The Ten Guiding Principles - the Pathway to Divinity

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The Ten Guiding Principles - the Pathway to Divinity

 

Sai Baba's teachings on serving society are summarised in this, "the

ten guiding principles":

 

1. Love and Serve your country. Do not be critical of others'

countries.

 

"Have a sense of pride in your motherland. Just as your mother has

given birth to you, so too the land has given birth to you. Whatever

country you belong to, you should have a sense of patriotism. You

should not indulge in criticising other countries or people

belonging to other nations. Having trust and faith in your own

country, you won't try to put down any other country. Never bring

grief or sorrow to your country. To have pride in one's own

motherland is important."

 

2. Honour and respect all religions as pathways to God.

 

"Never have hatred toward any religion. Honour and respect all

religions equally. Even as you are a citizen of your motherland but

respect all countries, also respect all religions equally."

 

3. Love all humanity as part of your family.

 

"Develop a sense of the brotherhood of man. Look upon each person as

your own brother. There is only one caste, the caste of humanity.

All of us belong to the human race, so everyone is equal. Therefore,

love each one equally."

 

4. Keep home and surroundings clean.

 

"Keep your own house and its surroundings pure and clean. This

hygiene will keep you healthy and benefit your worldly life."

 

5. Help the needy with food, clothing, and shelter. Help them

become self-reliant when possible.

 

"Be discriminating when dispensing charity. In the name of charity

or philanthropy, we tend to do injustice to this country. Charity

does not mean that the land should be full of beggars. We can

provide some support and means for the beggars, but provide food,

clothing, and other conveniences in such a way that you are not

encouraging laziness and begging."

 

6. Be examples of honesty. Do not participate in any corruption

such as bribery.

 

"Never give or take a bribe. Giving bribes, or accepting bribes, is

contrary to the very name of the Sri Sathya Sai organisations. Bear

this in mind continuously."

 

7. Curb jealousy, hatred and envy.

 

"We must seek ways to solve difficulties such as hatred, envy, and

jealousy. To curb this sense of envy and jealousy, we must develop a

broader outlook. Do not differentiate on the basis of race, caste,

creed, or country. Follow your cultural and religious customs in

your own home, but do not attempt to impose them on society. Rather

than this, love each person as your own brother, not seeing him as

belonging to another creed, religion, or country."

 

8. Develop self-reliance.

 

"Members of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations should do things by

themselves; they should not depend on others. You may be very

wealthy and have servants and assistants to help in a few tasks, but

your own work you must do yourself. If you wish to be of service to

society, serve yourself first. One who will not serve society has no

right to belong to a Sri Sathya Sai organisation."

 

9. Observe your country's laws and be exemplary citizens.

 

"Never ever go against the law of the land. Follow the letter of the

law. The members of the Sri Sathya Sai organisations should follow

the law in spirit also, and be models for the government."

 

10. Adore God, abhor sin.

 

"You must love God and avoid sin. Love God incessantly. As long as

you keep committing sins, God will never be yours."

 

Source:

http://www.srisathyasai.org.uk/2003/HTML/3_Teachings/Principles.htm