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Featured in: Day of the Covenant and The Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha
In His Will, Baha’u’llah instructed all to turn to His eldest Son, Abdu’l-Baha, not only as the authorized interpreter of the Baha’i Writings but also as the perfect exemplar of the Baha’i Faith’s spirit and teachings. Every year Baha’is celebrate Abdu’l-Baha as the Centre of Baha’u’llah Covenant.
Abdu’l-Baha was the eldest son of Baha’u’llah who referred to Him as “the Mystery of God” and “a shelter for all mankind”, however Abdu’l-Baha preferred to be called “Abdu’l-Baha” which means “the Servant of Baha” in reference to His servitude to Baha’u’llah. When Abdu’l-Baha passed away on 28 November 1921, He was eulogized as One who led humanity to the “Way of Truth,” as a “pillar of peace” and the embodiment of “glory and greatness.”
Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson.
In this series of podcasts, I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick.
In this special episode in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passing of Abdu’l-Baha, I’m joined by Kathryn Hogenson, author, and attorney, who joins me in my home in California. She tells me how she became a Baha’i and about Ruhiyyih Khanum and her time at the Baha’i World Centre. She also talks about the first Western Baha’i pilgrims to Holy Land, and she shares unknown stories of Abdu’l-Baha and the Bahai’s of that time. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this conversation as much I did!
Find out more about some of the things we covered below:
* Learn more about Abdu’l-Baha and the commemoration of the Centenary of His passing here: The Mystery of God
* The Universal House of Justice
* The Bab
* Book: ‘Lighting the Western Sky‘ by Kathryn Hogenson
* The Importance of Service in the Baha’i Faith
* The Baha’i Principle of Progressive Revelation
* The Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab
* Who Were the Hands of the Cause?
* Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum
* Video: Crossing Frontiers: Portrait of a World Citizen – Featuring the life of Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum
* International Teaching Centre Building
* Why is the Baha’i World Centre in Israel?
* The Shrine of the Bab and its Significance
* The Significance of the Shrine of Baha’u’llah
* An Introduction to the Will and Testament of Abdu’l-Baha
* Baha’i Houses of Worship/Temples
* US Baha’i House of Worship/Temple
* Laura & Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney
* Website created in honor of Abdu’l-Baha’s visit to North America: 239Days.com
* You may also be interested in listening to ‘The Journey West‘ podcast.
You can find all of our episodes here on the Baha’i Blogcast page, and be sure to ‘subscribe’ to the Baha’i Blogcast for more upcoming episodes on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and Soundcloud.
Thanks for listening!
-Rainn Wilson
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A great conversation! Listeners and readers may also be interested in learning that Kathryn Hogenson’s book, “Lighting the Western Sky: The Hearst Pilgrimage and the Establishment of the Baha’i Faith in the West” is available at bit.ly/ltwsbds on BahaiBookstore.com (a free sample is available for viewing). The Hearst pilgrimage provides a unique glimpse of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. We encourage you to check out this fascinating look into the story of these first 15 Western pilgrims and their experiences with the Master, and how their achievements will remain an inspiration to all future generations.
Baha'i Publishing Trust (August 8, 2021 at 2:14 PM)