TWELVE PRINCIPLES OF BAHA'U'LLAH
The wonderful essence of Baha'u'llah's Revelation is the oneness of mankind. This Revelation is summed up in 12 basic principles, each represented by a stone in the Book of Revelation that is stated as being the adornment of the foundation of the Holy City.
The foundation of the city wall was ornate with precious stones of every sort: the first course of stones was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh hyacinth, and the twelfth amethyst (Rev. 21:19-20).
These represent 12 basic principles upon which the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, rests (the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven). These 12 stones are most remarkably correlated to the 12 precious foundation stones of the New Jerusalem of St. John's vision regarding their spiritual significance and their colors, for they are spiritual symbols and not material stones, as 'Abdu'l- Baha has said. Consider them in this light:
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The first Baha'i Principle is: "The Oneness of the World of Humanity. Hands may be black, white, yellow or brown, but the hue of the heart is one." The first' foundation stone is the jasper; it is clear red like the hue of the heart. In ancient times it was called the bloodstone.
The following eleven principles are essential in order to establish the oneness of mankind.
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The second Basic Principle is: "The independent Investigation of Truth." All must be free to seek out truth in their own way. The second foundation stone, the sapphire, is a clear blue, "true blue," and the color of faith, inspiration, loyalty and truth. Man must be free to soar in this "Dome of heaven's blue truth," and see it with his own eyes, the intellect.
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The third Basic Principle is: "The foundation of all Religions is One." Each Revelator has given the same "New Heaven and Earth," but man has polluted and misrepresented these Divine Laws. In reality they are all one. The third foundation stone, the chalcedony, is pure white, of which 'Abdu'l-Baha said: "While white is apparent, yet in it is hidden and concealed the seven colors. In white all colors are brothers and sisters." White is the symbol of purity,
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and in its origin each religion is Pure, and a brother to every other religion, for all Truth is one.
IV
The fourth Basic Principle is: "Religion Must be the Source of Unity." If it is not, its non-being were better than its being. The fourth foundation stone,the emerald, is green. Green is the color of harmony and unity. There is no color known that green will not harmonize with, as the green foliage blends with every hued flower. It is the color of immortality and also humility.
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The fifth Basic Principle is: "Religion Must be in Accord with Science and Reason." Neither must deny the other. The fifth foundation stone, the sardonyx, is red or brown, according to the way it is held. So it is with science and religion; they are in essence one, but differ in color or manifestation. Today their realities come closer together in the minds of thinking people.
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The sixth Basic Principle is: "The Equality of Men and Women." They must be as the two wings of the soul, each equally developed. The sixth foundation stone, the sardius, is a stone in two layers, one white and one red, symbolized of the two in one who unitedly further the progress of mankind.
VII
The seventh Basic Principle is: "Removal of all Prejudice-- Religious, Racial, National, Political, etc." The seventh foundation stone, the "pure chrysolite," is exquisitely clear, slightly tinted green. We read in the ancient philosophies of the Chrysolite Tablet it is the symbol of absolute sincerity and truthfulness, purity and selflessness. Only when our hearts are free from every form of prejudice can they become the "chrysolite tablet" whereon may be engraved our thoughts and motives.
VIII
The eighth Basic Principle is: "Universal Peace." The eighth foundation stone, the beryl, is greenish-blue; somewhat like the ocean is as it mounts its crest, the blue of faith and loyalty toward our brother man, the green of humility and unity, the harmonious blending into one symmetrical whole, like a beautiful bouquet of flowers. This, established in the heart of man, will also establish Universal Peace.
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IX
The ninth Basic Principle is: "Universal Education." The ninth foundation stone, the topaz, the glory of the sun, is symbolic of the Light of knowledge and the glory of wisdom, which universal education will establish in the world when the golden topaz, Light of the Teachings of Baha'u'llah, is understood and lived.
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The tenth Basic Principle is: "The Spiritual Solution of the Economic Problem." The tenth foundation stone, the chrysoprasus, is like opaque chrysolite, as clear green which embodies truthfulness, justice, sincerity and purity. These are the necessary requirements for the solution of all economic problems-- the Golden Rule--"Do unto others as ye would that they would do unto you."
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The eleventh Basic Principle is: "Universal Language." The eleventh foundation stone, the jacinth, is somewhat like the jasper, rose red, the universal color, the hue of the heart. A race can only understand the heart of another when it can speak the same language.
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The twelfth Basic Principle is: "An International Tribunal, or Parliament of Man." The twelfth foundation stone, the amethyst, is violet. It symbolizes spiritual Light--reverence, healing, serenity, spiritual calm and poise. This Tribunal of all nations must be as the ultra-violet rays for the "healing of the nations" and it must seek spiritual Light in all reverence, that it may fulfill its high calling, imparting a sense of security, poise and serenity to the hearts of all humanity. The amethyst above all transforms or changes things.
The twelfth basic principle sees its fulfillment in the Universal House of Justice of Baha'u'llah (House of the Lord, Isaiah 2:2) with the guardian seated upon the throne of David as its president (W&T, p. 14). The body of the second International Baha'i Council, which is the "little child" stage (Isaiah 11:6) of the Universal House of Justice, formed of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, is likewise depicted and prophesied of as the twelve gates, and twelve foundations of this Holy City, as interpreted by the Master, 'Abdu'l-Baha, that is adorned with the twelve principles of Baha'u'llah symbolized by the twelve foundation stones.
Thou didst ask as to the tenth to the seventeenth verses of the twenty-first chapter of Saint John the Divine's Revelation. Know thou that according to
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mathematical principles, the firmament of this earth's brilliant day-star hath been divided among twelve constellations, which they call the twelve zodiacal signs. In the same way, the Sun of Truth shineth out from and sheddeth its bounties through twelve stations of holiness, and by these heavenly signs are meant those stainless and unsullied personages who are the very wellsprings of sanctity, and the dawning-points proclaiming the oneness of God.
Consider how in the days of the Interlocutor (Moses), there were twelve holy beings who were leaders of the twelve tribes; and likewise in the dispensation of the Spirit (Christ), note that there were twelve Apostles gathered within the sheltering shade of that supernal Light, and from those splendid dawning-points the Sun of Truth shone forth even as the sun in the sky. Again, in the days of Muhammad, observe that there were twelve dawning-points of holiness, the manifestors of God's confirming help. Such is the way of it.
Accordingly did Saint John the Divine tell of twelve gates in his vision, and twelve foundations. By "that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God" is meant the holy Law of God, and this is set forth in many Tablets and still to be read in the Scriptures of the Prophets of the past: for instance, that Jerusalem was seen going out into the wilderness.
The meaning of the passage is that this heavenly Jerusalem hath twelve gates, through which the blessed enter into the City of God. These gates are souls who are as guiding stars, as portals of knowledge and grace; and within these gates there stand twelve angels. By "angel" is meant the power of the confirmations of God--that the candle of God's confirming power shineth out from the lamp-niche of those souls--meaning that every one of those beings will be granted the most vehement confirming support.
These twelve gates surround the entire world, that is they are a shelter for all creatures. [An earlier translation of this sentence reads: "this signifies that all existence is under the shadow of those souls".] And further, these twelve gates are thefoundation of the City of God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and on each one of these foundations is written the name of one of the Apostles of Christ. [The earlier authorized translation reads: "the Apostles of His Holiness the Spirit" (Jesus). Also the Bible says "the twelve apostles of the Lamb.."] That is to say., each one maketh manifest the perfections, the joyous message, and the excellency of that holy Being. [The earlier authorized translation reads: "upon each of these foundations the name of one of the Apostles
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of His Holiness the Spirit is written. That is to say, the manifestation of the perfections, glad-tidings, virtues and high attributes of that holy soul.")
--'Abdu'l-BahaSelections from the
Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, pages 166-67
The second International Baha'i Council formed of the twelve apostles of the Lamb is thus the foundation for the future Universal House of Justice to be elected by all nations and peoples of the world by the end of this 20th century.
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