Day 2: Our First Visit to Bahji

Today we got up bright and early and met at the PRC for our trip to the Shrine of Baha'u'llah at Bahji, about 45 minutes by bus from Haifa. Because this blog is getting a little big and we want to share more photos, we've posted the photos here: Our Flickr pics.

Here are a couple to get you started. (Double-click on the photos for larger versions.) Above is the entrance to the Shrine of Baha'u'llah. Note the pilgrims' shoes outside. The shot below is a very small part of the huge and fantastic gardens surrounding the Shrine. If the tree in the center were growing at home, we'd call it a California Live Oak. Not sure what they call it here in Israel!



Where to begin? The Shrine of Baha'u'llah, burial place of the founder of the Baha'i Faith, is the holiest spot on earth to Baha'is. After a 45-minute bus ride, we arrived at the new Visitors' Center. We were the second group of the day to visit the Shrine, and as we were arriving we crossed paths with the pilgrims who were leaving. Without exception, they were all elated and wearing absolutely beautific smiles. We were soon to find out the source of that elation.

The Visitors' Center is gorgeous -- filled with natural light and lovely Persian rugs. After stowing our packed lunches in the fridge and "making ourselves comfortable" (pilgrim talk for "freshening up"), we went out a side door and began our trek to the Shrine. After a short introduction to the spot from our guide, we proceeded along a wide gravel pathway, lined on each side with beautiful plants that were very familiar to we Californians. Each pilgrim was deep in his or her own private thoughts, and the only sounds were the singing of the birds, the distant sounds of the landscaping crew, and the crunching of our feet on the gravel.

After a surprisingly long walk, we reached the famous black-and-gold gates and passed through a small entryway. Inside the gates the gravel was different, and our footsteps were quieter. As we reached the blessed threshhold, we removed our shoes and left them outside.

The inside of the Shrine was a surprise. Instead of the small dark room one might expect, we entered a large space that was filled with light from high windows on all sides, and filled with beautiful rugs and a central atrium area filled with beautiful light fixtures and climbing plants. When everyone was in place, one of the guides recited the Tablet of Visitation. When he was finished, each pilgrim was permitted to stay as long as he or she wished and to pray or meditate as he or she wished. We went into a small room adjacent to the main area and spent some quality time with our thoughts and our prayer books. Prayers were said for friends, family and for the growth and good health of our beloved Pasadena Baha'i community.

After visiting the Shrine, we spent some time in the gardens, taking pictures and exclaiming over and over again about how familiar all the plants are. There was a lot of work going on in the gardens -- from young men planting flowers to a crew with a backhoe removing and refurbishing beds that had apparently passed their prime. As we passed the beautiful big oak tree in the photo above, Gary sent Mary Lou into a full-on swoon by saying, "Just think. Baha'u'llah looked at that tree."

Oh, my.

Be. Still. My. Heart.

Everybody had brought lunch, and we returned to the visitors' center and enjoyed a festive meal together. As can be imagined, it was quite a party -- everyone was just elated by the whole experience. We hated to leave, but we had a date with the Universal House of Justice.