# Temples: Service in Baha'i Temples

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Shoghi Effendi, Temples: Service in Baha'i Temples, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> Temples:
> 
> Service in Bahá'í Temples
> 
> Shoghi Effendi
> 
> Universal House of Justice
> 
> Universal House of Justice, Research Department
> 
> , compiler
> 
> published in
> 
> Compilation of Compilations
> 
> Volume 3,  pp. 265-274
> 
> 2000
> 
> Contents:
> 
> From letters and cables written by and on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
> 
> From an article based on instructions of the Guardian:
> "Directives concerning the Temple: Questions Submitted to the Guardian and his replies"
> 
> From letters written by the Universal House of Justice
> 
> From letters and cables written by and on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
> 
> [445] As to the character of the meetings in the auditorium of the
> Temple, he feels that they should be purely devotional in
> character, Bahá'í addresses and lectures should be strictly
> excluded. For the present he feels that there would be no
> objection to having Bahá'í meetings, including addresses and
> the business sessions of the Convention, held in the
> Foundation Hall. Shoghi Effendi would urge that 'choir'
> singing by men, women and children be encouraged in the
> auditorium and that rigidity in the Bahá'í service be
> scrupulously avoided. The more universal and informal the
> character of Bahá'í worship in the Temple the better. Images
> and pictures, with the exception of the Greatest Name, should
> be strictly excluded. Prayers revealed by Bahá'u'lláh and the
> Master, as well as the sacred writings of the Prophets, should
> be read or chanted, as well as hymns based upon Bahá'í or
> non-Bahá'í sacred writings.
> 
> (From a letter dated 11 April 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the
> National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada)
> 
> [446] Slight alterations in the text of the prayers are permissible, and
> I would advise you to give a musical form to the revealed word
> itself which I feel will be exceedingly effective ...
> 
> (In the hand writing of Shoghi Effendi, appended to a letter written on his
> behalf to an individual believer, dated 8 April 1931)
> 
> [447] He sincerely hopes that now that the Temple is completed it
> will be filled to the full with pure seeking souls. It should be
> different from the other houses of worship which even if they
> are filled, their source of attraction is the music heard. Here
> the spirit should be so powerful as to awaken the heart of
> everyone that enters it to the glory of Bahá'u'lláh ...
> 
> (From a letter dated 31 May 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
> individual believer, cited in "Bahá'í News" 55, (May 1931), p. 4)
> 
> [448] As regards the chanting of Tablets in the Temple, Shoghi
> Effendi wishes in this connection to urge the friends to avoid
> all forms of rigidity and uniformity in matters of worship.
> There is no objection to the recital or chanting of prayers in
> the Oriental language, but there is also no obligation whatever
> 
> of adopting such a form of prayer at any devotional service in
> the auditorium of the Temple. It should neither be required nor
> prohibited. The important thing that should always be borne in
> mind is that with the exception of certain specific obligatory
> prayers Bahá'u'lláh has given us no strict or special ruling in
> matters of worship whether in the Temple or elsewhere.
> 
> 1
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, June 15, 1935)
> 
> [449] Prayer is essentially a communion between man and God, and
> as such transcends all ritualistic forms and formulae.
> 
> (From a letter dated 15 June 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the
> National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
> 
> [450] MEETINGS IN TEMPLE AUDITORIUM CONFINED READING
> HOLY SCRIPTURES AND PRAYERS AVOID RIGIDITY
> MANNER CONDUCT MEETINGS. AUDIENCE SEATED IN
> MAIN AUDITORIUM SHOULD FACE EAST. SEATS IN
> SURROUNDING SPACE SHOULD FACE CENTRE
> AUDITORIUM .. . AVOID ASSIGNING FIXED POSITION OR
> FORMAL PROCEDURE FOR SINGERS ...
> 
> (From a cable dated I July 1946 sent by Shoghi Effendi to the National
> Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
> 
> [451] He is not sufficiently informed about western musical
> composition to give you any guidance on this subject; all he
> can tell you is that from the Master's instructions it seems
> there will be no use of any kind of musical instruments in the
> Bahá'í Temples. Chanting or singing will be the only sound
> (aside from reading) and what forms this will take must
> depend on the artists who create the music itself.
> 
> No doubt prayers and parts of the Tablets, "Hidden Words",
> etc., will be suitable, but he does not feel it would be advisable
> to abridge any given part, in other words to leave out parts of a
> paragraph or a meditation and foreshorten it in this manner.
> 
> (From a letter dated 3 July 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
> individual believer)
> 
> [452] NOT PERMISSIBLE
> 
> 2
> 
> (From a cable dated 10 February 1953 sent by Shoghi Effendi to the National
> Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
> 
> [453] It is permissible and satisfactory to use the Prayers of
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the devotional services in the Temple. His
> public talks and Tablets should not be used, but His prayers
> may be used.
> 
> 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 19,53 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the
> National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
> 
> [454] As regards producing a book of Bahá'í songs, your
> understanding that there is no cultural expression which could
> be called Bahá'í at this time (distinctive music, literature, art,
> architecture, etc., being the flower of the civilization and not
> coming at the beginning of a new Revelation), is correct.
> However, that does not mean that we haven't Bahá'í songs, in
> other words, songs written by Bahá'ís on Bahá'í subjects.
> There is no objection to getting out a compilation of these, but
> he does not think money should be spent in printing it, in view
> of the state of the National Fund, and the much more
> important work in the teaching field which needs to be
> undertaken this year. If you can get out such a book in a
> mimeographed form, he feels this would be sufficient to meet
> the needs at this time.
> 
> (From a letter dated 21 September 1957 written on behalf of the Guardian to
> the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
> 
> From an article based on instructions of the Guardian
> 
> Directives concerning the Temple: Questions Submitted to the Guardian and his replies
> (To the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
> 
> [455]
> 
> Question:
> On what schedule are meetings of public worship
> to be held in the auditorium: daily, weekly, or at other
> intervals, or at stated periods during the day?
> 
> Reply:
> Weekly, or more often, if your Assembly deems
> advisable.
> 
> Question:
> Are such meetings, if weekly, to be held on Sunday
> and if so noon?
> 
> Reply:
> Left to your discretion.
> 
> Question:
> Should the auditorium be open daily from dawn for
> individual prayer and meditation?
> 
> Reply:
> Yes.
> 
> Question:
> Can photographs be taken, for historic record or
> publicity, of any meeting of worship held for Bahá'ís only, and
> of any meeting open to the public?
> 
> Reply:
> Yes.
> 
> Question:
> The present plan is to hold a meeting of dedication
> for Bahá'ís only, followed by a public dedication on the same
> day. Is this plan approved?
> 
> Reply:
> Yes.
> 
> Question:
> Should an order of service or program be printed
> with the list of readings selected for each service?
> 
> Reply:
> Left to your discretion.
> 
> Question:
> Are the present weekly public lectures to be
> continued in Foundation Hall?
> 
> Reply:
> There is no objection to this until such time as we have
> a suitable meeting place at our disposal.
> 
> Question:
> As there is no trained Bahá'í choir or chorus for
> singing, shall we begin to train a choir? Can non-Bahá'ís be
> included among the singers? Are soloists permitted, Bahá'í or
> non-Bahá'í?
> 
> Reply:
> By all means prepare a choir. There is no objection to
> non-Bahá'í singers or to soloists, Bahá'í or non-Bahá'í.
> 
> Question:
> Is the auditorium to be open for special prayer by
> Bahá'í Committees meeting in the vicinity, or by visiting
> groups who may arrive at times when no general meeting is
> scheduled?
> 
> Reply:
> The auditorium may be used for such purposes.
> 
> Question:
> In preparing the readings, shall we use only Holy
> Books extant and available in English for religions listed by
> you in the series of recognized Revelations?
> 
> Reply:
> Yes. But if occasionally a reading is in another
> language there can be no objection, as long as the text is from
> a Holy Scripture. Persian, Arabic and Hebrew are all very
> beautiful when chanted.
> 
> Question:
> At the opening of a meeting of worship is any
> reader to explain the nature of Bahá'í worship or are the
> readings to proceed without any announcement?
> 
> Reply:
> This is not permissible: there must be no speeches in
> the auditorium.
> 
> Question:
> Can meetings of worship be broadcast over the
> radio or television? Can special meetings be recorded for
> reproduction by believers locally?
> 
> Reply:
> There is no objection to this.
> 
> (October 1952, published in Bahá'í News" No. 260 (October 1952), pp. 1-2)
> 
> From letters written by the Universal House of Justice
> 
> [456]  We have given careful consideration to the questions you have
> raised in your letter of January 23, 1964 about the use of the
> Mashriqu'l-Adhkár.
> 
> Your Assembly is free to use its discretion in choosing
> excerpts from the generally recognized scriptures of the older
> religions.
> 
> With reference to your query about the use of several readers
> in unison, this is permissible provided it does not seem, or
> become theatrical in the view of your Assembly. Concerning
> the placement of the reader, the beloved Guardian has already
> indicated, "the reader should stand where he or she will best
> be seen and heard by all."
> 
> Music in the House of Worship is to be vocal only, whether by
> singers or a singer. It does not matter if a guest a cappella
> choir, or soloist is used, provided such use is not made the
> occasion to publicise services of Worship and the precautions
> you mention are taken. No doubt the excellent recordings
> available today would assure the highest quality of
> performance at low cost, but all references to vocal music in
> the central Edifice imply the physical presence of the singers.
> 
> In a letter through his secretary to a Chicago believer in 1931,
> "Bahá'í News", No. 55, page 4, Shoghi Effendi expressed the
> hope that "... now that the Temple is completed it will be filled
> to the full with pure seeking souls. It should be different from
> the other houses of worship which even if they are filled, their
> source of attraction is the music heard. Here the spirit should
> be so powerful as to awaken the heart of every one that enters
> it to the glory of Bahá'u'lláh ..."
> 
> In conclusion, a review of the closing paragraphs of the
> beloved Guardian's illuminating message of October 25, 1929,
> addressed to the American Bahá'í Community, clearly reveals
> the true nature of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár. In them he decries
> the trappings of elaborate and ostentatious ceremony and
> warns against any inference "that the interior of the central
> Edifice itself will be converted into a conglomeration of
> religious services" offering "a spectacle of incoherent and
> confused sectarian observances and rites." In his concluding
> words, Shoghi Effendi links Bahá'í worship and service
> arising from the Institution of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár as vital
> to the regeneration of the world, and the secret of the unique
> position occupied by this lofty, potent and outstanding
> institution.
> 
> We understand and commend your wish to fully utilize the
> House of Worship in service to humanity. We feel the
> Guardian's letter alluded to above offers the necessary
> guidance you desire.
> 
> (13 March 1964 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
> 
> [457] With reference to your letter of August 2, 1964, and the
> questions you have asked concerning services at the House of
> Worship, we have now had opportunity to study your
> questions in the light of available texts, and we are glad to
> share with you our conclusions.
> 
> We will set forth your questions, which fall under five
> categories and then make our comments at the end of each
> section:
> 
> Is congregational singing the same as congregational
> worship? Is it permissible to have singing in which anyone
> 
> can join? If so, is it permissible for "Alláh'u'Abhá" or "Yá
> Bahá'u'l-Abhá" to be sung?
> 
> Singing by a congregation present at a service in the House
> of Worship should not be confused with congregational
> prayer prescribed by Bahá'u'lláh for the dead. As the
> Guardian in a letter written on his behalf by his secretary
> pointed out: "When the Aqdas is published the form of
> congregational prayer prescribed by Bahá'u'lláh will be
> made clear to all the friends." (Bahá'í Procedure, 1942,
> page 5.) Regarding singing in the Temple, we must bear in
> mind the reference made by Bahá'u'lláh in the
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas to the need for the person who enters the
> Temple to sit silent and listen to the chanting of the verses
> of God, as well as the statements made by the Guardian
> regarding "the reader" or "a number of readers" or a
> "choir".
> 
> In connection with the desire of the Africans to sing, this
> aptitude in them should be encouraged. The Guardian
> elucidated this principle in a letter written on his behalf by
> his Secretary: "Shoghi Effendi would urge that choir
> singing by men, women, and children be encouraged in the
> Auditorium, and that rigidity in the Bahá'í service be
> scrupulously avoided."
> 
> (Bahá'í News, September 1931).
> 
> Could we develop musical programmes with words not
> necessarily from Sacred Scriptures? Could Christian hymn
> tunes with Bahá'í words be used?
> 
> We feel that the first question is covered by the following
> instruction given by the Guardian: "Prayers ... should be
> read or chanted, as well as hymns based upon Bahá'í or
> non-Bahá'í sacred writings." (Bahá'í News, September
> 1931). As regards using hymn tunes of other religions there
> is no objection to this. As the Guardian once pointed out,
> we do not have at this time distinctive music which could
> be called Bahá'í, as such a cultural expression is the flower
> of the civilization and does not come at the beginning of a
> new Revelation.
> 
> Is it necessary at the present time to uphold at all costs a
> standard of excellence in Temple singing? If so, should it be
> a Western or an African standard?
> 
> In everything we do we should always try to attain a
> standard of excellence. Bearing in mind the basic principle
> of unity in diversity and the undesirability of attempting
> uniformity, the National Assembly should do all possible to
> ensure the dignified presentation of whatever is sung in the
> Temple, African, Western, or other.
> 
> In view of current difficulties in having a printed
> programme available, may the reader preface his reading by
> "This reading is from ..." or words to that effect? Is it
> permissible to make short comments which might add to
> the understanding and effectiveness of the readings, such
> as: "The following readings are on the subject of humility
> ..." or "the following healing prayer is for ..."
> 
> There is no objection to the reader very briefly stating at the
> beginning of his reading, the reference and source of the
> passage he is about to read. Beyond this, any other
> comment regarding the passage to be read is inappropriate.
> If in the future, your Assembly is able to overcome the
> difficulty of making a printed programme available, if
> would be far better to have such a programme.
> 
> May the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá be used in the Temple as
> these are most easily translatable and many are already
> prepared in the most common local language – Luganda?
> 
> The Guardian's advice on this point is: "Prayers revealed by
> Bahá'u'lláh and the Master, as well as the sacred writings
> of the Prophets, should be read or chanted ..." (Bahá'í
> News, September 1931). In response to a specific question
> put to the Guardian regarding the Public Talks and Tablets
> of 'Abdu'l-Bahá the Guardian advised that these should not
> be used in the devotional services in the Temple.
> 
> We hope the above comments will prove useful to your
> National Spiritual Assembly in working out the
> 
> programmes and arranging the services at the Mother
> Temple of Africa. The Bahá'í House of Worship is one of
> the most mighty institutions of our beloved Faith. It is the
> privilege of your National Assembly to administer such an
> institution "wherein", in the words of the beloved Guardian,
> "spirit unconquerable Faith can dwell within whose walls
> African adherents Faith Bahá'u'lláh can congregate, from
> which anthems praise glorifying Most Great Name can
> ascend Concourse Abhá Kingdom."
> 
> (19 August 1965 to the National Spiritual Assemblies of
> Uganda and Central Africa)
> 
> [458] In your letter of 4 October 1965 we note your request for
> further clarification of points (a) and (b) of your August 2nd
> communication concerning services at the House of Worship.
> 
> With reference to point (a), it would be undesirable to include
> in the program singing by the congregation in unison.
> However, if the congregation should spontaneously join in
> singing with the choir or solo singer they, of course, should not
> be stopped. This is not a matter that should be circulated
> among the friends in your news bulletin.
> 
> With reference to point (b), the nature of the hymns sung in
> the House of Worship we leave to your discretion for the time
> being. Whatever policy you have currently adopted in this
> matter you should continue to follow. Should we in future
> make any specific rulings on this subject we will advise you.
> 
> (8 November 19-65 to the National Spiritual Assembly of
> Uganda and Central Africa)
> 
> Notes
> 
> 1
> 
> . In reply to a question whether minor changes, such as the addition of a word, or
> the repetition of an important passage, are permissible when adapting prayers to
> music. The letter also asks if prayers could be set to music, and whether the
> music should conform only to the Persian idea of the chant.
> 
> 2
> 
> . In reply to a question whether it was permissible to use appropriate recorded a
> cappella music in the auditorium.
> 
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> — *Temples: Service in Baha'i Temples (Used by permission of the curator)*