Bahá’ís and their friends are engaged in a global process of learning and building capacity for their own spiritual refinement and the transformation of society through the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
The Training Institute
The courses offered by the Bahá’í community trace a path of service to humanity and are open to everyone.
The sources of knowledge upon which the materials used by the institute courses draw upon are:
- the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith
- the accumulating experience of the worldwide Bahá’í community in furthering material and spiritual civilization
The Institute is inspired by Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of the individual we can become and of the civilization we can build.
Some of the themes explored in the Training Institute are:
- How to create environments that put people in contact with the spiritual forces released through prayer
- How to strengthen bonds of true friendship
- How to make the education of children an integral part of community life
- How to maintain an environment that helps young people develop their intellectual and spiritual capacities
- How to carry out specific acts of service
Junior youth groups
The period between the ages of 12 and 15 is a crucial time when fundamental concepts about individual and collective life are formed.
Junior youth meet in small groups at the local level. With the help of their animator, they develop their language skills and the power of expression. They think of acts of service they wish to undertake to enhance their neighborhood’s well-being.
Children’s classes
Bahá’ís see the young as the most precious treasure a community can possess. In them are the promise and guarantee of the future. In order for this promise to be realised, children need to receive spiritual nourishment. In a world where the joy and innocence of childhood can be overwhelmed by the pursuit of materialistic ends, the moral and spiritual education of children takes on vital importance.
Children’s classes emphasise the acquisition of spiritual qualities. Ultimately, the goal is for the children to understand and act upon their own spiritual development and their contribution to the well-being of society.
The material covers a period of six years and addresses several topics:
- Acquisition of spiritual qualities, such as truthfulness, kindness, courage, purity of heart, generosity
- Development of a virtuous behavior leading to a fruitful and productive life for the betterment of the world
- Exploration of the life and teachings of some of the Manifestations of God, such as Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Mohammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh
Devotional gatherings
Bahá’ís in localities throughout Switzerland gather alongside their friends and neighbours to pray and consult on various themes. These gatherings provide opportunities for the participants to read aloud and listen to the recitation of extracts from Holy Scriptures and other texts. They also often include uplifting music, songs and meaningful conversations.
They serve to awaken spiritual susceptibilities within the participants. When seen jointly with the acts of service they perform, these gatherings contribute to a pattern of community life infused with the spirit of devotion and focused on the attainment of spiritual and material prosperity.
There is no formula on how a devotional meeting can be organised. All can contribute to this informal space.
Participating in the discourses of society
In social spaces at all levels of society, from the local to regional and national, there are a range of ongoing conversations concerned with various aspects of humanity’s wellbeing and progress. Based on a reading of reality, and the needs identified in collaboration with others, these conversations can be on such subjects as the equality of women and men, peace, governance, public health, and development, to name but a few.
The Swiss Bahá’í Community contributes to the public welfare in a variety of ways. Its current engagements include interreligious collaboration, the promotion of gender equality, the advancement of human rights, and efforts in peacebuilding.
At the international level, the Bahá’í International Community is similarly engaged. It is an international non-governmental organization which represents all National Spiritual Assemblies around the world with offices in Geneva, Brussels, New York, Jakarta and Addis Ababa.
See All Men As Friends"
Driving Positive Change
Bahá’í efforts of social action seek to promote the social and material well-being of people of all walks of life, whatever their beliefs or background. Such efforts are motivated by the desire to serve humanity and contribute to constructive social change.
In Switzerland, there are stirings of social action in areas such as: