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Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'U'Llah

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"Gleanings from the Writing of Bahá'u'lláh", first published in 1939, is a thorough and inclusive compilation of many of the essential teachings of Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892). It has become a part of most Bahá'ís personal libraries. It contains a complete index and glossary, so that most aspects of His teachings can be looked up, such as 'life after death', Bahá'u'lláh's station and that of Muhammad, Christ, and Moses, the purpose of creation, Mankind's obligations and their waywardness, etc. He makes His own station clear with words such as these: "O Jews! If ye be intent on crucifying once again Jesus, the Spirit of God, put Me to death, for He hath once more, in My person, been made manifest unto you." His words are so powerful in most of the book that they virtually demand to be read aloud. The compiler and translator, Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'u'lláh's great-grandson, organized the book generally into thirds. First focusing on Bahá'u'lláh's station, next on the unknowable Divinity of God, then His words to His believers calling them to the highest moral and spiritual standards and to the unbelievers that they detach themselves from all acquired knowledge and search for Truth themselves. All that Christ said He could not reveal (John 16:12) can be found here!

This book is a compendium of writings of Bahaullah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith. The Baha'i ideas of the universality of religion and the necessity of unity among people are well presented in these excerpts from the many writings of Bahaullah.

This book does not set forth all the religious practices of the Baha'i Faith, nor does it purport to give one a complete picture of all aspects of the faith. Instead, the "gleanings" seem chosen to present some of the core Baha'i ideas in the words of the founder of the faith. The Baha'i ideas of the core of truth in all religions, the ongoing nature of spiritual prophecy, and the ineffable mystery of God are fascinating reading. The fact that this faith arose in the 19th Century makes its founders' writings seem much more modern and accessible than some older religious writing.

As one reads other works about Baha'i practice, one might offer the critique of this work that the excerpts really tell the reader more about the ideals of Baha'ism and not enough about the day to day reality of how Bahaullah felt the faith should be practiced. This is very much a starting point for one interested in Baha'i ideas rather than a comprehensive guide. Still, if you want a good idea of many core Baha'i concepts, you'll find this a readable set of writings.

This book won't tell you "everything you need to know about Baha'is", but it is interesting for the non-believer as well as for the believer to give a picture window into this faith.

summoning mankind unto Him." "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens." "So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. " These are just a few of the soul-stirring statements to be found in this compilation of spiritual gems selected from the treasury of the writings of Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith. Themes explored in these profoundly spiritual and often mystical writings include (but are no means limited to) the nature of God, his purpose in creating human beings, the relationship of human beings to their Creator, and the role played by the Manifestations of God (Divine messengers through whom the Creator has revealed himself to humanity throughout history). The passages in this collection were personally selected and translated from the original Persian and Arabic into English by Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, the great-grandson of Baha'u'llah who headed the Faith from 1921-1957. This book is an indispensable resource for anyone with a serious interest in investigating the claims of this new religion, which has spread from its roots in the Middle East to encircle the globe in a little over 100 years.

If you are buying a Kindle (or other electronic reader version), save some money. Free Kindle versions of most of the Baha'i writings are available at bahaiEbooks.org. Just download to your computer, and drag to your Kindle.

Excellent condition. This is the first book one should read who is interested in a One World concept of religion.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

(King James Bible, John)

Baha'u'llah has said, "Whoso hath searched the depths of the oceans that lie hid within these exalted words, and fathomed their import, can be said to have discovered a glimmer of the unspeakable glory with which this mighty, this sublime, and most holy Revelation hath been endowed

(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 10)

This is possibly the most transforming book of our time, a collection of Baha'u'llah's most potent tablets. I read it when I was 19 and again now that I am 59. Gleanings is the Creative Word of God - The Divine Elixir to rejuvenate your heart, mind and soul.

"Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah" are words of deep wisdom from one of the messengers sent by God to enlighten humankind (in the line of Buddha, Christ, Muhammad, etc.). Or so the Bahai's, of which I am one, believe. Even if you're not a believer in Baha'u'llah's status as a messenger from God, you can't argue with a lot of his words, which still resonate today as much as they did in the 19th-century Middle East. He calls for kindness, peace, and universal brotherhood/sisterhood. These are noble ideals for people of every religious persuasion.

This book is a repetitious tedious read by a devout and sincere persian mystic from the Moslem tradition. This is evident from the many similarities of his ideas and Mohammeds(with a few minor improvements). It would take the reader a long time to separate the little useful information from the flowery endless praises of God. It will no doubt be many years before we see the rest of his writings, and what they all mean. The emphasis on world unity is a great and worthy cause. The curse laid upon "anyone who claims to be a prophet within the next thousand years"(at end of book), is very questionable and hard to take seriously. Showing the writers limited understanding of the flow and history of world religion, and shows a serious sense of insecurity with any other spiritual influences. A continuation of the Islamic concept of the latest revelation being the most advanced is erronous also contradicts all religious history. This principle of exclusivity(our scripture is the only truth in this age), is a most devisive and intolerant religious approach, and has been the cause of most of religion's cruel attacks on the rest of the world fo the last two millenia. It must be based upon a total misconception of God's Great Plan.

For further reading: MAN'S ETENAL QUEST..&..THE BHAGAVAD GITA.