Feedback on Indulal Shah's appeal
for help
Date: 03-07-02
By: Barry Newton
From: http://www.saibaba-x.org.uk/saiorg/Newton.htm
The ex-deputy chairperson of the Sathya Sai organisation, Zone B, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, Barry Newton wrote (5/2/02) to Robert Priddy concerning his recent posting on this site of "Sai Baba put in a wider perspective", where Chairman Indulal Shah's appeal for help from the Sathya Sai Organisation in bolstering the name of Sai Baba so as to try to hide the unfaced allegations against him is quoted and commented.
"Indulal Shah says, "it is not like the avatar needs human effort to glorify him, or not that he needs protection..." is such a monumental paradox that it defies rational belief. As was quite correctly pointed out, the Dalai Lama needs no protection (or home for that matter), as he is quite obviously divinely protected (given that the Chinese have for years pursued him and all that he stands for), yet he is still here to give his message of love.
I really think that it's a bit rich for Indulal Shah to be suggesting that Sai devotees be responsible for the outward projection of Sai Baba, especially given that one Indulal Shah demonstrates the pinnacle heights of arrogance and ignorance for all to see, behaviour which is especially enhanced and enriched at official functions by my observations, and that Sai Baba himself is responsible for his actions and the consequent effects, let alone the amazing paradoxes and discrepancies that are part and parcel of his ideology."SAI BABA AND/OR JESUS?
Robert Priddy writes: while many Sai-devotees say that Sai Baba is Jesus, and SB himself told Peggy Mason and Ron Laing that he is the Cosmic Christ. (see 'The Embodiment of Love' in the chapter 'The Second Coming has Come' p. 149-160). Of course, there are thousands who have claimed to be Christ and even now many are in psychiatric care in Jerusalem and elsewhere around the world. However, when Hislop had identified SB with Jesus in a talk, SB told him not to confuse devotees, that Sai Baba and Jesus are different persons. SB has also claimed in a discourse to be Jesus' Holy Father, the one who sent Jesus to earth etc.! It is evident that SB has very considerable difficulties in explaining himself in all this, and the amazingly ignorant howlers he has stated concerning Jesus through the years rob him of all credibility on the subject. (see Brian Steel's analysis of SB on Jesus http://bdsteel.tripod.com/SSB/5.htm under 'Christmas Declarations')
Various Sai-devotee authors have tried to show the similarity between the teachings of SB and Jesus. Interestingly and typically, none of these writings contain source references either to the Bible or to SB's discourses and some contain quotes that are not even correct. Incidentally, such similarities can also, of course, be shown between the teachings of hundreds of Indian and other spiritual figures and Jesus. That Sai Baba plagiarises the actual words of spiritual figures without acknowledgement (such as Gandhi, Vivekananda, Shivananda, Ramana Maharshi etc.) is firmly proven, and he has evidently also taken much from the scriptures on Jesus, sometimes in garbled fashion as if filtered to him through the conversation of a third person more literate than himself, such as Prof. N. Kasturi. However, the apologists for SB have always conveniently neglected the large discrepancies between Jesus and SB in both word and action. Barry Newton helps to set the record straight here by making the following comparison between some aspects of Sai Baba and Jesus.
"Jesus had no fears at all, nor bodyguards in the face of vigorous objection to His tirades directed at the temple priests, and even during his arrest showed the most divine loving compassion when he healed the severed ear of the Roman soldier who was there to arrest Him at His betrayal. Yet armed guards are everywhere in Sai Baba's ashram.
Jesus carried His own cross to His own crucifixion and forgave His killers.
Jesus spoke by His actions, the like of which no number of words could describe, yet we were very often warned in the SSO that "the hollow vessel makes the most noise." Funny that, because Sai Baba and all but a very rare few in the SSO talk lots and do little (actually nothing).
Jesus performed miracles openly, yet Sai Baba goes behind closed doors.
Jesus had no home and fed the multitudes, yet Sai Baba lives in luxury while the villagers outside the ashram live in squalor and obviously go hungry.
Jesus chose to be among the outcasts of society - publicans, prostitutes, tax collectors, the sick and despised, yet Sai Baba invariably interviews the obviously well off, wealthy, or important, and the ashram is walled off from the villagers outside.
Jesus traveled to all parts of the land and to different countries to give the benefit of His presence and message, yet Sai Baba will not leave his native area.
Jesus' life was open for all to witness at all times, yet Sai Baba has two appearances of around twenty minutes a day only.
Jesus ate with whomever offered food, Sai Baba eats specially prepared meals away from all in private.
Jesus healed the sick in open view of all, Sai Baba does not.
I have spoken to sick people in the village who say that they are not allowed into the so called free "Super Specialty Hospital", too afraid to go there even after I offered to accompany them.
Actions such as these speak far more convincingly and louder than the innumerable talks on such topics as the five human values of Love, Peace, Truth, Right Conduct, Non-Violence given by Sai Baba, and from the attestations of a growing number of individuals, it appears that the antithesis of these values is really what has been occurring.
Jesus said (aphorism #5, Gospel of Thomas) "Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you. For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed." and (aphorism #40, Gospel of Thomas) "A grapevine has been planted away from the father. Since it is not strong, it will be pulled up by the root and will perish."
Back to Indulal Shah - I really think that it's a bit rich for him to be suggesting that Sai devotees be responsible for the outward projection of Sai Baba, especially given that one Indulal Shah demonstrates the pinnacle heights of arrogance and ignorance for all to see, behaviour which is especially enhanced and enriched at official functions by my observations, and that Sai Baba himself is responsible for his actions and the consequent effects, let alone the amazing paradoxes and discrepancies that are part and parcel of his ideology.
The question will always remain - why, if the avatar needs no protection or human help to do his work, is protection seen fit to be given, and help being asked for? Paradoxical indeed.
The true God of the Kingdom of Heaven is not known by grandiose temples or advertisements about His Holy works, is not known for sanctimonious self approbation or self glorification, is not restricted to living in one small town in one remote area.
Jesus carried the mark of God so that by His actions we may know those who come in His name, and those who do not."
Barry Newton