The principle of the oneness of humankind is at the heart of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. He teaches us that all humanity is the: “fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch”. Bahá’u’lláh Has envisioned a circle of unity which is applied not only on individuals, but also on the nature of the relationships between countries and nations, as all mankind is part of one human family. The Baháʼí teachings emphasize the ideal of ‘unity in diversity’. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained the beauty of diversity in one of His talks when He was on His travels in Europe and North America:
Consider the flowers of a garden. Though differing in kind, color, form, and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one sun, this diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty. How unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the leaves and blossoms, the fruits, the branches and the trees of that garden were all of the same shape and color! Diversity of hues, form and shape, enricheth and adorneth the garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof. In like manner, when divers shades of thought, temperament and character, are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest. Naught but the celestial potency of the Word of God, which ruleth and transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of harmonizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas, and convictions of the children of men.
Baháʼí teachings stress the unity of humanity and at the same time underline the importance of preserving cultural and idealogical diversity. Diversity must not be an obstacle that blocks the unity of mankind, rather, it is a means for enriching and strengthening unity. Bahá’u’lláh gives the example of various cells and organs in the human body, each of the millions of cells and tens of organs have a unique function and work in their own way and at their own pace, yet, their diversity is the reason for human life, their varied functions do not compete with each other, they complement each other.
This unity is a spiritual truth that is confirmed by all fields of human science, they all confirm that humanity is from one origin even though the secondary aspects of human life vary in innumerable ways. To be able to comprehend this reality calls for discarding all forms of prejudice, whether racial, ethnic, social, class, religious or economic, in other words, to let go of the belief that any group of people are better than, or above others.
Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.
Be united in counsel, be one in thought. Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man’s merit lithe in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches.
