders, feed the hungry at our door, Then to pass our clays in penance, last to fix our thoughts above, But the final goal of virtue, it is Truth and deathless Love!”

(Hindu, Mababharata (R. Dutt,  abridged tr))

 BUDDHISM: “(Give) devout attention to the teaching(s) of the Blessed One.” “Study the word for yourself.” “Each must follow the path of study and meditation by himself gradually and with effort,” (Buddha Lankavatara Sutra)

 Buddhism: “When our minds cling to neither good nor evil, we should take care not to let them go to the other extreme of vacuity and remain in a state of inertia. At this point we should study and seek to broaden our knowledge so that we can understand our own minds and thoroughly understand the principles of Buddhism.” “May we be always free from the taint of ignorance and delusion.” (Buddha, Sixth Patriarch)

 SABEANISM: “Wreath is light, its weapon the living word, and its seal the chosen, pure one. Every man who openeth it and readeth therein shall live, shall be whole and his name will be set up in the House of Life, in the name of The Great Sublime Life (Haiyi, God) from worlds (of light?).” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 63)

Sabeanism: “If thou readest, read as it is written. Lord of mystic books, Lord of ‘Letters-of-Truth’ The name of The Life and the name of Manda-d-Hiia be pronounced upon thee! The name of the great mystic Wellspring is pronounced upon thee. The name of the great Mystery, the mystic Word, is pronounced upon thee.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 70, 173 and 410)

Sabeanism: “Great First Word, which assured me sight in mine eyes, pour wisdom into my heart! Open the eyes of my understanding!” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 171)

 BABI RELIGION: “When we educate one we give him a copy of the Scriptures to read for himself.”

(Moojan Momen, The Babi  and Baha’i Religions, p. 195)