Sathya Sai Baba Deceptions Exposed

Exposing major deceits by guru Sathya Sai Baba in India, incl. murders cover-up & widely alleged sexual abuse

THE SATHYA SAI SECT WAS AND REMAINS A CULT

Posted by robertpriddy on September 10, 2018

Various analyses were forwarded during Baba’s lifetime to show that he was the head of a personality cult, and one which – though not of the most extreme sort – had too many features of religious cults in general. The Organisation tried to defuse the criticism by posting a very selective list of saying of Sai Baba which seemed to point towards the opposite. However, these were merely sayings, while the issue could only be decided by studying actual facts and acts, not mere words.
A useful documentation of quotations by Sathya Sai Baba (SSB) show how eight characteristics of cults as defined various by Lowell Streiker and J. Melton are fulfilled by the requirements on which Sai Baba insisted must apply to members of his organization. (Source books: Mindbending: Brainwashing, Cults, and Deprogramming in the ’80s (by Lowell D. Streiker, Doubleday, New York, 1984) Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America (by J. Melton, Garland Publishing, New York, 1986).

The definition of a cult given by West and Langone, 1986, is in general accordance with the present viewpoint:- “A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, the use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individual critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc. designed to advance the goals of the group’s leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community.”

A ‘spiritual’ ideology which gains strong enough initial impetus from positive ideals and socially constructive achievements to consolidate itself will – if successful in terms of numbers of participants, funding etc., eventually comes under pressures from factions within or from the social environment which lead to corruption and crime. This may lead to a closing in of the movement to protect itself, to use clandestine methods and blanket censorship to hide its deficiencies (which would affect recruitment, donations, status and influence).

Some thinkers insist that one must observe and classify the group’s behaviour, its explicit and implicit rules and how they are enforced, but thereby fail sufficiently to consider those features of a belief system. At the outset, what seem reasonable requirements on followers and the moral theory they should follow draw the initiate gradually further into a labyrinth of doctrine which subtly induces self-indoctrination involving gradually giving up of more and more of personal autonomy and individual rights. As already suggested, this interiorized doctrine (which is ‘in’-doctrined) is the sine qua non of most cults, for those which control people without them having at least initially accepted some of the beliefs, premises or rules would not be cultist as such.

Each of the following numbered points is to be compared with the quotes of Sai Baba which indicate that th point applies to his mission.

1. Primary cult activities are fund raising and recruiting new members.

Money is meant for sacrifice.” (SSB 15 May 2000 Summer Discourses)
Even small offerings by devotees with a pure heart can earn great rewards.
Money increases only when you spend it.” ( SSB Date:10 Feb 2000 Mass Upanayanam)
You will see in due course that even the blind declare, “Swami is God”.”
Bear all and do nothing; Hear all and say nothing; Give all and take nothing; Serve all and be nothing.

2. Cult members are encouraged to cut off communication with family and friends. They are to be isolated from the outside world and any reality testing it could provide.

“Reduce contacts to the minimum”. [Ref:Sathya Sai Speaks Vol V p 245]
You should have control over your speech. Excessive talk will lead to untruth and unpleasantness.” ( SSB Date:10 Feb 2000)
I insist on silence. Talk less, talk low when you must talk.” [Ref:Sathya Sai Speaks Vol III p.9]
You can discover your own truth, only when you are alone with yourself and there is silence all around you”. [Ref: Sathya Sai Speaks Vol IV p.56]

3. Cult members hand over possessions and earnings and become totally dependent on the group.

The Gayatri Mantra teaches that you should offer everything to God“. ( SSB Date:10 Feb 2000 Occasion:Mass Upanayanam)
“You will give up “individual discrimination“. [Ref:Bhagavan’s discourse at Brindavan May 24, 1992]
Man has to pay attention to three basic duties in his quest for happiness: He has to give up what he has to give up, namely material desires and pursuits.” [Ref:Voice of the Avatar – Part I, page 159]
For everything you see, hear, smell, taste or touch belongs to me.” (A letter written by Swami many years ago to his students)
Who is Bhagavan (God)? ‘Bha’ means effulgence. ‘Bha’ means the one who is in control”. (2000)
If you call yourself a devotee of Swami, act according to Swami’s expectation”. (1999)

4. The cult enforces demands by peer pressure, embarrassment, and even violence.

Swami too stops talking to you if you do not follow His teachings“. (SSB Date:14 Jan 2000 Occasion: Sankranthi ).
If you are good, I will certainly yield to your request“. (SSB Date:14 Jan 2000 Occasion:Sankranthi)
You cannot escape Me or do anything in secret. It is a big mistake to consider yourself one of wisdom. Ignorance follows you like a shadow in all that you do“. (1999)
I am aware of the past, present, and future, of your innermost thoughts and carefully guarded secrets“. (SSB 09/10/1970)
Likewise, tell your eyes to see God instead of watching unsacred things on the Television or Video. Teach your ears to listen to the stories of the Lord instead of listening to vain gossip“. (2000)

5. The cult is the only possessor of truth—others are unsaved and hostile to truth.

“You have to bear in mind while repeating the Sai Name, that is when you take that Name, you must feel that it is only by His Will and Power that you are doing so, and not by your own“. January 14, 1975 (Sankranthi)
Do not allow doubt to distract you; if only you will install in the altar of your heart steady faith in My Divinity, you can win a vision of My Reality. Get immersed in Sai Baba. Half-heartedness, hesitation, doubt, cynicism, listening to tales, all are of no avail. Your good fortune, which will provide you this chance, is greater than that which was available for anchorites, monks, sages, saints, and even personalities embodying facets of Divine Glory. Do not allow doubt to distract you. I never utter a word that does not have significance.” (1999)
There is no need to go outside the Sai fold”. (2000) “Students! Have friendship with God for which you should be prepared to sacrifice everything, even your body and life”. (1999)
“Do not listen to any words of ill-will or disparagement of anybody
“.

6. The cult feels above the law—the ends justify the means. 

My will must prevail over every obstacle.” (discourse on 9/10/1970)
I do not have a time schedule to adhere to nor can any law bind me“. (Sai Vandana, 142)
What I will, must take place; what I plan must succeed. I am an example, and an inspiration, whatever I do or omit to do“. (discourse on 11/10/1970)
If you call yourself a devotee of Swami, act according to Swami’s expectation“. (1999)

7. The cult may be apocalyptic–others are unsaved and hostile to truth.

Who is Bhagavan (God)? …’Bha’ means the one who is in control“. (1999)
For, he who is righteous will be guarded from harm, by righteousness itself; he who is unrighteous will fall into disaster through the evil that he perpetrates. Everything points to the terror of conflagration coming; and my mission is to preempt the fires by reestablishing dharma. You are all singularly fortunate, therefore, do not let this opportunity slip through your hands“. (see http://www.cosmicharmony.com/Av/SatyaS2/SatyaS2.htm)

8. The cult is based on the teachings of an authoritarian, corrupt leader who is the sole source of what the group believes and rules for daily behavior. 

Surrender implies that the ‘individual will’ should become one with the ‘Divine Will’s. Obey the Divine Command implicitly without questioning. That is the sign of true devotion. Whatever God does is for your good“. (SSB Date:14 Jan 2000 )
There are many who observe My actions and start declaring that My nature is such and such. They are unable to gauge that sanctity, the majesty, and the eternal reality that is Me. The power of Sai is limitless; it manifests forever. All forms of power are resident in this Sai palm“. (SSB)
Each word of Mine has immense value associated with it. I will fulfil your wish only when you obey My command“. ( SSB Date:14 Jan 2000 )
There exists no such person who can point any kind of blemish in Sai”. (SSB discourse on 23-11-1979) The letters SSS stand for Sri Sathya Sai. Everything is contained in this name.” (SSB Date: 12 Apr 2000 Occasion: Sri Rama Navami)
I am Absolute Consciousness. (SSB Date: 12 Apr 2000 Occasion: Sri Rama Navami) Criticism is nothing but the reflection, reaction and resound of one’s own wicked qualities. The bad qualities that one sees in others are nothing but the reflection of one’s own inner feelings. So, one has no right to find fault in others. He is the worst sinner who looks for mistakes in others”. (SSB 2000) “Put all your faith in Me. I shall guide and guard you“.

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