Tabernacle of Unity: A Book Review

Abstract

The purpose of this presentation is to familiarize the audience with the background and contents of a collection of five Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh that is being recently translated and published by the Universal House of justice, entitled The Tabernacle of Unity. The sub-title indicates that this book consists of "Bahá'u'lláh's Response to Mánikchí Sáhib", plus three other Tablets. It is hoped that this presentation would entice the audience to study these five Tablets in the light of the specific title that the Bahá'í World Center has chosen for this collection. These five tablets were revealed by Bahá'u'lláh in response to the questions raised by certain Zoroastrians in Persia and India, that "are presented ... for the first time in full authorized translations..." (Introduction, P. i) These Tablets contain specific questions asked of Bahá'u'lláh to which He has given specific answers. Bahá'u'lláh's intention to reveal these Tablets in a language that is predominantly in pure Persian -- rather than a mixture of Arabic and Persian words which is the ordinary style in Persian literature and in the majority of the revealed Writings of Bahá'u'lláh -- makes them quite outstanding. These and other similar Tablets in pure Persian number to at least twenty eight. The choice of the title -- The Tabernacle of Unity -- by the Universal House of justice will also be addressed in this presentation, as well as the sections of these tablets that were translated and published by the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, well over sixty years ago.