Resources for Baha'i Scholarship
Scholarly study of the Baha’i Faith and of the application of Baha’i principles to current challenges is a rich and continually growing field of endeavor. For Baha’is, scholarship is a lifelong effort animated by the spirit of inquiry into the limitless meaning of Baha’u'llah’s teachings.
Baha’i scholarship is characterized by the welcome it offers to all who wish to be involved in it, each in his or her own way, by mutual encouragement and cooperation among its participants, and by the respect accorded to distinguished accomplishment and outstanding achievement.
The Association for Baha’i Studies promotes the development and dissemination of scholarship on the Baha’i Faith in North America. The Association is a cooperative effort of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Canada, the United States and Alaska, serving under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.
Baha’i Chair for World Peace
The Baha’i Chair for World Peace was established in 1993 at the Center for International Development and Conflict Management at the University of Maryland, College Park, to share the experience of the Baha’i world community in building a global society.
The Irfan Colloquia
Irfán Colloquia started in 1993 and have continued to be held annually in North America and Europe. `Irfán activities aim at fostering systematic studies of the scriptures of the world’s religions from the Bahá’í perspective and promoting scholarly studies in the sacred writings, verities, and fundamental principles of the belief system of the Bahá’í Faith.
National Baha’i Archives
The archives provide research and reference services to Baha’i institutions and to scholars and historians researching Baha’i history, as well as to individuals who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Baha’i Faith.
Stories and Announcements
- Irfan Colloquium pursues studies of Baha’i Faith
- Baha’i Studies conference views facets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit
- ‘Irfan Colloquia set 2012 sessions
- What it’s about: Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies
- 35th Annual Conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies–North America to be held in San Francisco August 11–14, 2011
- Journal article spotlights Baha’i writings on breastfeeding
- Visitors find opportunity within Baha’i Chair’s tent
- Louhelen provides a safe space for sensitive discourse on race
“Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone.”
— Bahá’u’lláh
“All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this power of intellectual investigation and research, which is an eternal gift producing fruits of unending delight. Man is ever partaking of these fruits. All other blessings are temporary; this is an everlasting possession.”
— `Abdu'l-Bahá