Wednesday, February 12, 1997 to
Friday, February 14, 1997
The Chinese New Year was celebrated by over 1,500 Chinese devotees from a number of Asian countries between 12th to 14th February 1997 at Prashanti Nilayam. The singers from the far Eastern countries sang Bhajans after Bhagavan’s morning Darshan on 12th. The Chinese dressed in their traditional costumes led Bhagavan in a procession to Sai Kulwant Hall on 13th morning. Bhagavan lit the candles and inaugurated the New Year programme. Two Chinese offered their respects to Bhagavan in their traditional way. Bhagavan graciously accepted the two Chinese scrolls. He also signed a traditional Chinese tablet (A tablet traditionally placed in front of the Chinese homes), as a mark of blessing. Mr. Wee Lin, the Chairman of the programme committee offered Bhagavan the special souvenir programme. Sri Jagadeesan, Central Coordinator for Sri Sathya Sai Organisations and Mr. Billy Fong Goon Poy, the first National Sai Youth Coordinator, addressed the gathering. Bhagavan then blessed the devotees with His New Year Message. He said:
"Today the Chinese devotees are observing their national New Year Day here. What is the origin of the word "China"? It is derived from the two words "chung" and "kuo". 'Chung" means the human heart. "Kuo" refers to the country. The word "China" therefore means that "My heart is my country". This concept is applicable to all countries and all religions. For instance, Bharat. It is derived from, the two words - "Bhaa" meaning "effulgence" and "Rata" meaning "to rejoice". The heart is the source of effulgence. Bharatiya is one who rejoices in the effulgence emanating from the heart. Every man is attracted to the heart. God is not confined to any particular place. His main abode is the heart.
The Chinese have esteemed the heart as their native land. the heart is subject to troubles and difficulties. From ancient times and to some extent even to-day, the Chinese have observed one ritual every morning before beginning their day's chores. They declare: “Difficulties are our friends. Let us invite them." The Chinese have looked upon difficulties as their friends. They have recognised that without trouble no good can be realised. They used to start the day's work with this thought before them. The Chinese also realised that true happiness comes from the satisfaction of a task well done. In Bharat also there is the dictum, "Uddharet Atmana Atmaanam" (Raise the Self by the Self). What is it that can raise the Self? It is our own good conduct. Our good conduct is not for elevating the country, but for elevating ourselves. A whetstone is used for sharpening a knife, not for making the whetstone smoother. Likewise, in this world, your good conduct improves you and, as a result the world.
Work hard and follow the dictates of your conscience
There is a proverb current in China: “The most delicious food is that is got by hard labour." What is got by arduous effort is relished with joy. One who enjoys his food without having laboured for it is an idler In China everyone works hard to cam his living. This cult of work should activate every human being. Unfortunately this is forgotten today. From very ancient times, there have been close relations between China and Bharat. A short while ago a speaker mentioned how in the Chinese pantheon there are deities corresponding to the deities worshipped in Bharat like Lakshmi, Bhu Devi, Kubera and others.
Similarly a common saying current in China regarding government regulations is applicable also to the situation in Bharat. Comparing Government regulations to a net, the Chinese used to say that the very small fish escape through the holes in the net, while the very big break through it. Only the middle sized fish get caught in it. In Bharat also it is a fact that the lowest among the people are unaffected by Government regulations. The very rich and powerful drive a coach and force through them. It is only the middle class that suffers most from these regulations.
I have often indicated the rule by which people should govern their lives. They have to follow the dictates of their conscience. Make conscience your master. You can then face any difficulties in life and overcome them. Never give way to despair in the face of difficulties.
Enshrine God your heart; Help ever and Hurt Never
Realise the relationship between your body and God. You are a limb of the society. The society is a limb of the world. The world is a limb of nature. Nature is a limb of God. Instead, of realising this integral relationship between man, nature and God, people are lost in the pursuit of wealth. This is totally wrong. People should enshrine God in their hearts and contemplate incessantly on the Divine. People today think of God only for money. God is sought only for money. Men resort to all devices to get money. Men go round wealth in adoration like the earth round the sun. This is the travesty of devotion that we witness today. Think of God. Money will come of its own accord. Today money rules every aspect of human life. Money has its place in life. But excessive wealth is a source of harm to the individual and the nation. You must strive to acquire wealth that will give you real happiness.
Today there are millions of devotees all over the world. The world would be a much better place if all of them practised at least one good principle in their daily life. Jagadeesan from Malaysia who had spoken earlier called upon the devotees participating in the Chinese National Day festival in Prasanthi Nilayam to give up one bad habit and cultivate one good habit as a mark of their visit to Prasanthi Nilayam. In respect of Sai, it is enough if you observe one good precept, namely, "Help ever, hurt never." Indeed, you should cultivate the spirit of sacrifice. When you cultivate love with sacrifice, you will progress spiritually When you plant a sapling you have to water it and manure it to make it grow. Likewise, for the plant of life, you have to provide the water of love and the manure of sacrifice to enable it to grow well.
Sacrifice! Sacrifice! Sacrifice!
The obsession with money is totally meaningless because you come with nothing in the world and leave it with nothing. Is it not more desirable to utilise the money on acts of charity? Many persons in Bharat deposit their ill-gotten wealth in Switzerland or some other country and leave the world empty-handed. The money you make in Bharat should be spent here for the people's welfare. Help the poor and the needy. Support educational and medical institutions. Money is given to you only for helping others. There is no meaning in hoarding it.
Sacrifice! Sacrifice! Sacrifice! That is the supreme quality you have to cultivate. The Vedas have stridently proclaimed that immortality can be got only through sacrifice and not by any other means. Only through sacrifice can there be real enjoyment of what you acquire. What you earn with one hand, give away with the other. Without sacrifice life is a waste.
I give you three formulae: One - work, work and work. Two - enjoy the fruits of your labour. Today there is no gospel of work in. the country. Everyone wants to enjoy without doing hard work. Whatever be the troubles, work hard. Three - use your earnings for public good. When this kind of renunciatory outlook develops among the people, the nation will prosper immensely.
Love all and Serve all
Prema and Tyaga (Love and Sacrifice)are the two most important ideals in life. Love all, even those who hare you. That is the index of your devotion. In the name of devotion, people are flocking to Prasanthi Nilayam at great expense. What is it you have accomplished by coming here? What have you learnt? Being a Sai devotee, if you practise even one or two good qualities like morality and integrity the nation will benefit immensely. There is neither truth nor morality among most people. "A people without morality are worse than a monkey," goes the saying. A great monkey served the Divine and became the recipient of His grace. Men today talk about devotion, but have no regard for the Divine injunctions.
Peace, truth and love are inherent in man. Why do you search for them outside? Manifest these qualities which are within you. You must cultivate forbearance and compassion. This is the way to foster the love principle. Today the demon of selfishness has reared its head everywhere. If selfishness goes, divinity enters. Today people are steeped in desires. How many live for the sake of ideals? People develop Deha Abhimanam (attachment to the body), but do not care to develop Desha-Abhimaanam (love for the country). Man's primary spiritual effort today should be in the direction of getting rid of selfishness, narrow-mindedness and attachment to the body, and developing love of God, a broad outlook and devotion to the nation. Develop confidence in the Self.
Today is the Chinese New Year Day: It is a new year for the whole world, because every one's heart is his native land. Every human being is a resident in the kingdom of the Heart. Everyone should recognise his responsibilities in the kingdom of the Heart and not be concerned about his rights. What meaning is there in fighting for rights with a polluted heart? Your rights will be ensured if you discharge your duties prop-crime. There are officials who receive salaries in thousands. Are they doing enough work to justify those salaries? One who does not do enough work to justify his salary is a traitor to the nation. He is cheating the people. When you do enough work to justify your salary, you will be deriving boundless satisfaction. Duties must come first. That is the basis of Indian Culture.
Give up the bad and take the good
Today people have no faith. They remember God in times of difficulty and forget Him when they are all right. How many follow the ideals of Swami? They only multiply their desires. What greater folly can there be than this? There is one thing to be learnt by all people whether they are from China, Japan, India or America. The God who is in all of them is one and the same. Your love of God should remain unwavering, whatever may happen. Love is God. Live in Love. This one truth will protect you at all times. Leave all your bad qualities here and take back good thoughts and good habits. That alone will justify your coining here. Become good and improve the society.
When you go back to your country with good qualities, people will mark the change in you after your visit to Puttaparthi. Treat Prasanthi Nilayam as a spiritual workshop. No charges are levied here. Everything is free. I am ready. Make the best use of your stay here."
The afternoon programme commenced with a short speech of Prof. Anil Kumar followed by Bhagavan’s Discourse. Mr. Cheah Woon Kwong, the Chairman of the Programme Committee and Sri Jagadeesan gave short speeches. The Chinese children presented a cultural programme. Bhagavan blessed the children and had photographs taken with them. Bhagavan spent a great deal of time with the cultural troupe in Sai Kulwant Hall on 14th morning. He presented beautiful shawls to many of them and materialised three rings for the main in-charges of the programme. The Chinese presented a lion dance. The programme concluded with Mangala Arati to Bhagavan.
"Today the Chinese devotees are observing their national New Year Day here. What is the origin of the word "China"? It is derived from the two words "chung" and "kuo". 'Chung" means the human heart. "Kuo" refers to the country. The word "China" therefore means that "My heart is my country". This concept is applicable to all countries and all religions. For instance, Bharat. It is derived from, the two words - "Bhaa" meaning "effulgence" and "Rata" meaning "to rejoice". The heart is the source of effulgence. Bharatiya is one who rejoices in the effulgence emanating from the heart. Every man is attracted to the heart. God is not confined to any particular place. His main abode is the heart.
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| Chinese New Year Celebrations over the years at Prasanthi Nilayam |
Work hard and follow the dictates of your conscience
Similarly a common saying current in China regarding government regulations is applicable also to the situation in Bharat. Comparing Government regulations to a net, the Chinese used to say that the very small fish escape through the holes in the net, while the very big break through it. Only the middle sized fish get caught in it. In Bharat also it is a fact that the lowest among the people are unaffected by Government regulations. The very rich and powerful drive a coach and force through them. It is only the middle class that suffers most from these regulations.
I have often indicated the rule by which people should govern their lives. They have to follow the dictates of their conscience. Make conscience your master. You can then face any difficulties in life and overcome them. Never give way to despair in the face of difficulties.
Enshrine God your heart; Help ever and Hurt Never
Realise the relationship between your body and God. You are a limb of the society. The society is a limb of the world. The world is a limb of nature. Nature is a limb of God. Instead, of realising this integral relationship between man, nature and God, people are lost in the pursuit of wealth. This is totally wrong. People should enshrine God in their hearts and contemplate incessantly on the Divine. People today think of God only for money. God is sought only for money. Men resort to all devices to get money. Men go round wealth in adoration like the earth round the sun. This is the travesty of devotion that we witness today. Think of God. Money will come of its own accord. Today money rules every aspect of human life. Money has its place in life. But excessive wealth is a source of harm to the individual and the nation. You must strive to acquire wealth that will give you real happiness.
Today there are millions of devotees all over the world. The world would be a much better place if all of them practised at least one good principle in their daily life. Jagadeesan from Malaysia who had spoken earlier called upon the devotees participating in the Chinese National Day festival in Prasanthi Nilayam to give up one bad habit and cultivate one good habit as a mark of their visit to Prasanthi Nilayam. In respect of Sai, it is enough if you observe one good precept, namely, "Help ever, hurt never." Indeed, you should cultivate the spirit of sacrifice. When you cultivate love with sacrifice, you will progress spiritually When you plant a sapling you have to water it and manure it to make it grow. Likewise, for the plant of life, you have to provide the water of love and the manure of sacrifice to enable it to grow well.
Sacrifice! Sacrifice! Sacrifice!
The obsession with money is totally meaningless because you come with nothing in the world and leave it with nothing. Is it not more desirable to utilise the money on acts of charity? Many persons in Bharat deposit their ill-gotten wealth in Switzerland or some other country and leave the world empty-handed. The money you make in Bharat should be spent here for the people's welfare. Help the poor and the needy. Support educational and medical institutions. Money is given to you only for helping others. There is no meaning in hoarding it.
I give you three formulae: One - work, work and work. Two - enjoy the fruits of your labour. Today there is no gospel of work in. the country. Everyone wants to enjoy without doing hard work. Whatever be the troubles, work hard. Three - use your earnings for public good. When this kind of renunciatory outlook develops among the people, the nation will prosper immensely.
Love all and Serve all
Peace, truth and love are inherent in man. Why do you search for them outside? Manifest these qualities which are within you. You must cultivate forbearance and compassion. This is the way to foster the love principle. Today the demon of selfishness has reared its head everywhere. If selfishness goes, divinity enters. Today people are steeped in desires. How many live for the sake of ideals? People develop Deha Abhimanam (attachment to the body), but do not care to develop Desha-Abhimaanam (love for the country). Man's primary spiritual effort today should be in the direction of getting rid of selfishness, narrow-mindedness and attachment to the body, and developing love of God, a broad outlook and devotion to the nation. Develop confidence in the Self.
Today is the Chinese New Year Day: It is a new year for the whole world, because every one's heart is his native land. Every human being is a resident in the kingdom of the Heart. Everyone should recognise his responsibilities in the kingdom of the Heart and not be concerned about his rights. What meaning is there in fighting for rights with a polluted heart? Your rights will be ensured if you discharge your duties prop-crime. There are officials who receive salaries in thousands. Are they doing enough work to justify those salaries? One who does not do enough work to justify his salary is a traitor to the nation. He is cheating the people. When you do enough work to justify your salary, you will be deriving boundless satisfaction. Duties must come first. That is the basis of Indian Culture.
Give up the bad and take the good
Today people have no faith. They remember God in times of difficulty and forget Him when they are all right. How many follow the ideals of Swami? They only multiply their desires. What greater folly can there be than this? There is one thing to be learnt by all people whether they are from China, Japan, India or America. The God who is in all of them is one and the same. Your love of God should remain unwavering, whatever may happen. Love is God. Live in Love. This one truth will protect you at all times. Leave all your bad qualities here and take back good thoughts and good habits. That alone will justify your coining here. Become good and improve the society.
When you go back to your country with good qualities, people will mark the change in you after your visit to Puttaparthi. Treat Prasanthi Nilayam as a spiritual workshop. No charges are levied here. Everything is free. I am ready. Make the best use of your stay here."
The afternoon programme commenced with a short speech of Prof. Anil Kumar followed by Bhagavan’s Discourse. Mr. Cheah Woon Kwong, the Chairman of the Programme Committee and Sri Jagadeesan gave short speeches. The Chinese children presented a cultural programme. Bhagavan blessed the children and had photographs taken with them. Bhagavan spent a great deal of time with the cultural troupe in Sai Kulwant Hall on 14th morning. He presented beautiful shawls to many of them and materialised three rings for the main in-charges of the programme. The Chinese presented a lion dance. The programme concluded with Mangala Arati to Bhagavan.
OM SHREE SAI RAMJI:)
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