To Local Spiritual Assemblies, 1948–1957
[Letter of September 21, 1948]
To the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tokyo
To know that a Spiritual Assembly of all Japanese members was formed in Tokyo greatly inspired him (the Guardian). This is a historic and wonderful achievement. At present it might seem to people of the world that these few devoted souls are insignificant when compared to the millions of people residing in Japan—but we who have recognized the Power of Bahá’u’lláh, and that His teaching is God’s Message to men in this day, know that the seed of the Tree of Life has at last germinated in your land, and that it will grow to overshadow all those who dwell in the islands of Japan.
The love of the Japanese people, for truth and beauty is very great, and our Guardian feels sure that gradually many souls will become attracted to the Cause of God through your persevering and devoted labours.
Your loyalty and determination touches him deeply, and he assures you all that for each one of you he will pray for guidance and blessings. He urges you to work together for the Cause as one soul in different bodies, and show by your love and unity what a force lies in our Faith for the regeneration of mankind.
(signed by R. Rabbani)
(in the Guardian’s handwriting)
Dear and valued co-workers:
I was thrilled by your message and I greatly value the sentiments it expressed. I urge you to persevere and be confident, and labour unitedly for the spread of the Faith and the formation of new centres, however small, in the vicinity of your capital. I will, from all my heart, supplicate for you Divine guidance and blessings, that your historic work may flourish, your numbers increase and your highest hopes be fulfilled in the service of His glorious Faith.
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
(September 21, 1948)
[Letter of December 20, 1951]
The beloved Guardian has received your letter, so beautifully written in Japanese, and which he regrets very much he could not read in the original.
He very deeply appreciated the contribution the Bahá’ís of Japan have made for the Shrine of the Báb; and I am enclosing a receipt herein for the sum you mentioned in your letter, ten thousand yen.
The sentiments expressed by the Bahá’ís of Japan touched him very deeply; and he feels that the contribution they have made to the Shrine enriches its spiritual significance for all of us, coming, as it does, from believers in the Báb, our beloved Martyr-Prophet, who reside in a land so far away, and yet are filled with such great love and devotion for, not only the Báb Himself, but for the Faith He heralded.
The Guardian is most happy over the progress being made in Japan; and he wants you to know that his loving thoughts are with you, and you are mentioned often in his prayers in the Holy Shrines.
(signed by R. Rabbani)
(in the Guardian’s handwriting)
May the Beloved bless you, sustain and guide you, reward you for your meritorious labours, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His Faith.
Your true brother, Shoghi
(December 20, 1951)
[Letter of April 14, 1952]
Your gracious letter of March 20th, conveying Naw-Rúz greetings to the beloved Guardian has been received, and gave the Guardian the utmost of happiness. It revealed anew the power of Bahá’u’lláh, that in that far off land, the banner of His Grace has been raised so effectively, and the friends have been quickened by the new spirit of unity which is sweeping the world.
The Guardian will pray at the Holy Shrines that the powers of the Holy Spirit will inspire and sustain you in your labors for the spread of the true teachings of brotherhood, and the spiritual elevation of the people of Japan.
Today, the head corner-stone of service to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh is teaching. It is the source of divine blessings. The beloved Guardian feels your consecration to this most important of all Bahá’í activities will achieve new goals and win many victories for the Faith.
He sends his loving greetings to each one of you, who will ever be in his heart.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(April 14, 1952)
[Letter of August 30, 1952]
It always brings joy to the heart of our beloved Guardian to receive news from you, as he is so happy over the remarkable growth of the Faith in Japan since the end of the war. He has instructed me to answer on his behalf your letter of July 12.
Plans for future works in Japan will certainly form part of the general plan for Asia, which will be discussed at the New Delhi Conference in October 1953. He would be very happy if some of the friends from Japan could attend this historic gathering.
He was delighted to hear that your Assembly is undertaking extension teaching work in other Japanese cities; as Tokyo is the mother Assembly, her responsibility is great. He was particularly glad to hear teaching will be done in Hiroshima, where the people suffered so mercilessly during the war; they have a special right—the people of that city—to hear of Bahá’u’lláh’s Message of peace and brotherhood.
The Assembly of Tokyo, until such time as other local assemblies are formed, can receive the applications for enrollment from people living elsewhere. Anyone living outside the civic limits of Tokyo, however, cannot be a voting member of that community, but of course, may attend meetings and Feasts until a local nucleus is established.
The Guardian was particularly happy to note that there are so many Japanese Bahá’ís; although the American friends have rendered a great service in Japan, the object of all teachings is to establish firmly the Faith of God in the hearts and lives of the people of the country. He hopes that special efforts will be made to teach the Japanese, and to provide them with Bahá’í literature in their own language, and to conduct meetings in Japanese, and also to encourage them to understand the Administration and take an active, constructive part in its workings. Without a proper understanding of the Administrative Order, extensive plans cannot be undertaken and harmony will not prevail within the community.
He (the Guardian) will remember you in all his prayers, and is most pleased with your progress and your devoted spirit.
(signed by R. Rabbani)
(in the Guardian’s handwriting)
May the Almighty bless your high and persistent endeavours, guide every step you take in the path of service, and enable you to extend continually the range of your splendid activities, and win great and memorable victories for His Cause.
Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi
(August 30, 1952)
[Letter of July 24, 1953]
The beloved Guardian has said that the future of Japan from every standpoint is very bright indeed. The Faith will spread rapidly in Japan, once the public become acquainted with its universal principles, and its dynamic spirit.
What is necessary at this time is for the Bahá’ís to adhere firmly to the teachings of the Faith, and to become a clear channel through which the power of the Holy Spirit might disseminate itself throughout the country.
So far as the Ananai-kyo Movement is concerned, and their desire for affiliation:
The Bahá’ís may associate with Movements such as this, without becoming supporters and active workers therein; the object being to make friendly contacts which can be developed into firm Bahá’ís.
So far as non-Bahá’ís affiliating with the Bahá’í Faith is concerned, either a person becomes a Bahá’í and accepts Bahá’u’lláh as the divine Manifestation for this day or he does not. The tenets of the Bahá’í Faith are simple as outlined by the Guardian, but they do not permit any variations. In other words, if any members of the Ananai-kyo Movement wish to become Bahá’ís; they will be most welcome; but they can only become Bahá’ís on the basis of accepting Bahá’u’lláh as a divine Manifestation, and of course, with this goes the acceptance of the Báb as the Fore-runner, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Center of the Covenant, and the present Administrative Order.
When a person has reached the sea of immortality, it is idle to keep seeking elsewhere; and when the members of the Ananai-kyo Movement reach Bahá’u’lláh in their search for a world teacher, they have reached the goal, and not another step along the path.
I presume you have received by this time full details concerning the Ten Year Crusade, and the Plan which the Guardian has enunciated for the American National Assembly to assist in the development of the Faith in Japan, so that ultimately there may be a National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís in Japan itself.
The American National Spiritual Assembly has appointed a special committee for the Asian countries, and I am quite sure you will find the very closest possible cooperation from them in the development of the work.
You will find, as the Extension Teaching work in Japan moves forward, there will have to be constant and continuous consultation with this important committee.
You can appreciate it will be entirely impossible for the International Council or the staff of the Guardian himself, to undertake the supervision of the teaching work in any one part of the world; furthermore it would be contrary to the general principle of Bahá’í administration. Under Bahá’í administration, Local Assemblies, and the development of teaching work are placed in the hands of National Assemblies. The National Assemblies themselves report directly to Haifa—to the Universal House of Justice, when it is established; and until that time, to the Guardian himself.
At the instruction of the Guardian, I am communicating with the American National Spiritual Assembly, to ask them to set up a program, whereby there will be the closest possible collaboration between their Asia Teaching Committee and your own Assembly. I hope this will be the means of all data reaching you very promptly.
The beloved Guardian asked me to convey to you his deep love. He appreciates and values very highly your devoted services to the Faith. He will pray at the Holy Shrines, for your guidance and confirmation. It is his hope that heavenly blessings may be with you at all times, and every obstacle in the path of your efforts to continually spread the Message in Japan may be removed, so that you may ultimately gain complete victory.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(July 24, 1953)
[Letter of November 26, 1953]
The Guardian is hopeful that some day it may be possible for the Bahá’ís of Tokyo to establish their Hazira; and of course if this were done, some day it will become the National Hazira, because when the National Spiritual Assembly is formed in Japan, Tokyo will no doubt be the seat of the National Assembly.
Shoghi Effendi feels that the time has now come when the Faith will spread rapidly in Japan. The Japanese people have great vision and spirituality, and the difficulties of the last war have prepared many of them for the Divine Guidance. He therefore urges each and every one of you to treble your efforts, so that the Cause may grow and develop rapidly.
He sends his loving greetings to you, and assures you all of his prayers in your behalf.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(November 26, 1953)
[Letter of March 2, 1954]
The beloved Guardian sends his loving greetings to each and every one of the friends in Japan. He greatly values their devotion and sacrifice for the Faith, and the noble manner in which they are arising to spread the Teachings in that land.
He feels the future of Japan is very great. The hearts and minds of the Japanese people are awakened; and if the teaching work is carried on very actively and audaciously, many souls will be attracted by the Divine Fragrances.
The beloved Guardian is so confident that the Faith will spread rapidly in Japan, and the believers will firmly establish the institutions of the Cause, that he has chosen to send to them for ultimate display in their National Haziratu’l-Quds in Tokyo one of the very precious relics from the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh. He has entrusted with our dear brother, Hiroyasu Takano, a very precious brocade, which has rested immediately over the remains of Bahá’u’lláh in His glorious Shrine. It is very precious and very sacred.
The Guardian is sending this to the Spiritual Assembly of Tokyo as a gift. The friends may wish to have it carefully and beautifully framed for display in the Hazira, when it is acquired. Ultimately of course it is to be hung in the Hazira of the National Assembly, when that great goal has been achieved by the Japanese believers.
The beloved Guardian assures each and every one of you of his prayers in your behalf.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(March 2, 1954)
[Letter of May 29, 1954]
The beloved Guardian was pleased to see the manner in which the Assembly has undertaken its responsibility of enthusing the believers to carry on teaching work throughout Japan in an aggressive manner.
The keynote of activity during the second year of the Ten-Year Crusade is the multiplication of Assemblies, groups and isolated centers. The Guardian feels the time is ripe for the active spread of the Faith throughout Japan; and if pioneers and settlers will go to additional cities and very actively teach the Faith, they will find that the Cause will grow and develop in each of these new areas.
You should not overlook the fact that one of the goals of the Ten-Year Crusade is the establishment of a National Assembly in Japan. This can be brought about more quickly if the friends set aside all other considerations and actively teach the Faith.
The sacred gift which the Guardian sent to the Japanese Bahá’ís through Mr. Takano is of course for the Hazira as soon as it is procured. It is one of the very sacred relics, and the Guardian hopes it will be a source of inspiration to the friends to redouble their efforts in the teaching field.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(May 29, 1954)
[Letter of June 7, 1954]
The beloved Guardian sends his loving greetings to each and every one of you. He is praying for the success of your teaching work. He feels the time is ripe for a rapid expansion of the Faith in Japan; and that if everyone will arise with renewed effort, they will be surprised at the spiritual victories which they will achieve.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(June 7, 1954)
[Letter of June 8, 1954]
Please refer to our previous correspondence with regard to the purchase of a Haziratu’l-Quds in Tokyo. The beloved Guardian feels this is a matter of great importance, and should be accomplished during the present year.
He has written to the American N.S.A. in detail concerning the matter, instructing them to proceed at once with the development of this project, so that it may be concluded during the present year, if at all possible.
The beloved Guardian is sending a contribution of £500. As you know, a Haziratu’l-Quds was given by Mr. Momtazi in Mukonoso, Hyogo-ken. The Guardian would see no objection to this Haziratu’l-Quds being sold, and the fund received thereby being used to defray the cost of the Haziratu’l-Quds in Tokyo. It is far more important that a Hazira be established in Tokyo, which is the seat of the future National Assembly, than in Mukonoso, Hyogo-ken. Of course this can only be done in case Mr. Momtazi is entirely agreeable.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(June 8, 1954)
[Letter of July 19, 1954]
Your loving letter ... has just come to hand, telling of the funds which you have available now, since the generous gift of Mr. N. Momtazi, for the Haziratu’l-Quds in Tokyo.
You have in mind that the Hazira need not be an elaborate place. It should be a building which you own, and which can be used now as the Haziratu’l-Quds for the Local Tokyo Assembly, to be utilized later as the National Haziratu’l-Quds for the National Spiritual Assembly when it is formed.
The important thing is that this piece of property should be acquired for as reasonable a price as possible.
The Guardian will await with expectation, advice from you as to the acquisition of this important piece of property[36] .
The Guardian sends each one his loving greetings.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(July 19, 1954)
[Letter of September 26, 1955]
Your loving letter ... has come to hand, giving the latest information concerning the International Teaching Conference which was to be held at Nikko, September 23, 24, and 25.
From the word we have received, the Conference must have been a great success with so many being present, and representing so many different countries. As I understand it, there were representatives of nine different nations.
The Guardian has attached the greatest importance to this Conference, as it is the first to be held in Japan, and is therefore a great historic event. Let us hope the teaching work will develop rapidly in Japan, so that there may be a large number of Assemblies and groups established who may take part in the election of the National Assembly.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(September 26, 1955)
[Letter of April 24, 1956]
It was a great pleasure to have some of the friends from Japan here, and particularly to get dear Fujita back again.
The Guardian is particularly happy over the news conveyed by Mr. Momtazi for the formation of seven new Assemblies. This is a great step forward in the progress of the work, not only in Japan, but in the Pacific area; and augurs well for the formation of the Regional National Assembly with Japan as the hub, which is to be elected next Ridván.
The Japanese believers are often in his thoughts and prayers, and he is proud of their achievements, and cherishes great hopes for their future. He will pray that your Assembly may be instrumental in bringing in many new souls during the coming year.
(signed by R. Rabbani)
(in the Guardian’s handwriting)
May the Almighty, whose Cause you serve so devotedly, aid you to extend continually the scope of your valued activities, and enable you to win great victories in the days to come.
Your true brother, Shoghi
(April 24, 1956)
[Letter of June 11, 1956]
He (the Guardian) was very happy to receive the copies of the Japanese Geppo. They are historic, marking the first Bahá’í Newsletters to be published in that country. He hopes its scope will gradually widen, and it become a most effective means of stimulating the friends in Japan in service to the Cause of God.
Great victories have been won by the friends in Japan. He hopes during the short period between now, and when the new National Assembly is formed, the friends will treble their efforts, so many many souls may find eternal life, through the teaching services of the true servants of God.
As Bahá’u’lláh has stated, true victory is winning the hearts of men to the Cause of God. The Guardian is praying for many more such glorious victories, so the Faith may be firmly established in that far off land, which has such a bright and promising future.
The Guardian will pray for the friends, for the success of their work. He sends his loving greetings.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(June 11, 1956)
[Letter of April 19, 1957]
The various materials which you sent to the Guardian he has read with great interest—the pamphlet on the recent Congress of Religions held in Tokyo, the English summaries of the important Bahá’í News Geppo, and your report of the progress of the Faith in that promising country.
The Guardian is looking forward with keen anticipation to the forthcoming Ridván period, as it marks the establishment of thirteen new National Assemblies; the most important of which are in the Pacific area; the one centered in Tokyo, the one in Djakarta, and the third in New Zealand.
The Guardian is well pleased with the teaching work in Japan. He hopes this branch of your service will be greatly reinforced and stimulated by the establishment of the new National Assembly.
He will pray for the friends, for Japan, and for the success of the labors of the Faithful.
He sends his loving greetings.
(signed by Leroy Ioas)
(April 19, 1957)