Tag: "Pipe Ceremony (Native American)"

tag name	Pipe Ceremony (Native American)	type:	Religions, other
web link	bahai-library.com/tags/Pipe_Ceremony_(Native_American)
related tags	– Native Americans (First Nations); Smoking (tobacco)
notes	"You have asked about the appropriateness of ceremonies from other cultures being presented at Bahá'í national events and local gatherings ... You mention that the popularity of the "Pipe Ceremony" is part of the revival of native cultural values. While seeking out the spiritual roots of their own tradition, it is natural for Alaskan natives to view sympathetically symbols of the spiritual roots that once sustained the indigenous peoples of North America. Such a desire for the rediscovery of one's culture is one in which Bahá'ís rejoice. In this context, it would be acceptable occasionally to hold such cultural ceremonies at Bahá'í national events and local gatherings, so long as their features are not contrary to Bahá'í Teachings and they do not become customary. Moreover, these ceremonies should not be carried out during the formal part of a Bahá'í event, such as during the consultation at a National Convention, or in connection with the reading of prayers and passages from the Writings during a feast or Holy Day programme. Rather, such ceremonies may be included as an adjunct to the programme, and participation in them should be on a voluntary basis. Regarding your question as to whether the audience should be informed that the cultural ceremonies are not part of the Bahá'í Faith, perhaps it would be possible to have this information presented in a positive manner, such as by explaining Bahá'u'lláh's teaching on unity in diversity, or the respect held by Bahá'ís for diversity of cultural expression." (16 November 1994, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, in: compilation Cultural Diversity in the Age of Maturity, extract #217
references	en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceremonial_pipe

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