Page 249 - Microsoft Word - SPIRIT AND THE MIND.doc
P. 249

World Conference 225
by buildings of all shapes and sizes. These, and the large statues of Hindu gods and goddesses adorning them, sparkle with light pastel pinks, yellows and blues in a shimmering surrealistic dream scene. Dormitories bordering the periphery of the ashram house thousands of devotees. Inside stands the holy Mandir Temple where Baba lives, and the Poomachandra Auditorium—now swelling to its 20,000 capacity—the largest pillarless auditorium in the Far East.
Outside the walls of the ashram, spread out over a square half mile in area, four massive two- and three-story buildings form an educational complex consisting of an elementary and high school, and a men’s science and arts college, housing courtyards, classrooms, auditoriums and work centers. So well respected is this Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning that it is the first university to be accredited by the Indian Government since Indian independence in 1947! These are the manifestations in brick and mortar of Sai Baba’s central interest in the education of the young.
The success of his program is measured in the excellence of his students and their already apparent contributions and accomplishments in Indian society. The Indian government is so impressed with the outcome of the spiritually-oriented curriculum that it has established an aspect of it in all Indian elementary schools. Reflecting Sai Baba’s orientation that “the end of education is character,” and called “Education in Human Values,” the program teaches the central values shared by all religions. The lives of saints and great souls from every religion are studied, with the primary emphasis on developing moral strength and good character.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS
Arriving at Prasanthi Nilayam, my wife Sharon, twin 13-year-old daughters Ruth and Rachel, and I were housed in a newly constructed six-story circular building. Our neighbors were highly accomplished and respected men from around the world. Ravi Shankar, the world-renowned Indian sitar player; successful businessmen from Sweden, Italy, Central America, India and the U.S.— some having given up everything to live close to Sai Baba; doctors, scientists, lawyers, newsmen, politicians, generals—all forming a truly international family.


































































































   247   248   249   250   251