House of Worship Auditorium
From Bahai9
Contents |
Auditorium set-up
For readers
- See also pulpits
Pulpits are prohibited; to sit on a chair on a dais
"Ye have been prohibited from making use of pulpits. Whoso wisheth to recite unto you the verses of his Lord, let him sit on a chair placed upon a dais, that he may make mention of God, his Lord, and the Lord of all mankind.
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 154)
Reader may stand or sit or, if necessary, use a low moveable platform, but no pulpit
"In comments on this law, 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi have made it clear that in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (where sermons are prohibited and only the words of Holy Scripture may be read) the reader may stand or sit, and if necessary to be better heard, may use a low moveable platform, but that no pulpit is permitted..."
- (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note 168)
For listeners
Sitting on chairs and benches is recommended
"It is pleasing to God that ye should seat yourselves on chairs and benches as a mark of honour for the love ye bear for Him and for the Manifestation of His glorious and resplendent Cause."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 154)
Auditorium behavior
No talking in the auditorium (unless in a subdued tone of voice for emergencies)
"It is understood of course that there is to be no talking in the auditorium of the Temple. However, the Guardian does feel that in an emergency it may be necessary to carry on a conversation for a very limited period, in a subdued tone of voice. The Guardian feels that in matters of this type, careful judgment must be used."
- (From a letter dated 3 October 1953 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; in Service in Bahá'í Temples, no, 453)
Auditorium use
Visiting groups may use the auditorium for special prayer meetings, including memorial services, whether for Baha'is or not (though Bahá'ís not to follow set practices for such occurrences as is done in Islám)
"...provided the general rules governing the nature of services in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar are observed, there is no objection to your Assembly permitting the use of the auditorium for special prayer meetings by visiting groups at times when no general service is scheduled, and such meetings could include memorial services for departed souls, whether Bahá'í or non-Bahá'í. However, in some religions it is customary to hold memorial services for the departed at a specific time after the death--for example, in Islam it is forty days after the passing. The Guardian has stated that such practices have nothing to do with the Faith, the friends should be quite clear on this matters, and should preferably discontinue the practice. Therefore, in all such things the National Spiritual Assembly should be careful to ensure that no set practices or forms arise."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama, November 24, 1976, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2064)
