The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation was
founded in the 1960s by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba to enable
its members to undertake service activities as a means to
spiritual advancement. The Sathya Sai Organisation derives
inspiration, guidance and strength from Bhagawan Baba’s
mission and message of propagating the truth of man’s
inherent divinity, which is proclaimed and preached by all
religions of the world. In consonance with this truth, the
Organisation has as its main objective selfless love and service
without any distinction of religion, nationality, race, socio-economic
status, either for those who work in the Organisation or for
those who are served by them. Thus, it transcends all barriers,
leading humanity towards the ideal of "Fatherhood
of God and Brotherhood of Man";.
In fact, this spiritual basis enables every one in the Organisation
to pursue his own religion better by putting its teachings
into practice by way of love and service to the God who dwells
in all hearts. That is why the Sai Organisation features in
its emblem the symbols of some of the major religions of the
world. There is no fee or subscription for membership. .
OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANISATION
The principal
objectives of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation are:
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To help the individual -
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To be aware of the Divinity that is
inherent in him and to conduct himself accordingly;
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To translate into practice in daily
life, divine love and perfection; and therefore
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To fill one’s life with joy,
harmony, beauty, grace, human excellence and lasting
happiness;
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To ensure that all human relations are
governed by the principles of Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Right
Conduct), Shanthi (Peace), Prema (Love) and Ahimsa (Non-violence).
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To make devotees more sincere and dedicated
in the practice of their respective religions by understanding
properly the true spirit of their religion.
How are the
Objectives attained?
The above-mentioned objectives are attained
in the following manner:
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By observing the four principles laid
down by Bhagawan Baba, namely:
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There is only One religion, the religion of Love
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There is only One caste, the caste of humanity
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There is only One language, the language of the Heart
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There is only One God, He is omnipresent.
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By constant remembrance of God and looking
upon all creation as a manifestation of Divinity in different
forms and shapes;
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By underlining the essential unity of
all religions and securing proper understanding of all
religions as being based on Love;
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By looking upon all work as service dedicated to the
Divine;
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By bringing to bear upon all life’s
problems, attitudes flowing from Divine Love, such as,
understanding, compassion, tolerance, helpfulness, etc.
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By basing all actions on Love of Divinity, fear of sin
and steadfast observance of morality in society;
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By engaging in spiritual, educational
and service activities, both at the individual and community
level, in an organized, systematic manner, without expecting
any material reward or appreciation, but solely as a means
to win God’s Love and Grace.
Activities
of the Organisation
The Organization undertakes spiritual, educational
and service activities under the inspiration and guidance
of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba through the Sri Sathya Sai
Samithis / Centres all over the globe.
Spiritual activities include
devotional singing, study circles, public lectures, seminars,
meditation etc.
Educational activities cover
‘Bal Vikas’ (for children) and Education in Human
Values Programmes, besides formal academic education combined
with the development of the character of the students for
age group of 6 to 15.
Service activities include
items such as organizing medical check-up camps, adoption
of under-developed villages for accelerating rural development,
blood donation, old age homes, etc.
Code of Conduct
Every member of the Organisation must undertake
Sadhana (spiritual discipline) as an integral part of his
daily life and abide by the following Code of Conduct: -
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Daily meditation and prayer (according to one's own religious
practice).
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Devotional singing / prayer with members of his family
once a week.
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Attendance by one’s children in the Bal Vikas
/ Educational programs conducted by the Samithi / Centre.
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Participation in community service and other programs
of the Organization.
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Attendance at least once a month in group devotional
singing organised by the Organization.
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Regular study of Spiritual literature with special reference
to Sai Teachings.
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Putting into practice the principle
of ‘Ceiling on Desires’ and utilizing any
savings thereby generated for the service of mankind.
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Speaking softly and lovingly with everyone with whom
one comes into contact.
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Not indulging in talking ill of others, especially in
their absence.
Structure of
the Organisation
The apex body of the organisation is the
‘Prasanthi Council’, headquartered in Prasanthi
Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh. It is this body that oversees the
functioning of the Sai Organisations worldwide. The Prasanthi
council consists of the All-India President, the Chairman
of the Overseas Organisations and few other senior members
of the Sai Family appointed by Bhagawan Baba Himself.
The policies, decisions and directives of
the Prasanthi Council are handed down through the state level
units and central coordinators to the entire organisation,
right down to the grassroots levels for assimilation and implementation.
The Sai Organisation, from small beginnings
in a remote little hamlet, in South India, has grown into
a well-knit, purposeful and service-oriented global organisation
of dedicated men and women. With its organisational units
in all Indian states and over 170 other countries, it is striving
every day selflessly to bring in a new world order governed
by peace, love, unity and harmony.
Indian Organisation
The structure
of the Sai organisation in India consists of:
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The All-India President who guides and supervises the
activities of the organisations in all the states of India.
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The All-India President is assisted by
the All-India Coordinators of Spiritual, Educational and
Service wing and also Zonal coordinators for Eastern,
Western, Southern and Northern regions of India.
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Every state has its own State President
who appoints District Coordinators for every district
of the particular state. The State President is also assisted
by the State-level Mahila (women) Coordinators for each
wing i.e., Spiritual, Educational and Service.
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The District Coordinator of every district,
in turn, selects the Convenors of every Sai Samithi (centre).
Every Samithi has its own Spiritual, Educational and Service
coordinator selected by the Convenor.
Overseas Organisation
Regions: For the purpose
of the administration, the Overseas Organisation is structured
into regions in the following manner:
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Every region has one or more Central
Coordinators who are appointed by the Overseas chairman
of International Sai Organisation. The Central Coordinators
disseminate policies, directives and messages received
from the Prasanthi Council.
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Every country which has ten or more Sai
Centres has a Central Council, and a Coordinating Committee
is in place in every country where there are less than
ten but more than three Sai Centres.
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The Central Council or the Coordinating
Committee, as the case may be, selects the heads of every
Sai Centre.
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A minimum of nine members is required for the formation
of a Sai Centre.
Excerpts from
Bhagawan's Discourses with respect to the Sai Organisation
Bhagawan has on many occasions elaborated
on the concept of seva and the ideals of the Seva Organisation.
In a discourse given on 18th November 1984, He said:
“The uniqueness of the Sri Sathya Sai
Seva Organisation consists in the fact that it regards seva
(selfless service) as a form of service to the Divinity that
is in each being. The bliss that is derived from such service
is incomparable. It is a spiritual experience.”
From: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. XVI, Chapter
- 27.
In a revealing discourse that Baba delivered
on the 23rd of February, 1968 in Prasanthi Nilayam, Baba made
the purpose of the organisation very clear when He said,
“The Organisations named after Me are
not to be used for publicising My Name, or creating a new
cult around My worship. They must try to spread interest in
japam (recitation of God's Name), dhyaanam (meditation) and
other sadhanas (spiritual practices), which lead man Godward;
they must demonstrate the joy derivable from bhajan (devotional
group singing) and Naamasmarana (remembering God's Name),
the Shaanthi (peace) that one can draw from Sathsang (good
company).
They must render seva (service) to the helpless,
the sick, the distressed, the illiterate and the needy. Their
seva (selfless service) should not be exhibitionistic; it
must seek no reward, not even gratitude or thanks from the
recipients. Seva is sadhana (spiritual exercise), not a pastime
of the rich and well placed. Each one must realize this truth.
From: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol.
VIII, Chapter- 6.
“It is the duty of all those who are
connected with the Sathya Sai Organisations to promote spiritual
discipline and dedicate their lives to social service for
leading a purposeful life. To promote the awareness of Divinity
in human beings and build a genuine sense of brotherhood among
people, should be their primary aim.”
- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse in Prasanthi
Nilayam on 22-11-1980
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. XIV, Chapter-56.
“Members of Sathya Sai Organisations
must not cavil at other Names and Forms of God; they should
not become fanatics blind to the Glory of other Names and
Forms. They should join those that honour those other manifestations
and demonstrate that all Names and Forms are Mine. They should
contribute to the joy and happiness of all without giving
up their faith.”
- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse in Prasanthi
Nilayam on 18-05-1968
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. VIII, Chapter-21
“Ostentation is a demonic quality.
It encourages egoism and megalomania. One should seek to acquire
a good name through selfless service alone. It should be done
with humility and sincerity. One who aspires to become a national
leader must first know how to render service. He should not
seek office or position. The Sai organizations have been set
up for rendering service and not to establish official positions.
Seva (service) should be done out of a sense of duty.”
- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse in Prasanthi
Nilayam on 20-11-1990
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. XXIII, Chapter-31
“Sai organisations must endeavour to
promote faith in God. If that foundation is absent, worship,
bhajan (devotional singing), puja (worship), acts of charity
- all become meaningless, mechanical rituals, done under social
compulsion. Inner transformation can be acquired only when
these are done with faith.”
- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse in Madras
(now Chennai) on 21-04-1967
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. VII, Chapter-18
“Members of the Sai Organisation and
those who adhere to the Universal Path to Sai should not be
carried away by ideas of inferiority or superiority based
on differences of religion, caste or creed. They should honour
the virtues of faith, steadfastness, sincerity, purity, wherever
found.”
- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse on 17th Oct
1972 in Prasanthi Nilayam
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. XI, Chapter –
42.
“Members of the Sai Organisation must
carry on their work with the firm faith that all are the children
of one God. They must carry on their service activities in
a spirit of unselfish dedication to the Divine. The practice
of pure, unselfish love is the only way to attain God. They
should purify their hearts and minds, regarding their body
as the temple of the Divine.”
- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse on 12th May
1984 in Mumbai
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. XVII, Chapter –
11.