A new set of exhibits was unveiled this summer in the Visitors Center of the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, located in the Temple's lower level.
The Visitors Center is open every day of the year from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Temple's upper-level auditorium is open for private prayer and meditation every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (See a new "virtual tour" of the Temple's auditorium and exterior.)
The new display panels address many of the questions frequently asked by first-time visitors to the landmark temple, and even those who may have been visiting the temple for years without a clear understanding of how it came to be or what it stands for:
--Who built the Temple, and when?
--Why does the Temple have nine sides and nine gardens with fountains?
--What is the meaning of the religious symbols intertwined in the Temple's columns?
--What is the meaning of the calligraphic symbol at the top of the dome?
The panels also introduce the life and teachings of the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah. Some of the core ideas contained in the panels include:
- Baha’u’llah is recognized by Baha’is as the Revealer of God’s Word for today.
Baha’is see this Day as the promised Day of God alluded to in all the great spiritual traditions of the past. Baha’u’llah (a title that means “Glory of God” in Arabic) was born in Persia in 1817 and passed away in the Holy Land in 1892. People from all walks of life and religious backgrounds have recognized Baha’u’llah as the Promised One sent by God to quicken the world, unite its peoples and guide humanity into the next phase of an ever-advancing civilization.
- Baha’u’llah taught that God is unknowable in His Essence.
God is the Creator of all things, and He is beyond our finite comprehension. God created us out of love, and His love touches our spirits ceaselessly. Our purpose is to learn of God’s qualities and attributes and to strive to express them through service to humanity. Death is the transition point at which the soul, having gained spiritual capacities on this earthly plane, continues its journey toward God in realms beyond.
- Although God is unknowable, He has assured us of His Eternal Covenant—that He will never leave humanity without guidance.
Throughout history, God has revealed His Will to humanity by means of a series of divine Messengers, whose teachings guide and educate us and provide the basis for the advancement of human society. These Messengers (or Manifestations of God, as Baha’u’llah has referred to them) have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Their Revelations come from the same Source and Spirit and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God.
- Baha’u’llah revealed teachings that address the condition and needs of humanity today.
While reaffirming the spiritual and ethical teachings that all major religions have in common, Baha’u’llah brought new social principles and instructions that provide deep solutions to humankind’s most pressing problems. The central principle of the Baha’i Faith is the oneness of humanity. Baha’u’llah wrote, “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established."
- The Baha’i Faith is a learning community and a workshop for building a unified global society.
In this day humanity is facing unprecedented challenges that cannot be solved without a global outlook and unity of thought and purpose among peoples of all races, nations and ethnicities. Building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society will require intense, focused effort over many generations—but we have God's promise that it can be achieved. Every individual, regardless of race, class or educational level, has spiritual capacities and abilities that they can cultivate and apply to the service of humanity. The Baha’i Faith has no clergy and empowers everyone to become an agent of personal and social transformation.
- Everyone is welcome
The Baha’i Faith is welcoming and inclusive. Most Baha’i activities and community projects are open to everyone regardless of their religious affiliation.
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