Theos-Talk Archives (August 1999 Message tt00005)

Doss:
| In the past, I recall some statements being made that one of the
reasons
| for some "theosophists" objecting to Sai Baba and his teachings is
that he
| claims to be God. During the weekend, I listened to a tape of a
lecture by
| Sai Baba and I could not find any mention what so ever of his being
God.
| Does anyone have any specific reference to back up the claim that he
claims
| to be God?
|
| I am wondering if all this is just misunderstanding. While Buddha
himself
| claimed he was a human being like all of us, there are followers who
tread
| Buddha as a God. It is quite possible that it is the followers's
| misunderstanding and overstatement of treating Sai Baba as a God.

I do not know why some folks use such a feeble argument against
Bhagavan.  Those who think he is a charlatan are more honest. He teaches
that everybody is God, but we are not aware of it and he is.  Krishna
and all avatars are God too.  He defines God according to the level of
the person or persons he is talking to.  Sometimes as the Principle
Brahman or Paramatman; sometimes with a personal form etc.  HPB and her
gurus taught the same thing.  They rarely used the english word "God" ,
but the notion that we are Divine in nature is a key teaching of
theosophy.

Of course many of Sathya Sai Baba's followers, to our crass Western
notions of "proper" religiosity, are far too adoring, devoted  and put
him on a pedestal to high for our taste.  But differing spiritual
"tastes" are what give the flavor to spiritual living.

HPB in the KEY TO THEOSOPHY (67) says man is God, the "universally
diffused, infinite principle " not *a* god.

Nicholas


-- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com

Letters to the Editor, and discussion of theosophical ideas and
teachings. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message consisting of
"subscribe" or "unsubscribe" to theos-talk-request@theosophy.com.