Purity is
Enlightenment
Report from the 11th
World Conference of the Shri Sathya Sai International Organization, November
19-24, 2025, at Sai Prema Nilayam in Riverside, California, on the occasion of
the 100th anniversary of the Avatar's advent on Earth.
Introduction and
Significance of the Venue
I had the honor of
participating in the 11th World Conference of the Shri Sathya Sai Baba
Organization in California, at a beautiful place called Sai Prema Nilayam.
Swami said: “Spread My message to every corner of the world.” In
accordance with this message, the Sai Organization's World Conference was held
outside India for the second time. The first time was in Rome on October 31,
1983. (link to full Swami's message: Unity is Divinity | Sri Sathya Sai Speaks)
Sai Prema Nilayam:
The Abode of Divine Love
Sai Prema Nilayam in
Riverside, California, is the center of the Shri Sathya Sai International
Organization, established through the efforts of devotees to serve as a hub for
spiritual, educational, and service activities. The creation of this place is the
story of transforming a former Mormon property, of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, into a Center radiating spiritual energy. It was
purchased on October 20, 2021, the anniversary of the Avatar Declaration. This “Abode
of Sai's Divine Love” now hosts a variety of spiritual, educational,
and service programs. It is a testament to the power of unity among devoted Sai
devotees. Currently, 4 hectares of land around the temple are owned by the
Sathya Sai Organization.
Organizational
Infrastructure and Logistics
For the duration of
the conference, huge tents were set up to serve as dining halls, separate for
women and men. Other tents were designated for children's activities, youth,
and workshops. Attendees from distant parts of the world were accommodated in nearby
hotels at affordable prices. Mini-buses shuttled participants back and forth
between the hotels and the temple. The costs of transportation between the
hotels and the center, the costs of the magnificent meals, and the
organizational costs were all free for the participants. I asked the organizers
about the financing of this venture. They told me that local Sai devotees
covered all the expenses.
Hospitality and
Multimedia Presentations
The decorations with
fresh flowers on the altar, the cleanliness inside and outside the building,
and the magnificent gardens—all filled us with admiration. 1,200 delegates from
over 55 countries attended the conference. Each of us was met with extraordinary
hospitality and care for our comfort. All speakers' presentations were preceded
by films with excerpts from Sathya Sai's discourses. Huge monitors were
installed on the expansive temple nave for better visibility. The very rich
program celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the Avatar's advent on Earth
included speeches by many speakers, processions, concerts, panels, debates,
workshops, and performances by children and youth. Joy, happiness, and a sense
of the momentous occasion dominated the presentations.
November 19: Ladies'
Day Celebrations
On the first day of
the celebrations, November 19, just as always in Puttaparthi, Ladies' Day was
celebrated. The entire day's program was dedicated solely to women. During the
day, events included: morning prayers, including the devotional sunrise song Suprabatham
(every day) chanted by a soloist, the opening ceremony by lighting two oil
lamps, speeches by women, etc. The themes of the speeches were: “Blessed are
the pure in heart - for they shall see God” (Ms. Mataji Vrajaprana),
“From 'I' to 'We' to 'He' - Striving for His Lotus Feet” (Ms.
Shruthi Vijayakumar), and the day concluded with a speech by Ms. Jenny
Monson. She has been a member of the Shri Sathya Sai International
Organization (SSSIO) since 1986, the year she first came to Swami. She
currently serves as Zone 3 President (Australia and Fiji) and was formerly the
National President of the Sai Organization in Australia.
Artistic Tributes and
the Sarva Dharma Choir
Large portraits of
the Mother of God (Mary) and Eswaramma were displayed on the altar. Two
concerts took place on this day of the Women's celebration. In the morning, we
enjoyed the magnificent voice of Evelyn Kanepi from Estonia. Among other
songs, she sang Ave Maria. Coincidentally, the camera was set up to show Evelyn
against the backdrop of Santa Mariya. In the evening, we listened to a concert
by the Sarva Dharma Choir under the direction of Maria Quoos. The choir
members hail from Poland, as well as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
November 20:
International Unity and Global Leadership
On November 20, a
solemn ceremony took place to put the flags of many countries around the world
on the altar. The flags were carried by delegates from countries outside the
USA and placed in special stands just before the altar. The moderator of the
ceremony consecutively read out the names of the countries, and the flag with
the country's name appeared on the monitors. Next, a welcoming speech was
delivered by Dr. Narendranath Reddy – Chairman of the Shri Sathya Sai
International Organization. The speakers that day also included: Dr.
Leonardo Gutter from Argentina and Dr. Suresh Govind from Malaysia
(members of the Sathya Sai Organization's board). Dr. Madhuri Manohar
spoke briefly about the power of visualization. This day also featured:
storytelling about transformation, workshops, panels, and games.
November 21:
Interreligious Dialogue on Purity
On the morning of
November 21, representatives of various religions led a dialogue on the topic
of purity. The moderator was: Swami Mahayogananda (from the Ramakrishna
Monastery in Trabuco Canyon, California), Imam Mahmoud Harmoush
(Director of the Islamic Center of Riverside, California), Father Alvaro
Palacios (Priest of the Catholic Church in Riverside), Rabbi Guershon
Kwasniewski (President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism), Swami
Sarvadevananda (Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of Southern
California), and Venerable Hui Ze (from the International Buddha's Light
Association).
Spiritual Lessons and
Cultural Programs
The speakers this day
were: Mr. Miguel Montes from Mexico (“A Second Birth: A Journey of Faith
and Family”) and Dr. Sunder Iyer – Yoga Teacher (“Living with
Shri Sathya Sai Baba – Lessons in Purity”). On this day, we listened to
two concerts. The first presented the music of the Indian state of Karnataka,
conducted by Ms. Anuradha Sridhar. In the evening, the Sarva Dharma
Choir, led by Maria Quoos, honored us with their songs for the second time.
November 22: Debates
and Conversations on Divinity
On November 22, we
enjoyed a debate on: “The Most Effective Path to Divinity: Service,
Devotion, or Knowledge?” The debate was moderated by: Mr. Lakshman
Mantha (an active member of the Sai Organization's Young Adult wing). There
were seven debaters. The speakers that day were: Dr. Suresh Govind and Mr.
Sriram Sankar (“The Golden Age – Sown to Awaken”). Early in
the evening, we listened to a public heart-to-heart conversation between Dr.
Narendranath Reddy and Dr. Suresh Govind. Later, there were
performances by children and youth from the Sai Organization's Young Adult
wing.
November 23:
Celebrating the 100th Birthday of the Avatar
On Shri Sathya Sai's
Birthday, November 23, there were, as usual, solemn prayers at 6 AM, Suprabatham,
a procession around the temple, and later a second procession with a palanquin[1] in which a portrait of Sai
Baba was placed. All processions were accompanied by singing hymns praising
God. The altar decoration was enriched with an even greater quantity of fresh
flowers. A swing for Swami and a large photo of Swami reading letters appeared
on the stage. Next to it stood a large “mailbox” into which designated people
deposited our letters.
The Sacred Golden
Lingam and Morning Addresses
Throughout the day, a
golden Lingam, which Swami had materialized through his mouth, was displayed on
the altar. The Lingam is in the possession of Dr. Reddy, who performs a daily
ritual of washing the Lingam with water. This water has healing properties and
is distributed and sent to sick people. In the morning, after listening to an
excerpt from a Sathya Sai discourse, Dr. Narendranath Reddy solemnly welcomed
us. Young adults presented their musical pieces titled “Purity is
Enlightenment.” Later, Ms. Aparna Chitturi (“A Lifetime Chance
with Sri Sathya Sai”) and Mr. Aravind Balasubramanya (“Glory
of Shri Sathya Sai”) spoke.
Afternoon Ceremonies
and Collective Memories
At noon, Evelyn
Kanepi from Estonia sang. In the afternoon, Mr. Satyajit Salian spoke on
the topic: “Living with Shri Sathya Sai – The Embodiment of Divine Love.”
In the afternoon, all delegates gathered outside the temple on the avenue and
adjacent parking lot to pose for photos and video. A drone flew over our heads
from various directions, filming the crowds of people. At one point, large
birds flew over our heads. They reminded me of the ones that live in Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Birthday Cakes and
Musical Finale
In the evening, there
was a solemn offering and cutting of two birthday cakes, which were later
served during dinner. The highlight of the evening was an instrumental concert
titled “Whispers from Infinity.” The soloist of the ensemble was Mr.
U. Rajesh, popularly known as Mandolin Rajesh, an Indian
mandolinist, a member of a music group from Karnataka, a music producer, and a
composer. He was accompanied by four other instruments, such as the veena and
three types of small drums.
November 24: Final
Addresses and Closing
On the last day,
November 24, the speakers were: Dr. Leonardo Gutter, Mr. Aravind
Balasubramanya, and Mr. Satyajit Salian. The solemn closing ceremony
took place at 12:30 PM. During the conference, I freely distributed and
sometimes applied stickers to cars with Sai Baba's slogans such as “Love All,
Serve All,” “Help Ever, Hurt Never,” and other quotes, as well as a contour
portrait of Swami. In total, I managed to distribute 350 stickers.
Reflecting on the
Atmosphere of Unity
Throughout the
conference, we were accompanied by sunny weather, an atmosphere of joy,
brotherhood, and unity. Everyone was very happy to be able to participate in
such a solemn celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the Avatar Shri
Sathya Sai's descent to Earth.
Personal Experiences
and Synchronicities
I experienced several
unexpected events during the conference. When I arrived at my hotel, the first
person waiting for me at the door was my long-unseen friend, Eugenia. After
unpacking, when I went downstairs to the hotel lobby, I met my second close friend,
Maria Quoos. Not long ago, someone gave me a CD with songs by German Sai
devotees set to words by Phillis Krystal. I brought this CD to the conference,
hoping I might meet someone from Germany. When I went for my first meal, I sat
right next to a devotee from Germany who was once the coordinator of the Sai
Organization's spiritual wing and was involved in music. I gave her the CD. She
was happy with the gift.
Signs and Spiritual
Reminders
During a break
between presentations, a volunteer called me out of the hall. He directed me to
a nearby room. There was a marble statue of Shirdi Baba there, and the people
gathered around were taking turns performing the arati ritual before the
statue. I was given a flaming oil lamp with a handle and a stand, on which were
fresh rose petals. While I was slowly tracing circles with the lamp, the stand
fell off, making a loud noise as the metal rolled across the marble floor. The
rose petals scattered. I felt our Master calling out to me, “Wake up.” When the
drone was filming over my head, I noticed a bee holding a small blade of grass
in its tiny legs. Perhaps Swami was saying to me, “You work like this little
bee.”
Conclusion: A
Palpable Divine Presence
Many events from the
conference moved me to tears. The presence of Sathya Sai was palpable among us.
I recommend that everyone participate in similar events related to the
activities of the Sathya Sai Organization.
–
E.GG.
[1]Palanquin – a covered,
box-like seat or carriage, often enclosed, mounted on long poles and carried by
people or animals. It is a type of litter used as a means of transport.
