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Abdu'l-Bahá and the Tablets of the Divine Plan

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Abdu'l-Bahá and the Tablets of the Divine Plan Director: Dr. Robert H. Stockman www.wi.bahai.us Email: [email protected] Voice: (877)-WILMETTE Course: Charters of the Faith: The Table of Carmel, the Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá and the Tablets of the Divine Plan Lead Instructor: Edward DiLiberto with Robert Harris and Robert Wilson Edward N. DiLiberto holds a BA and MA from California State University and the Credential of Bilingual Education, Spanish-English, (1980) from the California State Board of Education. He served in various educational positions in California, Central America and South America over the years. Most recently, he served for six years on the Advisory Board assigned to collaborate with the Center for Baha’i Studies in Beijing, where he presented various papers correlating Chinese philosophy with the Baha’i teachings. He has been to 26 countries as a consultant on developing human resource for the Baha’i Faith, and he served as a member of the Auxiliary Board of the Continental Board of Counselors for twelve years. Robert Harris is a senior executive in a medical software company in Clearwater, Florida. He has studied and spoken about the Bahá’í Revelation for 41 years as a member of various institutions of the Faith, including the Continental Board of Counselors, the Auxiliary Board and a Regional Bahá’í Council of the Northeastern States. He has lectured extensively on the writings of Shoghi Effendi and the manifold aspects of the Covenant and Teaching. He has a particular interest in encouraging youth to immerse themselves in the Holy Writings. Robert Wilson is an artist and long-time Bahá’í living in Washington State. Course Description: In this course we will study the "three Charters" of the Bahá’í Faith identified by Shoghi Effendi: Bahá'u'lláh‘s Tablet of Carmel and `Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament and Tablets of the Divine Plan. We will read and discuss the full texts of these three charters, supplementing our reading with stories, photographs, and other materials and seeking to gain a deeper understanding of their significance and their application in our own lives. We will examine the "three distinct processes" that Shoghi Effendi states these three charters set in motion, "the first operating in the Holy Land for the development of the institutions of the Faith at its World Center and the other two, throughout the rest of the Bahá’í world, for its propagation and the establishment of its Administrative Order" (Messages to the Bahá’í World, p. 84). The course will conclude with a discussion about the Hands of the Cause of God and the role they played between Shoghi Effendi’s death and the election of the Universal House of Justice and with the role individuals play in protecting and expanding the Faith. Learning Objectives: To read the three Charters of the Faith and background information about the circumstances of their revelation and their audiences To understand the relationship between the provisions and principles delineated in these works and the other teachings of the Bahá'í Faith To be able to explain to others the basic provisions of the three Charter documents and answer difficult questions about them To strengthen our appreciation for the nature and teachings of the Bahá'í Faith Course Expectations and Guidelines: This course is divided into one or two-week sessions beginning with an orientation (Unit 1) and ending with a review and summary (Unit 8). All units include readings, activities, and an online discussion among workshop participants. The course has been structured so that it requires an estimated 5 or 6 hours per week of reading and discussion. During Unit 1, you will draft a personal learning plan (PLP) to define the goals you have set for yourself by participating in this course. If you are taking the course for credit, one of your goals would naturally be meeting the course expectations for discussions, activities, and a final project. If you are not taking the course for credit, you need to set goals that will help you develop your personal capabilities and will be achievable in and around your other daily tasks. During Unit 8, you will refer again to your PLP and complete a self-assessment reviewing the extent to which you met the goals you set for yourself. In addition, learners seeking credit from their university will complete their final project (15-20 page research paper or equivalent) and submit it to the lead faculty. Your instructor will periodically review your progress in the course and be available to discuss things with you. The following guidelines will help you gain maximum benefit from your participation in the course and will contribute toward a rich and rewarding experience through dialogue with others. We recommend that you consider them when drafting your PLP. • Complete the readings and activities for each unit. Afterwards, your first posting in the discussion area should make reference to the readings and activities in such a way that your instructor can tell you read the material and engaged in the activities. • Post at least 2 message replies in the discussion area for each unit/session. Each post should contain substantive comments (i.e., a comment like “oh, that’s interesting” is NOT substantive). • Choose at least 2 different days each session when you will participate in the discussions. We suggest posting at least once within the first few days of the session, with your second post at least two days before the next session begins. By contributing more than one post on different days, you will help the group develop rich ongoing discussions. • If you post on time (i.e., within the time period of each unit on the course schedule), others will be able to read and respond to your post. • Keep a course journal to help you track your ideas as you work on your final project. In order to be eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion, you must participate in a majority of the discussions, as well as complete a majority of available unit activities and the end-of-course self- assessment. Learners taking the course for credit must also complete a final project. Your first discussion posts within each unit should address the discussion topic and demonstrate understanding of the course/unit concepts. Additional postings should provide substantive comments to other participants that are thoughtful, relevant, and help to extend the discussion. Course Schedule: Unit 1 Introduction to the Course and to Moodle Jan. 15-18 In this unit, you will review the unit topics and dates, learn how to use Moodle (our course management system), set up your user profile, begin developing a personal learning plan, and learn how to post and reply in the discussion forums. Learners seeking university credit through their own university or an external agency will be required to design a personal learning plan to meet external standards, including active and ongoing participation in the course discussion forums, readings, assigned activities, and completion of a 15 to 20 page research paper or a project of equivalent complexity. Unit 2 The Tablet of Carmel Jan. 19-25 This unit is a study of the Tablet of Carmel: The circumstances of its revelation by Bahá'u'lláh on Mount Carmel; prophecies about Mount Carmel in the Scriptures of the past; the institutions developed on Carmel as a result of this Tablet; the exalted position of Mount Carmel, particularly of the Shrine of the Báb; the development of the Arc; the fulfillment of Bahá'u'lláh's prophecies in the Tablet of Carmel, in the establishment and functioning of the Universal House of Justice. Unit 3 The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Jan. 26-Feb. 8 In this unit, we will read how the violation of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh impacted upon the Covenant of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. We will read the Master's wonderful praises for the believers who supported the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, and we will read a small amount of information about some of these prominent heroes. We will also read about the most treacherous opponents of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, and their efforts against 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Unit 4 The Covenant of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Feb. 9-15 The contents of this Unit: Shoghi Effendi states that the twin Covenants of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha are the spiritual foundation on which the whole Cause of God rests; the extraordinary stature of the Master's Will; the Will establishes the hereditary office of the Guardianship; the heart of the Master's Covenant: Abdu'l-Baha covenants that the Bab and Baha'u'llah guide the Universal House of Justice and the Guardian, and takes from us a covenant to turn to them and seek their guidance. Unit 5 The Hands of the Cause of God Feb. 16-22 This unit covers references to the Hands of the Cause in the Writings of Baha'u'llah; the Hands of the Cause appointed by Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha; provisions for the Hands of the Cause in the Will and Testament; Hands of the Cause appointed posthumously by Shoghi Effendi; the foremost Hand in the first Baha'i century; the first living Hand appointed by Shoghi Effendi, and the verse in the Will that led to her greatness; the "Pillars" of the Cause of God; the relationship between the Hands of the Cause and the institution of Guardianship; the ministry of the Hands of the Cause following the passing of Shoghi Effendi; the relationship between the Hands of the Cause and the Universal House of Justice; the unique role of Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum; provision for the carrying of the functions of the Hands into the future: The establishment of the institutions of the Counsellors and the International Teaching Centre.
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