Temple of Light in Chile

Temple of Light in Chile

What you need to know:

BREATH-TAKING. With nine translucent wings made of a special kind of marble and cast glass, it will allow sunlight to filter in during the day and a soft glow of light to radiate out at night.

In a world suffering and ailing in total despair, lost in smokes of gunfire and crumbling bombed buildings, the cries of orphaned children and screams of drowning migrants, humanity is in dire need of hope, or at least glimpse of it!
Against this sad background, on October 13, on the outskirts of Santiago, in the foothills of Andes Mountains, came the glad tidings of the inauguration of the Chile Baha’i House of Worship, The mother Temple of South America that has just opened its doors to the world. This edifice was the last remaining continental Baha’i Temple to be constructed on a continental level. It also marks a century of building Baha’i Houses of Worship around the world.

The common theme of all the Baha’i houses of Worship is this deep connection between prayer and service to humanity, the nine doors constructed in each temple besides welcoming everyone to prayers, will at some point in time lead to a social activity that benefits all, a school, a hospital, an orphanage and many more. Eventually, in all cities and villages such Temples will be constructed, hence having this inseparable link between prayers and our daily lives.

Huge gift
On the day of inauguration, the governor of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Claudio Orrego, addressed the guests by saying that this Temple was a “huge gift” to the citizens of Chile and beyond. He also said: “Today we see the beauty of its creation, together with all the divine and human forces that have made it possible.” “Santiago will be different from now on because of this beautiful Temple that has been given to us...it doesn’t matter what religion we belong to, what creed we profess , our cities are full of the thirst for silence and to transcend.”

These words of the governor, highlighted in a very profound way, the contribution a physical building is making to the spiritual development of people.

Thousands thronged
What added to the beauty of this inauguration was the colourful presence of Baha’is from all parts of the world. So many rushed to register and take a valuable seat in the opening of this last continental edifice, among those nations present were also some Ugandans who, delighted with this event, adorned their Facebook pages with amazing photos from the Temple and those present.

Friends hugging one another after years of separation, and along the way, new friends were also made. It was all about what the Baha’i religion embraces the concept of Unity in Diversity.

Here in Uganda, we are equally lucky and privileged to have the Mother Temple of Africa, situated in Kampala, this beautiful pearl in the pearl of Africa, has been here for some decades now and has always welcomed all people from all backgrounds to come for prayers and meditation in one of the most beautiful spots of Kampala, a place where all are welcome.

Origin
Martha Root was to make many trips around the world spreading the Baha’i Faith, which is now the second most widespread religion worldwide after Christianity. In the foothills of the Andes Mountains to the east of Santiago, Chile, a new spectacular Baha’i Temple is taking shape — a testament to how far the community has come in the country since its humble beginnings.