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| − | [[Image:SathyaSaibaba 7.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Hindu leader|
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| − | |The popular Hindu swami Satya Sai Baba.]]
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| − | '''Satya Sai Baba''' (b. November 23, 1926) is a famous contemporary [[India|South India]]n [[guru]] who has millions of followers around the world, especially among [[Hinduism|Hindus]]. He is renowned for his humanitarian endeavors as well as for his promotion of religious harmony. In particular, he is know for his humanitarian organizations that are found in the city of [[Puttaparthi]] in the Indian state of [[Andhra Pradesh]].
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| − | Across the globe, local Sathya Sai Baba groups assemble to sing ''[[bhajan]]s'' (Hindu devotional songs), study Sathya Sai Baba's teachings, do collective community service (called ''seva''), and teach ''Education in Human Values''. His followers consider him to be an [[avatar]] (a descent of [[God]]) and he is an alleged [[miracle]] worker.
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| − | ==Upbringing==
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| − | Satya Sai Baba (born Sathya Narayana Raju) was born into a poor [[Hinduism|Hindu]] family in the town of [[Puttaparthi]], [[India]]. He was naturally drawn to religion, and would often recite Hindu scriptures at a young age. When he was thirteen, he proclaimed himself to be the [[reincarnation]] of the Hindu Saint [[Sai Baba of Shirdi]] (d. 1918) and adopted his name.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Babb | first = Lawrence A. | title = Sathya Sai Baba's Magic | journal = Anthropological Quarterly | volume = 56 | issue = 3 | pages = 116–124 | publisher = The George Washington University Institute for Ethnographic Research | location = Washington DC | date = 1983 | url = http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-5491%28198307%2956%3A3%3C116%3ASSBM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-H | format = PDF | accessdate = October 19, 2008.| doi = 10.2307/3317305}}</ref> Soon thereafter, he also claimed to be an [[avatar]] for the current age, and has consistently maintained this position ever since.
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| − | In the late 1960s, Sathya Sai Baba began to gain fame among Western spiritual seekers, and he established many spiritual organizations and facilities to host and nurture his many visitors from India and the West (see "Organizations" below).
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| − | ==Teachings==
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| − | Sathya Sai Baba teaches the unity of all world religions adding that people who follow him do not need to give up their original religion. He also places emphasis on respecting parents, especially the mother. He consistently advocates the five basic human values: ''satya'' (truth), ''[[dharma]]'' (right conduct, living in accord with natural law), ''[[ahimsa]]'' (non-violence), ''prema'' (love for God and all his creatures)<ref name = "PocketGuide">Nigel Scotland, ''The Baker Pocket Guide to New Religions,''2006. ISBN 0-8010-6620-4</ref> and ''[[Shanti|shantih]]'' (peace).
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| − | Additional teachings espoused by Satya Sai Baba include:
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| − | * Service and charity ([[seva]]) to others.
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| − | * Love for all creatures and objects.
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| − | * Putting a ceiling (limit) on one's desires is sadhana (Spiritual discipline).
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| − | * Celibacy after age of fifty.
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| − | * Everything that has been created is [[Maya (Hinduism)|maya]] (illusion), only God is real.
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| − | * Every creature and object is God in form, though most do not experience this as their reality.
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| − | * [[Vegetarianism]], moderate and sattvik diet.
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| − | * Abstinence from drinking [[alcohol]], smoking [[cigarettes]], and taking [[drug]]s.
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| − | * Detachment from the material world.
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| − | *Meditation, preferably at 3:00 or 4:00 A.M.
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| − | * [[Meditation]] (dhyan). Baba teaches four techniques: repetition of the name of God, visualizing the form of God, sitting in silence, and ''jyoti'' (Flame/Light meditation).
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| − | * Inclusive acceptance of all religions as paths to realizing the One (God).
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| − | * Importance of [[bhakti]] (devotion) to God.
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| − | * Developing virtues (prashanti) and eschewing vices of character.
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| − | * [[Japa]] and other [[sadhana]] (spiritual exercise) to foster devotion.
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| − | * Reverence for parents, teachers and elders.
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| − | * Sense control
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| − | * Highly committed devotees use the phrase ''"Sai Ram"'' as a salutation.
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| − | * Women should strive to realize [[Dharma|stri-dharma]], the inherent virtues of womanhood.
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| − | * [[Altruism]]
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| − | Sathya Sai Baba's teachings are said to be realized by observing the following four principles:
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| − | *There is only one Caste, the Caste of Humanity;
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| − | *There is only one Religion, the Religion of Love;
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| − | *There is only one Language, the Language of the Heart;
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| − | *There is only One God and He is Omnipresent
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| − | Prominent Indian newspapers regularly cite Sathya Sai Baba's teachings and publish segments to his discourses.
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| − | ==Organizations==
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| − | The town of [[Puttaparthi]], where Sathya Sai Baba was born and still lives, was originally a small village where one can now find an extensive [[University]] complex, ''Chaitanya Jyoti'' (a World-Religions Museum that has won several international awards for design)<ref>The Star, ''"Enlightening experience in India"'', by M. Krishnamoorthy [http://web.archive.org/web/20050412101614/http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2005/4/2/features/9982154&sec=features Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>, a spiritual museum, a [[Planetarium]], a railway station, a hill-view stadium, an administrative building, an airport, an indoor sports stadium and more. High ranking Indian politicians, like the former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and former Prime Minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] have been official guests at the ashram in Puttaparthi.<ref>The Hindu, ''"A 5-point recipe for happiness"'', by Our Staff Reporter, November 24 2006 [http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/24/stories/2006112405400400.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref><ref>The Hindu, ''"Warm welcome to PM at Puttaparthi"'', by Our Staff Reporter, February 12 2004 [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/02/12/stories/2004021203690600.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> On Sathya Sai Baba's 80th birthday celebration, it was reported that well over a million people attended, including 13,000 delegates from India and 180 other countries.<ref>Deccan Herald: ''"Sathya Sai's birthday celebrations on"'' by Terry Kennedy, November 23 2005, [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov232005/national1724520051122.asp Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | Sathya Sai Baba resides much of the time in his main [[ashram]] called ''[[Prashanthi Nilayam]]'' (abode of highest peace) at Puttaparthi. In the hot summer Baba leaves for his other ashram called ''Brindavan'' in Kadugodi, Whitefield, a town on the outskirts of [[Bangalore]]. Occasionally, he visits his Sai Shruti ashram in Kodaikanal.<ref>The ashrams of Sathya Sai Baba. Referenced from the official Sathya Sai Organization website, [http://www.sathyasai.org/ashrams/content.html Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> The daily program at Sathya Sai Baba's ashrams usually begin with the chanting of "OM" and a morning [[prayer]] (Suprabatham). This is followed by Veda Parayan (chanting of the [[Vedas]]), nagarasankirtana (morning devotional songs) and twice a day [[bhajan]]s and [[darshan]] (appearance of Sai Baba to devotees).<ref name = "Lewis-Cults">''The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions.'' James R. Lewis (ed.), 2002.</ref> Particularly significant are the darshans during October (the Dasara holidays and November (the month of Sai Baba's birth).<ref name = "Lewis-Cults"/> During ''darshan'' Sathya Sai Baba walks among his followers and may interact with people, accept letters, materialize and distribute [[vibhuti]] (sacred ash) or call groups or individuals for interviews. Interviews are chosen solely by the guru's discretion. Followers consider it a great privilege to get an interview and sometimes a single person, group or family will be invited for a private interview. It is claimed by the Sathya Sai Organization that, people who receive such interviews may be startled by the materializations and the disclosures that Sathya Sai Baba as a [[Clairvoyance|clairvoyant]] reveals of their own lives.<ref>Hummel, Reinhart. ''Guru, Miracle Worker, Religious Founder: Sathya Sai Baba'' article in Update IX 3, Sept. 1985, originally published in German in Materialdienst der EZW, 47 Jahrgang, 1 February 1984 (retrieved 20 Feb. 2007) <br />"If the visitor finally managed to meet him, he would be startled not only with materializations but also with disclosures of his own life that Sai Baba, as clairvoyant, reveals"</ref> Sathya Sai Baba claims that his darshan has spiritual benefits.
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| − | Sathya Sai Baba is the figurehead to a number of free educational institutions, charitable organizations and service projects that are spread over 10,000 centers in 166 countries around the world.<ref name = "babatrust"/>
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| − | The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning in Prashanti Nilayam is the only college in India to have received an "A++" rating by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission).<ref>The Hindu: City colleges cheer NAAC rating, June 8 2006, [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/06/08/stories/2006060801700100.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref><ref>Draft Report of the Peer Team on Institutional Accreditation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed University) Vidyagiri, Prashanthi Nilayam – 515 134 (A.P) Visit Dates: December 2 – 4, 2002 [http://www.naac-india.com/Reports/SRI%20SATHYA%20SAI.doc Available online: DOC File] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> Besides this institute, there is also an Institute of Music and an Institute of Higher Learning in Anantapur, which is a women's college.<ref>Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus, from an Official Sathya Sai site, [http://www.sssihl.edu.in/Campus_Ananthapur.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Puttaparthi (also known as the Super Specialty Hospital) is a 220 bed facility providing advanced surgical and medical care free of cost to the public. It is situated 6 kilometers from the guru's ashram and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao on November 22, 1991 and was designed by the Prince of Wales's architectural adviser, Keith Critchlow<ref>The Hindu: Healing with Love and Compassion, November 23 2005, [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/features/saibaba/stories/2005112300270300.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in [[Bangalore]] is a 333 bed facility with advanced operation theatres, ICUs and CCUs meant to benefit the poor.<ref>Deccan Harald: ''"Where service comes first "'' by Aruna Chandaraju, January 17, 2006 [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan172006/spectrum106442006117.asp Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> The hospital was inaugurated on January 19 2001 by the then Prime Minister [[Atal Behari Vajpayee]].<ref>The Hindu: Vajpayee hits out at high cost of medicare by A. Jayaram, January 20, 2001 [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/01/20/stories/0220000b.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> Other eminent participants were [[Abdul Kalam]], Michael Nobel (grandson of [[Alfred Nobel]]), Noah Samara and Anji Reddy.<ref>Times Of India, ''"Sai hospital to host health meet on Saturday"'', January 14 2002[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=900126016 Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> The hospital has served 250,000 patients, free of cost, from January 2001 to April 2004.<ref>The Times Of India: Super-Specialty hospital touches 2.5 lakh cases by Manu Rao, [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?msid=646815 Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | The Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital was opened in Whitefield, Bangalore, in 1977 by Sathya Sai Baba to provide free care to poor local villagers. Since that time, the general hospital has grown to a {{convert|35000|sqft|m2|-2|abbr=on}} building that provides complex surgeries, food and medicines free of cost. The hospital has, since its inception, treated over 2 million cases.<ref>''"Sai Baba hospital: A refuge to millions"'', May 1 2001, [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/39970476.cms Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust runs several general hospitals, two super specialty hospitals, dispensaries, eye hospitals and mobile dispensaries and conducts medical camps in rural and slum areas in India.<ref name="babatrust">Times Of India, ''"Sathya Sai Baba Trust to set up second superspecialty hospital at Bangalore"'', May 29 2000</ref> It was in the year 2000-2001 the largest recipient of foreign donations.<ref>''Sathya Sai Trust gets most foreign donations'' in [[rediff]] August 16, 2003 [http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/aug/16donations.htm available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.<br />" the Andhra Pradesh-based Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust is the largest recipient of foreign contributions."</ref> The Trust has also funded several major drinking water projects. The first drinking water project, completed in 1996, supplies water to 1.2 million people in 730-800 villages in the drought-prone [[Anantapur]] district in [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>The Week: Showers of Grace by Hiramalini Seshadri, May 26 2002 [http://web.archive.org/web/20020607142233/http://www.the-week.com/22may26/events12.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref><ref name = "cmpraise"/> The second drinking water project, completed in 2004, supplies water to [[Chennai]] (formerly known as [[Madras]]) through a rebuilt waterway named "Sathya Sai Ganga Canal".<ref>The Hindu: Chennai benefits from Sai Baba's initiative by Our Special Correspondent, December 1 2004, [http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/01/stories/2004120113280300.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref><ref>The Hindu: Project Water by Hiramalini Seshadri, June 25 2003, [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/25/stories/2003062500110300.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> The Chennai water drinking project was praised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi. Karunanidhi said that although he is an [[atheist]], he differentiated between good spiritual leaders like Sathya Sai Baba and fake god.<ref>Chennai Online: MK hails Sai Baba's service to mankind, January 21 2007, [http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B62204700-0492-49C.E.-8AA8-E79FDC799715%7D&CATEGORYNAME=CHN Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref><ref>IBN: Karunanidhi shares dais with Sai Baba, January 21 2007, [http://www.ibnlive.com/news/karunanidhi-shares-dais-with-sai-baba/31747-3.html Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> The third drinking water project, expected to be completed in April 2006, would supply water from the [[Godavari River]] to half a million people living in five hundred villages in East and West Godavari Districts.<ref>The Hindu, Water, the Elixir of life, November 2005 [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/features/saibaba/stories/2005112300260200.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> Other completed water projects include the Medak District Project benefiting 450,000 people in 179 villages and the Mahbubnagar District Project benefitting 350,000 people in 141 villages.<ref name="cmpraise">The Hindu: Water projects: CM all praise for Satya Sai Trust by Our Staff Reporter, February 13, 2004,
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| − | [http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/13/stories/2004021301330500.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> In January 2007, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust revealed that it would undertake another drinking water project in Latur, [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="cmpraise">The Hindu: Saibaba Trust to undertake drinking water project in Latur, January 17, 2007,
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| − | [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200701171340.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | His Educare (formerly called Education in Human Values) program seeks to found schools in all countries with the explicit goal to educate children in the five human values and spirituality. According to the Sai Educare site (authorized by the Sathya Sai Organization), schools have been founded in 33 countries world-wide.<ref>Sai Educare Website, authorized by the Sathya Sai Organization, [http://www.saieducare.org/html/index.asp Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | All the local ''Sai Samithis'' (Sathya Sai Baba groups) are part of a hierarchical structure called the Sathya Sai Organization. The chairman of the organization is Michael Goldstein of the U.S. The logo of the Sathya Sai organization is a stylized lotus flower with the text of five human values in its petals. They are Love, Peace, Truth, Righteousness and Non-violence. This text version has replaced the old logo with the symbols of the 5 or 6 [[world religion]]s in the petals.
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| − | The Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust is the official publisher of the ''Sathya Sai Organization''. It publishes the international monthly magazine called ''Sanathana Sarathi'' in English and Telugu. According to their website, they shelve over a thousand books and provide Sai-related literature in 40 languages. The book trust also supplies CDs, DVDs and audio tapes. In various nations, similar publication trusts are maintained in their own native language.
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| − | On November 23, 2001, the digital radio network "Radio Sai Global Harmony" was launched through the World Space Organization, USA. Dr. Michael Oleinikof Nobel (distant relative to [[Alfred Nobel]] and one of the patrons for the radio network) said that the radio network would spread Sathya Sai Baba's message of global harmony and peace.<ref>''The Hindu,'' "Saibaba Gospel Goes On Air", November 24, 2001, [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/11/24/stories/0424201f.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | Sathya Sai Baba established three primary [[Hindu temple|mandirs]] in India. The first center, established in [[Mumbai]], is referred to as either "Dharmakshetra" or "Sathyam." The second center, established in [[Hyderabad]], is referred to as "Shivam." The third center, established in [[Chennai]], is referred to as "Sundaram".<ref>Sathyam, Shivam and Sundaram Mandirs On Official radiosai.org website [http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01MAR06/coverstory_sundaram.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | ==Reported miracles==
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| − | In some books, magazines, filmed interviews and articles, Sathya Sai Baba's followers report the occurrence of [[miracle]]s and healings of various kinds attributed to him.<ref name ="Babb">{{cite book
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| − | | first = Lawrence A.
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| − | | title = Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition
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| − | | origyear = 1986
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| − | | year = 2000
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| − | | publisher = Waveland Press Inc.
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| − | | location = Prospect Heights, Illinois
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| − | | isbn = 1577661532
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| − | | oclc = 45491795
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| − | | id = {{LCCN|85|0|28897}}
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| − | </ref> Sathya Sai Baba's devotees believe that he relieves his devotees by transferring their pain to himself.<ref>Sathya Sai Baba ''[[Shiva]] [[Shakti]], on ''Gurupournima'' Day, 6 July 1963, in Sathya Sai Speaks III 5, 19.) [http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/1963/d630706.htm Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> Daily, he is observed to allegedly manifest vibuthi (holy ash), and sometimes food and small objects such as rings, necklaces and watches.
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| − | In devotees' houses all around the world, there are claims from observers, journalists and devotees that vibuthi, kumkum, [[turmeric]] powder, holy water, [[Shiva]] [[linga]]ms, statues of deities (brass and gold), Sugar Candy, fruits, herbs, amrita (a fragrant, nectar-like honey), gems, colored string, writings in ash and various other substances spontaneously manifest and materialize on the walls, furniture, pictures and altars of Sathya Sai Baba.<ref>Nair, Yogas, "Raisins, ash raise eyebrows," The Post April 19 2006, [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/raisins-ashes.html Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref><ref>Brown Mick, The Spiritual Tourist, Ch: The Miracle In North London, pp. 29-30, 1998 ISBN 1-58234-034-X </ref><ref>March 17 2004 in the newspaper ''Post'' South Africa [http://www.thepost.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=154&fArticleId=375687 Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | Devotees also claimed that they witnessed Sathya Sai Baba materialize many substances from his hand such as vibuthi, lost objects, statues, photographs, Indian pastries (both hot and cold), food (hot, cold, solid and fluid), out of season fruits, new banknotes, pendants, necklaces, watches and rings.
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| − | Sathya Sai Baba has explained the phenomenon of manifestation as being an act of divine creation, but refused to have his materializations investigated under experimental conditions. Critics claim that these materializations are done by sleight of hand and question his claims to perform miracles and other paranormal feats. In April 1976, Dr. H. Narasimhaiah, a [[Physics|physicist]], [[rationalism|rationalist]] and then vice chancellor of Bangalore University, founded and chaired a committee ''"to rationally and scientifically investigate miracles and other verifiable superstitions"''. Sathya Sai Baba a polite letter and two subsequent letters that were widely publicized in which he publicly challenged Baba to perform his miracles under controlled conditions.<ref name="haraldsson204">Haraldson, ''op. cit'', pp 204-205</ref> Sathya Sai Baba said that he ignored Narasimhaiah's challenge because he felt his approach was improper.<ref>{{cite web | title = Interview with Blitz journalist - September 1976 | url=http://www.saibaba.ws/articles/interviewwithjournalistsept1976.htm | accessdate = 2007-12-20}}
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| − | <br />"Finally, Prema Sai, the third Avathar will promote the evangelical news that not only does God reside in everybody, but everybody is God. That will be the final wisdom which will enable every man and woman to go to God. The three Avathars carry the triple message of work, worship and wisdom."</ref> Sathya Sai Baba further said about the Narasimhaiah committee that "Science must confine its inquiry only to things belonging to the human senses, while spiritualism transcends the senses. If you want to understand the nature of spiritual power you can do so only through the path of spirituality and not science. What science has been able to unravel is merely a fraction of the cosmic phenomena..."<ref>{{cite web | title = Interview with Blitz journalist - September 1976 | url=http://www.saibaba.ws/articles/interviewwithjournalistsept1976.htm | accessdate = 2007-12-20}}</ref>
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| − | The magazine ''India Today'' published in December 2000 a cover story about the Baba and the allegations of fake miracles quoting the magician P. C. Sorcar, Jr. who considered the Baba a fraud.<ref name = "GodAccused">India Today, ''"A God Accused"'', December 04, 2000 [http://web.archive.org/web/20010129110700/www.india-today.com/itoday/20001204/cover4.shtml Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> Basava Premanand, a skeptic and amateur magician, asserted that he has been investigating Sathya Sai Baba since 1968 and believes the guru to be a cheater and charlatan. Premanand sued Sathya Sai Baba in 1986 for violation of the Gold Control Act for Sathya Sai Baba's materializations of gold objects. The case was dismissed, but Premanand appealed on the ground that spiritual power is not a defence recognised in law.<ref>{{cite web
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| − | | title =Sai Baba: God-man or con man?
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| − | | date =Thursday, 17 June, 2004
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| − | | accessdate =October 19, 2008.}}<br />"In 1986, he was arrested by the police for marching to Puttaparthi with 500 volunteers for a well-publicised confrontation with Sai Baba. Later that year, he took Sai Baba to court for violating the Gold Control Act by producing gold necklaces out of thin air without the permission of a Gold Control Administrator. <br />When his case was dismissed, Mr Premanand appealed on the grounds that spiritual power is not a defence recognised in law.</ref> Premanand also displayed, in the 2004 BBC documentary ''Secret Swami'', that he could duplicate some of the same acts that Sathya Sai Baba presents as miracles; such as materializations by sleight of hand and the production of a [[lingam]] from his mouth. The BBC documentary reported that even some of Sathya Sai Baba's critics believe that he has genuine paranormal powers.<ref name="secretswami"/>
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| − | ==Criticism==
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| − | On June 6, 1993 four people who were armed with knives were killed after they had intruded in Sai Baba's bedroom. The intruders had killed two aides of Sai Baba. The incident was widely published in the Indian press. Sathya Sai Baba claimed in his 1993 Guru Poornima discourse on July 3 that jealousy among his followers was behind the incident, without giving a detailed explanation of the events.<ref>Guru Purnima Discourse, July 3 1993, Keep Truth as Your Aim: [http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/d930703.html Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> The former Secretary of the Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh, V.P.B. Nair, who came from of a police background, expressed in the BBC documentary his opinion that the four assailants in 1993 had unnecessarily and illegally been shot by the police. There are other opinions from the eye witnesses who were present in the Mandir premises on that night, that police did the right thing to protect the life of several others, as the four people were armed and had already stabbed two people to death.
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| − | The debates about Sathya Sai Baba were fueled by a document published in 2000 called ''"The Findings"'', written by David and Faye Bailey (former followers who together wrote three books on Sathya Sai Baba),<ref>"Bailey, David, A Journey To Love, 1996 ISBN 81-86822-04-6<br />
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| − | Bailey, David, A Journey To Love Book 2: Love and Marriage, 1988 ISBN 81-86822-60-7<br />
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| − | Bailey, Faye, Another Journey To Love: Experiences with Sathya Sai Baba, 1998 ISBN 81-86822-40-2"</ref> in which they described their disillusionment with the guru. According to an article in Salon.com in the year 2001, a great part of the Findings contains testimonies of sexual harassment and sexual abuse.<ref> [http://archive.salon.com/people/feature/2001/07/25/baba/index.html Michelle Goldberg,''Untouchable'' 25 July 2001 in salon.com] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> The Findings contain allegations of fakery, claims that Sai Baba does not heal sick people and allegations of financial irregularities with charity projects, such as the Super Specialty Hospital and water project. David Bailey previously wrote, in his two books about Sathya Sai Baba, that he personally witnessed manifestations, healings, miracles and was saved from a car accident by Sathya Sai Baba.<ref>"Bailey, David, A Journey To Love, 1996 ISBN 81-86822-04-6</ref> The ''Daily Telegraph'' stated that Sathya Sai Baba rubbed oil on the genitals of a young male devotee. The testimonies of sexual abuse of young men were shown in TV documentaries, including ''"Seduced by Sai Baba"'' by Denmark's national television, and documentary film ''"Secret Swami"'' by BBC. The TV documentary "''Seduced By Sai Baba''," produced by Denmark's national television and radio broadcaster Danish radio aired in [[Denmark]], [[Australia]] and [[Norway]].
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| − | Al Rahm, a father of one of the young men who claimed to have been sexually abused by Sathya Sai Baba, spoke with Dr. Michael Goldstein, in the USA about the alleged sexual abuse.<ref name = "secretswami"/> According to Rahm, Dr. Goldstein responded by saying that he hated the idea of having wasted 25 years of his life and that he accepted Sri Sathya Sai Baba's statement ''"Swami is pure"'' as the truth.<ref name = "secretswami"/> Dr. Goldstein further stated that he did not support an investigation of the sexual abuse allegations, although he felt that Sathya Sai Baba was not above the law. He said that it was against his ''"heart and conscience"'' to believe the allegations because he had personally observed Baba interact with students very frequently, in very informal circumstances, and he had never seen anything inappropriate, ominous or anything indicative of fear or apprehension.<ref name="secretswami">Secret Swami BBC TV documentary, June 2004, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/programmes/this_world/transcripts/secret_swami17_06_04.txt Transcript available online]</ref> Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of the Hard Rock Café and a prominent follower of Baba, stated in the BBC documentary that his admiration for the Baba will not change even if the charges of child sexual abuse and [[murder]] were proved beyond all doubt.<ref name="secretswami"/> In this same documentary, Khushwant Singh stated that Sathya Sai Baba's popularity could not be ascribed to any type of publicity campaign. Singh compared Sathya Sai Baba to [[Mahatma Gandhi]], in that Gandhi never had any publicity but became nationally known through word of mouth<ref name="secretswami" /> According to the BBC reporter Tanya Datta, numerous sexual abuse victims have undergone a genital oiling by Sathya Sai Baba that they believe is part of Hinduism. Singh reacted to this by saying that this genital oiling is not part of Indian tradition.<ref name="secretswami" />
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| − | According to the journalist Michelle Goldberg of Salon.com, the fact that the Baba has high ranking Indian politicians as his supporters and the charity works done by the various organizations associated with the Baba help to explain why he has not been brought into a court of law in India. The Indian consulate website states that crime victims must file charges with the police. In an article that was published in the ''India Today'' magazine in December 2000, it was stated that no complaints had been filed against Sathya Sai Baba by any alleged victim, in India. The magazine stated they are in possession of an affidavit signed by Jens Sethi (an ex-devotee) and reported that he filed a complaint with the police in [[Munich]].<ref name = "GodAccused"/>
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| − | Sathya Sai Baba did not give a detailed public rebuttal to the accusations of sexual abuse. In his Christmas 2000 discourse, Sai Baba said that people disseminate false negative stories about him because they have been bribed.<ref>Rao, Manu B.S. ''Sai Baba lashes out at detractors''. ''Times of India'' 26 December 2000</ref> <ref>Discourse by Sathya Sai Baba on 25 December 2000 [http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-23.pdf Available online] Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref> In the years 1999 and 2000, Sri Sathya Sai Baba has repeatedly belittled the internet and discouraged its use.<ref>Discourse by Sai Baba on September 26 2000, [http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-17.pdf Available online] Retrieved October 19, 2008.</ref>
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| − | ''The Guardian'' and ''Daily News & Analysis'' stated that, although Sathya Sai Baba has not been charged over old allegations of sexual abuse, a travel warning was issued by the US State Department about reports of "unconfirmed inappropriate sexual behavior by a prominent local religious leader," which officials later confirmed was a reference to Sai Baba.<ref>Paul Lewis, ''The Guardian'', ''The Indian living god, the paedophilia claims and the [[Duke of Edinburgh award]]s', November 4 2006, page 3, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,,1939405,00.html Available online] Retrieved October 19, 2008.</ref><ref>Ginnie Mahajan/Brajesh Kumar, DNA World, ''A holy furore rages in Britain'', [http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1062221 Available online] Retrieved October 19, 2008.</ref> The Guardian further expressed concerns over a contingent of 200 youths travelling to the Baba's ashram in order to gain their "Duke of Edinburgh Awards".
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| − | According to ''The Telegraph'', Glen Meloy (an ex-devotee) organized a campaign that concentrated on "e-bombing" allegations against Sathya Sai Baba to various agencies and officials. The Telegraph stated that the most conspicuous success of Meloy's campaign came when, in September 2000, [[UNESCO]] withdrew its participation in an educational conference at Puttaparthi, expressing "deep concern" about the allegations of sexual abuse. The Telegraph also stated that despite all the allegations made against Sathya Sai Baba over the years, he has never been charged with any crime, sexual or otherwise.<ref name="ddownfall">{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Mick | title = Divine Downfall | publisher = Daily Telegraph | date = 2000-10-28 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2000/10/28/tlbaba28.xml | accessdate = October 19, 2008.}}</ref>
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| − | ===Responses to criticism===
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| − | In an official letter released to the general public, in December 2001, [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|A.B. Vajpayee]] (then [[Prime Minister]] of India), P.N. Bhagawati (Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India), Ranganath Mishra (Chair Person, National Human Rights Commissioner of India and Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India), Najma Heptulla (President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union; UNDP Distinguished Human Development Ambassador) and Shivraj V. Patil (Member of Parliament, India; Formerly of the Lok Sabha & Union Minister) all signed a letter that called the allegations against Sathya Sai Baba ''"wild, reckless and concocted allegations made by certain vested interests"'' and that they ''"unequivocally condemned"'' the allegations as ''"baseless and malicious"''.
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| − | In an interview with an ''Asian Voice'' correspondent, Mr Ashok Bhagani, a trustee of the Sai Organization in the UK, said that he believed the allegations in the ''Secret Swami'' BBC documentary were completely without facts, baseless and have never been proved. Mr Bhagani also stated that when devotees are selected by Baba for a private interview, there is always someone else present in the room, and this is especially the case when women and children meet him.<ref name="payalnair">New Allegations Of Abuse Against Sai Baba by Payal Nair, Asian Voice, June 26 2004: [http://www.geocities.com/wikirefs/asian-voice.html Available online] Retrieved October 19, 2008.</ref> Navin Patel, a biochemistry student at the Sathya Sai Arts College in Bangalore during the 1970s, told ''Asian Voice'' that he visited Baba's ashram many times and studied at Baba's college long enough to know the allegations are untrue. Patel claimed the ''Secret Swami'' BBC documentary was very misleading and was based on only two westerners who had their own monetary agendas. Patel expressed the opinion that western journalists were bashing Baba collectively.<ref name="payalnair"/>
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| − | The secretary of the Puttaparthi ashram, K. Chakravarthi, refused to comment on the accusations. Anil Kumar, Sathya Sai Baba's principal translator, believes that the controversy is part of Baba's divine plan and said that every great religious teacher has had to face criticism in his/her lifetime. Kumar said that allegations have been leveled at Sai Baba since childhood, but with every criticism Baba becomes more and more triumphant.<ref name="ddownfall"/>
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| − | ===Political Row===
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| − | In January 2007, Sathya Sai Baba found himself embroiled in a political row after his remarks opposing the proposed partition of [[Andhra Pradesh]] as a "great sin," claiming that there was no demand from the people to bifurcate the state into [[Telangana]] and Andhra states.<ref name="httelangana">{{cite web | work=hindustantimes.com | title=Telangana activists upset with Sai Baba | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1908397,000900020004.htm | accessdate=October 20, 2008}}</ref> The comments caused an outcry among pro-Telangana activists who angrily voiced their protests in street marches and attacks on the Sivam building, Sathya Sai Baba's temple in [[Hyderabad]], which was staffed by a few followers. Shouting anti-Sai Baba slogans, the protestors pulled down a large picture of the holy man and trampled on it before taking it outside and setting it on fire. An effigy of Sathya Sai Baba was also reported to have been burnt, and twenty protestors were arrested following several police complaints.
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| − | A number of political figures criticised Sathya Sai Baba including K. Chandrasekhar Rao, leader of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and former Union Minister, who suggested that Sathya Sai Baba should restrict himself to religious functions and not involve himself in politics. Sai Baba's followers responded by calling a '[[bandh]]' in which shops and business establishments were shut down to protest against the remarks of the Telangana leaders, and effigies of the critics were set alight.<ref>{{cite web | work=gulf-times.com | title=Spiritual guru criticised for opposing statehood for Telangana region | url=http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=128913&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22 | accessdate= October 20, 2008}}</ref> K. Kesava Rao, President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, maintained that Sathya Sai Baba's comments had been "misinterpreted" and that the remark was not political. Digvijay Singh, [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] secretary-general, disagreed with suggestions that Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy could have instigated Sathya Sai Baba to make his statement, and confirmed that his party approved plans for the creation of a separate Telangana state. "With due respect to Sai Baba we can say that the work for setting up the second state reorganisation commission will go on," he said.<ref>{{cite web | work=timesofindia.com | title=Cong ignores Sai Baba's remarks | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Cong_ignores_Sai_Babas_remarks/articleshow/1437539.cms | accessdate=October 20, 2008}}</ref>
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| − | ==Notes==
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| − | {{reflist|2}}
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| − | ==References==
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| − | *Babb, Lawrence A. (1983). Sathya Sai Baba's Magic. Anthropological Quarterly 56 (3): 116–124.
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| − | *Bowen, David (1988). ''The Sathya Sai Baba Community in Bradford: Its origins and development, religious beliefs and practices.'' Leeds: University Press. ISBN 1871363020.
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| − | *Haraldsson, Erlendur. ''Miracles are my visiting cards - An investigative inquiry on Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian mystic with the gift of foresight believed to perform modern miracles,'' Prasanthi Nilayam, India, 1997. ISBN 81-86822-32-1
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| − | *Kasturi Narayana Sathyam Sivam Sundaram (Vol. 1) Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust. ISBN 81-7208-127-8
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| − | *Lochtefeld James G. ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism (Vol. 1).'' Rosen, 2002. ISBN 0-8239-3179-X
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| − | *Woodhead, Linda and Paul Fletcher ''Religion in the Modern World: Traditions and Transformation.'' Routledge ISBN 0-415-21784-9
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | *[http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/sathyasaispeaks/sathyasaispeaks.html Online Resource: Sathya Sai Speaks Series] Retrieved October 19, 2008.
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| − | *[http://www.saibhajans.net Sai Bhajans, discourses and Veda chanting] Retrieved October 19, 2008.
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| − | *[http://www.saibabamiracles.com/index.html Photographs of (alleged) Sai Baba miracles] Retrieved October 19, 2008.
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| − | *[http://www.baba.org A Website about Sathya Sai Baba Temple in USA - Pittsburgh, PA] Retrieved October 19, 2008.
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| − | [[Category: Philosophy and religion]]
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| − | [[Category: Religion]]
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| − | [[Category: Religious figures]]
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| − | [[Category: Hinduism]]
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