The Sri Sathya Sai International Organization has declared the 24th of April as “Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam” and “World Human Values Day” in grateful memory of its founder, Sri Sathya Sai Baba's life, legacy, and universal teachings. The aim is to celebrate this occasion by intensifying our practice of the Five Human Values of Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Nonviolence for our own spiritual awareness and the upliftment of our families, communities, and the entire world.
These five values are verily the five life breaths of man. One who considers human values as his life-breath alone is a true human being. These five values are the fundamental powers of human life. Forgetting these fundamental powers, man relies more on worldly power. Our ancients realized that these five values are meant for the peace and prosperity of the world. Without understanding the significance of these values, one cannot understand humanness at all.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, September 26, 2000
Activities conducted around the world on this day promote the practice of Human Values. In Canada, 90 cities have proclaimed April 24th as 'Human Values Day' and have become part of this inspiring initiative which aims at bringing about collective transformation. Other uplifting activities that take place across the globe to further promote the practice of Human Values include Walks for Values, Sai Spiritual Education and Sathya Sai Education in Human Values initiatives, music and drama performances, seminars and public meetings, community engagement projects and interfaith programs which may be adapted to suit local customs and cultures.
Lead your life’s journey with the help of human values. Let your daily life be suffused with Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness), Santhi (peace) and Prema (love). Truth is atma (universal spirit). Dharma is the duty that we have to perform. Hence, discharge your dharma with truth.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, October 21, 2007
The five human values
The first among the five human values is Sathya (truth). Who is the author or who spoke and taught about this Sathya? It is said Manasyekam vachasyekam karmanyekam mahatmanam (those whose thoughts, words and deeds are in perfect harmony are noble ones). Such noble souls have preached this truth since time immemorial. Sathya (truth) manifests from one’s own heart.
The second value is Dharma (righteousness). Who created this Dharma? What is Dharma and what is Adharma? If you go on enquiring, it becomes clear that Dharma is not something that is created by someone. Sathyannasthi paro dharmah (there is no Dharma greater than adherence to truth). Dharma originated from Sathya.
The third value is Santi (peace). You enquire from any millionaire, “Sir! You have everything in this world for a happy living. Are you happy?” Pat comes the reply, “I have everything, but I have no peace.” Peace is not something that a person passes on or gives in charity to another person. It has to come from one’s own heart. Today, wherever you see, “only pieces, no peace.”
The fourth value is Prema (love). Where did this love come from? Did it come from mother or father or some friend? Did anyone gift it? No! Love is your very life-breath. Devoid of love, the world cannot exist.
The fifth human value is Ahimsa (non-violence). Gautam Buddha taught Ahimsa paramo dharmah (non-violence is the supreme dharma). But, today wherever you see, there is only violence. Like the other human values, the heart is the seat of non-violence.
The five human values Sathya, Dharma, Santi, Prema and Ahimsa are not independent of each other. They closely follow one another. These five qualities are the gift of God to a human being. We as human beings have to manifest these five human values by putting them into practice. That is ‘Educare’.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, September 29, 2006
Related SSSIO site: https://valuestransform.org
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