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Develop the Spirit of
Oneness
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at
Brindavan, 23rd May 2005, Buddha Purnima Celebrations
Text of the Divine Discourse
delivered by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 23rd May 2005,
Buddha Purnima, in Sai Ramesh Krishan Hall, Brindavan
(Whitefield), Bangalore
Embodiments of Love!
MANY DIGNITARIES FROM SRI LANKA have spoken to you about the
great teachings of Buddha. First of all, you have to understand
that God is omnipresent. There is no place where you do not find
God. The essence of the teachings of all scriptures is that God
is present everywhere. Out of their ignorance, some people argue
that God is limited to a particular place.
Divinity Indwells all Beings
Truly speaking, Divinity is present in everyone and is
all-pervasive. This is the basic truth of all doctrines and
philosophies. See everywhere God. If you see God everywhere,
nothing bad will happen to you. This Ekatma Bhava
(principle of oneness) should be understood by the Bharatiyas.
See no evil; see what is good,
Talk no evil; talk what is good,
Hear no evil; hear what is good,
Do no evil; do what is good,
Be always with God.
Some people call Him Rama, some others adore Him as Krishna and
still some others worship Him as Buddha. Names and forms may
vary, but God is one. God is not limited to a particular name,
form, region or religion. There is only one God who pervades
every atom of the creation. Words fail to express the glory and
grandeur of Divinity. People may describe Divinity in a number
of ways, but no description can ever portray Divinity in full
measure. In fact, to describe Divinity is a sign of delusion.
Where is God? You are all the embodiments of God. God pervades
all beings as their life-breath. Such transcendental principle
of Divinity cannot be described. One may do one's best to
describe it at any length, yet all descriptions will fall short
of what reality is. Water is infinite; a container cannot hold
more water than its capacity. As is the size of the container,
so is the quantity of water collected. Likewise, God is
infinite, but each one describes Him based on his limited
understanding. Divinity is much more than what human mind can
comprehend.
Embodiments of Love!
It is impossible for anyone to describe Divinity in full
measure. God is one, but people may describe Him in various ways
depending on their feelings. Divinity is one. It is sign of
ignorance to divide God in the name of religion and limit Him to
a particular name and form. God is limitless and boundless. He
is Sarvantaryami (all-knowing inner reality). He is
Sarva Bhutantaratma (indweller of all beings). How can
anyone describe such Divinity? God is present in everyone in the
form of Atma (Self). Develop such self-confidence and
spirit of oneness. Ekam Sath Viprah Bahudha Vadanti
(truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names).
(Pointing to the tumbler, Swami said) This is water. Telugu
people call it Neeru, Tamilians call it Thanni, so on and so
forth. Different people call it by different names, but water is
the same. Likewise, the same God is extolled by various names.
The indweller is the same in all beings. People worship God by
different names and forms, but God is one. The principle of the
Atma which resides in everyone is the true divine power.
Only those with self-confidence are true Bhaktas
(devotees). You cannot call yourself a devotee if you lack
self-confidence. Without self-confidence, you cannot achieve
anything in life. Therefore, first and foremost develop firm and
unshakeable self-confidence. From self-confidence arises
self-satisfaction. Self-satisfaction shows you the path of
self-sacrifice which ultimately leads to self-realisation.
Self-confidence is the basis for self-realisation.
There is Nothing like my God and your God
Today many people practise meditation without knowing what it
is. In the process, they waste a lot of time. What is
meditation? Is it to sit cross-legged with closed eyes? No. Not
at all. People undertake meditation with a deluded mind.
Consequently, they are unable to achieve the desired result.
What is meant by meditation? To think of God at all times and
under all circumstances is true meditation. You should install
God in your heart and discharge your duties with the feeling
that God is the basis of everything. Only then can you be called
a true devotee. Wherever you go, whatever you may do, recognise
the truth that there is only one God and He is all-pervasive.
Never give scope for differences saying, my God and your God.
Where is your God? Where is my God? All are one; be alike to
everyone. There is only one God and He is present in everyone.
It is a big mistake to think that God is different for different
people. You should have firm faith that God is one. The process
of inhalation and exhalation as indicated by the Soham principle
is one and the same in everybody. Soham means "I am God." This
clearly demonstrates that God is not different from you. When
man comes into the world, the first word he utters is "Koham,
Koham" (who am I?). He should constantly keep asking this
question until he realises his true identity. He should realise
his true nature and proclaim, "Soham, Soham" (I am God) before
leaving the world.
Never attribute multiplicity to Divinity on the basis of
different names and forms such as Rama, Krishna, Jesus, Allah,
Buddha, etc. You may call Him by any name, but God is one and
the same. But these days, we do not find teachers who can make
lasting impression on the hearts of people by imparting such
sacred teachings. All the time, man keeps searching for God
elsewhere. How can you find God elsewhere? Some people may call
Him Allah; others may call Him by some other name. Does God
become different for different people just because they call Him
by different names? No, no. These are only names. To think that
God is different for different people is a great delusion. You
may call Him by any name. God is one.
Sri Lanka will be Safe and Secure
When you develop such spirit of oneness, you will certainly have
Sakshatkara (vision of the Divine). Everyone should
develop Ekatma Bhava (spirit of oneness). Easwara
Sarva Bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings). It is
sheer ignorance to say, "My God is different from your God".
Those who quarrel with each other in the name of religion are
foolish people. For some time now, certain types of differences
have cropped up in Sri Lanka. Whatever others may say, we have
to firmly believe that God is one. It is a great mistake to
develop differences on the basis of our deluded thinking.
Once an old woman went in search of Jesus. When she met him, she
asked, "Are you Jesus?" Jesus replied, "That is the name given
to me. But you can call me by any name, I shall respond." Names
and forms are bound to change. When you are born, people call
you a child. As you grow up, you are called a boy, then you
become a man and later on a grandfather. But the child, boy, man
and grandfather are one and the same. Childhood, youth and old
age are merely the different stages of your life. But you are
one and the same. Similarly, names and forms may be different,
but God is one.
Embodiments of Love!
You have come here all the way from Sri Lanka because of your
love for Me. My love for you is hundred times more than the love
you have for Me (prolonged loud applause). Sri Lanka had
to face many hardships, even from the time of Ravana. But Sri
Lanka can never be put to harm. It will always be safe, secure
and prosperous (loud prolonged applause). God is the
leader of your country. As long as you have faith in God, you
have nothing to fear. May you all enjoy safety and security!
Wherever you go, whatever you do, have firm conviction that God
is always with you, in you, around you, above you, below you. Do
not be carried away by what others say. Have God firmly
installed in your heart. You can never be put to any harm. No
danger can ever befall you. Lead your lives with such courage
and conviction. God will certainly bless you with success.
Embodiments of Love!
The hearts of the people of Sri Lanka are sacred. Hence, they
will always enjoy safety and security. Difficulties will come
and go like passing clouds. You don't need to be afraid of
anything. God will always protect you. Be courageous and face
difficulties with fortitude. You are the embodiments of Love.
Where there is love, there cannot be any adversity. Love is God.
God is Love. Hence, fill your hearts with love.
Embodiments of Love!
Very soon I will visit Sri Lanka and bestow eternal bliss on all
of you (thunderous applause). In the present situation,
it is difficult for Me to walk. However, difficulty is only for
the body. It comes and goes. I do not care for such physical
constraints. I will certainly come to your country very soon and
fulfil your long cherished dream. Right from a child to an old
man, devotees in Sri Lanka think of Swami always. Your prayers
and penance will certainly find fulfilment very soon. Cherish
this sacred feeling in your heart. The passage of time will not
affect the intimate relationship that exists between you and Me.
It is eternal and everlasting.
(Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Prema
Mudhita Manase Kaho?")
? From Bhagavan's Buddha Purnima Discourse in Sai Ramesh Krishan
Hall, Brindavan (Whitefield), Bangalore on 23rd May 2005.
Source:
http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/Buddha_Purnima_Discourse.htm |