| It is
a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith. The Bahá'í
Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder,
Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), is regarded by Bahá'ís
as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches
back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha,
Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.
The
central theme of Bahá'u'lláh's message is that humanity
is one single race and that the day has come for its unification
in one global society. God, Bahá'u'lláh said, has
set in motion historical forces that are breaking down traditional
barriers of race, class, creed, and nation and that will, in time,
give birth to a universal civilization. The principal challenge
facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of their oneness
and to assist the processes of unification.
The
delicate and sleek architecture is built in two layers. The first
layer consists of nine white marble-covered petals pointing towards
heaven, while the second layer of nine petals serves to conceal
the portals. When seen from a short distance, it looks like a fabulous
example of origami work. The interior, especially, the Hall of Worship,
conforms to that of all Bahai temples and is so silent that even
a low whisper echoes loudly in the structure. No religious icons
are housed here except the copies of the Holy Scriptures and wooden
pews. The construction of the temple was completed in 1986.
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