paula wrote on Jul. 27, 2011:
Does anyone know if the term "Ancient Power" used by Abdul-Baha in his tablet to August Forel is used anywhere else in the Writings? I've searched everywhere I can think and can only find it in this one tablet.
Hello paula,
Searching in the Persian writings I found two more English texts that in their translation you can find your word, THE ANCIENT POWER and another text from Some Answered Questions which I have quoted next to them.
Following are the two writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in which the word “ANCIENT POWER” is used:
In another Tablet 'Abdu'l-Bahá states that we may attach some attributes to God. We do this not because we wish to prove that God is the possessor of exalted attributes -- attributes which are beyond our understanding -- but rather to dissociate from Him the lack of such attributes. In his celebrated Tablet to Dr Forel, 'Abdu'l-Bahá states:
“As to the attributes and perfections such as will, knowledge, power
and other ancient attributes that we ascribe to that Divine Reality,
these are the signs that reflect the existence of beings in the
visible plane and not the absolute perfections of the Divine Essence
that cannot be comprehended. For instance, as we consider created
things we observe infinite perfections, and the created things being
in the utmost regularity and perfection we infer that THE ANCIENT
POWER on whom dependeth the existence of these beings, cannot be
ignorant; thus we say He is All-Knowing. It is certain that it is not
impotent, it must be he All-Powerful; it is not poor, it must be
All-Possessing; it is not non-existent, it must be Ever-Living. The
purpose is to show that these attributes and perfections that we
recount for that Universal Reality are only in order to deny
imperfections, rather than to assert the perfections that the human
mind can conceive. Thus we say His attributes are unknowable”.
(Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah v 4, p. 131).
GOD AND THE UNIVERSE
"Now, formation is of three kinds and of three kinds only: accidental, necessary, and voluntary. The coming together of the various constituent elements of beings cannot be accidental, for unto every effect there must be a cause. It cannot be compulsory, for then the formation must be an inherent property of the constituent parts and the inherent property of a thing can in no wise be dissociated from it, such as light that is the revealer of things, heat that causeth the expansion of elements and the (solar) rays which are the essential property of the sun. Thus under such circumstances the decomposition of any formation is impossible, for the inherent properties of a thing cannot be separated from it. The third formation remaineth and that is the voluntary one, that is, an unseen force described as the ANCIENT POWER, causeth these elements to come together, every formation giving rise to a distinct being.
As to the attributes and perfections such as will, knowledge, power and other ancient attributes that we ascribe to that Divine Reality, these are the signs that reflect the existence of beings in the visible plane and not the absolute perfections of the Divine Essence that cannot be comprehended. For instance, as we consider created things we observe infinite perfections, and the created things being in the utmost regularity and perfection we infer that the ANCIENT POWER on whom dependeth the existence of these beings, cannot be ignorant; thus we say He is All-Knowing. It is certain that it is not impotent, it must be then All-Powerful; 343 it is not poor, it must be All-Possessing; it is not non-existent, it must be Ever-Living. The purpose is to show that these attributes and perfections that we recount for that Universal Reality are only in order to deny imperfections, rather than to assert the perfections that the human mind can conceive. Thus we say His attributes are unknowable".
(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 342).
In the original text of Some Answered Questions, which in Farsi is called “Mufawadat-i-Abdu’l-Baha” there is also the word, QUDRAT-I-QADIMIH (The Ancient Power) which is translated into English as, “HIS PREEXISTENT MIGHT” (the power that previously existing) which has the same meaning:
“This composition and arrangement, through the wisdom of God and HIS PREEXISTENT MIGHT, were produced from one natural organization, which was composed and combined with the greatest strength, conformable to wisdom, and according to a universal law. From this it is evident that it is the creation of God, and is not a fortuitous composition and arrangement. This is why from every natural composition a being can come into existence, but from an accidental composition no being can come into existence. For example, if a man of his own mind and intelligence collects some elements and combines them, a living being will not be brought into existence since the system is unnatural. This is the answer to the implied question that, since beings are made by the composition and the combination of elements, why is it not possible for us to gather elements and mingle them together, and so create a living being. This is a false supposition, for the origin of this composition is from God; it is God Who makes the combination, and as it is done according to the natural system, from each composition one being is produced, and an existence is realized. A composition made by man produces nothing because man cannot create”. (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 181).
The word “ANCIENT POWER” (QUDRAT-I-QADIMIH) is also used in the Persian writings of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, dated, 1927-1939, P.168 and the one which he is addressing the Oriental Friends, P. 10.