Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation
The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, founded by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the year 1965, is a service organisation with a spiritual core and base to benefit all mankind irrespective of religion, caste, creed or sect. The Organisation serves as a platform for its members to undertake service and other activities as their sadhana (spiritual discipline) which is motivated by an urge for self-transformation to realise one’s inherent divinity.
Sri Sathya Sai
16 October 1999It is emphasised that the Sai Organisation is not a religious or a proselytising organisation. It has also not been established to preach any particular religion. At no point is an individual asked to follow a certain religion or rituals. On the contrary each is inspired to follow his own faith so as to ensure that a Hindu becomes a better Hindu, a Muslim becomes a better Muslim, a Christian becomes a better Christian and so on. In fact, this spiritual basis inspires everyone to pursue his own religion better by putting into practice Love and Selflessness. That is why the Organisation features in its emblem the symbols of the major religions of mankind.
Thus, 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 it, the Organisation transcends all barriers leading humanity towards the ideal of ‘Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man’.
States
Districts
Samithis
Bhajan Mandalis
Members
Distinctive Features
Voluntary & Spiritual
A totally voluntary service Organisation with a spiritual core and base.
Equality without discrimination
No discrimination or distinction based on faith, caste, colour, creed or socio-economic status.
No fees or subscription
No fees or subscription or any other charge by whatever name called for membership of the organisation.
Self-Transformation
Sole purpose of being a member is one’s own spiritual progress towards realisation of one’s innate divinity through self-transformation.
Unity of Faiths
Explicit belief in the equal validity of all faiths and their underlying unity. Members are motivated to pursue their own path and become a better follower of their own faith.
No fanaticism
Does not seek to establish a new cult or sect but thrives in the universal principle of ‘Love all, Serve All’ and ‘Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man’.
No solicitation or appeals for funds
No solicitation or appeals for funds. The expenses of the routine service and spiritual activities are met by voluntary contribution by the members themselves without any compulsion.
The following extracts from the discourses given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba proclaim the purpose of the organisation
— Divine Discourse, All-India Conference, Prashanthi Nilayam
21 November 1970— Divine Discourse, Bombay
6 January 1975“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 saadhanas (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 saadhana, not a pastime of the rich and well placed. Each one must realise his own truth. That is the purpose of all the teaching, all the curing, all the counselling, all the organising, all the advising that I do”