After watching the video and exploring the site on the Baha'i temple in Chicago, I definitely want to visit. Architecturally, it is beautiful. The man who designed it spent 8 years on the plans not to mention the years it took to construct it. I was also amazed that even though there weren't tons of North American Bahai's at the time of the temple's construction, relative to the religions founding, there was already quite a widespread following.
The symbols on the temple are numerous. the design conforms to the other temples around the world. It is circular, with 9 pillars joining together to represent different faiths praying together and supplicating God. Also on the temple are the cross, star of david, wheel and hooked cross. These represent the unity of all religions in the Baha'i faith. Another thing that all Baha'i temples have is gardens. Since we know the significance of gardens in the founding of the religion, it is almost a given that a Baha'i temple would have a sizable garden. While its not exactly modeled after the garden of Ridvan, it is another place in which all people can pray and meditate.
I also found it interesting that singing plays such a large part in the temple. I suppose since there is no clergy, the choir provides some service (besides readings from religious texts from all faiths) for people to listen to while praying. In particular, on the website it said they keep the choir out of sight, above the congregation (for lack of a better word) so people may simply experience the music. I definitely liked that aspect. In that way, its less of a concert and more of a religious experience.
I think it would be really interesting to find out how long it took to build the temple. It seems like whenever I go and visit it, they're doing some type of modification or restoration to it, so it seems like it's an on going process. The musical aspect of the religion didn't really hit me as important until I read your post. Music is really the only way they can communicate the same message because of the lack of clergy.
ReplyDeleteIt was begun in 1912 and was dedicated in 1953. Since then it's largely renovations to keep up the structure and grounds.
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ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that the choir is kept " out of sight" so that what they sing isn't so much a performance, but to aid the Bahai in prayer. I think that aspect of the Bahai faith may be useful in other religions as well because people may sometimes start watching the choirs instead of praying, but at the same time, I would enjoy to have the full visual and sound effect of music.
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