Code of conduct and ten guiding principles

Bhagawan has proclaimed the nine points code of conduct as guidance for spiritual and personal development.

“It is the code of conduct which is responsible for the Organisation moving forward, growing from strength to strength. The office bearers should exercise maximum care to see that the Code of Conduct is adhered to and guide others also in the right path… There should be no scramble for power or position. What matters is the purity, intensity of devotion and the spirit of self-sacrifice.”
– Baba

What are the nine points in the code of conduct?

  1. Daily meditation and prayer
  2. Devotional singing/prayer with family members once per week
  3. Participation in Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) by the children of the family
  4. Participation in community service and other programmes of the Organisation
  5. Attend group devotional singing (bhajans) organised by the Centre at least once a month
  6. Regular study of Sai literature
  7. Speak softly and lovingly to everyone
  8. Not to talk ill of others, especially in their absence
  9. Practice the principles of ‘ceiling on desires’, consciously and continuously striving to eliminate the tendency to waste time, money, food, and energy and utilising any savings thereby generated for the service of mankind.

Ten guiding principles – ‘The pathway to divinity’

Bhagawan has also proclaimed these ten principles as guidance for spiritual and personal development (Sathya Sai Speaks Volume 18, Chapter 23):

  1. Love and serve your country – do not hate or hurt other 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 towards any religion. Honour and respect all religions equally. Even as a citizen of your motherland, respect all countries and 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 practice will keep you healthy and benefit your worldly life.”
  5. Help the needy with food, clothing, and shelter. Help them become self-reliant where 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 Sathya Sai International Organisation. 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 for your own work you must do it 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 and also 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.”