Bahai Education/Education in Principle/I-100. Education Necessary

I. EDUCATION IN PRINCIPLE

I-100. EDUCATION NECESSARY

a. Consider, for instance, the revelation of the light of the Name of God, the Educator. Behold, how in all things the evidences of such a revelation are manifest, how the betterment of all beings dependeth upon it. This education is of two kinds. The one is universal. Its influence pervadeth all things and sustaineth them. It is for this reason that God hath assumed the title, "Lord of all worlds." The other is confined to them that have come under the shadow of this Name, and sought the shelter of this most mighty Revelation. They, however, that have failed to seek this shelter, have deprived themselves of this privilege, and are powerless to benefit from the spiritual sustenance that hath been sent down through the heavenly grace of this Most Great Name: GL:XCIII:189-190

b. man is the supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education hath, however, deprived him of that which he doth inherently possess...Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom: GL:CXXIII:259-260; TB:161-162

c. The source of crafts, sciences and arts is the power of reflection. Make ye every effort that out of this ideal mine there may gleam forth such pearls of wisdom and utterance as will promote the well-being and harmony of all the kindreds of the earth: TB:72

d. Through the mere revelation of the word "Fashioner," issuing forth from His lips and proclaiming His attribute to mankind, such a power is released as can produce, through successive ages, all the manifold arts which the hands of man can produce. No sooner is this resplendent word uttered, than its animating energies, stirring within all created things, give birth to the means and instruments whereby such arts can be produced and perfected: GL:LXXIII:141-142

e. Bend your energies to whatever may foster the education of men: GL:V:9

f. Strain every nerve to acquire both inner and outer perfections, for the fruit of the human tree hath ever been and will ever be perfections both within and without. It is not desirable that a man be left without knowledge or skills, for he is then but a barren tree. Then, so much as capacity and capability allow, ye needs must deck the tree of being with fruits such as knowledge, wisdom, spiritual perception and eloquent speech: Baha'u'llah, Bahá'í Education, #9, p. 3

g. Man is even as steel, the essence of which is hidden: through admonition and explanation, good counsel and education, that essence will be brought to light. If, however, he be allowed to remain in his original condition, the corrosion of lusts and appetites will effectively destroy him: Baha'u'llah, Bahá'í Education, #10, p. 3

h. There are many things which will, if neglected, be wasted, and come to nothing. How often in this world do we see a child who has lost his parents and who, unless attention is devoted to his education and training, can produce no fruit. And better off dead than alive is he who produceth no fruit: Baha'u'llah, Bahá'í Education, #11, p. 3

i. Were there no educator, all souls would remain savage, and were it not for the teacher, the children would be ignorant creatures: TAB:III:578

j. From this universal system of education misunderstandings will be expelled from amongst the children of men: SW IV:6, 105-106 ;

k. If life becomes the center of the imperfections of the world of humanity, death is better than life. Non-existence is better than existence. SW III:3, 19; SW IX:8, 94

l. Verily, if that babe depart from this world at the age of infancy, it is sweeter and better. In this sense, death is better than life, deprivation than salvation, nonexistence lovelier than existence, the grave better than the palace, and the narrow, dingy tomb better than the spacious, regal home, for in the sight of mankind that child is abased and degraded and in the sight of God weak and defective: SW IX:7, 83-84; BWF, p. 398; TAB:III:579

m. Baha'u'llah declared that children are of two kinds--the mature and the immature: SW VII:15, 142; SW IX:8, 90

n. The root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance, and we must therefore hold fast to the tools of perception and knowledge: SWAB:#111, 136

o. Education has a universal influence and the differences caused by it are very great: BWF, p. 319; SAQ, LVII, p. 214 ; Thus is it clearly demonstrated that by their essential nature, minds vary as to their capacity, while education also playeth a great role and exerteth a powerful effect on their development: SWAB:#104, 131 p. essential that children be reared in Bahá'í way so that they may find happiness in this world and the next: human happiness is founded upon spiritual behaviour: SWAB:#100, 127

q. education is the foundation of human excellence, enables man to work his way to the heights of abiding glory: SWAB:#103, 129

r. education of primary importance: SWAB:#103, 130

s. instruction and rectification and refinement of character of utmost import: SWAB:#111, 137

t. education has great influence...Education must be considered as most important...Education has a universal influence: SAQ:LVII:249

u. man is in need of an educator...Education is a necessity: PUP:329

v. education is the indispensable foundation of all human excellence and alloweth man to work his way to the heights of abiding glory: SWAB:#103, 129 w. One of the most important of undertakings is the education of children, for success and prosperity depend upon service to and worship of God: 'Abdu'l-Baha, Bahá'í Education, #71, p. 27

x. The child must not be wronged. The ignorant must not be criticized. We must look to some remedy. All the Prophets of God, including Jesus Christ, came for the education of humanity, in order that the immature souls may become mature.