Producing The Global Garden
Learning to Apply the Writings to Achieve Progress in Agriculture:
A Component of Global Prosperity
In the Tablet of the World, Baha’u’llah makes what some may consider to be a rather astounding statement concerning the role of agriculture in the “advancement of mankind.”
Baha’u’llah addresses the Shah of Persia and instructs him on a “vital and important matter:”
Whilst in the Prison of 'Akka, We revealed in the Crimson Book that which is conducive to the advancement of mankind and to the reconstruction of the world. The utterances set forth therein by the Pen of the Lord of creation include the following which constitute the fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men:
First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice to promote the Lesser Peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved from the burden of exorbitant expenditures. This matter is imperative and absolutely essential, inasmuch as hostilities and conflict lie at the root of affliction and calamity.
Second: Languages must be reduced to one common language to be taught in all the schools of the world.
Third: It behoveth man to adhere tenaciously unto that which will promote fellowship, kindliness and unity.
Fourth: Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted person a portion of what he or she earneth through trade, agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education of children, to be spent for this purpose with the knowledge of the Trustees of the House of Justice.
Fifth: Special regard must be paid to agriculture. Although it hath been mentioned in the fifth place, unquestionably it precedeth the others.
Tablets of Baha’u’llah., pp. 89 -90
The first of the “fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men, the promotion of the Lesser Peace appears to be quite properly placed. After all, does not the root of human prosperity rest in the elements of peace? - most especially in that matter of material relief from the “burden of exorbitant expenditures” in pursuit of war? We can also understand that the “advancement of mankind” will be greatly enhanced by the second principle, that of one common language, which children will learn at school, thus being able to study all cultures and their sciences and religions. In the third place, it is not difficult to we see that the qualities of “fellowship, kindliness and unity” are essential to the social fabric of a peaceful and prosperous world. And fourthly, there is already agreement in a multitude of nations that taxes shall be levied for the education of children who will become the next leaders of mankind. It is all quite as one might expect -an orderly list of principles for the “reconstruction of the world.”
And now we come to the fifth place. Special regard must be paid to agriculture. Although it hath been mentioned in the fifth place, unquestionably it precedeth the others.
His Words give the reader pause to reflect on the present widespread disregard for the profession of agriculture and his own possible role in transforming that condition. In our personal meditations and public consultations, we would do well to ask the questions:
How are we to understand Baha’u’llah’s statement which places a “special regard” for agriculture before the promotion of the Lesser Peace? What is meant by the words “it precedeth the others?”
Other questions arise as well:
How might our national, regional and local institutions apply this Writing in the future as they make development decisions?
What does it mean to individual Baha’is whose professions are neither in agriculture nor related fields?
When we, as individuals, know that this Writing exists, what do we do with that knowledge?
In the 1993 statement commonly known as Prospects for the Future,
we read about the role of knowledge in relation to development efforts:
Central to the capacity of a Bahá'í community to lead a process of transformation is the ability of its members and institutions to apply the Revelation of Baha'u'llah to various aspects of life and thereby establish consistent patterns of change. In fact, learning to apply the Teachings to achieve progress could be taken as the very definition of Bahá'í social and economic development. Such learning has to occur locally, regionally, nationally and internationally and become the axis around which our development efforts are organized at all levels.
Learning in this sense is not limited to study and evaluation. It comes about in combination with action.
Bahá'í Social And Economic Development: Prospects for the Future, 16 September 1993. A statement approved by the Universal House of Justice for use in orienting and guiding the work of Bahá'í social and economic development throughout the world. The Direction Of Bahá'í Social And Economic Development
It is reassuring that as institutions study and learn to apply the Teachings, they will be initiating, by taking even the smallest of actions regarding agriculture, transformative processes that can lead to both material and spiritual prosperity.
The Universal House of Justice has said:
The Local Spiritual Assemblies of such villages must gradually widen the scope of their activities, not only to develop every aspect of the spiritual life of the believers within their jurisdiction, but also, through Baha’i consultation and through such principles as harmony between science and religion, the importance of education, and work as a form of worship, to promote the standards of agriculture and other skills in the life of the people.
Written on behalf House of Justice to an individual believer, 27 ` July 1976. RD, Agriculture and Rural Life, p.3
‘Abdu’l-Bahá is quoted in Lights of Guidance as to when this type of endeavor might be inaugurated and for whom it may be provided:
In the sacred Laws of God, in every cycle and dispensation, there are blessed feasts, holidays and workless days….During such blessed days, institutions should be founded that may be of permanent benefit and value to the people so that in current conversation and in history it may become widely known that such a good work was inaugurated on such a feast day. Therefore, the intelligent must search and investigate reality to find out what important affair, what philanthropic institutions are most needed and what foundations should be laid for the community on that particular day, so that they may be established....If…the community is in need of widening the circle of commerce or industry or agriculture they should start the means so that the desired aim may be attained.…
in this wonderful dispensation, philanthropic affairs are for all humanity, without any exception, because it is the manifestation of the mercifulness of God.
(Abdu'l-Baha: Star of the West, Vol. IX, No. 1, pp. 8-9, and cited
in a compilation, prepared by the Office of Social and Economic
Development, entitled Social and Economic Development)
(Multiple Authors: Lights of Guidance, Pages: 303-304)
Communities also have roles they can play in this development process. In the October 1983 letter concerning social and economic development, the Universal House of Justice states the role of National Spiritual Assemblies in stimulating local endeavors such as those in agriculture and other fields:
Progress in the development field will largely depend on natural stirrings at the grassroots, and it should receive its driving force from those sources rather than from an imposition of plans and programs from the top. The major task of National Assemblies, therefore, is to increase the local communities’ awareness of the needs and possibilities, and to guide and coordinate the efforts resulting from such awareness. Already in many areas the friends are witnessing the confirmations of their initiatives in such pursuits as the founding of tutorial and other schools, the promotion of literacy, the launching of rural development programs, the inception of educational radio stations, and the operation of agricultural and medical projects.
Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is of the World, 20 October 1983
What rearrangement of priorities are required by governments which recognize the truth of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words?:
The fundamental basis of the community is agriculture, tillage of the soil.
. ’Abdu’l-Baha, PUP, p.217
The solution begins with the village, and when the village is reconstructed, then the cities will be also.
‘Abdu’l-Baha, BW, vol.IV, pp. 450-451
And we might ask, what role the individuals play in the agriculture which feeds them?
Thou hadst made reference in thy letter to agriculture. On this matter He hath laid down the following universal rule: that it is incumbent upon everyone, even should he be a resident in a particular land for no more than a single day, to become engaged in some craft or trade, or agriculture, and that the very pursuit of such a calling is, in the eyes of the one true God, identical with worship. This rule was exemplified by the Baha’i community at the time when they were facing exile from Iraq, for, while they were making arrangements for their journey, they occupied themselves in cultivating the land; and when they set out, instructions were given for the fruits of their labours to be distributed amongst the friends.
Baha’u’llah, from a Tablet to an individual believer. RD; Economics, Agriculture and Related Subjects, p.1
As one meditates on the implications of Baha’u’llah’s Words, we glimpse a different world to come. It is a world where individuals cultivate crops they never reap for individuals they may never meet and where they are enabled to provide service in agriculture even as they pursue other endeavors. It is the world of a global garden.
It is also a world where the farmer is respected:
The farmer is the primary factor in the body politic.
‘Abdu'l-Baha, cited by Balyuzi in ‘Abdu'l-Baha, p.239
First and foremost is the principle that to all the members of the body politic shall be given the greatest achievements of the world of humanity. Each one shall have the utmost welfare and well-being. To solve this problem we must begin with the farmer; there will we lay a foundation for system and order because the peasant class and the agricultural class exceed other classes in the importance of their service. In every village there must be established a general storehouse which will have a number of revenues….. All these revenues will be assembled in this storehouse.
As to the first, the tenths or tithes: we will consider a farmer, one of the peasants. We will look into his income. We will find out, for instance, what is his annual revenue and also what are his expenditures. Now, if his income be equal to his expenditures, from such a farmer
nothing whatever will be taken. That is, he will not be subjected to taxation of any sort, needing as he does all his income. Another farmer may have expenses running up to one thousand dollars we will say, and his income is two thousand dollars.
‘Abdu’l-Baha, FWU, pp.38-40
Women have a special role in regard to agriculture:
Woman must especially devote her energies and abilities toward the industrial and agricultural sciences, seeking to assist mankind in that which is most needful. By this means she will demonstrate capability and ensure recognition of equality in the social and economic equation.
'Abdu'l-Baha, PUP, p.283
Youth are encouraged to pursue studies in agriculture:
Thy letter was received. Praise be to God it imparted the good news of thy health and safety and indicated that thou art ready to enter an agricultural school. This is highly suitable. Strive as much as possible to become proficient in the science of agriculture, for in accordance with the divine teachings the acquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts are considered acts of worship. If a man engageth with all his power in the acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has been worshipping God in churches and temples. Thus as thou enterest a school of agriculture and strivest in the acquisition of that science thou art day and night engaged in acts of worship - acts that are accepted at the threshold of the Almighty. What bounty greater than this that science should be considered as an act of worship and art as service to the Kingdom of God.
‘Abdu’l-Baha, SWAB, pp.144-45
Since thy dear child is taking his examinations, my fervent wish at the divine Threshold is that, by the grace and favour of God, he may meet with success, and that in the future he may go on to study agriculture and master its various branches, practical and theoretical. Agriculture is a noble science and, should thy son become proficient in this field, he will become a means of providing for the comfort of untold numbers of people.
‘Abdu’l-Baha, Tablet to an individual believer. RD; Economics, Agriculture and Related Subjects, p.7
When deciding what course of training to follow, youth can consider acquiring those skills and professions that will be of benefit in education, rural development, agriculture, economics, technology, health, radio and in many other areas of endeavour that are so urgently needed in the developing countries of the world.
Universal House of Justice to the European Youth Conference in Innsbruck, July 4, 1983, LOG, p.636
3. The arrangements of the circumstances of the people must be such that poverty shall disappear.
‘ ‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London, p.29
Therefore, taxation will be proportionate to capacity and production, and there will be no poor in the community. ’Abdu’l-Baha, PUP, p.217
No poor in the community.
Although there is nothing in the present age that can be called Baha’i agriculture, the Sacred Texts are a limitless source of guidance for future agricultural development and its relationship to the individual, nature, and society. In addition to direct references to agriculture, pertinent references include such topics as man and nature, society and economic disparity, diet and health. These are but a few of the Writings which can be utilized to address the issues of physical existence.
Baha’u’llah’s Teachings make it clear, however, that for any human problem there is a spiritual solution. Mankind has reached the age of maturity when the spiritualization of the entire planet is taking place. It is a time in which attention must be given to the “dynamic coherence”[1] of practical matters and such spiritual realities as justice, the oneness of mankind, and individual virtue. Central to achieving peace that comes with mankind’s maturity is the skill of consultation. The Ag Forum is an attempt to provide a medium, both on the internet and in small and large gatherings, to investigate truth regarding the future of agriculture in a consultative manner that is both forthright and courteous.
[1] Universal House of Justice, Letter to the Baha’is of the World, 20 October 1983