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Even monarchs abdicate (or die) at some point in time, except for the British Queen who seems to rule Britannia forever. Seen with an analytical eye, it was obvious from the start that the opposition by SSIO office bearers was based in personal interest superseding the benefit of the whole structure, because some individuals would be reduced in their power and influence or would have to vacate their post after a specific term, which is perfectly normal in any organization. And, sadly enough, this idea was violently opposed by the SSIO leadership leading to very un-loving actions and exchanges on social media including ugly ad hominem attacks against managing members of the CT and other devotees who openly supported the establishment of the GC. Note: apparently there had been some issues around this in the past and modern technology and media make large scale communication worldwide easy, direct, transparent and cost-efficient. It embodies a structure to unite, connect, strengthen and harmonize the SAI mission, reduce bureaucracy and streamline communication, in other words, improve the effectiveness of the entire SAI Family (form and function). 23, 2020, the Central Trust introduced the concept of a “global council”, something that had existed briefly in the past.
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On the occasion of Bhagavan’s Birthday on Nov. Why am I saying this? Because the current debate and confusion is one of function, not form and especially not people (i.e. In biology, this may be of some interest, in terms of human affairs and social structure, function dominates without a doubt.After all, we can change the form (structure) of an organization with relative ease, altering the form of your leg to improve its function may prove much more difficult. There is an ongoing debate in science about the primacy of form or function. So far, so good – we know the players, now what’s the problem?
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The function of the World Foundation is to serve as legal (and financial) administrative body of the SSIO. But there really is no confusion, because the World Foundation is a charitable trust, analogous to the Central Trust in Prasanthi, functioning as a legal body and registered charity under US law. Source for some confusion is the entity called Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation with its official residence in California, USA. Goldstein who was appointed as chair of the World Foundation by and reported to Bhagavan himself. Interesting to note here is the trivial fact, that Bhagavan himself had never been a member or office bearer of the SSIO.It was “understood” that they would report to Him and follow his instructions, most notably Dr. So, it becomes clear that the SSIO had a specific function, performed a role and was part of a service structure in accordance and communication with Baba, who had been for many years the sole trustee of the CT. The primary function of the SSIO was to cater to the needs and projects of the international devotees, organize, support and supervise local canters and Bhajan groups as well as seva projects (inside India this is done by the Indian Sri Sathya Sai Organization, believe it or not…). In the late 1960ies Bhagavan Baba founded the Sathya Sai Organization, which later added the ‘international’ to the name, giving it the current acronym: SSIO. And of course for the Devotees worldwide, the Holy Abode of Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi is second to none – it is our ashram/center, our home, our resting place, our refuge, our holy place. Being the “owner” (steward) of the Ashram at Prasanthi Nilayam, the CT is the nexus of it all, physically and spiritually.
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In modern terms, one could call the CT the umbrella company or the core economic entity, last but not least because it owns all copyrights, logos and publications – Baba’s word and image. Quite obviously, the CT rests at the heart of the Sai Mission or comprises the very foundation. It is my opinion alone, I am not doing this on behalf of anyone.Ĭontext: The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (CT) was founded by Bhagavan Baba himself in 1972 to operate and manage financial affairs of all the Sathya Sai institutions, namely schools, universities, hospitals and the ashram of course, not to forget water projects and other endeavors. So, I will share my understanding of the issue coupled with my analysis and opinion. To be honest, and as Sai Devotees we should always be honest, unless it hurts someone, all this debate of late about the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (CT), Sri Sathya Sai Global Council (GC) and the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization (SSIO) is confusing, sad, annoying, draining, disturbing and utterly futile, not to say embarrassing.