Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Baba is a South Indian guru, religious leader, and orator often described as a Godman and a miracle worker. Prasanthi Nilayam is the name of the Ashram in Puttaparthi.
According to the Sathya Sai Organization, there are an estimated 1,200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 114 countries world-wide. Estimates of the number of Sathya Sai Baba adherents vary from 6 to 100 million. Followers consider him an avatar and the reincarnation of the saint Sai Baba of Shirdi.
The Sathya Sai Baba movement advocates the unity of all religions.[33] Sathya Sai Baba says that all religions lead to God and that followers should continue to follow their original religions. He says that those who follow his teachings will find themselves exampling their own original faith more fully, i.e. that will make Christians become better Christians and Hindus better Hindus, et cetera. The five basic human values that he advocates are: Truth (Sathya), Right Conduct (Dharma), Peace (Shantih), Love for God and all creatures (Prema), and Non-violence (Ahimsa).
He teaches a rather traditional but eclectic form of Hinduism that come from many sects and movements including advaita, occasionally drawing from other religions like Buddhism, Sikhism, and Christianity. He says that he has come to restore faith in, and the practice of, the Vedas. He says that a very important way a person can emancipate oneself is through self-less service to ones fellow man (seva).
Sathya Sai Baba has repeatedly stresses the importance of sadhana (Hindu spiritual exercises) for example by meditation.[34] He asserts that sadhana is important for achieving moksha (liberation from ignorance and from the endless re-births due to karmic consequences). Sathya Sai Baba teaches the importance of Bhakti yoga (Hindu devotion tho God).
