The Baha'i Studies Listserv > That is the second time you mentioned the word, "perennialism." What does > that concept mean? I am ignorant of it. >
Dear Matt, Perennialism shares with Progressive Revelation a belief in the Oneness of Religion, but whereas Progressive Revelation holds that humanity has been progressively obtained a fuller understanding of God's will over time Perenialism tends to believe that the ultimate truth is to be found in the original forms of religion. Schuon represents a European school of perennialism known Traditionalism which includes a number of converts to Islam. This school posits a "transcendent unity" transmitted from the very origin of humanity and partially restored by each genuine founder of a new religion. The Traditionalists strongly emphasize the esoteric aspects of religion and oppose modernity. The best study of this school is found in the book *Against the Modern World.* http://www.amazon.com/Against-Modern-World-Traditionalism-Intellectual/dp/0195152972 There is also a much older school of perennialism found in Islam which is known as Ishraqi philosophy. This school providing the philosophical underpinnings of the Mughal Emperor Akbar's Din-il Ilahi. It also influenced the Parsi community in India and forms the background behind many of the questions which Manakji presents to Baha'u'llah and which are answered in the Tabernacle of Unity. For Manakji religion is perennial and therefore the oldest is the best whereas for Baha’u’llah religion is progressive and it is therefore necessary to respond to God’s latest Messenger, not uncover the esoteric secrets of the oldest one as Ishraqi philosophy sought to do. Perhaps the best way to get this list back on track would be for me to post the paper I wrote discussing this correspondence. warmest, Susan __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:arch...@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:leave-549491-27401.54f46e81b66496c9909bcdc2f7987...@list.jccc.edu Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to ly...@list.jccc.edu Or subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News (on-campus only) - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
