e earth is a direct
evidence of the revelation within it of the attributes and names of God
... To a supreme degree is this true of man, who, among all created
things, ... hath been singled out for the glory of such distinction. For
in him are potentially revealed all the attributes and names of God to a
degree that no other created being hath excelled or surpassed.... And of
all men, the most accomplished, the most distinguished, and the most
excellent are the Manifestations of the Sun of Truth. Nay, all else
besides these Manifestations, live by the operation of their Will, and
move and have their being through the outpourings of their grace.(44)

Throughout history, the conviction of believers that the Founder of their
own religion occupied a unique station has had the effect of stimulating
intense speculation on the nature of the Manifestation of God. Such
speculation has, however, been severely hampered by the difficulties of
interpreting and resolving the allegorical allusions in past scriptures.
The attempt to crystallize opinion in the form of religious dogma has been
a divisive rather than unifying force in history. Indeed, despite the
enormous energy devoted to theological pursuits--or perhaps because of
it--there are today profound differences among Muslims as to the precise
station of Muhammad, among Christians as to that of Jesus, and among
Buddhists with respect to the Founder of their own religion. As is all too
apparent, the controversies created by these and other differences within
any one given tradition have proven at least as acute as those separating
that tradition from its sister faiths.

Particularly important to an understanding of Baha'u'llah's teachings on
the unity of religions, therefore, are His statements about the station of
the successive Messengers of God and the functions performed by them in
the spiritual history of humankind:

[The] Manifestations of God have each a twofold station. One is the
station of pure abstraction and essential unity. In this respect, if thou
callest them all by one name, and dost ascribe to them the same
attributes, thou hast not erred from the truth....

The other station is the station of distinction, and pertaineth to the
world of creation, and to the limitations thereof. In this respect, each
Manifestation of God hath a distinct individuality, a definitely
prescribed mission, a predestined revelation, and specially designated
limitations. Each one of t