In plain words
“Sir, which caste are you? Which religion?”: there is no need to ask such questions. It is enough to recognise the truth: “I am a human being; all mankind is one”. When you recognise humanness, religion no longer appears as something separate. Religions may differ, but the goal is one. If we keep that goal in view, all religions become one.
“If minds are good, which religion is bad? Listen, valiant son of Bhārata!” It is a great mistake to keep differences within the mind and think that the differences are in the religions. You should not look at religion; you must set your mind right. On the mind alone depend one's course, one's state and one's wealth. Develop unity. Have faith in the truth that the principle of the Ātma that is in everyone is one. Only then will all differences go, and what is religion? what is Educare? these will be easily understood.
Question: What kind of relationship should the Sathya Sai schools have with the government?
In our Sathya Sai organisation everyone has a ‘right’. For Sathya Sai belongs to everyone. But in government there are certain differences. Their ‘subjects’ and ‘objects’ are different. Yet we should not go against the government's rules. We must follow them without fail. In our organisation Prema alone is foremost. Through Prema alone we follow our rules. Let us love everyone wholeheartedly. Let us keep Prema alone as our sādhana. Even while studying in a government school, one can follow Sathya Sai education. In Sathya Sai education the human values are foremost. So first of all uphold the human values. Along with that, follow the government's education. You should not keep up a distinction that this is one thing and that another. The government has certain rules and regulations. You should not defy them. Only when you follow those rules and regulations will the government give you a degree. Only when you have that degree will you find jobs. So you must follow that too.