Om Sri Sai Guru Ganeshaya Namaha

SAI BALA

************

CHILDREN’S NEWS LETTER 37
7/2/2004

Om Sri Sai Guru Deva

Dear boys and girls

We meet every weekend. This letter is for you, to love your parents and
every parent in this world.

If we are unable to come on weekends please excuse us. There may be some
reasons. You should always keep loving and enjoy your life with love. Tell
your parents or elders to receive this email print it and give it to you.
You can share our SAI BALA with all your friends. If you do not understand
any big words, ask your parents they will help you. Your parent is your
immediate GOD. OBEY THEM WITH LOVE. SATHYA SAI BABA WILL PROTECT YOU. Jai Sai Ram.

Jai Sai Ram

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE BY BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Students!
You should acquire such education which will be beneficial to the society and the world at large. What is the present state of society? In what way can we make it ideal? How should one work for the advancement of the society? Nobody seems to think on these lines. Even the present system of education does not lay emphasis on service to society. If someone talks about reforms in the system of education, the students just brush it aside. They think that textual knowledge is the be-all and end-all of education. The elders should take up the responsibility to give proper education to students. Students should uphold the honour of the society. We should follow the teachings of our ancient sages and seers who have given us the true meaning of education. It is a sign of foolishness to become egoistic by merely acquiring a few degrees. You should understand the needs of society and utilise your education for its progress. People say they are serving the society, but without really understanding what the requirements of the society are. Such service is not Samaja Seva (social service), but Samadhi Seva, meaning a lifeless, mechanical activity. Society will progress only when the system of education is set right. As the craze for Western education has increased, the study of Vedic texts is being neglected. Parents should teach their children what is good and what is bad right from their childhood. They should not be satisfied merely by securing admission in a college and acquiring a degree by their children. They should ensure that their children utilise their education to serve the nation. The government may not be able to do much in this regard; it is the responsibility of the parents to guide their children on proper lines. They should encourage the children to work for the progress of the nation. But nowadays, parents do not have such broad-mindedness. Even teachers are not interested in the welfare of the nation. They feel that their responsibility ends with imparting bookish knowledge to students. They do not even enquire whether the information contained in the textbooks is beneficial to society or not. They do not take up the matter with the government. Even if they do take it up, the government is not responsive. They are changing educational institutions into factories which produce degree holders. Students alone are not to be blamed for this state of affairs. Parents, teachers and the government are equally responsible for this dismal state of affairs. It is not enough if students secure high ranks in the class and earn a good name. They should work for the progress of the society and the nation and thus bring a good name to parents. Parents should monitor the progress of their children from time to time, inculcate virtues in them and mould them into responsible citizens. They should not rest satisfied if their children get good marks. They should also observe what type of books they read at home. Some students read meaningless novels. But the parents do not bother to correct them. On the other hand, they say, "What is wrong in reading novels? It is enough if they are happy." In this manner, they spoil their own children. They do not care to observe how their children behave in their absence. There is no point in merely educating the children without correcting their behaviour. Parents should emulate the ideals of our forefathers who brought up their children in the most ideal way.

BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Jai Sai Ram

STORY FOR THE WEEK BY BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

SOLUTIONS TO THREE PROBLEMS

After Buddha gave up worldly ways, he traveled far and wide. People were wonder-struck at his brilliant, handsome form. Enamored by his effulgence, a woman named Ambashali approached him and said, "O great one, you look like a prince in ochre robes. May I know why you don ochre robes at this young age?" Buddha replied that he took to the path of renunciation in order to seek solutions to three problems. "This body which is young and handsome is bound to become old with time - will be made sick and perish ultimately. I want to know the cause for old age, sickness and death."

Impressed by his quest of truth she invited him for lunch. In no time the entire village came to know of this. The villagers started coming to Buddha one by one, and requested him not to accept her invitation, as she was a woman of bad character. Buddha listened to all their complaints patiently. Buddha smiled and asked the village head, "Do you also affirm that she is a woman of bad character?" The village head replied, "Not once, but thousand times I will vouch for the evil character of Ambashali. Please do not visit her house."

Holding the village head's right hand, Buddha asked him to clap. The village head said that he could not do so as one of his hands was in Buddha's hold and it was not possible for anyone to clap with a single hand. Buddha replied, "Likewise, Ambashali cannot be bad by herself unless there are men of bad character in this village. If all the men in this village were good, this woman would not have turned bad. Therefore, men and their money are responsible for the bad character of Ambashali."

Saying so he wanted to know if there was any individual in that gathering without any trace of bad in him so that he could visit his house for lunch. No one came forward. Then Buddha said, "When there are so many bad men in the village, it is not proper to point a finger at one woman. She turned bad due to bad company." That is why it is said, 'Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are.' Realising their folly, the people fell at Buddha's feet and sought forgiveness. Since then they started treating Ambashali as one amongst them. Inspired by the teachings of Buddha, Ambashali also took to the path of renunciation and led a pious life. No one else is responsible for the good and bad in an individual. Each one is responsible for his own good and bad. Who is good, who is bad? First eliminate the bad in you.

BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Jai Sai Ram.

PAST ISSUES OF THIS NEWS LETTER

Jai Sai Ram

Just go to http://www.sathyasaionline.com and click Swami’s picture like Krishna.There you can meet us. You can also write us letters. You can also send us stories, poems and pictures. Send little tiny ones. Also send your name, age and country you live in. Good ones will be selected.

Please inform your friends about us. To subscribe just tell them to write
SUBSCRIBE SAI BALA and send us an email on
saibaba@value.com.au

This service is free and has no obligations.

Please contact Dr Jose Luis Hernani, PHD (Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist) FOR PRIVATE SESSION on Email drjoseluishernani@yahoo.com with your problem.

Counselling done through our chatroom and/or by email.

Sister Sandhya Ganapathy from India will be our helper for weekend sessions and will be assisting Brother Jose when he is there.

Find out your corresponding local Time at http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html

VISIT: http://www.sathyasaionline.com for the chatroom

**************************************************
THIS EMAIL
You are being offered our services with the token of love. If you think you
may not be suited you may unsubscribe at any time.
Email to subscribe and unsubscribe saibaba@value.com.au
 
OUR OTHER FREE NEWS LETTERS

We Have few more FREE NEWSLETTERS in our services: OM SRI SAI RAM (Daily newsletter) SAI GOPAL (Sai School weekly newsletter) OM JAI SRI SATHYA SAI NARAYANI (Poverty and Hunger weekly newsletter) OM JAI SRI SATHYA SAI SATHGURU  (EHV Teachers weekly newsletter) Visit http://www.sathyasaionline.com for subscription details. Om Jai Sri Sathya Sai Ram.