Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values

The Sathya Sai Education in Human Values program (SSEHV) fosters the emergence of the five human values espoused by Sri Sathya Sai Baba: Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Nonviolence. These values are inherent in human beings. Through the process of educare, teachers guide students to bring out their innate human values into thought, word and deed.

SSEHV community-based programs for children and adults are provided free by 28 Institutes of Sathya Sai Education around the world. SSEHV programs do not focus on any one spiritual leader or any one religion. Descriptions and locations of SSEHV programs can be found in the SSEHV Global Compendium.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba has spoken frequently about human values. His statements about human values can be found in The Supreme End of Education. Here are two examples:

Of what use is human birth if human values are absent?

From head to foot, man is filled with anger today. He has become like an animal. Even an animal is better than man. An animal has a reason and season. Today man has no reason and no season. If you behave in this manner, how can you call yourself a human? To call yourself a human, first and foremost show humanness in action. Just because you have a human body, you cannot call yourself a human. The human body will have value only when you cultivate human values, namely, sathya (truth), dharma (righteousness), santhi (peace), prema (love) and ahimsa (non-violence). Of what use is human birth if human values are absent? First demonstrate humanness. Develop love. By doing so, all will become your friends. What kind of friends? Those who are full of love. Your real friend is only God. God is love personified. He is full of love.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba, June 01, 2001

When the principles are properly explained, everyone will accept them

We feel that some countries are not amenable to accept these values. What is the reason? When the principles are properly explained, everyone will accept them. Parrot-like repetition of the words “Human Values” will not result in understanding. When the inner significance is explained, everyone will accept them. Tell them—Truth is God, Love is God, live in love. When explained thus, everyone will accept. Will anybody say `no,’ to speak truth? Everyone has to accept the validity of these assertions. When you explain in detail the inner significance, humanity will accept it without reservation. No matter whether it is India, America, Japan or Germany or Christian or Muslim; Truth is only one for all. Truth is one, Truth is God. You should attain this sacred state. This fact has to be accepted by any nation. We in India say 2+2=4. Whether Pakistan or anywhere else, this will be the same. Is there any one in Pakistan who will say 2+2=3? Will the Chinese say 2+2=1? All will say 2+2=4. This is fundamental truth. It is a pure truth. It is beyond time and place. It is in the same way that eternal values of Truth, Peace, Righteousness, Love and Non-violence are permanent and eternal. People come to Me and say, “Swami, I want peace.” Where is that peace? They don’t know. I tell them, “You are the embodiment of peace. There is no peace outside you, outside there are only pieces!” When this is explained, they realize the truth and actually attain peace. Sri Sathya Sai Baba, September 29, 2000