On nice days (truly, they do happen) I like to ride my bicycle for hours on end. Recently I rode to the North Canal that connects the harbor at Wilmette to the Chicago River. There are a series of parks along one side or the other of the canal and the biking is pleasant on a nice day.
When you reach Wilmette (after passing through parts of Skokie and Evanston) you have reached the lake. And there , a few feet from the shore, is an architectural marvel. The Baha'i Temple.
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The temple is in a most unique architectural
style that I can't place. Baha'i is a religious movement founded
in the 19th century by the Persian Bahaullah so non-Western influences
are likely. Islamic influences are evident. The structure is covered
with fine tracery: weaving, moving lines that please the eye. |
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You walk up to the white marble
entrance, steadily rising as you approach the imposing structure.
The entire plan is artfully constructed to bring the approaching
visitor up to higher ground. |
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Once inside, the space
is open, unencumbered and high. Diaphanous fabric mute the sunlight
producing a soft glow. |
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The building's interior rises
high to the dome where an expression in Arabic script is inscribed. |
My encyclopedia says of the Baha'i faith that "objecting to polygamy, slavery of any kind, religious prejudices, and politicized religion, Baha'is call for world peace and harmony." That should get almost everybody mad at them. Baha'i-ism has a strong universalist tradition: "Recognition of the common ground of all religions is seen as fostering this move toward global unity; Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Zrathrustra, Jesus, and Muhammad are all recognized as divine manifestations, a series of prophets culminating in Bahaullah. Nonresistance, respect for persons, and legal recognition of the equal rights of both sexes constitute additional aspects of Baha'i teaching." Clearly there is something for everyone here. On leaving the building I asked when it was constructed and the Baha'i told me that "it was constructed between 1921 and 1953." She went on to explain that "it took so long because we do not accept contributions from non-Baha'is." This is an idea that more religions could use. |
The Baha'i Temple in Wilmette |
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