使用者:MrChois/巴哈伊行政體系
巴哈伊信仰 |
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巴哈伊行政體系指巴哈伊信仰的行政管理體制。[1]
巴哈伊行政體系由兩部分組成:由選舉產生的與受任命的。巴哈伊信仰的最高管理機構是位於海法的世界正義院。
一些特徵使巴哈伊行政體系區別於與之類似的世俗政府的體系,如由選舉產生的代表須依據他們的內心正義觀來行使他們的權力,而非像世俗政府代議機關的代表那樣反映他的選民的意志。競選活動、候選人提名、黨派活動都是被禁止的。世界正義院的宗教權威是由巴哈伊信仰的創立者賦予的。
巴哈伊行政體系主要受以下文件所規範,[2]
巴哈伊行政體系的特徵
[編輯]結構
[編輯]巴哈伊行政體系中同時存在選舉和任命這兩種不同的組成原則,並依這兩種原則獨立各自機構。選舉部分的最高機構是世界正義院,其擁有「制定有關聖作中未被明確提及事項的規定的專屬權力」。任命部分的最高機構是聖護,聖護本人被賦予「解釋聖作的專屬權利」。這兩套獨立的系統的神聖權威,源自阿博都巴哈的遺囑中的清楚描述:
- 「這神聖的嫩枝——上帝聖道的守護者和將由普選產生的世界正義院,皆受阿帕哈美尊照顧與保佑,皆受崇高聖尊庇佑與無誤指引(願我能為他們兩者獻身)。他們所作的一切決定都是上帝的旨意。違背他或他們就是違背上帝;反抗他或他們就是反抗上帝;反對他就是反對上帝;和他們爭鬥就是和上帝爭鬥;和他爭論就是和上帝爭論;否認他就是否認上帝;不信他就是不信上帝;偏離、脫離和背棄他誠然就是偏離、脫離和背棄上帝。」[3]
在這份遺囑中,守基·阿芬第被任命為首任聖護。阿博都巴哈同時在其中詳述了未來巴哈伊行政體系的結構,並釋明了選舉和任命程序。守基·阿芬第盡其一生,構建了選舉世界正義院所需的基礎體系。在此基礎上,世界正義院於1963年完成了首次選舉。
巴哈伊行政體系中,沒有專業的神職人員,一切事務由選舉產生的、無黨派屬性的自我管理組織完成。社群管理與道德管理這兩個宗教團體傳統機能,也並非通過個人執行,而是由兩個分支構成的組織性框架達到目的。
選舉體系
[編輯]巴哈伊選舉在巴哈伊社群中擁有權威的特定機構,這些機構被巴哈歐拉稱為"the Rulers"。這些機構的成員,在個人意義上沒有任何權威。僅當他們以適當的方式組成,並且以一個機構的名義作出決定時,此決定才在這個社群中被視為有效。巴哈歐拉曾設想一個由9位或更多的成年巴哈伊組成的最高正義院與地方正義院。阿博都巴哈則在他的遺囑中揭示了"第二級"或國家正義院。作為胚胎期的組織,國家和地方正義院目前以「靈體會」命名。一般認為,在將來時期成熟時,「靈體會」將成長為功能完善的正義院。
世界正義院在道德上被視為絕無謬誤的,雖然這一說法並非以顯而易見的方式被理解,因為世界正義院在不僅制定新的規範,也曾廢止自己之前制定的規範。當然世界正義院不能改動巴哈歐拉與阿博都巴哈在其著作中已明定的規範。國家靈體會與地方靈體會的決定一般必須得到執行,除非被上一級的由選舉產生的機構所否決。而僅當相應靈體會由適當的方式組成,且其出席會議的靈體會成員達到法定人數時,上述決定方為有效。這些決定的制定,通過一個適當的磋商程序。
世界正義院
[編輯]世界正義院(UHJ)是巴哈伊信仰的最高管理機構。在巴哈伊聖作中,世界正義院被確認為「至善之源且無繆的」。世界正義院的組成人員由五年一次的選舉選出,有選舉權的人是選舉時時任的國家靈體會的成員。
國家靈體會
[編輯]國家靈體會(NSA)一般以國家為單位組成。雖然存在某一地區的巴哈伊組建了自己的靈體會(如阿拉斯加)的情況。也有多國巴哈伊共同組建同一靈體會的,如波羅的海國家,加拿大與美國的巴哈伊在歷史上也曾屬於一個共同的靈體會管理。 國家靈體會的具體組建方式由世界正義院決定,並可視情況變更。如現在,美國與加拿大已有其自己的靈體會。每個國家靈體會每年由地方靈體會的代表選舉產生。
地區靈體會
[編輯]地區靈體會(RBC)存在於幾個較大的建立有國家靈體會的國家。他們受國家靈體會管理,由此靈體會所轄區域的地方靈體會的組成人員選舉。他們越來越多的負責起和社區成長與發展有關的活動,也在地方靈體會間有關上述方面事務的協調工作中扮演一定的角色,並對其提供相關指導。
地方靈體會
[編輯]地方靈體會(LSA)可以以城鎮、城市或縣為單位組成,並由當地巴哈伊每年一次的直接選舉組成。如果一個地區只有9個巴哈伊,那麼就沒有進行選舉活動的必要。地方靈體會負責在地方層面管理巴哈伊的社群生活與其他有關事務,包括十九日靈宴會的協調工作、聖日的紀念活動、葬禮服務、婚姻諮詢等等。在實踐中,上述職能也有通過地方靈體會任命的專業委員會完成的。
任命體系
[編輯]巴哈歐拉常常提及巴哈伊社群中的「博學者」們。此種類似其他宗教中由專業神職人員擔任的道德導師的職位,在巴哈伊中最是以聖輔的形式出現。巴哈歐拉、阿博都巴哈及守基·阿芬第都曾任命若干聖輔。因守基·阿芬第去世,出現了無聖可輔的情形,世界正義院遂建立了顧問系統作為替代。這些經由任命產生的成員以個人為單位履行職責,且沒有在具體的事務上發布命令的權威,作為擔任顧問角色的「博學者」,他們有道德義務對巴哈伊社群表達他們的擔憂和關切。他們常常提醒巴哈伊社群注意信仰核心機構的指導,或者在具體事情發生時提醒大家注意相關的經文。總體而言,他們的職責範圍無嚴格限定,但大致包括傳播信仰和維護信仰兩方面。
國際顧問
[編輯]國際顧問即國際研習中心的組成人員,是由世界正義院任命的九名巴哈伊。他們在巴哈伊世界中心協助世界正義院的工作。他們在國際層面對巴哈伊社群提供自己的建議,同時他們負責協調洲際顧問的服務工作。
洲際顧問
[編輯]洲際顧問即洲際委員會的組成人員。他們在信息流轉上扮演重要角色,如常和國家靈體會直接溝通,向某國的巴哈伊社群傳達巴哈伊世界中心的指令。他們往往集中負責一個或幾個國家的事務。
輔理會
[編輯]輔理會的成員由洲際顧問任命,他們在更小的地域內協助洲際顧問的工作。他們和相應地域內的地方靈體會或區域委員會一起為服務工作。在某一地域範圍內,通常有兩類輔理會,一類負責傳播信仰、一類負責維護巴哈伊社群。會雖然兩類工作常常重疊。兩類輔理會均直接向任命他們的洲際顧問負責。
助手
[編輯]助手,輔理會的成員有時在基層會任命一些助手。這些助手經常與基層的地方靈體會溝通,或常常在某些活動中發表講話,或者整理社群中巴哈伊成員的想法。有時,他們會有非常區域性的指導,如要求對某一城市的青年巴哈伊多加注意。助手依輔理會成員的需要,角色較為靈活。
Elections
[編輯]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/Baha%27i_nat%27l_election_Danang_2009.jpg/220px-Baha%27i_nat%27l_election_Danang_2009.jpg)
Bahá'ís consider their electoral process to be a sacred act, essential to the health of the community. Great effort is spent on organizing elections to meet with the exacting standards set by Shoghi Effendi.
Method
[編輯]Bahá'í elections use what is described as a three-stage councilor-republican system to determine electors. Who the electors are and who the eligible members are depends on the scope of the election. At all levels, only residents within the jurisdiction of the body being elected are eligible for membership. In general, adult Bahá'ís in good standing resident in the jurisdiction are both the electorate (either directly or through delegation) as well as the pool of potential members to serve on the body being elected.
Voting itself is held using a system sometimes called plurality-at-large. It is similar to a simple plurality election except that there are multiple positions open for election. In the typical case, there are nine memberships on an Assembly or House of Justice (barring by-elections), and therefore voters are given ballots with nine spaces, or are given nine separate ballots. Electors write the individual names of nine eligible Bahá'ís, without repeating. The nine Bahá'ís with the most votes are elected. In cases of tie votes for the ninth-least-populous vote (for example), a run-off election is held (unless one of the tied candidates is a member of a minority in the community and is deemed elected).
Bahá'í elections do not include any sort of constituency for members - all members are considered to be at-large. Members are chosen by the electorate based on Shoghi Effendi's stated criteria consisting of five qualities:
- "Let us recall His explicit and often-repeated assurance that every Assembly elected in that rarefied atmosphere of selflessness and detachment is in truth, appointed of God, that its verdict is truly inspired, that one and all should submit to its decision unreservedly and with cheerfulness ... the elector ... is called upon to vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection have inspired him to uphold... Hence it is incumbent upon the chosen delegates to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience... Nothing short of the all-encompassing, all-pervading power of His Guidance and Love can enable this newly enfolded order to gather strength and flourish amid the storm and stress of a turbulent age, and in the fullness of time vindicate its high claim to be universally recognized as the one Haven of abiding felicity and peace."[3]
非黨派性
[編輯]守基·阿芬第明確反對政黨政治和西方民主的其他實踐,如政治選舉、候選人提名等,因此:
- 提名和競選是禁止的。巴哈伊不應該以讓自己當選為目的推介自己。
- 巴哈伊在投票時徵詢他人的意見是不被鼓勵的。
- 巴哈伊在投票時以抽象、不具有個人指向性的方式學習和討論守基·阿芬第列舉的為大家服務所需的五項品質是被鼓勵的。
- 巴哈伊在投票時應僅僅以某人是否具有為大家服務所需的五項品質為基礎,而不是物質原因或其他特質,除非該特質可成為洞察該五項品質的依據。
- 當選的結果是服務。儘管當選人可能存在個人困難,請求當選人履行職責或替換當選人也是被允許的。
- 如果某類型的被選舉人屬於成員中的少數群體(在美國指的是少數種族),他將自動被授予該位置。如果被選舉人是否為少數群體這一事實並不十分明確,抑或對是否使用該規則發生了爭議,將在這一少數群體中舉行單獨選舉以做出決定。
守基·阿芬第認為這些要素對於選舉人合理的行使選舉權、達到選舉目的,同時防止選舉被操縱是很重要的。
Electoral scope
[編輯]Local or regional
[編輯]At the local (city, town, county) level of administration, the Local Spiritual Assembly, adult Bahá'ís in that particular locality get to vote once a year for their nine-member Local Spiritual Assembly.
In the United States, Canada, and India, regional councils are elected by members of these Local Spiritual Assemblies in an election conducted by mail. Again, no nominations occur, each Local Spiritual Assembly member is directed to submit the names of those individuals who are resident in the region they feel are best suited to serve.
Some larger Bahá'í communities, such as in the city of Toronto, Ontario in Canada, are slated to move to an indirect delegated system similar to that used in National elections.
National
[編輯]The selection of the National Spiritual Assembly is indirect using an electoral-unit delegation method. The nation is divided into voting districts or units. In each district the members are charged to select one or a few delegates who will represent them at the annual national convention, and who will vote for the members of the National Spiritual Assembly. The members at the local level then elect the individual(s) whom they believe will best represent them at the national convention, and who is the best qualified to vote for National Spiritual Assembly members. No input is provided to the delegate on whom to vote for in the national election. The number of delegates per country is determined by the Universal House of Justice according to the size of the national community[來源請求]; the National Spiritual Assembly determines the geographic area covered by each unit/district.[來源請求]
世界
[編輯]從1963年起,每五年,所有國家靈體會的成員都會被召集到位於以色列海法的巴哈伊世界中心參加國際會議並選舉產生世界正義院。選舉在一定程度上類似國家靈體會的產生方式。無法出席的人,可以以郵寄方式投票。
Service on multiple institutions
[編輯]Bahá'ís may, depending on circumstances, serve on multiple institutions. Members of National Spiritual Assemblies have served on Local Spiritual Assemblies, and assistants within the appointed institutions may serve on Local Spiritual Assemblies. However, beyond this there are several practical limitations. National Spiritual Assemblies may ask Local Spiritual Assemblies to excuse those who are members of both bodies from executive positions, to free their time to do the work of that National Spiritual Assemblies. Members of the Auxiliary Boards appointed by the Counsellors who are elected to such an institution are asked to choose to serve either in their elected or appointed capacity, but not both. Members of the Universal House of Justice do not simultaneously serve on other elected bodies, though this may not be a formal policy.
注釋
[編輯]- ^ Smith, Peter. administration (PDF). A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications: 24–29. 2000. ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
- ^ [1] [2]
- ^ Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 23 [Emphasis added]
參考文獻
[編輯]- `Abdu'l-Bahá. The Will And Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Mona Vale, N.S.W, Australia: Bahá'í Publications Australia. 1992 [1901-08]. ISBN 0909991472.
- Abizadeh, Arash (2005). "Democratic Elections without Campaigns? Normative Foundations of National Baha'i Elections." World Order 37.1: 7-49.
- Bahá'í World News Service (2005/05/18). "Baha'is hold unique democratic elections.".
- Bahá'u'lláh. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. 1992 [1873]. ISBN 0853989990.
- Bahá'u'lláh. Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. 1994 [1873-92]. ISBN 0877431744.
- Britannica (Eds.). Britannica Book of the Year. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Chicago,. 1992.
- Effendi, Shoghi. God Passes By. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. 1944. ISBN 0877430209.
- Effendi, Shoghi. Bahá'í Administration. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. 1974. ISBN 0877431663.
- Effendi, Shoghi. Principles of Bahá'í Administration 4th ed. London, UK: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. 1976. ISBN 0900125136.
- Effendi, Shoghi. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. 1938. ISBN 0877432317.
- MacEoin, Denis. Hinnells, John R. (ed) , 編. A New Handbook of Living Religions. Blackwell Publishers. 1997. ISBN 0-631-18275-6.
- Mitchell, Glenford E. Administration, Bahá'í. Bahá’í Encyclopedia Project. Evanston, IL: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá』ís of the United States. 2009.
- Nakhjavání, Alí. Towards World Order. Baha'i Publications Australia. 2005. ISBN 1876322934.
- Universal House of Justice. The Institution of the Counsellors. Bahá'í World Centre. 2001.
- Universal House of Justice. Research Department (compiler). Peace. Bahá'í World Centre. 1985.
- Universal House of Justice. Letter to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors. 2001-01-09.