`Abdu’l-Bahá’s Articulation of the Bahá’í Concept of Peace During His Western Travels

Abstract

A primary teaching of the Bahá'í Faith is that world peace is not only possible but inevitable. The Bahá'í writings describe two stages in the achievement of world peace: the Lesser Peace, which is a political peace agreed by national governments, and the Most Great Peace, which is associated with the evolution of a world civilization that is imbued with spiritual characteristics. As the clouds of the First World War were gathering across Europe, `Abdu'l-Bahá accepted an invitation to the speak at the Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration in May 1912. He continued to develop the theme of world peace as He travelled in the West in 1911 and again in 1912-13. He spoke extensively about this principle in numerous meetings, challenging His followers and His listeners to establish peace before humankind was overwhelmed by war. This paper looks at `Abdu'l-Bahá's elucidation of the principle of peace in His talks in the West, primarily in the United States.