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Baha'u'llah and the New Era: An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith

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I'm not going to get into much detail here, because this a book that you really just need to read for yourself. Verily, every Earthling should read this. Okay, that is a biased thing to say. ( I believe in Baha'u'llah's revelation ) But to view this as a reader and not a theologian, it is a remarkable introduction to the 2nd most widespread and youngest of the world religions. It is a source of the Baha'i view on a very large number of issues that face the world today. I think its easy to at first be utterly confused by the Baha'i faith, but this book should aid you in a comprehension of Its message and what it means to be one of Its adherents.

As with many Bahai writings (I'm not a member, but I have been to Bahai functions, read much of their literature, and have close friends in this faith), one doesn't have to be a member to enjoy this book. A lot of what Esslemont says here is practical for anyone. Partricularly such advice as-

"For a child, a teacher is necessary, but the aim of a true teacher is to teach his pupil how to do without a teacher."

"The time has come when narrow national patroitisms should be merged in the wider patriotism whose country is the world."

Want more? Buy the book and see.

Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era is an easy to digest overview of the Bahá'í Faith that includes a thorough yet concise outline of the history and teachings of this, the youngest of the worlds major religions. This book is a "must read" for anyone interested in learning the basics of this religion that strives toward unity in diversity under God and elevates such ideas as the elimination of religious and racial bigotry and the parity of rights and freedoms between women and men to the status of divinely ordained law.

Esslemont was a kind and gentle man who knew Abdu'l-Baha, the revered Son of the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah. Esslemont wanted to write a book that would introduce the Baha'i Faith, its teachings, practices, and Writings to anyone. This book is a must-have for any new member of the Baha'i Community who desires an elegant literary masterpiece that will go down in Baha'i history as the first comprehensive introduction to the Baha'i Faith.

This book has a defined scope. It does not address all the questions of a scholarly mind or an inquisitive mind... but that is not within it's scope. The fact that some reviewers find it does not address all the contemporary questions may be related to a misunderstanding of when this material was written. J. E. Esselmont lived from 1874-1925. Keeping the context of history and the author's personal involvement in the faith, it shares a view of the emerging Baha'i faith by one taken up in the swell of the changes of the day. The author's introduction clearly states that when he first glimpsed the teachings, he was struck by their power and beauty. The author thus disclaims his bias and his position. This is not a dispassionate, dry, recitation of the purports of the day. This is the writing of a man in love with something greater than himself, attempting to put his learning into a context historically and socially.

No book will be perfect, but this one is intriguing. A preview of contents is available by project guttenberg online.

The Baha'i faith, established in Iran in the mid-19th century, has since emerged as a global religion. "Baha'u'llah and the New Era" is an interesting and comprehensive introduction to this new religion and to its prophet-founder, Baha'u'llah. For all its strengths, however, this book is a one-sided sectarian view whose main purpose seems to be to serve as a proselytizing tool for the Baha'i community; general readers should, therefore, read the book with an open but critical mind.

The book covers many areas. Its opening chapters relate the early history of the Baha'i faith, and introduce the reader to such important figures as the Bab, the forerunner of Baha'u'llah; Baha'u'llah himself, regarded as a holy prophet; and 'Abdul-Baha, the successor of Baha'u'llah. Later chapters further describe the new religion's theology, scriptures, and unique calendar. Excerpts from the Baha'i scriptures are effectively used throughout the book to accentuate the teachings of the faith.

Because this is a sectarian work, written with an eye towards promoting the Baha'i faith, the book lacks a critical dimension. Sharp-minded readers will have to come up with their own challenging questions and observations about the Baha'i faith. I, for example, was intrigued by the Baha'i faith's acknowledgment of Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Jesus, and Muhammad as prophets who share an essential unity with Baha'u'llah. So I wonder--where do the Sikh gurus fit in? Or the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith? Or Indian gurus like Krishnamurti? Or the Native American shamans whose oral traditions have been passed down and preserved? Or contemporary "New Age" spiritual leaders? The Baha'i Faith's teachings about the unity of world religions have ramifications which this book fails to fully explore.

Despite this uncritical, idealized portrayal of its subject, "Baha'u'llah and the New Era" is still a valuable book. For scholars of comparative religion, it is essential reading.

This is an incredible book which outlines the basics of a new, world-wide faith known as Baha'i. It discusses such topics as:

- The unity of science and religion

- The way to peace

- Health and healing

- Prayer

- Education

- Fundamental justice

- Baha'i history and religion

It contains a number of profound ideas and meaningful insights which can be applied to any life and every society, and offers a basic understanding of this young religion. For some, it leads to still greater questions -- the answers of which can be found in other, further reaching books and studies.

I highly recommend this book.

Truly the best written introduction book on the Baha'i Faith, world's latest independent religion that teaches the oneness of God, the oneness of religions and the oneness of mankind. Read about Baha'u'llah (The Glory of God) the prophet founder of the Baha'i Faith, his teachings and principles.

Dr. John Ebenezer Esslemont (1874-1925) was a prominent British Bahá'í from Scotland, as well as an accomplished medical Doctor and linguist. He wrote in the Introduction to the first (1923) edition of this book, "In seeking fuller knowledge about the (Bahá'í) Movement I found considerable difficulty in obtaining the literature I wanted, and soon conceived the idea of putting together the gist of what I learned in the form of a book, so that it might be more easily available for others... Abdu'l-Bahá discussed the book with me on various occasions. He gave me several valuable suggestions for its improvement..." The Bahá'í Publishing Trust noted in their Preface to the 1970 Edition, "It has therefore been deemed necessary to bring the book up to date in order to maintain its usefulness for modern readers. This has been done with a minimum of alteration to the text."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"In the chapters that follow, we shall endeavor to show whether Bahá'u'lláh's claim to Prophethood stands or falls by application of these tests: whether the things that He had spoken have followed and come to pass, and whether His fruits have been good or evil." (Pg. 22)
"The poor are provided for out of the common treasury, but begging is strictly forbidden, as is the use of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes." (Pg. 34)
"Abdu'l-Bahá says: All must abandon prejudices and must even go to each other's churches and mosques, for, in all of these worshipping places, the Name of God is mentioned. Since all gather to worship God, what difference is there?" (Pg. 129)
"A great stumbling block to many, in the way of religious unity, is the difference between the Revelations given by the different Prophets. What is commanded by one is forbidden by another; how can both be right, how can both be proclaiming the Will of God? Surely the truth is one, and cannot change. Yes, the absolute truth is one and cannot change, but the absolute truth is infinitely beyond the present range of human understanding, and our conceptions of it must constantly change." (Pg. 130-131)
"Abdu'l-Bahá suggests that ... One of the principal sources of (governmental) revenue should be a graduated income tax. If a man's income does not exceed his necessary expenditure he should not be required to pay any tax, but in all cases where income exceeds the necessary expenditure a tax should be levied, the percentage of tax increasing as the surplus of income over necessary expenditure increases." (Pg. 149)
"Abdu'l-Bahá says ... 'the new age will be an age less masculine and more permeated with the feminine ideals, or, to speak more exactly, will be an age in which the masculine and feminine elements of civilization will be more evenly balanced.'" (Pg. 156)
"Abdu'l-Bahá spoke as follows ... 'The constitution of the communities depends on justice... Then what Christ meant by forgiveness and pardon is not that, when nations attack you, burn your homes, plunder your goods, assult your wives, children and relatives and violate your honor, you should be submissive in the face of these tyrannical foes, and allow them to perform their cruelities and oppressions. No, the words of Christ refer to the conduct of two individuals towards each other... But the communities must protect the rights of man...'" (Pg. 161)
"All theological speculations about the nature of God's essence are thus swept aside as foolish and futile." (Pg. 207)
"Abdu'l-Bahá says: 'It is clear that this terrestrial globe in its present form did not come into existence all at once; but... gradually passed through different phases until it became adorned with its present perfection... Therefore this story of Adam and Eve who ate from the tree, and their expulsion from Paradise, must be thought of simply as a symbol...'" (Pg. 211)

So, do you know how many languages Baha'u'llah and the New Era : An introduction to the Baha'i Faith by J.E. Esslemont has been translated into and why this effort has been made? Its because J.E. Esslemont's book captures an essence as the faith spread from the East to the West. For Abdul-Baha proof read the manuscript, in part, and made comment, just like a teacher grades and marks an exceptional students work. Today, 1998, Maori and English are the official languages of New Zealand and as yet the above book has not been translated into Maori. Preliminary work had been done and there is a place in the Baha'i World Center's Archives in Haifa, Israel for the Maori translation along side the languages of the rest of the world. Myself, while pioneering as a Baha'i to the Rekohu Islands in 1995, which means 'Misty skys' (Chatham Islands is its official English name and Wharekauri is the official Maori name), I had opportunty to present a copy of Baha'u'llah and the New Era to Mr Tommy Solomon who is a representive of the Moriori people of Rekohu. Only 3 speakers of this language,Moriori , which differs from Maori by 10%, and that is a lot in a language, were left alive at the time. The book is a spiritual "Waka" or boat for containing the English expression of the word of God for today, into other languages and it travels the world, navigating to new peoples and places with the healing message for Unity and Justice needed to welcome humanity into a peaceful world and into this new Dispensation of the Glory of God. So even an island of 750 people that has seen the sun of the east from early history has on its shores a copy of Baha'u'llah and the New Era.