Universal education.

 

53. Universal education for all irregardless of social, economic, racial or sexual distinction: Baha’i Faith: “This s a new teaching brought to man by Bahá’u’lláh. 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. 107)

It’s not that this teaching didn’t exist in the bible? It’s just that, given the time, the education of mankind had to be limited to a chosen few who could share with the rest, but it was still God’s desire that people learn and teach one another.  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.” Deuteronomy 17:19 “And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life:” Jeremiah 6:8 “Be thou instructed (educated), O Jerusalem, thus saith The LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 34:16 “Seek ye out of the book of The LORD, and read:”  Christianity: 1 Timothy 4:13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 2 Timothy 3:14 “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” James 3:13 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” 1 Corinthians 1:4 “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;” Romans 15:14 “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.”

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.”

(Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith – Abdu’l-Baha Section, p. 240)

 BABI RELIGION: “He imparted Divine education to an unenlightened multitude and produced marvelous results on the thoughts, morals, customs, and conditions of the Persians.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 514)

 Babi Religion: “The Báb set out a demanding programme of prayer, devotional practice, fasting and study to be pursued by the spiritual seeker.

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

 ISLAM: “A sensible man acquires education and culture.”

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

Islam: “Educate those who are ignorant.” Hold discussions and exchange views with educated and learned people.

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

Islam: 27. “Recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord: none can change His Words,”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  18)

Islam: 55. “Teach, for teaching benefits the Believers.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  51)

Islam: 9. “Is (the) one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord — (like one who does not)? Say: ‘Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know (lacks instruction and insight)? It is those who are endued with (knowledge and understanding) that receive admonition (and true guidance).

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  39)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: Denkard. Zoroaster, “Men ought to raise themselves to illustrious positions by worldly knowledge and by education (which enables them) to read and write.”

 HINDUISM: 20. “For the more a man completely studies the Institutes of science, the more he fully understands (them), and his great learning shines brightly.”

(Hindu, Laws of Manu chapter 4)

 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)

 BUDDHISM: “Each must follow the path of study and meditation by himself gradually and with effort,” (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra)

 Buddhism: “The learned and noble disciple…. who has regard for holy men, knows the teaching of holy men, is well trained in the noble doctrine, he understands what is worthy of consideration, and what is unworthy.” “Let the mendicant, the disciple of Buddha, learn this, and not strive for honor but seek wisdom.”

((The Eightfold Path), Buddha and Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: “Each must follow the path of study and meditation by himself or herself gradually and with effort,” (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra)

 SABEANISM: “Wreath is light, its weapon the living word, and its seal the chosen, pure one. Every man or woman 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 from worlds (of light?).” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 63)

Sabeanism: “And this (Avestic) Revelation and the Manthras, and whatever (had been preserved) in the written language, were so ordered to be copied out in the original, that even now (in this age) they are preserved, likewise, in a large number of manuscripts (or redactions). And, as it is manifest in the religious intelligence, (these) shall be learnt by heart (by all).” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted person a portion of what he or she earneth through trade, agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education of children.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 89)