The first Sathya Sai Center in China

The republic of China is considered officially as an atheistic country.

It was a few hours ago that I received an email forward which contained a set of six photographs of a new Sai Center. Today, the Sathya Sai Movement is officially present in more than 165 countries and unofficially present in all the nations in the world. And everyday sees a new activity, every month sees new initiatives and every year sees new projects being undertaken by devotees of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba the world over. In that light, a new Sai Center is not a fantastic thing to be written about maybe. But what inspired me was the fact that this new Center has been set up in the world's most populous country - China. Located at Jieh Yang, in Guangchou, Southern China, the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Center being erected, consecrated, inaugurated and being opened for the people of China is indeed a very special and landmark building as I see it.

And here is why. The freedom of religion in China is provided by the government with a very strong and important caveat - that the government will protect only 'normal religious activity'. The definition of such activities is quite narrow and restricted, covering only those activities which take place within government-sanctioned religious organizations and registered places of worship. This outlook and attitude has actually been severely criticized by human-rights bodies from around the world. In fact, the only officially sanctioned religions of China are the Chinese Taoist Association, Buddhist Association of China, Taoist Association of China, Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and Three-Self Patriotic Movement.

The degree of 'protection' afforded to these 5 officially sanctioned religious organizations too is limited and strictly regulated by the State Administration for Religious Affairs. None of the other religions, cults, gurus or masters have been given 'registered houses of worship'. Though there are many non-sanctioned temples and churches, they have not been approved or protected by the government.

In this scenario, the People's Republic of China permitting the construction of a full-fledged Sai Center is really a victory of pure and selfless love of Sri Sathya Sai. China has always been considered as an 'officially-atheist' country. All the members of the officially atheist Communist Party are strongly discouraged from even holding religious faith. But as far as Swami (Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) is concerned, there is only one difference between true theists and true atheists.The true theists consider God as Love while the true atheists consider Love as God! Does He not sing Prem Easwar Hain, Easwar Prem Hain.

In the pictures that follow you will see this beautiful Center. It has photographs of Swami and Shirdi Baba too. For me, personally, this is yet another proof of the universality of my beloved Master who always says,

"I have come to light the lamp of love in your hearts to see that it shines day by day with added lustre. I have not come to speak on behalf of any particular spiritual practice or Hindu philosophy. I have not come on any mission of publicity for any sect or creed or cause; nor have I come to collect followers for any doctrine. I have no plans to attract disciples or devotees to my fold or any fold. I have come to tell you of this universal faith, this divine consciousness, this path of love, this philosophy of love, this duty of love, this obligation of love."