1. Love and
serve the homeland; do not hate or hurt the homeland of others.
Have
a sense of pride in your motherland. Just as your mother has given birth
to you, so too the land has given birth to you. Whatever country you belong
to, you should have a sense of patriotism. You should not indulge in criticizing
other countries or people belonging to other nations. Having trust and
faith in your own country, you won't try to put down any other country.
Never bring grief or sorrow to your country. To have pride in your own
motherland is important.
2. Honor every
religion; each is a pathway to the one God.
Never
have hatred toward any religion. Honor and respect all religions equally.
Even as you are a citizen of your motherland but respect all countries,
also respect all religions equally.
3. Love all
without distinction; know that mankind is a single community.
Develop
a sense of the brotherhood of man. Look upon each person as your own brother
or sister. There is only one caste, the caste of humanity. All of us belong
to the human race, so everyone is equal. Therefore, love each one equally.
4. Keep your
home and its environs clean; it will ensure health and happiness for you
and for society.
Keep
your own house and its surroundings pure and clean. This hygiene will keep
you healthy and benefit your worldly life.
5. Do not throw
coins when beggars stretch their hands for alms; help them to become self-reliant.
Provide food and shelter, love and care, for the sick and aged.
Be
discriminating when dispensing charity. In the name of charity or philanthropy,
we tend to do injustice to one's country. Charity does not mean that the
land should be full of beggars. We can provide some support and means for
the beggars, but provide food, clothing and other conveniences in such
a way that you are not encouraging laziness and begging.
6. Do not tempt
others by offering bribes or demean yourself by accepting bribes.
Never
give or take a bribe. Giving bribes, or accepting bribes, is contrary to
the very name of the Sri Sathya Sai Organizations. Bear this in mind continuously.
7. Do not develop
jealousy, hatred or envy on any count.
We
must seek ways to solve difficulties such as hatred, envy and jealousy.
To curb this sense of envy and jealousy, we must develop a broader outlook.
Do not differentiate on the basis of race, caste, creed, or country. Follow
your cultural and religious customs in your own home, but do not attempt
to impose them on society. Rather than this, love each person as your own
brother or sister, not seeing him or her as belonging to another creed,
religion, or country.
8. Do not depend
on others to serve your personal needs; become your own servant before
proceeding to serve others.
Develop
self-reliance. Members of the Sri Sathya Sai Organizations should do things
by themselves; they should not depend on others. You may be very wealthy
and have servants and assistants to help in a few tasks, but your own work
you must do yourself. If you wish to be of service to society, serve yourself
first. One who will not serve society has no right to belong to a Sri Sathya
Sai Organization.
9. Observe
the laws of the state and be an exemplary citizen.
You
should never go against the law of the land. We must follow the letter
of the law. The members of the Sri Sathya Sai Organizations should follow
the law in spirit also and be models for the government.
10. Adore God,
abhor sin.
You
must love God and avoid sin. Love God incessantly.