Baha’i
Writings
3. Material / Physical
3.2
The Human Body
(Temple of the Spirit)
3.2.1
The Human Body - The Throne of the Inner Temple
As this physical frame is the throne of the inner temple, whatever occurs to the
former is felt by the latter. In
reality that which takes delight in joy or is saddened by pain is the inner
temple of the body, not the body itself. Since this physical body is the throne
whereon the inner temple is established, God hath ordained that the body be
preserved to the extent possible, so that nothing that causeth repugnance may be
experienced. The inner temple
beholdeth its physical frame, which is its throne.
Thus, if the latter is accorded respect, it is as if the former is the
recipient. The converse is likewise true.
Therefore, it hath been ordained that the dead body should be treated with the
utmost honor and respect.
(The Bab: Selections from the
Writings of the Bab
Page 95)
3.2.2
The
Human Body –
Purity & Cleanliness
GOD loveth those who are pure.
Naught in the Bayan and in the sight of God is more loved than purity and
immaculate cleanliness....
The Bab: Selections …
Page 80
3.2.3
The Human Body -
The Progress of Human Soul
And now concerning thy question regarding the soul of man and its
survival after death. Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation
from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God,
in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor
the changes and chances of this world, can alter.
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 155)
3.2.4
The
Human Body –
Cleanliness
Be ye the very essence of cleanliness amongst mankind.
This, truly, is what your Lord, the Incomparable, the All-Wise, desireth
for you.
Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas
Page 47
3.2.5
The Human Body – Substance abuse
Beware of using any substance that induceth sluggishness and torpor in the human
temple and inflicteth harm upon the body.
(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 75)
3.2.6
The Human Body – Physical well-being
If a man is successful in his business, art, or profession he is thereby
enabled to increase his physical well-being and to give his body the amount of
ease and comfort in which it delights.
All around us today we see how man surrounds himself with every modern
convenience and luxury, and denies nothing to the physical and material side of
his nature. But, take heed, lest in
thinking too earnestly of the things of the body you forget the things of the
soul: for material advantages do
not elevate the spirit of a man.
Perfection in worldly things is a joy to the body of a man but in no wise does
it glorify his soul.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Paris Talks*
Pages 62-63
3.2.7
The Human Body – The Three Degrees of the World of Humanity
There are in the world of humanity three degrees; those of the body, the
soul, and spirit.
The body is the
physical or animal degree of man. From the bodily point of view man is a sharer
of the animal kingdom. The bodies
alike of men and animals are composed of elements held together by the law of
attraction.
Like the animal,
man possesses the faculties of the senses, is subject to heat, cold, hunger,
thirst, etc.; unlike the animal, man has a rational soul, the human
intelligence. This intelligence of man is the intermediary between his body and
his spirit.
When man allows
the spirit, through his soul, to enlighten his understanding, then does he
contain all Creation; because man, being the culmination of all that went before
and thus superior to all previous evolutions, contains all the lower world
within himself. Illumined by the spirit through the instrumentality of the soul,
man's radiant intelligence makes him the crowning-point of Creation.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Paris Talks*
Pages 96-97
3.2.8
The Human Body -
Physical body and spiritual being
In his physical body and its functions man is a captive of nature;
for instance, he cannot continue his existence without sleep, an exigency
of nature; he must partake of food and drink, which nature demands and requires.
But in his spiritual being and intelligence man dominates and controls
nature, the ruler of his physical being.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of
Universal Peace* Page 81
3.2.9
The Human Body – Physical and mental energy
The body of man is in need of physical and mental energy, but his spirit
requires the life and fortification of the Holy Spirit.
Without its protection and quickening the human world would be
extinguished. Jesus Christ
declared, "Let the dead bury their dead."
He also said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which
is born of the Spirit is spirit."
It is evident, therefore, according to Christ that the human spirit which is not
fortified by the presence of the Holy Spirit is dead and in need of resurrection
by that divine power; otherwise, though materially advanced to high degrees, man
cannot attain full and complete progress.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of
Universal Peace* Pages 182-183
3.2.10
The Human Body – The physical body and the reality of man
Another evidence or proof of the indestructibility of the reality of man
is that it is not affected by the changes of the physical body. These changing
conditions of the bodily composition are definite and continual.
At one time it is normal, at another time abnormal. Now it is weak, now
strong. It suffers injury, a hand
may be amputated, a limb broken, an eye destroyed, an ear deafened or some
defect appear in a certain organ, but these changes do not affect the human
spirit, the soul of man. If the
body becomes stout or thin, decrepit or strong, the spirit or soul is unaffected
thereby. If a part of the bodily
organism be destroyed, even if it be dismembered completely, the soul continues
to function, showing that no changes of the body affect its operation.
We have seen that death and mortality are synonymous with change and
disintegration. As we find the soul
unaffected by this change and disintegration of the body, we, therefore, prove
it to be immortal; for that which is changeable is accidental, evanescent.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of
Universal Peace* Pages 415-416
3.2.11
The
Human Body –
Purity & Cleanliness
First in a human being's way of life must be purity, then freshness,
cleanliness, and independence of spirit.
First must the stream bed be cleansed, then may the sweet river waters be
led into it.
…………………………………………….
My meaning is this, that in every aspect of life, purity and holiness,
cleanliness and refinement, exalt the human condition and further the
development of man's inner reality.
Even in the physical realm, cleanliness will conduce to spirituality, as the
Holy Writings clearly state. And
although bodily cleanliness is a physical thing, it hath, nevertheless, a
powerful influence on the life of the spirit.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections ...
Pages 146-147
3.2.12
The
Human Body –
Cleanliness and effects on the spirit
External cleanliness, although it is but a physical thing, hath a great
influence upon spirituality. For example, although sound is but the vibrations
of the air which affect the tympanum of the ear, and vibrations of the air
are but an accident among the accidents which depend upon the air, consider how
much marvelous notes or a charming song influence the spirits! A wonderful song
giveth wings to the spirit and filleth the heart with exaltation. To return to
the subject, the fact of having a pure and spotless body likewise exerciseth an
influence upon the spirit of man.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 581)
3.2.13
The
Human Body –
Perfections
Cleanliness and sanctity in all conditions are characteristics of pure
beings and necessities of free souls. The first perfection consists in
cleanliness and sanctity and in purity from every defect. When man in all
conditions is pure and immaculate, he will become the center of the reflection
of the manifest Light. In all his actions and conduct there must first be
purity, then beauty and independence. The channel must be cleansed before it is
filled with sweet water. T
(Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 580)