Tag: "Asceticism"

tag name	Asceticism	type:	Miscellaneous; Religion, general
web link	bahai-library.com/tags/Asceticism
related tags	– Abrogated laws and practices; Monasticism; Seclusion
referring tags	Begging and mendicancy; Moderation
Inventory subject	Monasticism; asceticism
notes	See also: – Covenant Library Unified Index
selected quotations (authoritative sources)	These quotations reflect common presentations of Bahá’í views; the materials below may show a wider range of interpretations and contexts: "... How many a man hath secluded himself in the climes of India, denied himself the things that God hath decreed as lawful, imposed upon himself austerities and mortifications, and hath not been remembered by God, the Revealer of Verses..." – Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, ¶36 "61. How many a man hath secluded himself in the climes of India, denied himself the things that God hath decreed as lawful, imposed upon himself austerities and mortifications ¶36 These verses constitute the prohibition of monasticism and asceticism. See the Synopsis and Codification, section IV.D. 1.y.iii.-iv. In the Words of Paradise Bahá’u’lláh amplifies these provisions. He states: “Living in seclusion or practicing asceticism is not acceptable in the presence of God,” and He calls upon those involved to “observe that which will cause joy and radiance.” He instructs those who have taken up “their abodes in the caves of the mountains” or who have “repaired to graveyards at night” to abandon these practices, and He enjoins them not to deprive themselves of the “bounties” of this world which have been created by God for humankind. And in the Tablet of Bishárát, while acknowledging the “pious deeds” of monks and priests, Bahá’u’lláh calls upon them to “give up the life of seclusion and direct their steps towards the open world and busy themselves with that which will profit themselves and others.” He also grants them leave “to enter into wedlock that they may bring forth one who will make mention of God.”" – Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note 61 "... O people of the earth! Living in seclusion or practicing asceticism is not acceptable in the presence of God. It behooveth them that are endued with insight and understanding to observe that which will cause joy and radiance. Such practices as are sprung from the loins of idle fancy or are begotten of the womb of superstition ill beseem men of knowledge. In former times and more recently some people have been taking up their abodes in the caves of the mountains while others have repaired to graveyards at night. Say, give ear unto the counsels of this Wronged One. Abandon the things current amongst you and adopt that which the faithful Counselor biddeth you. Deprive not yourselves of the bounties which have been created for your sake..." – Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, Kalimát-i-Firdawsíyyih (Words of Paradise), tenth leaf (BH00111) "Regarding your questions: by holiness in our Bahá'í teachings is meant attachment to God, His Precepts and His Will. We are not ascetics in any sense of the word. On the contrary, Bahá'u'lláh says God has created all the good things in the world for us to enjoy and partake of. But we must not become attached to them and put them before the spiritual things." – from a letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 2, p. 71
references	en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asceticism; bahai9.com/wiki/Asceticism; bahaiquotes.com/subject/seclusion; www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/search#q=Asceticism

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