Topic: the Martyrdom of the Báb
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE BÁB AND TO DEVELOP A DEEP LOVE FOR HIM BASED ON AN UNDERSTANDING OF THESE EVENTS THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB SPIRITUAL QUALITIES RELEVANT TO THIS TOPIC: COURAGE, HONOR, LOVE, SACRIFICE Another proof and evidence of the truth of this Revelation, which amongst all other proofs shineth as the sun, is the constancy of the eternal Beauty [the Báb] in proclaiming the Faith of God. Though young and tender of age, and though the Cause He revealed was contrary to the desire of all the peoples of earth, both high and low, rich and poor, exalted and abased, king and subject, yet He arose and steadfastly proclaimed it. All have known and heard this. He was afraid of no one; He was regardless of consequences. Could such a thing be made manifest except through the power of a divine Revelation, and the potency of God’s invincible Will? Bahá’u’lláh, The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 230 Such stories regarding the life of different prophets together with their sayings will also be useful to better understand the literature of the Cause for there is constant reference to them. written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Education, p. 61 Central Figures—The Bab—Level Three 17 GOAL: TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE BÁB TOPIC: THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVES • To know the circumstances surrounding the Martyrdom of the Báb • To know that the occurrence of this event is observed as a Bahá’í Holy Day SUGGESTED LEARNING ACTIVITIES • Share the story of the Martyrdom of the • Discover the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and Báb from Nabíl’s Narrative and God Passes ‘Abdu’l-Bahá regarding the Martyrdom of By. the Báb. • Learn the dates associated with this event • Memorize a passage about the Martyrdom in the Islamic, Gregorian and Bahá’í of the Báb. calendars. WISDOM OBJECTIVES • To understand that the Martyrdom of the Báb closed the Adamic and Prophetic Cycles and began the period of transition leading to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh • To understand the significance of the Martyrdom of the Báb SUGGESTED LEARNING ACTIVITIES • Prepare a timeline that illustrates the • Express personal emotions about the relationship between the Adamic or Martyrdom of the Báb through the various Prophetic Cycle and the Cycle of forms of art—music, dance, prose, poetry, Fulfillment. painting, etc. • Share with each other an understanding of the significance of this event. 18 Central Figures—The Bab—Level Three GOAL: TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE BÁB TOPIC: THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION OBJECTIVES • To connect the sacrifices in the Life of the Báb with one’s own efforts toward self- sacrifice • To perceive the bounty to the world of humanity that resulted from the Martyrdom of the Báb • To gain inspiration and energy from the sacrifices of the Báb SUGGESTED LEARNING ACTIVITIES • Share stories that are examples of the • Meditate on one’s own sacrifices and write sacrifice of the Manifestations of God or a poem about sacrificing for the good of other noble souls, and relate such stories others. to the sacrifice of the Báb. • Ponder, reflect and consult upon the bounties occurring as the result of the martyrdom of the Báb, and express these bounties through the arts. ELOQUENT SPEECH OBJECTIVES • To recount the great story of the Martyrdom of the Báb • To make a commitment to being sacrificial in service to humanity and God as exemplified by the Báb SUGGESTED LEARNING ACTIVITIES • Prepare and present a short talk on the • Use the results of learners’ presentation, Martyrdom of the Báb for the Holy Day performances and artwork for a commemoration. commemoration of the Martyrdom of the • Rehearse and recite eloquently selections Báb. of those Writings of Bahá’u’lláh or ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which refer to the Martyrdom of the Báb. Central Figures—The Bab—Level Three 19 GOAL: TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE BÁB TOPIC: THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB Sample Activities ACTIVITY: THE STORY OF THE BÁB’S MARTYRDOM KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVE: To know the circumstances surrounding the martyrdom of the Báb WISDOM OBJECTIVE: To understand the significance of the martyrdom of the Báb INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND LEARNING TOOLS: Direct use of the Sacred Writings; Education directed towards recognition of God; Use of stories; Use of independent investigation SUGGESTED TIME FOR ACTIVITY: 45 MIN. Materials Needed: • The Central Figures: The Báb, Volume Three (available 2004) • Children’s Stories from the Dawn-Breakers or story from Resource Page 25-26 • Let it Be This Generation cassette, if available • green candle 1. Darken the room and light a single green candle in the center. Tell the students that you have a very sad but glorious story to tell them. 2. Tell the story, or read aloud “The Martyrdom of the Báb” from The Central Figures: The Báb, Volume Three, or Children’s Stories from The Dawn- Breakers, or Resource Pages 25-26. 3. According to the students’ capacity for remaining attentive, listen to all or part of “Midsummer’s Noon” from the album, Let It Be This Generation. This is a dramatic narrative- plus-music recounting of first-person 4. Allow for a time of silence and prayers, in remembrances of the Báb. honor of the Martyrdom. ACTIVITY: THE SCENE OF THE BÁB’S MARTYRDOM SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION OBJECTIVE: To connect the sacrifices in the life of the Báb with one’s own efforts towards self-sacrifice ELOQUENT SPEECH OBJECTIVE: To make a commitment to being sacrificial in service to humanity and God, as exemplified by the Báb INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND LEARNING TOOLS: Education directed towards recognition of God; Engage the mind and heart; Use of drama; Use of reflection; Use of stories SUGGESTED TIME FOR ACTIVITY: 25 MIN. Materials Needed: • rope and nail • cloth bag or pillowcase containing metal objects, such as pots, pans, etc. • smoke bombs or other similar safe fireworks, if safe and legal in your area 20 Central Figures—The Bab—Level Three GOAL: TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE BÁB TOPIC: THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB Advance Preparation: Hang a rope from a nail on an exterior wall. Arrange the metal objects in a cloth bag, or practice placement of the smoke bombs. 1. Take the students outside where you have hung 4. Light one or more smoke bombs between the the rope from a nail. lined-up students and the wall, if safe and legal 2. Invite them to imagine that this is the public in your area. For especially dramatic results, use square of the city of Tabríz. Gesturing, describe a large number smoke-bombs, with fuses where the boundaries of the square would be, connected so that, once the first one is lit, each on all sides. Ask the students to imagine the will light the next, gradually releasing more and square packed with people, the roofs of the more smoke. Alternately, you may choose to buildings surrounding the square filled with shake the bag of metal objects, to indicate the curious faces: 10,000 people crowding in to loud sound of the gunfire. watch the execution of the One Who had dared 5. Encourage the students to imagine the great to say that He was the Promised One sent to confusion of the 10,000 onlookers when, once them by God. the smoke cleared, there was no sign of the 3. Have the students line up, shoulder-to- Báb, and His companion was standing there, shoulder, facing the wall with the rope. Invite unhurt. them to imagine that this is where the Báb and 6. Remind them that, once the Báb had finished His youthful companion, Muhammad-‘Alí, his interrupted conversation with His known as Anís, were suspended by ropes, and amanuensis, He was brought back to the that they are standing where the soldiers stood: barracks square, and again tied up with 750 men with black powder muskets, ready to Muhammad-‘Alí. A new regiment of 750 fire. soldiers were brought forward. This time their bullets completely riddled their bodies, although the face of the Báb remained essentially unmarred. Central Figures—The Bab—Level Three 21 GOAL: TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE BÁB TOPIC: THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB ACTIVITY: DEMONSTRATE BOUNTIES RESULTING FROM THE BÁB’S MARTYRDOM SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION OBJECTIVE: To perceive the bounty to the world of humanity that resulted from the Martyrdom of the Báb INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND LEARNING TOOLS: Engage the mind and heart; Use of manipulatives; Use of reflection SUGGESTED TIME FOR ACTIVITY: 20 MIN. Materials Needed: • green baloon • glitter, sequins or confetti • needle Advance Preparation: Fill a green balloon with 1/8 cup glitter, sequins or confetti. 1. Holding the balloon, compare it to the Revelation of the Báb. Begin blowing it up, mentioning—between breaths—the Faith’s rapid growth and the ruling clergy’s concern. 2. Expand the balloon as large as possible, then tie it closed. Mention that the Faith’s enemies thought that if they killed the Báb, His religion would be finished. 4. As the glitter spills out, compare this display to 3. Pull out a needle: invite the students to watch God’s blessings being poured out upon carefully. Holding the balloon high overhead, humanity at the moment of the Báb’s pop it with the needle! Martyrdom. ACTIVITY: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB WISDOM OBJECTIVE: To understand the significance of the Martyrdom of the Báb INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND LEARNING TOOLS: Direct use of Bahá’í sacred writings; Education directed towards recognition of God; Use of consultation; Use of reasoning SUGGESTED TIME FOR ACTIVITY: 25 MIN.