Where the Light Shines?

The Baha'i temple in Chile is one of eight projects from around the world that received an award or citation in the program this year.

"For architects, it's the award that recognizes designs that go in a new direction," said Siamak Hariri of Hariri Pontarini Architects of Toronto, the firm that designed the house of worship and is overseeing its construction. Representatives of the firm traveled to New York last month for the awards ceremony.

In the Baha'i scriptures Baha'u'llah designates the houses of worship as gathering places for prayer and meditation, which in the future are envisioned to be the center of a group of buildings housing social, humanitarian, educational and scientific institutions.

The house of worship in Chile, like the others, will be financed entirely by voluntary contributions from Baha'is around the world.

Architecture of Unity

Baha'i houses of worship are designed to re-claim the center of attention, offer a place of spirituality, comfort and unity. They are temples of the soul that connect peoples of all religious, social and racial backgrounds.

Fifty years on, Uganda's Baha'i temple stands as a symbol of unity and progress

The concept of the Baha'i House of Worship, as envisaged by Baha'u'llah, not only incorporates a central meeting place for prayer and meditation but, in time, a range of facilities to serve the social and educational needs of the surrounding population.

When people of different faiths - Christians, Muslims and Baha'is among them - pray together at the House of Worship, there is a special atmosphere, added Mr. Woldu. "The temple plays a big role in that people who had some kind of prejudice towards other religions, when they come here, they see that we're all saying prayers from different Holy Scriptures. Once you are inside the House of Worship we are one in the name of God. And that just brings us together."

The Lotus Temple in Dec 10th 2009

Sky lanterns are seen floating in the night sky, near the Lotus Temple, right, released by activists expressing their hope in the ongoing climate conference being held in Copenhagen, during a demonstration in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009.

قصة مرقد حضرة الباب

جولة داخل معبد بهائى

a virtual tour of the Bahá’í House of Worship: http://bahai.us/virtual-tour

Hope you enjoy this “special visit” to the House of Worship in Chicago, USA

The Baha'i House of Worship is dedicated to the worship of God. The auditorium upstairs is open to all from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. There is no admission fee. Literature about the Baha'i Temple and Baha'i Faith is available to visitors in various languages. Because this is a place for prayer and meditation, we ask that no photographs be taken inside the auditorium.

http://bahai.us/bahai-temple-visitor-information

توجد عدة معابد بهائية فى أنحاء العالم...منها على سبيل المثال:

كامبالا - أفريقيا

فرانكفورت - أوربا

شيكاغو - أمريكا الشمالية

شيلي - أمريكا الجنوبية - تحت الإنشاء

الهند - أسيا

سيدنى - أستراليا

upcoming Bahai Temple in Chile

A short video (8 min) about the Baha'i Chile Temple ( Temple of LIGHT)
including commentary by the architect Hariri.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juHMqwnlSws&feature=related

"Whensoever the light of Manifestation of the King of Oneness settleth upon the throne of the heart and soul, His shining becometh visible in every limb and member. At that time the mystery of the famed tradition gleameth out of the darkness: "A servant is drawn unto Me in prayer until I answer him; and when I have answered him, I become the ear wherewith he heareth...." For thus the Master of the house hath appeared within His home, and all the pillars of the dwelling are ashine with His light. And the action and effect of the light are from the Light-Giver; so it is that all move through Him and arise by His will. And this is that spring whereof the near ones drink, as it is said: "A fount whereof the near unto God shall drink...." [Qur'án 83:28.] (Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys, p. 21)

Baha'i Temple in India