Bhagavan Baba – Spiritual
directions/advice on Operation of Sai Centers
Questions &
Answers
Published by Sri
Sathya Sai Central Council of Malaysia in conjunction with the MINI CONFERENCE
of FAR EASTERN Sai Centers Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 1984
FOREWORD
It is not often that
a number of devotees from one Sai Centre have an opportunity to make a
contribution that will we hope to benefit the entire World Sai family. It is thus
with humility and a prayer for the grace of Bhagawan that we offer this booklet
as our contribution to the total Sai cause.
Bhagawan has often
talked of the role of Sai Centers, the responsibility of office bearers and
other coordinators in the proper execution of their role, as torch
bearers to the great cause that Sai has undertaken-the spiritual transformation
of man. However, all the urgings, warnings, advice, encouragement etc. that
Bhagawan has given is buried in innumerable speeches made over a period of time
some made during periods when readers of this Foreword would not even have
heard about Sai. Thus there is a danger that these words of Bhagawan on the
raison purpose of the formation of Sai Centers, the way they should be run, the
responsibilities of leaders etc., could get buried in books, in the various
volumes of “Sathya Sai Speaks” etc.: without having the salutary impact on the
legions of devotees joining the ranks of the Sai movement daily.
This publication is
thus an attempt to revive the words of Sai and to put it into an easily
readable form, so that it becomes an easy reference source when Sai devotees in
a Sai Centre lose their sense of perspective or wish to see what is Swami's
last (or first) word on relevant subjects.
Some Sai Centers
around the world seem to be beset with innumerable problems, the types of which
should not be prevalent in organizations dedicated to promoting Universal Love
and Unity. To give the kindest interpretation to the actions of some of the
leaders and devotees in these Centers, is perhaps to assume that they were not
aware of the spiritual directions of SAI and thus their actions and problems
have arisen out of ignorance. This book is designed to cut into the Gordian
Knot of ignorance, so that at least ignorance cannot be an excuse in the future
for non-Sai behavior.
A small team of
dedicated SAI Brothers and Sisters from the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre,
Bangsar, Sathya SAI Nila yam, Kuala Lumpur, lead by Sai Brother R.T. (Major)
Sundram, have scoured through numerous texts of Sai speeches, to extract the
jewels of relevance, that must form the spiritual crown for Sai Centers. This
effort by these devotees whose names are listed below (and they least expect
this) is offered to the world family of Sai through the Sri Sathya Sai Central
Council of Malaysia. The format of the presentation is as though one is having
an intimate discussion with Swami on all the topics relating to Sai Centre
activities (one should be so lucky!). The questions have been framed to suit
the various statements made by Swami on the relevant topics.
From reading this one
will realize that all the rules and regulations drawn up by the World Council
of Sathya Sai Organizations for Sai Centers are all directly taken from Swami's
directives. Thus, devotees are advised that, even if you find some of the rules
and regulations irksome to you, you are required to put aside your personal
feelings and follow faithfully, as these are divine directives! As long as one
does not accept Baba as his/her Guru one is free to question and doubt the validity
of some injunctions; however, once you have accepted Baba as your Guru – than
no more questions - surrender to His will and He will guide you. As we develop
spiritually the reasons for the guidelines will become apparent to us. This has
been a Labor of Love, a dedication to Sai for the benefit of all. We pray that
this will be a useful tool for all Sai devotees and especially members of Sai
Centers to keep them within the framework of the objectives of Sai Centers and
ensure that they do not inadvertently stray from the spiritual path.
At the lotus feet of
Sai we offer this humble effort.
SAI RAM - J.
JAGADEESAN (Advisor - Sri Sathya SAI Central Council of Malaysia)
EDITORIAL BOARD
SHANTI JAGADEESAN, SANTA
KRISHNAN, DR. WONG KAN FATT, T. C. NADARAJAH, RICHARD WONG, DANIEL YEOH KEE
CHONG, KIRANKUMAR, T. R. (MAJOR) SUNDRAM
INTRODUCTION
With the advent of
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and his call for the re-establishment of Sanathana
Dharma (Eternal Righteousness), people all over the world, of various
nationalities, religions, castes, colors and creeds are fast becoming His
devotees. This has thus given birth to Sai Organizations /Sai Centers all over
the world.
The Sathya Sai
Organization’s aim is to establish the essential "unity" of all
faiths and propagate through examples and practice, the principles of Truth
(Sathya), Righteousness (Dharma), Peace (Shanti) and Love (Prema). The Sathya
Sai Organization thus seeks to "awaken in man the awareness of the
Divinity inherent in him".
With the growth and
development of the Sathya Sai Organizations, a Charter was granted by Bhagawan
Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 14th January, 1981 to the Sai Organizations and
devotees, which is as follows:
CHARTER
It is hereby
declared:
A.
That
this shall be the Charter governing the Sathya Sai Organizations all over the
world.
B.
That
all the office bearers and members of this Organization at present and all
those who will join this Organization shall be one in Deed and in Name, by the
name of Sri Sathya Sai organizations and as such, they shall be entitled to
carry on the activities in the name of the Organization.
C.
That
in order to achieve the objectives as laid down herein above, the members shall
follow a strict code of Conduct of Sadhana (Spiritual Exercises) so that they
become worthy instruments of our Divine Master in the efforts to fulfill the
objectives of this Organization.
D.
That
no person shall be qualified to associate himself or herself as office bearer
or worker with this Organization, who willfully deviate from the Code of
Conduct laid down hereinafter:
CODE OF CONDUCT
That in order to
remember continuously Bhagawan' s teachings and in order to put the same into
practice and to be worthy instruments of our Divine Master, every member must
undergo Sadhana -a spiritual discipline which should be merged with day to day
life so as to make Sadhana (Spiritual Exercises) a part of his or her
worldly life, and every member shall make his or her "Family as a
Unit" for such Sadhana (Spiritual Exercise):-Thus with a view to qualify
to be a true member of the Organization, the following guidelines shall be
followed:
1.
Everyday meditation (Japa).
2.
Bhajan
with all members of the family once a week.
3.
Participation
in Bal Vikas Program by children of the family.
4.
Participation
in community work and other programs of the Organization.
5.
Attendance
at least once a month at bhajan or Nagar Sankirtan organized by
the Organization.
6.
Regular
study of Sai literature.
7.
To
speak softly with everyone.
8.
Not
to indulge in talking ill of others, especially in their absence.
9.
Narayana Seva - some cereals to be kept separate every day
to feed the needy and to form a habit of not wasting food.
Whilst the Code of
Conduct is fairly clear and easily understood, there have been instances where
devotees have misinterpreted it or have not carried it out correctly. With the
increasing numbers of new devotees and the increasing number of activities and
responsibilities of Sai Organizations there is a need to remind devotees of the
purpose of Sai Centers, the conduct of devotees, the services to be rendered,
etc. so that the passing of time and the increasing numbers of Centers do not
blunt or dilute the message of Bhagawan to all active members.
Bhagawan, through his
numerous discourses, messages, and interviews has given
devotees guidelines, pertaining to the Code of Conduct in the Charter of the
Sathya Sai Organization and has instructed how it should be carried out. Such
guidelines by Bhagawan must be taken advantage of to ensure that devotees do
not inadvertently, either from the lack of enthusiasm or from over-zealousness,
deviate from their Sadhana or from the true functions of Sai Centers.
This book has been
compiled to provide guidance for devotees and Organizations in the form of
questions and answers. The answers are extracts from Bhagawan's discourses and
the questions have been framed to highlight the pertinent points. The books
from which the extracts have been obtained are indicated at the bottom of each
of Bhagawan' s answers.
This will enable
devotees to go back to the source texts so that the actual context of Bhagawan's statements may be obtained. It is hoped that this book will serve the needs
of the Sathya Sai Organizations and ensure that active members and devotees have
a better understanding of the spirit and later of Bhagawan' s call to devotees,
thus enhancing the smooth functioning of Sathya Sai Organizations.
