Confucius
From Bahai9
Praise of Confucius as a moral reformer (but not a Prophet)
Confucius was a cause of the illumination of the world of humanity
Blessed souls whether Moses, Jesus, Zoroaster, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius, or Muhammad were the cause of the illumination of the world of humanity. How can we deny such irrefutable proof? How can we be blind to such light?"
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet - translated from the Persian, in Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster and Related Subjects, no. 1))
Confucius renewed ancient morals
"...Confucius renewed morals and ancient virtues..."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1984), Chapter 43, pp. 165-166)
Confucius was not a Prophet but was the founder of a moral system and a great reformer
Confucius was not a Prophet. It is quite correct to say he is the founder of a moral system and a great reformer.
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi - 26 December 1941 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand)
The beliefs, rites, and institutions of Confucius have not continued according to their basic teachings
Question.--To which category [Greater or lesser prophet] do Buddha and Confucius belong?
Answer.--Buddha also established a new religion, and Confucius renewed morals and ancient virtues, but their institutions have been entirely destroyed. The beliefs and rites of the Buddhists and Confucianists have not continued in accordance with their fundamental teachings...
...The meaning is that the Buddhists and Confucianists now worship images and statues. They are entirely heedless of the Oneness of God and believe in imaginary gods like the ancient Greeks. But in the beginning it was not so; there were different principles and other ordinances.
...It is then clear and evident that in the passage of time religions become entirely changed and altered. Therefore, they are renewed.
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1984), Chapter 43, pp. 165-166)
Confucius became the cause of civilization, advancement and prosperity for the people of China, but his time has gone as Bahá'u'lláh has come
Thou hast written regarding Buddha and Confucius. Buddha was an illustrious personage. Confucius became the cause of civilization, advancement and prosperity for the people of China. Now it is not the time when we discuss concerning the stations and positions of those who are passed away. We must concentrate our attention upon the present. What hath transpired in a former time is past. Now is the time when we restrict our discussion to the Most Great Luminary of Peace and Salvation in this Age, to talk of the Blessed Perfection [Bahá'u'lláh] and to voice His exhortations, behests and teachings. Buddha and Confucius were kings in bygone ages who have disappeared. Their sovereignty in this world is ended and their cycle is completed. Now the Throne of the Kingdom of ABHA is established and the Blessed Perfection is sitting upon the Throne of Grandeur. We must raise this Call, promulgate the Word of God and live in accord with the teachings and advices of the Beauty of ABHA
- (Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas, vol. 2 (Chicago: Bahá'í Publishing Society, 1915), pp. 469-70, in Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster and Related Subjects no. 2)
Authenticity of past Scriptures cannot be ascertained besides for the Qur'án
Application to Confucius?:
"In the Baha'i teachings it states that all the Prophets have foretold a Promised One Who is Baha'u'llah. We cannot be sure of the authenticity, word for word, of any of the past Holy Scriptures except the Qur'an, as they were either not written down during the Prophet's lifetime or have been changed in the course of time and the originals lost; what we can be sure of is that when Baha'u'llah or the Master stated that Zoroaster foretold a Promised One's coming, it is correct. The Zoroastrians have no way of contradicting this assertion of ours, as they themselves know their scriptures are not in the original form, and therefore not absolutely authentic."
- (Shoghi Effendi, 22 June 1943, in Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster and Related Subjects, no. 20)
Book of Confucius refers to glad tidings of this Promised Day
"In the divine Holy Books there are unmistakable prophecies giving the glad tidings of a certain Day in which the Promised One of all the Books would appear, a radiant dispensation be established, the banner of the Most Great Peace and conciliation be hoisted and the oneness of the world of humanity proclaimed. Among the various nations and peoples of the world no enmity or hatred should remain. All hearts were to be connected one with another. These things are recorded in the Torah, or Old Testament, in the Gospel, the Qur'an, the Zend-Avesta, the books of Buddha and the book of Confucius. In brief, all the Holy Books contain these glad tidings. They announce that after the world is surrounded by darkness, radiance shall appear. For just as the night, when it becomes excessively dark, precedes the dawn of a new day, so likewise when the darkness of religious apathy and heedlessness overtakes the world, when human souls become negligent of God, when materialistic ideas overshadow spirituality, when nations become submerged in the world of matter and forget God - at such a time as this shall the divine Sun shine forth and the radiant morn appear."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 220-221)
Teaching Confucianists
When teachings are spread in Confucian (and other) places of worship, all will bear witness that the teachings bestow fresh life and are the immediate remedy for all social ills
In short, all sections and parties have their aspirations realized in the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. As these teachings are declared in churches, in mosques and in other places of worship, whether those of the followers of Buddha or of Confucius, in political circles or amongst materialists, all shall bear witness that these teachings bestow a fresh life upon mankind and constitute the immediate remedy for all the ills of social life. None can find fault with any of these teachings, nay rather, once declared they will all be acclaimed, and all will confess their vital necessity, exclaiming, `Verily this is the truth and naught is there beside the truth but manifest error.'
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet to August Forel, pp. 26-27)
Those deeply attracted to Confucius to be led to see their aspirations realized in Bahá'u'lláh
Indeed, for every people certain beliefs are as veils that prevent the penetration of the light of truth brought by a new Manifestation. Just as the followers of, say, Christianity and Islam must shed the veils imposed by their traditional beliefs, so too must the Chinese who are deeply attracted to Confucius be led to see that their aspirations are realized in the coming of Bahá'u'lláh, Whose life-giving Message is the divine elixir necessary for every people to achieve its promised destiny.
- (4 June 1995, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, at http://bahai-library.com/compilation_cultural_diversity_maturity#218 )
Bahá'í teacher of the Chinese people must know their sacred literature and national customs
"The Bahá'í teacher of the Chinese people must first be imbued with their spirit, know their sacred literature, study their national customs and speak to them from their own standpoint, and their own terminologies. He must entertain no thought of his own, but ever think of their spiritual welfare."
- (Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, Vol. 8, April 28, 1917, at http://bahai-library.com/east-asia/macau/macau.1.html )
