In the Philippines, Bahá’ís and their friends are engaged in a systematic study of the words of God, which are endowed with a regenerative power. These are conducted in small-groups in neighborhoods and villages, facilitated by a tutor, and conducted in an environment that is at once serious and uplifting. As the residents of the neighborhood and villages strive to apply through a process of action, reflection and consultation the insights they gained, they see their capacity to serve society rise to higher levels. Often, this empowers individuals to become teachers of children’s classes, animators of junior youth programmes, hosting devotional meetings, or as tutors to others engaged in the study.
These courses of the Bahá’í training institute create an environment conducive to the spiritual empowerment of individuals, who will come to see themselves as active agents of their own learning, as protagonists of a constant effort to apply knowledge to effect individual and collective transformation.
A workbook for each level of the course uses an interactive, question-and-answer format that fosters a participatory learning process in which the entire group develops a new capacity for individual and social action. These workbooks draw extensively on quotation from the Bahá’í sacred writings — a feature that infuses a high degree of spirituality into the process.
Typically, a study circle is lead by a “tutor” or “facilitator.” His or her role, however, is not that of a traditional “teacher,” who imparts knowledge to the group. Rather, the tutor serves merely as a guide to assist participants to come to their own understandings and to generate new knowledge about themselves and their communities.
At the heart of the writings of Baha’u'llah is the force of transformation, both of the individual and of society. The transformation of the individual is not an isolated process, centered wholly on one’s self-fulfillment. Rather, the process of one’s individual development and fulfillment is tied to the centering of one’s energies on the betterment of humankind and serving the needs of the community and the larger society.
Prayer and meditation, fighting one’s spiritual battles, living according to spiritual laws and teachings—all are essential elements in fulfilling life’s purpose, but such efforts reach their fullest transformative effect when they are dedicated to service.
Study circle participants are guided to actively engage in developing knowledge, skills, and spiritual insights that enable themselves as effective human resources and agents of change. They gain confidence in expressing themselves, articulating their needs and aspirations. They are accompanied by tutors to reorient their lives to include components of service. Amongst the service activities that they engage in are hosting of devotional gatherings in order to build bonds of love and fellowship amongst people of different religions and belief systems, conducting classes for the spiritual education and empowerment of children and junior youth as well as conducting classes for youths and adults. These collective undertakings contribute to the building of a new civilization.
There are currently 8 work books used for the sequence of courses. Below we provide sample lessons from the 1st Unit of Book 1 in various languages.
English
“The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.”
“Beware, O people of Bahá, lest ye walk in the ways of them whose words differ
from their deeds.”
Download in PDF Book 1 Unit 1 (English)
Tagalog
“Ang pagpapabuti ng daigdig ay maaaring maisakatuparan sa pamamagitan ng dalisay at mabubuting mga gawain, sa pamamagitan ng kapuri-puri at karapat-dapat na pag-uugali.”
“Mag-ingat, O mga tao ng Bahá, na baka kayo ay lumakad sa mga pamamaraan noong ang mga salita ay kaiba sa kanilang mga ginagawa.”
Download in PDF Book 1 Unit 1 (Tagalog)
Cebuano
“Ang kaayohan sa kalibutan mahimong makab-ot pinaagi sa putli ug maayong buhat, pinaagi sa dalayegon ug angayan nga pamatasan.”
“Pagbantay, O katawhan sa Bahá, tingalig kamo molakaw sa mga alagian nila kansang mga pulong sukwahi sa ilang buhat.”
Download in PDF Book 1 Unit 1 (Cebuano)
Ilocano
“Ti panagsayaat iti lubong ket mabalin a maitungpal babaen iti natarnaw ken nasayaat nga ar-aramid; babaen iti naindayawan ken umiso a kababalin.”
“Agannad, O tattao iti Bahá, nga amangan ta dakayo ket magna dagiti dana da dagidiyay ti sasao da ket maisupadi kadagiti ar-aramid da.”
Download in PDF Book 1 Unit 1 (Ilocano)
