Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation - New Zealand

Purpose

Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a highly revered spiritual leader and world teacher, inspired millions of people throughout the world to turn Godward and to lead more purposeful and moral lives. Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s basic teaching is to practice unconditional, selfless, pure love in all aspects of our lives and activities. Sri Sathya Sai International Organization (SSSIO) was founded under the inspiration and guidance of Sri Sathya Sai Baba to help individuals and humanity as a whole move forward on the spiritual path.

The Sathya Sai Center is the basic unit within the SSSIO organizational structure. The primary purpose of the SSSIO is to promote in its members ever-increasing faith in God, along with the recognition of the inherent Divine Nature of human beings and all of God’s creation. The Sathya Sai Center, consisting of members in a local community, is the principal instrument through which this goal is achieved. The Center provides a loving environment that nourishes the devotion of its members by creating opportunities to study and practice the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

What is a Sathya Sai Center?

The inspiration of Sathya Sai Baba's example and message of unconditional love and service has resulted in the establishment of nearly 2,000 Sathya Sai Centers in 126 countries outside of India. The members of Sathya Sai Centers are united by a common bond – love of God, and a common goal – spiritual transformation, improving ourselves to eventually realize our innate divinity. Center activities include the study of the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba and the sacred literature of all religions; group devotional singing, meditation, and selfless service to the community. The Center programs are compatible with all major religions, and the membership includes people from all walks of life. The Center also provides information about Sri Sathya Sai Baba and His teachings in the form of books, pamphlets, and audio/video recordings, and it serves as a focal point for the planning and carrying out of community service projects by its members.

Center information and activities

The SSSIO is an inclusive, spiritual organization. There is no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion etc. Members move forward on their spiritual journey by incorporating Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s universal teachings into their day-to-day life. Members come from all walks of life and all religions. There are no dues or membership fees, and donations are never solicited. An individual who is at least 18 years old may become a member of a Sathya Sai Center after having become familiar with its basic guidelines and after expressing a sincere intention to practice them.

The Sathya Sai Centers bring together spiritual aspirants and help them along on their spiritual journey by providing them opportunities to derive benefits from various spiritual activities according to their own sincere spiritual inclination. The main activities of Sathya Sai Centers are classified under the heading of three wings: Devotion, Education, and Service. These activities correspond to the three main paths to self-realization: devotion (bhakthi), spiritual wisdom (jnana), and renunciation of the fruit of action (karma). Though members may wish to gravitate toward a particular wing, they are strongly urged to support and participate to the extent possible in all the activities conducted by the Center. The spiritually inclined member will then become a more vital, spiritually fulfilled member of his local community and sanctify his life by moving toward the goal of God realization.