- Address: Panama, Republic of Panama
- Website: bahai.org
- Tel .: +507 231-1191
- Project: Peter Thilotson
The Republic of Panama is a secular, multiethnic and religious state. But it would be a mistake to consider that the medieval conquest and the active conquest of the territory by the Spaniards are a guarantee of solid Catholicism. For the past 100 years, communities and temples of other religions began to appear in the country. About 2% of Panamanians profess Bahaism and build their own temples - houses of worship.
House of Bahá'í worship in Panama
Let's start with the fact that in Baha'iz the temple is usually called the "house of worship." In the world, such homes exist on all continents. One of the seven operating houses of Bahá'í worship is in Panama , the capital of the Republic. They built it on the project of Peter Tylotson. The first stone was laid in 1967, and the opening of the temple took place only in 1972. Like all Bahá'í buildings, the Panamanian temple has a nine-cornered shape and a central dome.
Houses of worship of the Bahá'ís are also called Mother Temples. In Panama, the temple was built from the local stone on the high cliff of Cerro Sonsonate, from where a good view of the whole city opens. In the Panamanian house of worship, as in others, volunteers work, which accept visitors, serve the temple and conduct prayer programs for all comers.
What is interesting about the Panamanian temple?
At first glance it might seem that the house of Bahá'í worship in Panama is too simple and inconspicuous. But this is only outside, and besides it is worth remembering the seismically active zone of this region. The first thing that you pay attention to - a stairway to the sky rises from the temple.
The temple itself is visible from afar - the white walls reflect sunlight. Around the house of worship is broken a beautiful garden, where flowering trees and flower beds grow. Visitors to the temple can pray both inside and outside, for example, at a small artificial pond with fish.
It is worth noting that the interior decoration is very modest: there are no paintings, musical instruments, statues, gilding and other attributes of church authority. Everything is simple and without luxury, here simply read the sacred texts of different religions in the original without their interpretation and sermons.
How to get into the house of Bahá'í worship?
Before the Panamanian house of Bahá'í worship, it is easier to take a taxi, and then walk a little up the hill. Admission is free for all, regardless of gender and religion. In Bahaism, there are no excursions to the temples, but always welcome your participation in a religious or scientific event. The only thing you can try to ask your questions to a temple worker. But if you are not a member of the community, a donation from you will not be accepted.
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