Buddha Poornima, Prasanthi Nilayam

Prasanthi Nilayam

Buddha Poornima

On 18 and 19 May 2019, many Sathya Sai devotees from Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand celebrated Buddha Poornima in the sacred precincts of Prasanthi Nilayam. The theme was Chatur Brahma Vihar which enshrines the four noble states of mind, namely, Metta (loving kindness), Karuna (compassion), Mudita (sympathetic joy) and Upekkha (equanimity). The programme included Veda chanting by devotees from Japan, chanting of traditional Buddhist Slokas (couplets), and inspiring speeches. A dance drama by Sathya Sai Young Adults and Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) children from Nepal titled, Buddham Saranam Gacchami depicted some of the main events from the life of Lord Buddha. Young Adults from the countries of SSSIO Zones 4A and 4B presented a devotional music programme titled, Jewel in Lotus.

Buddhist Monks

Young Adults Leadership

The graduation ceremony of the Sathya Sai International Leadership Programme (SSILP) took place on 15 July 2019. In this ceremony, 220 Young Adults were awarded certificates on their completion of SSILP. Two Young Adults spoke eloquently about various service activities in the fields of education, healthcare, and humanitarian relief, as well as human values programmes. They presented a soulful devotional music programme titled, Offering of Pure Love to Sai Within. To date, about 1,400 Young Adults have graduated from the SSILP.

Young Adult Leadership Group Picture
Young Adult Leadership Men Graduates
Young Adult Leadership Women Graduates

Summer Conference

The First International Summer Conference was organised in Prasanthi Nilayam from 17 to 21 July 2019. More than 600 people from 54 countries participated in the conference titled, Living with Sai, which focused on self-transformation and spiritual practices. The programme included inspiring talks by more than 20 eminent speakers, enriching workshops on a wide array of spiritual topics, guided spiritual practice sessions, cultural events, special tours of significant sites in Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s life and various service activities. The conference included a children's programme titled Walking in the Footsteps of Sai, which allowed children to immerse themselves in His life-story through visits around Puttaparthi, including the Sathya Sai Primary School and a full daytrip to Sri Sathya Sai Baba's early childhood home at Uravakonda.

Summer Conference Attendees

Christmas

From 24 to 26 December 2019, Sathya Sai devotees from around the world came together to celebrate Christmas in the holy precincts of Prasanthi Nilayam. The theme of the 2019 celebrations was The Power of Love. The entire Prasanthi Nilayam premises was bedecked with Christmas decorations and illumination by SSSIO volunteers. More than 300 musicians from several countries rendered mellifluous devotional songs and carols on Christmas Eve, bringing forth the joyous spirit of Christmas. Carols were also sung on the morning of Christmas day.

The Christmas evening programme began with a Nativity Procession by children from around the world, followed by an illuminating talk by Mr. George Bebedelis, Director, Institute of Sathya Sai Education, South Europe. A Children’s Christmas Choir with 78 children from 15 countries of the SSSIO presented devotional songs and Christmas carols. On 26 December 2019, a Christmas drama was performed by Young Adults and children from seven countries, focusing on the life and teachings of Jesus that love is the main force in the world.

Christmas Adult Choir

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year has been observed in Prasanthi Nilayam since 1997. From 31 January to 2 February 2020, more than 500 Sathya Sai devotees from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand took part in Chinese New Year celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam. The programme included traditional Chinese New Year offerings; chanting of conventional Chinese and Buddhist mantras; inspiring speeches; instrumental rendition on Guzheng, an ancient Chinese plucked string instrument; and devotional songs. There were hymns dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin, and Avalokiteswari.

A musical offering was gratefully offered by the group, SMILE (Serving Mankind Inspiring Love Everywhere), from Jakarta, which is part of the Indonesian wing of Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV). The celebrations also included a Chinese orchestra , and a musical presentation from Malaysia on various Chinese instruments. A drama was presented by the SSSIO members from Indonesia, titled Heaven Lies at the Feet of the Mother.

Chinese New Years Program
Chinese New Years Offering