January 2: Bodhi Day, the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali. [119] Monasticism is forbidden, and Baháʼís are taught to practice spirituality while engaging in useful work. [123], The Baháʼí calendar is based upon the calendar established by the Báb. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that this latest development indicates that the situation with regard to religious minorities in Iran is, in fact, deteriorating. [58], Some of Baháʼu'lláh's most important writings include the Kitáb-i-Aqdas ("Most Holy Book"), which defines many laws and practices for individuals and society,[59] the Kitáb-i-Íqán ("Book of Certitude"), which became the foundation of much of Baháʼí belief,[60] and Gems of Divine Mysteries, which includes further doctrinal foundations. Letters written by Baháʼu'lláh to various people, including some heads of state, have been collected and assembled into a canon of Baháʼí scripture. These clerical directives led to mob attacks and public executions. He spent less than four months in Constantinople. [138], Baháʼís continue to be persecuted in some majority-Islamic countries, whose leaders do not recognize the Baháʼí Faith as an independent religion, but rather as apostasy from Islam. In 1863, at the time of his removal from Baghdad, Baháʼu'lláh first announced his claim of prophethood to his family and followers, which he said came to him years earlier while in a dungeon of Tehran. According to Baháʼí belief when a human dies the soul is permanently separated from the body and carries on in the next world where it is judged based on the person's actions in the physical world. [67], On the evening of 22 May 1844, Siyyid ʻAlí-Muhammad of Shiraz gained his first convert and took on the title of "the Báb" (الباب "the Gate"), referring to his later claim to the status of Mahdi of Shiʻa Islam. Leap Day: February 29. Special Ideas PO BOX 9 511 Diamond Rd Heltonville, IN 47436. Baháʼu'lláh and ʻAbdu'l-Bahá established rules and institutions for an authoritative line of succession of leadership, in order to maintain unity and prevent schism. (, Hvithamar, Warburg & Warmind, eds. If you would like to attend an online meeting you can call 360 499-2154, email bahaisofthurstoncounty@gmail.com or send a message on the contact page for an invitation with details. We would be happy to hear from you, answer questions, or provide support. [76], Shoghi Effendi throughout his lifetime translated Baháʼí texts; developed global plans for the expansion of the Baháʼí community; developed the Baháʼí World Centre; carried on a voluminous correspondence with communities and individuals around the world; and built the administrative structure of the religion, preparing the community for the election of the Universal House of Justice. According to a US panel, attacks on Baháʼís in Iran increased under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency. [117] The vows are "We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God. [66] Under the leadership of his son, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, the religion gained a footing in Europe and America, and was consolidated in Iran, where it still suffers intense persecution. Shoghi Effendi served for 36 years as the head of the religion until his death. Baháʼu'lláh first announces his claim to divine revelation in Baghdad, Iraq. It was established by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States in 1950 as a way to encourage interfaith understanding. ... (on Fiḍál 14 ‘Ilm 176 / Oct. 29th 2019). 'Note on transliteration, dates and names', in Brookshaw & Fazel, eds. [101] The rights of Baháʼís have been restricted to greater or lesser extents in numerous other countries, including Egypt, Afghanistan,[139] Indonesia,[140] Iraq,[141] Morocco,[142] Yemen,[143] and several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. [53][54] The followers of such divisions are regarded as Covenant-breakers and shunned, essentially excommunicated. [117] Baháʼu'lláh highly praised marriage, discouraged divorce, and required chastity outside of marriage; Baháʼu'lláh taught that a husband and wife should strive to improve the spiritual life of each other. Each of the 19 months of the Bahá'í year was given one of the names of God from the Islámic tradition. 1 May 2016 Added an Interactive Calendar which allows you to browse through all dates in the 1. [116] The Baháʼí teachings on marriage call it a fortress for well-being and salvation and place marriage and the family as the foundation of the structure of human society. [96] The World Christian Encyclopedia estimated 7.1 million Baháʼís in the world in 2000, representing 218 countries,[97] and 7.3 million in 2010[98] with the same source. The Baháʼí Faith was ranked by Foreign Policy magazine as the world's second fastest growing religion by percentage (1.7%) in 2007.[112]. [169] These accusations against the Baháʼís have no basis in historical fact,[170][150][171] and the accusations are used by the Iranian government to use the Baháʼís as "scapegoats". [88][89] The years from 2001 until 2021 represent four successive five-year plans, culminating in the centennial anniversary of the passing of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. Advent is celebrated as the beginning of the Christian religious calendar in preparation for the nativity of Jesus. Eggert Baha'i Sunday School Loaves and Fishes Service Project Sunday, December 7, 2014 - 10:00am to Monday, December 8, 2014 - 12:00pm Devotional at Lewis's Residence Embalming or cremating the body is strongly discouraged. It includes both American & Baha'i Holidays. Perfection, Mercy), as are the days of the week. There are eleven holy days on the Bahá'í calendar, which is divided into 19 months of 19 days each per year. Doctrines of racism, nationalism, caste, social class, and gender-based hierarchy are seen as artificial impediments to unity. At the heart of Baháʼí teachings is the goal of a unified world order that ensures the prosperity of all nations, races, creeds, and classes.[13][14]. [144] When the Báb started attracting a large following, the clergy hoped to stop the movement from spreading by stating that its followers were enemies of God. Feast Days and Holy Days of the new Bahá’í Calendar (according to the 10 July 2014 letter from the Universal House of Justice) . The remaining four intercalary days (five in a leap year), called Ayyám-i-Há, are set aside for visits and gift-giving. Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, Baháʼís over the age of 15 should individually recite an. Baháʼu'lláh taught that religion is revealed in an orderly and progressive way by Manifestations of God, who are the founders of major world religions throughout history; Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad are noted as the most recent of these before the Báb and Baháʼu'lláh. Realigned With Equinox The Badí calendar (which is the calendar-system for the Bahá’í Calendar) was also … Follow FFWR – Celebrating the Baha'i Calendar on WordPress.com. [24] Three principles are central to these teachings: the unity of God, the unity of religion, and the unity of humanity. Baháʼís observe 11 Holy Days throughout the year, with work suspended on 9 of these. March 2020, The Guardian feature. In Brookshaw & Fazel, eds. [25] He unexpectedly died after a brief illness on 4 November 1957, in London, England, under conditions that did not allow for a successor to be appointed. Baháʼís regard the major religions as fundamentally unified in purpose, though varied in social practices and interpretations. "[99] This source's only systematic flaw was to consistently have a higher estimate of Christians than other cross-national data sets.