Sri Sathya Sai International Organization

Love All Serve All

Sri Sathya Sai International Organization (SSSIO)

The SSSIO is a spiritual and humanitarian organization founded by Sri Sathya Sai Baba and has been active for over 50 years globally. Sri Sathya Sai Centres and Groups were established in the late 1960s in many countries by His overseas devotees, to carry forth the message of Bhagawan Baba and do His work. A World Council was formed by Bhagawan in 1980, and in 1987 He dissolved it in favor of national organizations to suit the local cultures and conditions, and for operational efficiency. The Prasanthi Council was formed by Swami in 2003 for the administration of the SSSIO.

Subsequently the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation (SSSWF) was formed as per divine directive in 2006. The announcement was published in the March 2006 Sanathana Sarathi: “By the divine command of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation will henceforth assume responsibility for the governance of all functions of the SSSIO. The foundation will work together with the Prasanthi Council to accomplish the administration of these Organizations.” The SSSWF is registered as a 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation in California, USA. It supports the humanitarian relief projects and other works of the SSSIO around the world.

The Charter and Guidelines of the SSSIO were developed under the personal guidance of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The SSSIO has been expanding the divine mission of Bhagawan since the inception, and selflessly serving its officers, members, and the public around the globe.

The Organization carries forth the mission started by Sri Sathya Sai Baba who, by His selfless love, universal spiritual teachings, and exemplary life dedicated to social service, touched the hearts of millions of people all over the world.

Its goal is to help people realize the Divine Principle innate in every human being. This is achieved by doing selfless service and achieving self-transformation by practicing the five universal human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love, and Nonviolence. This Divine Principle within is expressed by manifesting love in thought, word, and deed. The SSSIO promotes and practices harmony of religions and unity of faiths. It includes people from all religions, faiths, and nationalities. The quest for knowing the ultimate truth about oneself, living in accordance with one’s higher consciousness, and serving society is the mission of all Sri Sathya Sai Centers and Groups spread in over 110 countries.

The vast network and operations of this international organization is managed through an organizational structure shown below.

Organizational Structure

Sri Sathya Sai Centers

The Sri Sathya Sai Centers form the core of the Organization. Sri Sathya Sai Centers help their members to realize their own innate divinity. Thus, the Sri Sathya Sai mission constitutes a spiritual movement that strives to build a world of peace and prosperity, based on love and selfless service.

There are no membership fees for joining a Sri Sathya Sai Centre, and fees are never charged for any Centre activity, nor are donations solicited from the public. Funds to cover various projects are offered voluntarily by members, and officers in the organization use their own funds to cover personal expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.

The activities of the SSSIO are broadly spiritual, educational, and service oriented.

Devotion Wing

Spiritual activities undertaken by the SSSIO promote spiritual awareness and love of God through self-discipline, good conduct, study circles, devotional singing, meditation, and other activities organized in Centre and Group meetings, retreats, camps, and conferences.

Education Wing

These activities include the teaching and practice of the five universal Human Values: Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love, and Nonviolence through classes for children and parents, and training seminars for teachers. The practice of human values is the basis of character development and transforms one into a compassionate, honest, just, serene, and happy person.

The SSSIO conducts Sri Sathya Sai Spiritual Education program for young children of SSSIO members on the life, message and works of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and helps them practice the five fundamental human values.  

There are more than 40 Sri Sathya Sai Schools around the world providing integral education, which has both academic and spiritual components. Its graduates are known not only for their high scholastic achievements but also for their upright moral character. These educational institutions have been recognized by local authorities for their excellence and outstanding contribution to society.

Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values is administered by over 30 Institutes of Sri Sathya Sai Education, in more than 30 countries, not only for schools and educational institutions but also for governments, businesses, industries and communities worldwide.

Young Adults Wing

The Young Adult's Program encourages men and women, between the ages of 18 and 40 to lead purposeful lives serving their families, communities and countries by learning and practicing the spiritual principles taught by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Primary importance is given to holistic character development through personal transformation and selfless service. The Young Adults are an integral part of the organization. They often take the lead in numerous service activities of the SSSIO, such as the “Serve the Planet” program, which is organized globally, year-round, with a common theme for service.

Service Wing

Service activities including global healthcare and social services, are a very important function of the SSSIO. Selfless service is an important spiritual discipline for the realization of the innate divinity. Selfless service is expressed as love in action, love for the planet and, in particular, love for fellow human beings and all life forms. It consists of taking care of the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the needy, without any consideration for reward or any intention to proselytize.

Around the world, the organization provides food, clothes, supplies and shelter to the needy, as well as loving care for the environment and animals. SSSIO members engage in many types of community service projects throughout the year.

Sri Sathya Sai Global Healthcare Mission

Healthcare is another important service activity of the organization. For many years, the SSSIO has provided free healthcare of the highest quality, in a timely manner, to those in need of medical assistance – often in remote, rural areas where such services are needed most but are not available or affordable. Highly skilled doctors render loving, selfless services throughout the world, without regard for personal benefit, recognition, or reward.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of needy patients receive medical and surgical services at hundreds of medical camps and over 40 permanent medical clinics and mobile clinics worldwide. In addition, dental, vision, blood and bone marrow donor registration drives, and health education programs are also conducted.

Humanitarian Relief

Humanitarian relief is an important service provided by the Organization. SSSIO volunteers offer medical assistance, as well as food, clothing, shelter and daily necessities to victims of natural disasters in a timely manner. SSSIO members sprang into action to serve the afflicted after the Earthquake in Ecuador, Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji, the Earthquake in Nepal, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, Hurricane Sandy in the USA and the Earthquake in Haiti, to name a few.

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Divine Proclamation

The page-facsimile below was published in March 2006 in the Sanathana Sarathi, a monthly magazine published by the Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, India .  

Excerpt from Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Discourse on November 24, 1987