Failure of the Sathya Sai 'Educare Programme'
in Australia
The Sathya Sai Organisation has launched a world-wide system they call 'Educare', which all the bosses are very keen to promote. It aims to start Sathya Sai Schools and High Schools wherever it can get a foot in the door. A lot of money is available for it from rich donors, the Danish SS Org. received $6million for Educare, and they have bought a castle near Copenhagen for the purpose. The syllabus is based on a common teaching system but runs at the intellectual level of an average Sunday school. It claims to be 'universal' but in practice it is a largely a cultish programme having no connection with any other form of educational resource or research produced by the science, culture and history of mankind. It's proponents believe it will reform the entire world! How Educare and their figurehead's constant dropping of boys pants for oily massage and worse acts, as documented massively on the web, fit together they have evidently yet to think very hard about! But it seems that members of the Organisation are doing some thinking along those lines themselves, to judge by the poor response. |
News about Australian Educare
from the central office of the Australian Organisation.
|
Meanwhile, in the minutes of the Australian Co-ordinating Committee of the SS Organisation, 26 January, 2002, we read the following cryptic material:- "Muruwillumbah Sai School: Bro. Bangaru Naido spoke about the Australian Sai School. Swami has said that this is the only Sai school and hence we should put in our best efforts to contribute to its success. All the orange footballs handed over to all Centre chairpersons are requested to be brought back so that the collections can be sent to the Sai school. A number of orange footballs are still with members. Please return them as soon as possible. Bro Bangaru Naidoo spoke of good contributions coming forward towards this school." "Orange footballs"? Yes, They are the till boxes for money collections! Why the code? As a cover-up of what they really are?
More feedback on the SSO, along with the directory of the entire Australian
SSO Centres, groups and office-bearers came from one of ther feedback sources
inside the Organisation of Australia. Further evidence that the inflating of
membership figures is as common there as it is in the Europe and South America.
He writes of the Central Coordinator of Australia and PNG., T. S. Ramanathan's
SSO Centre:
"Lord ramanathan's centre is about to be closed!
" The reason! Well hardly anyone attends. The centre went into damage control
and had a meeting the other week to find out the cause for this. If Lord ramanathan
does not attend his own centre, how can he expect others to attend. I do not
know the result of this meeting as yet. The centre is called the sathya sai
centre of Fivedock. Most of the centres do not have many people, some centres
have as little as four people. They lie when they say they have many people.
All of the numbers are inflated. The many centres come, because the members
quarrel amongst themselves. They then split and form another centre with only
a few members."
MONEY COLLECTION IN SAI CENTRES ETC. IN AUSTRALIA
Ramanathan, C-C of Australia's Sathya Sai Org. wrote about how money
is to be collected in the SSO in his country.
The reason given for cancellation is unbelievable to those of us who
think and know the deceptions done to cover up failures in the SSO!
All such arrangements are said to be watched over by the infallible
avatar, who never lets anything happen to those doing his work! Ramanathan
himself recently wrote: "Faith is Swami itself is an insurance cover".
So is this kind of faith not lacking in the SSO there, and by the 'big
shots'?" So this kind of faith must be absent in Australia, at least!
The fall-off in members and interest surely bore much more weight in
cancelling... unless the invited big shots had cold feet?
News from the Desk of Mr.. T. Sri Ramanathan.
The Regional Central Coordinator of Sri Sathya Sai Organisation Of Australia
& PNG
National Australian Sai Conference - Year 2002 in Perth. We
regret to announce that the National Australian Sai conference which
was to cover the South East Asian regions and which was scheduled to
take place in Perth, Western Australia on Thursday 10th January 2002
to Sunday 13th January 2002 has been cancelled and will now not take
place. This decision had to be reluctantly made, owing to the decree
issued that all air flights were at personal risk of travelers and the
authorities cannot take any responsibility in the event of any international
situation. This conference if it had taken place would have been one
of the best ever staged in the Sai World. Not only in its scope of workshops
as well as an array of distinguished Sai personnel of the world descending
in Australia. We take this opportunity of thanking the following, Shri
Bagawathi, Shri Indulal Shah, R. Hira, Dr Jurnsai, T. Judo, Victor Kanu,
J Jegadeesan and Rajen Coopen who had accepted our invitation and the
Sai devotees were looking forward for such a rare opportunity. Man Proposes,
God Disposes.
We also take this opportunity of thanking the various
committees, National Coordinators and the others who were making every
effort to make the Conference a leading one, maintaining Australia's
premiere position in the Sai World. Personal Assistants It has become
necessary to set out the obligations of the personal assistants to the
Central Co-ordinator. This note is prepared accordingly. It will be
noted there is no uniformity In their obbligaton. This is owing to the
manner in which the different areas have operated. Please interpret
the word "participate" in the forgoing not to mean to represent the
Central Co-ordinator. Such participation is in their individual, personal
role. Bangaru Naidu - New South Wales He will attend and will participate
in all committees of all activities of all Centers, Groups, Co-ordinating
Committees and its Sub-Committees and report expeditiously to the Central
Coordinator. He will issue ceiling on desire money till boxes to all
participants of the Sai Organisation in the area and collect from each
Center/Group quarterly, the till boxes ensuring the names of the persons
who have curtailed their desires monetarily, in the till box. He will
account for it with the names of parties and amounts and is entitled
to issue receipts to every party. He will every quarter forward such
collections to Anandakmar who will await instructions as regards the
manner of the disposal of the contents of the collection.
Mr. Ananadakumar
will be checking whether all collections have been duly accounted. He
will receive donations for the Sathya Sai School, Murwilllumbah and
is entitled to issue receipts on behalf of the school. All communications
from the Central Co-ordinator must be disseminated expeditiously to
every participant in the Sai Organisation in their respective States.
Ken Soman - South Australia will attend and will participate in all
committees of all activities of all Centers, Groups, Co-ordinating Committees
and its SubCommittees and report expeditiously to the Central Coordinator.
He will issue ceiling on desire money till boxes to all participants
of the Sai Organisation in the area and collect from each Center/Group
quarterly the till boxes ensuring the names of the persons who have
curtailed their desires monetarily, in the till box. He will account
for it with the names of parties and amounts and is entitled to issue
receipts to every party. He will every quarter forward such collections
to Anandakurnar who will await instructions as regards the manner of
the disposal of the contents of the collection.
In addition to the
above the Sai Resource Center, South Australia financial statements
of all monies received, expended should be examined by Ken Soman and
forwarded to the Central Co-ordinator Dileswar Judd - Victoria He will
attend and will participate in all committees of all activities of all
Centers, Groups, Co-ordinating Committees and its Sub-Committees and
report expeditiously to the Central Coordinator. He will issue ceiling
on desire money till boxes to all participants of the Sai Organisation
in the area and collect from each Center/Group quarterly the till boxes
ensuring the names of the persons who have curtailed their desires monetarily,
in the till box. He will account for it with the names of parties and
amounts and is entitled to issue receipts to every party He will every
quarter forward such collections to Anandakumar who will await instructions
as regards the manner of the disposal of the contents of the collection.
Mr. Ananadakumar will be checking whether all collections have been
duly accounted. He will receive donations for the Sathya Sai School,
Murwillumbah and is entitled to issue receipts on behalf of the school.
All communications from the Central Co-ordinator must be disseminated
expeditiously to every participant in the Sai Organisation in their
respective States. The present Resource Center (Mukesh) is already directly
accounting and this will not be under the purview of the personal assistant.
Les Iveson - Northern NSW He will attend and will participate in all
committees of all activities of all Centers, Groups, Co-ordinating Committees
and its Sub-Committees and report expeditiously to the Central Coordinator.
He will issue ceiling on desire money till boxes to all participants
of the Sai Organisation in the area and collect from each Center/Group
quarterly the till boxes ensuring the names of the persons who have
curtailed their desires monetarily, in the till box. He will account
for it with the names of parties and amounts and is entitled to issue
receipts to every party. He will every quarter forward such collections
to Anandakwar who will await instructions as regards the manner of the
disposal of the contents of the collection. Mr. Ananadakunar will be
checking whether all collections have been duly accounted. All communications
from the Central Co-ordinator must be disseminated expeditiously to
every participant in the Sai Organisation in their respective States.
(Forwarded as feedback to us by courtesy of 'our man in Canberra')
From the ex-deputy chairperson of the
Sathya Sai organisation, Zone B, New South
Wales, Sydney, Australia. 25/2/02
"My email with regard to the SSO is for your 'statistical edification',
if you like, so that a broader understanding may be had by readers of the
ways and means of organisational methodology. Put simply, I have found in
the SSO a culture of ignorance and rejection toward adoption of good works
for mankind in favour of workshops and meetings where there is much talk,
and no truth in subsequent action. I believe that the SSO at this time is
attempting to assemble documentary evidence in order to counter or defend
itself from the effects of the emerging truth I have tried to be objective
in this dissertation, and pray that for all readers ~ "The truth will set
you free". Barry Newton
I have recently resigned my position as deputy chairperson of the Sathya Sai
organisation, Zone B, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. I have resigned due
to the fact that for the past eight years, I have tried in vain to have the
SSO follow the teachings of SB, namely in the pursuit of relevant service activities
in our local area as opposed to celebrations and singing, and have been frustrated
beyond belief in many ways. What I have noticed in the SSO is the ignoring of
'good ideas' (serving the poor and needy), and the acceptance of irrelevant
ideas (festivals and bhajans). Of 'good ideas', an example is this:
The chairperson of Pennant Hills center suggested at the meeting for the 2002
agenda, that instead of wasting so much time, energy, and money in celebrating
swami's birthday, that we instead focus our attention upon serving the poor
and needy. This was immediately vetoed by the chairperson (who, as an office
bearer, is supposed to be "the servant of the members"), who said that this
could not be done because this occasion is for the inclusion of people not involved
in the SSO (from the outside), and so must go ahead. However, the real truth
is that zone B NSW has "unity meetings" once monthly, specifically designed
for the inclusion and introduction of 'non-members, or the general public. I
pointed out that this rationale was a lie to a committee member, who suggested
that I had mis-understood what he was saying. I indicated to the chairperson
that it ' wasn't true' that birthday was for outsiders and also pointed out
at this meeting that SB has stated that he does not want birthday celebrations,
and that the SSO openly practiced defiance of his wishes in this regard and
at other times. To this end I provided documentation of source that SB has unequivocally
stated that he does not want his birthday celebrated. - Sathya Sai Speaks, volume
XIV, pages 102 and 337 (23/11/78, 23/11/80) via email. I received no response.
I had initially resigned in October 2001, but continued on as the chairperson
pleaded with me to stay on 'because he "needed me'. In retrospect, it is my
belief that I was 'needed' only because I was one of only two western males
still active in the SSO Zone B - all others are of Sri Lankan or Indian heritage,
several hundred in number. Westerners have been leaving the SSO in droves in
Australia, mainly because of what they call "politics". I have explained to
the zone Chairperson that these "politics" are based upon three things which
are entrenched in the majority eastern culture in the SSO Australia :
1] racial intolerance
2] religious bigotry
3] spiritual hypocrisy.
I have stated this openly at zone meetings. I have, since being in office for
six years, been overwhelmingly ignored by the chairpersons and participants
in the many meetings which I have attended. Indeed, neither my wife nor I had
ever encountered racial prejudice in our 48 years until we joined the SSO, where
we were ultimately referred to as "those white people". The previous zone chairperson,
while I was chairperson of Pennant Hills center 1998 to 2000, referred to me
as a 'trouble maker', mainly, I believe, because I would question the fact that
he pushed his own agenda's and viewpoints without consultation with the committee's
he chaired, and often avoided discussion of salient issues. With this chairperson,
I asked so many times 'what is the purpose of the organisation at zone level
- is it to do service, or to simply sing songs (bhajans) as we do?' - that he
held a special meeting to determine exactly what we were trying to achieve at
zone level. This meeting was held in my absence, as I was going to Puttaparthi
for the next month. Upon my return to Sydney, I found that the meeting had decided
that there should be a garland around SB's photo at the meeting venue! Not one
mention was made of my initial inquiry of purpose, and this meeting was chaired
by the zone chairperson who obviously did not keep the meeting focused on the
question at hand.
It is my belief that I was recently made 'deputy chairperson' of zone B after
this so as to disempower my input, as there had been no such deputy position
previously, and the stated duties were to take notes at meetings, and fill in
for the chairperson in his absence, that is to say, no duties at all with regard
to input or action. With such (and many other) experiences I have come to this
conclusion - that there are neither leaders nor followers in the SSO. There
is only a mass of individuals with no idea of what their purpose is, let alone
the purpose of the SSO. And worse - no one seems to care. And worse still -
those who do care are ostracised. And worse again - those in positions of office
actively support this.
In Australia we have a rather unique saying - "If you can't lead, follow. If
you can't follow, get out of the bloody way!" I have found by frustrating experience
that the members of the SSO in Australia are all so adept in standing in the
way that they can do nothing else. I have certainly experienced considerable
'mindlessness' when committee meetings are continually dragged down into debate
about the order of songs to sing, who sings and when, flowers on altars, taking
off of shoes, women wearing western clothes and so much other such trivia that
I have been truly forced to look at what it is that I have become involved in,
and having seen so much pettiness, silliness, and subterfuge, that I know that
I have been following a path which is focused away from God, rather than upon
God. Indeed, prior to my resignation, the SSO had stood between myself and God,
impeding my forward progress when it was supposed to be helping.
SB was not joking when he said that the whole world is a psychiatric institution,
and Prashanti Nilayam is intensive care! What I have found, and the way I now
see the SSO, is that the doctor may be SB, and the SSO is the waiting room.
Those who take the medicine become well, and leave, for there is no need to
sit in the doctors waiting room after you are well. Those who refuse to take
the medicine sit and wait until the doctor forces them to take it. It could
be possible that SB is sending well people out of the waiting room by way of
allegations which we hear. It could be that only sick people ever needed him.
Or it could be that God is removing His chosen ones from deception in preparation
for the 'end times', when Jesus returns, the cardinal sign being "when Jerusalem
is surrounded by armies."
Yours in Faith Barry Newton
(Note: the sequence as narrated did not occur as one event, but was a combination
of one personal meeting, one committee meeting, followed by two emails, the
last of which I received no reply to (the famous silent treatment for the ignorant).
Jesus had no fears at all, nor bodyguards in the face of vigorous objection
to His tirades directed at the temple priests, and even during his arrest showed
the most divine loving compassion when he healed the severed ear of the Roman
soldier who was there to arrest Him at His betrayal. Yet armed guards are everywhere
in Sai Baba's ashram.
Jesus carried His own cross to His own crucifixion and forgave His killers.
Jesus spoke by His actions, the like of which no number of words could describe,
yet we were very often warned in the SSO that "the hollow vessel makes the most
noise." Funny that, because Sai Baba and all but a very rare few in the SSO
talk lots and do little (actually nothing).
Jesus performed miracles openly, yet Sai Baba goes behind closed doors.
Jesus had no home and fed the multitudes, yet Sai Baba lives in luxury while
the villagers outside the ashram live in squalor and obviously go hungry.
Jesus chose to be among the outcasts of society - publicans, prostitutes, tax
collectors, the sick and despised, yet Sai Baba invariably interviews the obviously
well off, wealthy, or important, and the ashram is walled off from the villagers
outside.
Jesus traveled to all parts of the land and to different countries to give the
benefit of His presence and message, yet Sai Baba will not leave his native
area.
Jesus' life was open for all to witness at all times, yet Sai Baba has two appearances
of around twenty minutes a day only.
Jesus ate with whomever offer food, Sai Baba eats specially prepared meals away
from all in private.
Jesus healed the sick in open view of all, Sai Baba does not. I have spoken
to sick people in the village who say that they are not allowed into the so
called free "Super Specialty Hospital", too afraid to go there even after I
offered to accompany them. Actions such as these speak far more convincingly
and louder than the innumerable talks on such topics as the five human values
of Love, Peace, Truth, Right Conduct, Non-Violence given by Sai Baba, and from
the attestations of a growing number of individuals, it appears that the antithesis
of these values is really what has been occurring.
Jesus said (aphorism # 5, Gospel of Thomas) "Know what is in front of your face,
and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you. For there is nothing hidden
that will not be revealed." and (aphorism # 40, Gospel of Thomas) "A grapevine
has been planted away from the father. Since it is not strong, it will be pulled
up by the root and will perish."
Back to Indulal Shah - I really think that it's a bit rich for him to be suggesting
that Sai devotees be responsible for the outward projection of Sai Baba, especially
given that one Indulal Shah demonstrates the pinnacle heights of arrogance and
ignorance for all to see, behaviour which is especially enhanced and enriched
at official functions by my observations, and that Sai Baba himself is responsible
for his actions and the consequent effects, let alone the amazing paradoxes
and discrepancies that are part and parcel of his ideology. The question will
always remain - why, if the avatar needs no protection or human help to do his
work, is protection seen fit to be given, and help being asked for? Paradoxical
indeed. The true God of the Kingdom of Heaven is not known by grandiose temples
or advertisements about His Holy works, is not known for sanctimonious self
approbation or self glorification, is not restricted to living in one small
town in one remote area. Jesus carried the mark of God, so that by His actions
we may know those who come in His name, and those who do not.
Thank You Robert for forwarding your thoughts on the Shah release, I hope I
haven't 'jumped up on my soap box' on this one! - but sincerely hope that the
point I make is helpful to someone in some way. Kind regards, Barry Newton (5/3/02)
Dear Kyra,
Thank you for your warm welcome! My family got involved with Sai Baba about
22 years ago when I was 14. One of my family members had a prominent leadership
role in the community. At the age of 16, I came across some Baba teachings which
condoned violence against women and I read some inaccurate historical statements
made by Baba.
I also noticed an anti-western slant (ie. ranting vs 'western' decadence specifically
the 2 sins of lust and greed) which had a strong, dishonest emotional charge
to it.Spiritual leaders don't react so much from a personality level, they are
in their essence more. Being in one's essence more implies to me anyway these
qualities: kindness, a lack of reactive emotionalism, a dignified confidence
and wisdom, so I was very confused.
Anyway, when I raised these three issues with my family and several prominent
Baba leaders, I was treated like a traitor. Unquestioning obedience was required.
I was told not to throw baby out with bathwater.
I noticed that when I got an interview, got a pendant from baba, I was trotted
around like a one-trick pony...I was not a baby thrower anymore. I remember
one baba devotee actually taking a picture of my pendant trying to prove that
a spiritual aura was emanating from it. I remember enjoying my elevated status
for at least a month. I remember looking at my white grade 11 classmates thinking,
"What a bunch of decadent losers. I'm more evolved than they are. baba
loves meeeeee."
IT was a big ego trip, my family loved my obediance. My marks improved. Then,
I got disgusted with this farce and threw the pendant out of the window. It
was a pivotal moment in my life.
I also noticed that if one spouse believed in Baba, and the other one didn't,
some leaders would try to put down the non-believer (which led to marriages
deteriorating), that there was a lot of one upmanship going on (e.g. "I
got an interview", "Baba looked at me"...)
There were NO checks and balances, accountability, independent peer review,
accreditation, supervision, etc. in this organization. It is set up for corruption
and abuse. I have heard some leaders say some outrageous, immoral and unethical
things, with no fear of any repurcussion. They think they are above the law.
The arrogance was unbelievable...
There were also incidents of cruelty directed against me, which hurt especially
as a teenager trying to develop a sense of self. I hope this helps in understanding
my position. I don't feel like getting into specifics because I'm not sure how
'safe' this board is yet..
Baba has a very distorted view of sexuality - his emotional charge re: lust
and greed are classic examples of 'shadow boxing'. I believe in the victims
- their stories have the ring of truth to them.
Sincerely, Shobie
'Our man in Canberra' has sent in to my site more feedback on the SSO, along with the directory of the entire Australian SSO centers, groups and office-bearers. He presents some further evidence that the massaging - not to say super-inflating - of membership figures is as common In Australia as it is in the European SSO and elsewhere. He writes of the Central Coordinator of Australia and PNG. T. S. Ramanathan:
"Lord Ramanathan's center is about to be closed! The reason! Well hardly anyone attends. The center went into damage control and had a meeting the other week to find out the cause for this. If Lord Ramanathan does not attend his own center, how can he expect others to attend. I do not know the result of this meeting as yet. The center is called the Sathya Sai center of Fivedock.
Most of the centers do not have many people, some centers have as little as four people. They lie when they say they have many people. All of the numbers are inflated. The many centers come, because the members quarrel amongst themselves. They then split and form another center with only a few members."
This also helps illumine the cancellation of the much-trumpeted meeting of January 16, 2002 in Perth, with most of the 'big shots' of the Sai Org., as stated by T.S. Ramanathan, as follows:
"This decision had to be reluctantly made, owing to the decree issued that all air flights were at personal risk of travelers and the authorities cannot take any responsibility in the event of any international situation. This conference if it had taken place would have been one of the best ever staged in the Sai World. Not only in its scope of workshops as well as an array of distinguished Sai personnel of the world descending in Australia. We take this opportunity of thanking the following, Shri Bagawathi, Shri Indulal Shah, R. Hira, Dr. Jumsai, T. Judo, Victor Kanu, J. Jegadeesan and Rajen Coopen who had accepted our invitation and the Sai devotees were looking forward for such a rare opportunity."
This excuse is unbelievable to those of us who can think and who know the deceptions done to cover up failures in the SSO! All such arrangements are said to be watched over by the infallible avatar, who never lets anything happen to those doing his work! Ramanathan himself recently wrote: "Faith is Swami itself is an insurance cover". So is this kind of faith not lacking in the SSO there, and by the 'big shots'?" Robert Priddy
Head of Australia's Sathya Sai Org, T.S. Ramanathan's complaint against screening of programme with sex allegations against Sai Baba (not successful, as the programme went ahead)
See threats of legal action by the Australian Sathya Sai Orgnaisation against Barry Pittard (though never carried out)
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