Distance Education Course:
Drawing Near to Abdu'l-Baha

"He is, and should for all time be regarded, first and foremost, as the Centre and Pivot of Bahá’u’lláh’s peerless and all-enfolding Covenant, His most exalted handiwork, the stainless Mirror of His light, the perfect Exemplar of His teachings, the unerring Interpreter of His Word, the embodiment of every Bahá’í ideal, the incarnation of every Bahá’í virtue, the Most Mighty Branch sprung from the Ancient Root, the Limb of the Law of God, the Being “round Whom all names revolve,” the Mainspring of the Oneness of Humanity, the Ensign of the Most Great Peace, the Moon of the Central Orb of this most holy Dispensation—styles and titles that are implicit and find their truest, their highest and fairest expression in the magic name ‘Abdu’l-Bahá."

                                                                                                Shoghi Effendi:  The World Order of Baha’u’llah, p. 134.

Introduction
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is the perfect Exemplar of the Bahá’í teachings.  He reflects all the Bahá’í ideals in His deeds, actions and life.  Hence, knowing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá will assist an individual to live a Bahá’í life.
This course is designed and developed by Douglas Wilkinson, a Faculty member of the Three Year Certificate Program to fulfil this purpose.  The course will assist an individual to study the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and become closer to Him.  It will also illustrate ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s effect on those with whom He came into contact and His methods of introducing them to the Message given by Bahá’u’lláh.
Emphasis will be given on developing a deep personal relationship between the student and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá so the student will, in turn, wish to share the Message with others.

Aims of the Course

  1. To assist students to become knowledgeable about the life and Ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
  2. To encourage the students to develop a personal love for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
  3. To introduce the students to the teaching methods of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
  4. To motivate and help students, by steps, to follow the Example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá


Objectives of the Course

By completion of this course  the students will:

  1. become familiar with the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and understand His unique station
  2. be able to use the teaching methods demonstrated by Him
  3. develop a love for, and personal relationship with, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
  4. follow ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the perfect exemplar of a Bahá’í


Course Structure

The course is designed for one year of study.  The students are expected to spend at least three hours a week on the course to satisfy all the course requirements.  The course is delivered as a distance education programme.  The Centre provides a full study plan and a mentor for each student.  The mentors will be in contact with the students and assist them in their work.  The students are expected to complete the assignments in the distance learning material and return them by the due date.  The assignments are read and assessed by the mentors and returned to students.
 

Course Fee

Applicants from Australia $A120
Applicants from overseas $A160

Group Fee

It is possible to study the course in a group. The size of the group should not exceed 5 people including the group coordinator. The fees for group enrolment is $A100 from Australia and $A140 from overseas per group member. You can apply for the course online or off-line.

Application

You can apply for the course online or off-line. When applying off-line, you need to print the application form, fill it up and send it to the Programs Administrator by mail or fax. If you pay your fee by a cheque, it needs to be in Australian Dollars and payable to Yerrinbool  Bahá’í Centre of Learning. To enroll online, fill out the online application form. Both forms can be accessed via the YBCL Enrollment Home.