磋商、投票与领导

They must . . . proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to express their views. They must in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in one’s views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden. The honored members must with all freedom express their own thoughts, and it is in no wise permissible for one to belittle the thought of another. . .  ——Abdu’l-Baha... 

发表意见时，他们……必须态度认真、有礼、庄重、关心、中庸，任何事都要找出真相，不要只顾发表自己的意见。顽固和坚持己见，最终必定导致分歧和争执，而真理依旧隐而不露。受尊敬的成员们，必须自由地表达自己的见解，但不可鄙视他人的看法……——阿博都-巴哈。

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The purpose is to emphasize the statement that consultation must have for its object the investigation of truth. He who expresses an opinion should not voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a contribution to the consensus of opinion…Man should weigh his opinions with the utmost serenity, calmness and composure. Before expressing his own views he should carefully consider the views already advanced by others. If he finds that a previously expressed opinion is more true and worthy, he should accept it immediately and not willfully hold to an opinion of his own. By this excellent method he endeavors to arrive at unity and truth. ——Abdu’l-Baha.. 

这是为了强调磋商要以寻找真相为目的。一个人提出了一个观点之后，不要当它是正确无误的，而应当作给那意见的讲坛做出他的贡献……要以非常平静的心，冷静、从容地衡量自己的观点。发言前应先仔细考虑别人已经讲过的话。假如觉得别人的见解更好，更有价值，要马上接受，不应固执己见。以这优越的方法人们可以抵达团结和真理的边岸。——阿博都-巴哈。

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The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to His exalted Threshold. 

共同磋商最重要的条件是，参与者须有纯洁的动机、焕发的精神、超脱的思想、一心朝向上天，并陶然于祂的芬芳，在祂喜爱的人们面前谦卑低下、在困难中坚持忍耐，并具备在祂神圣的门槛前服务的精神。

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Baha’is are not required to vote on an assembly against their consciences. It is better if they submit to the majority view and make it unanimous. But they are not forced to. What they must do, however, is to abide by the majority decision, as this is what becomes effective. They must not go around undermining the Assembly by saying they disagreed with the majority. In other words, they must put the Cause first and not their own opinions. ——Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary.

灵理会成员不必昧着良心投票，如果同意于大多数使达到一致，当然最好，但是他们不必强迫自己这样做。然而遵守大多数人的决定，才是有效的。他们不可事后向人诉说，自己不同意某某决定，虽然其他人大多同意，那将会破坏灵理会。他们需把灵理会置于自己的意见之前。——守基‧阿芬第，由秘书代笔。

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If they agree upon a subject, even though it be wrong, it is better than to disagree and be in the right, for this difference will produce the demolition of the divine foundations. Though one of the parties may be in the right and they disagree, that will be the cause of a thousand wrongs, but if they agree and both parties are in the wrong, as it is in unity, the truth will be revealed and the wrong made right. ——Abdu’l-Baha.. 

假如他们同意某事，虽然是错的，却比看到了正确，大家却不能同意来得好。因为分歧将摧毁神圣团结的基础。若有一方是对的，其他人却不能认同，各持己见，这将是一千个错误的开始。但是假如他们同意于一个决定，可是两方都是错的，却因为大家团结，他们迟早会把真相找出来，把错误纠正过来。——阿博都-巴哈。

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The duties of those whom the friends have freely and conscientiously elected as their representatives are no less vital and binding than the obligations of those who have chosen them. Their function is not to dictate, but to consult, and consult not only among themselves, but as much as possible with the friends whom they represent. They must regard themselves in no other light but that of chosen instruments for a more efficient and dignified presentation of the Cause of God. They should never be led to suppose that they are the central ornaments of the body of the Cause, intrinsically superior to others in capacity or merit, and sole promoters of its teachings and principles. They should approach their task with extreme humility, and endeavor, by their open-mindedness, their high sense of justice and duty, their candor, their modesty, their entire devotion to the welfare and interests of the friends, the Cause, and humanity, to win, not only the confidence and the genuine support and respect of those whom they serve, but also their esteem and real affection. They must, at all times, avoid the spirit of exclusiveness, the atmosphere of secrecy, free themselves from a domineering attitude, and banish all forms of prejudice and passion from their deliberations. They should, within the limits of wise discretion, take the friends into their confidence, acquaint them with their plans, share with them their problems and anxieties, and seek their advice and counsel. ——Shoghi Effendi 

由朋友们凭着良知自由地选出来的代表，所受到的约束和必须服从的义务，并不比那些投选他们的社区朋友们来得少，他们的工作不是指挥，而是征询。不仅在内部自己互相征询，也须尽量跟他们所代表的社众征询，要当自己为一个被上天挑选的工具，有效而庄重地将上天的圣道传达，除此之外不作他想。切不可产生一个错觉，以为自己是圣道体内一个中心的饰物，觉得自己聪明过人，能力比人强，下意识里自认是教义和原则主要的推动者。他们要非常谦虚的执行任务，为了教友、圣道和人类的福祉，为了赢取服务对象的信任、真诚的支持和真情的对待，要以开明的思想、高度正义感和责任心，坦率而谦卑地，全心投入工作，奋斗不息。他们在随时随地的言谈举止中，不可有好强独断的作风和神秘兮兮的举止，态度不可专横嚣张，处事要以智慧来斟酌，不可有偏见或感情上的偏袒。这样，使社众对他们产生信心，更了解他们的计划，向他们倾述困难和忧虑，也给他们提出忠告和劝谏。——守基‧阿芬第。

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