Letter from the Chairman

Dear Brothers and Sisters, II NN HH ISIS When God descends to earth in human form as the Ancient One, the Avatar, the Christ, the Rasool, the God-Man, He implants His footprint in SS ERVICEERVICE every heart. This footprint is the seed of His Divinity which, in due time, germinates and blos- D ECEMBER 1998 soms within everyone. At first only a few have the good fortune of recognizing this universal Awakener in their midst. But slowly the number A NEWSLETTER FROM M EHERABAD grows; and at the time of His manifestation human- ity at large turns toward Him and receives the benefit of His spiritual push. Although the Voice of eternally, in this Avataric advent, observed external Trust Estate Silence. Nonetheless, for the benefit of those around Him, words did issue from that Silence, first through the medium of the alphabet board, and later through Master Plan Baba’s unique system of hand gestures. At the same time, to maintain external contact with those of His Construction of roads, pilgrims stay at Meher- that the time is ripe for lovers who were living apart from Him, Beloved water reservoirs, and abad overnight, current the inauguration of a Baba would dictate letters, messages, and circulars. pipelines has already lodging facilities allow major estate develop- In the early years Baba’s circulars appeared only

Current construction work on begun, and the laying for only 13 square feet ment plan, in prepara- occasionally; but from the time of the New Life the Archives, Museum, and of foundations for new per person. For most of tion for the fulfillment Research Building. onward, circulars and family letters appeared with Amartithi and pilgrim the remainder of the of Baba’s words about greater regularity, providing a major channel of con- The Avatar Meher Baba facilities should start nine-month pilgrim sea- ’s destiny in tact between the Beloved and His growing family of Trust has established a within the year. son, the Pilgrim Centre the age to come. lovers worldwide. Master Plan for the The decision to is full to capacity, neces- Almost three decades have passed since large-scale development The Four Zones embark on a large con- sitating the accommoda- of its estate over the Beloved Avatar Meher Baba dropped His physical struction programme at tion of overflow in the The Master Plan divides next five years. This form on January 31st 1969. Over these years many this time springs from Dharamshala and hos- the Trust Estate into plan envisions the of His close ones have returned to Him; and while several considerations, tels. And even Hostels four zones, as marked on creation of a park-like their absence is keenly felt, at the same time, new some immediate and D and C, which under the accompanying map environment on Meher- hearts have been drawn into His love orbit, and the some long term. Since ordinary circumstances (see pages 3 - 4). These abad Hill, through a circle of His lovers continues to grow. Since it is Meher Baba Himself has can provide bedding for are: (A) Meherabad programme (in this first becoming increasingly difficult for those of us said that Meherabad up to 50 and 90 visitors Hill, (B) Lower five-year phase) of among Beloved Baba’s to spend time with would eventually respectively, are often Meherabad, (C) Outer extensive tree planting visitors and newcomers to the extent that we used become the greatest cen- full, particularly at Meherabad, and (D) the that will be comple- to do, the Avatar Meher Baba Trust has decided to tre of pilgrimage in the Silence Day, Divali, New Pilgrim Site. mented (in later years) release this biannual newsletter, In His Service, world, mandali and Christmas, and other Avatar Meher with the creation of gar- whose purpose is to keep His worldwide family trustees have long been peak times. Baba’s Samadhi located dens, fountains, and per- informed of developments at His Home at aware of the need to Another considera- on Meherabad Hill manent pavilions for Meherabad and to provide a new external voice prepare for the large tion that has to be taken (Zone A) is and will pilgrim use during and vehicle for the silent internal link. crowds and continuous seriously into account always be the heart and Amartithi and other Just as Avatar Meher Baba, the Divine Master, streams of pilgrims in involves Indian land-use soul of Meherabad and gatherings. The plan descended from His God-state into Man-form in the decades ahead. ordinances, which the main focus of pil- also projects the devel- order to serve His own creation, so it is for the sake Over the past few require that the Trust grimage. Although the opment of a new site for of service that His Trust was brought by Him into years, however, the now begin to utilize its Trust Deed calls for the pilgrim accommodation being and continues to be maintained today. His overcrowding of existing properties for appropri- eventual construction of in a quiet section of the work He alone can do; yet His service is His lover’s facilities has made the ate non-agricultural a superstructure over the Trust estate approxi- opportunity, and supporting His Trust is one of the creation of new pilgrim purposes. Tomb, detailed planning mately one kilometer mediums of this service. Those who serve Baba’s accommodations a For these and other in this regard would, (or two-thirds of a mile) Trust through their active efforts and those who do matter of increasing reasons, the according to the man- to the west of the Tomb. so through the heart-offerings that He gives urgency. During the Chairman and dali and trustees, be through them are all alike contributing toward the Amartithi Educational trustees have premature at this work which He inaugurated when He created the Gathering, when concluded Continued Trust in 1959 and which He continues to sustain on page 2 more than 10,000 through His ever-guiding presence.

V.S. Kalchuri (Bhau), Chairman AVATAR MEHER BABA TRUST

Be true to the trust that I repose in you and remember Me wholeheartedly. My love and blessings to you.

- AVATAR MEHER BABA’S 71ST BIRTHDAY MESSAGE 25TH FEBRUARY 1965 Continued from page 1 the north of the Samadhi. Pavilions to be erected at and lovely atmosphere and afford scenic vistas of of Lower Meherabad, has been designated as the pri- Plan of Construction Dharamshala, for the accommodation of 56 and 120 juncture. Attention has centred rather on the various locations on the Hill will provide their own Meherabad Hill and the Samadhi. What makes this mary site for charitable activities, particularly the edu- Over the upcoming three-to-four year period, pilgrims (respectively) during the regular pilgrim creation of a larger Meherabad Hill environment, small stages as well as video screens on which audi- site especially suitable for pilgrim accommodation is cational and medical. At present the education build- the main thrust in the development effort will season. Meanwhile, construction on the Museum, particularly in view of the crowds which the Hill ences can watch darshan at the Samadhi and activi- its quietude and removal from urban sprawl along ing (housing the Meher English School), the hospital, involve the afforestation of the Hill, the construc- Archives, and Research Building and other current must accommodate at Amartithi time. ties at the main entertainment centre. By these the - highway. the hostels, and most of the staff quarters are located tion of roads, pipelines, and elevated water tanks, projects will continue. The projected costs, sched- The major thrust in this regard over the means the crowds will be dispersed over a wider area, The two remaining zones, Lower and Outer in this zone. The current five-year plan calls for addi- and the creation of a new facility (with kitchens, uled over the next five years, come to $1,890,000 (or upcoming five-year period will be toward the and a peaceful atmosphere can be maintained at the Meherabad (B and C), will, under the Master Plan, tions to the education building and Meher Health bathrooms, medical and enquiry offices, water and Rs.7,87,90,000). “greening” of the Hill: Extensive tree planting will Samadhi itself. The circumference of this entire hill play widely differing roles. Lower Meherabad, which Centre and the beginnings of construction of a electrical supply, etc.) for the accommodation of up help to create an atmosphere of quietude and seren- zone will be girded by a wall with seven entrances. encompasses Mandali Hall, the Dharamshala, and Meherabad college facility. The major development of to 4000 pilgrims at Amartithi time. In the year 2000 ity and, during gatherings, will provide shade for pil- Vehicular traffic will not be permitted inside this other buildings immediately to the east of the Outer Meherabad, however, will come in a later phase. work will begin on a new Pilgrim Centre and grims during the heat of midday. During the next walled enclosure. Ahmednagar-Daund highway as well as the strip of phase of development after the current five year The other major new development under the land to the west of the highway as far as the railway period, gardens and fountains will be created to help five-year plan involves the creation of a pilgrim edu- tracks, is of signal historical importance, since it was a major hub of Meher Baba’s activities from the early The background landscape photo, taken from the beautify the setting. Raying out radially like spokes cation site (D on the map), which will encompass direction of the site for the new Pilgrim Centre (in of a wheel, six large pedestrian boulevards (in addi- extensive new Amartithi accommodations, a new 1920s on. Apart from a new administration building zone D), shows the crown of Meherabad Hill (on the right). The large white tower building is Meher tion to the original path) will provide sight lines pilgrim centre, and a new dharamshala. The locali- and staff quarters, this part of Meherabad will Retreat, close by Baba’s Samadhi. toward the Samadhi from various directions. ties selected for this development, about one witness only limited development, so that pilgrims Meanwhile, in this second phase, the stage and kilometer to the west of the Samadhi along the top and visitors in the future can savour the scene and entertainment area, now located at the amphithe- of two ridges on opposite sides of a dry stream bed atmosphere that Beloved Baba Himself created. LOWER MEHERABAD ater, will be shifted to a new site about 300 meters to and water catchment area, have a particularly serene Outer Meherabad (C), which extends to the east

Top left: Baba’s Table-Cabin, where He wrote the book in 1925. Bottom left: The Rahuri Cabin, NEW PILGRIM SITE originally used by Baba in the Rahuri and Mad Ashram and Museum, Archives, and later, by Baba’s Research Building directive, trans- ported from Rahuri to Meherabad. Site for New Pilgrim Centre MEHERABAD HILL Bottom right: Mandali Hall, con- Dhuni structed in 1948, Meher ER-DAUND HIGHWAY Jhopdi and used by Baba Baba's Table House for group meetings Rahuri Cabin during the follow- Tomb AHMEDNAG ing two decades. Mandali Hall Gilora Shah's Tomb Site for New Dharmashala Music and Arts Centre OUTER MEHERABAD

A Hospital Left: the main entrance to the B Meher English School, an English- A B medium elementary and high C Hostels school encompassing the first Site for Amartithi Pilgrims D through tenth standards (or the entire pre-college curriculum) and D N C enrolling 243 students. Below: a Meher English WE Farmers' School class. Education Many of these students come Center Pilgrim Centre S from Arangaon, the poor village adjoining the Trust Estate.

RAILWAY

Meher English School

Below: the Meher Health Centre, a dispensary originally creat- ed by Dr.Goher in the mid-1970s, that currently provides allopathic, homeopathic, acupuntural, and ayurvedic treatment to 100 patients daily. Top centre and lower right: The Meher Hospital, which currently houses a laboratory, staff and pilgrim clinic, dental clinic, and plays temporary host for specialized medical programmes. Upper right: the Isolation Ward, for patients requiring special care.

The Amartithi gathering, an annual, three-day event commemorat- ing the dropping of Avatar Meher Baba’s physical body on January 31st, 1969, draws some 30,000 pilgrims sand visitors from through- A model of the Museum, Archives, and Research out India and the world. The programme reaches its climax in the Building, currently under construction and fifteen minutes of silence, from 12:00 to12:15 p.m., on January 31st. scheduled for completion during the year 2000. How To Make Your Donations Tax-Deductible. Meherabad: In an important development relevant to many Baba lovers, the Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Past and Future Trust has recently gained recognition as the equivalent of a U.S. public charity. This recogni- What today is known as sense of peace and purity ence now,” Baba would whole vast expanse will tion makes it possible for individuals in America Meherabad had been a pervaded the landscape. say to them. “In the be filled with people.’ to donate to the Trust in a tax-advantaged way, military camp during Often in the early years, future, there will be a Baba continued: ‘Now, provided they do so through qualified domestic World War I. After the as Khorshed still remem- sea of people here. So when you go out and try organizations. war ended in 1918, bers, Baba would set out you who are here with to tell people in the Since Baba’s Trust became active in 1969, it however, this remote in His beautiful, swift, Me, make the most of world about Meher has depended for its financial support exclusively outpost, half a kilometer sweeping stride on long this opportunity: it will Baba, you find that most on love-gifts from Meher Baba’s world-wide fami- from the poor village of treks across neighboring never come again.” of them have not even ly. Until now, however, though Indian citizens Arangaon, was aban- fields and ridges and up Eruch remembers a heard of Me. But in the have been able to claim tax deductions on dona- doned. When Meher detritus-littered slopes of day, probably in the future you will have to tions to the Trust which for them is a domestic Baba and his mandali distant hills. In this way early 1940s, when he, search hard to find a charity, it has not generally been possible for per- first visited it in April of virtually all of the Baba, and the men person who has not sons from other countries to do so. Only in the 1923, most of the build- current Trust Estate mandali were seated on heard of Me.’ ” United Kingdom (among foreign nations) have ings were in ruin, and (including the New the ground beside the During 1955 Sahavas, tax deductions been allowable, for persons who the countryside was Pilgrim Site) make Trust donations through the medium of the infested with scorpions must have THE AVATAR MEHER BABA TRUST Meher Baba Association in London. and snakes. been visited Created in 1959 under Meher Baba’s 1950, assumed responsibility for Late in 1997, however, with the help of U.S. Within three years, by Him at one direction and bearing His signature on its pilgrimage facilities and charitable counsel, the Trust prepared an Affidavit which, however, Baba had time or Deed, the Avatar Meher Baba Trust had, works. Over the past three decades it is together with supporting documentation, gave completed the transfor- another. evidence of its equivalence to a U.S. public char- at its founding, two purposes. Its first the Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust that mation of Meherabad Unlikely ity. Though this Affidavit does not permit U.S. purpose was the provision of means of has become the primary site and focus into a thriving commu- though it citizens and residents to donate to the trust direct- support to certain named disciples of of activities at Meherabad and other nity of 500 souls that might have ly in a tax-advantaged way, it does make it easier Avatar Meher Baba who had dedicated parts of the Trust Estate. encompassed an ashram, seemed in for U.S. tax-exempt Baba organizations to make their lives to Him and become His The Trust Deed calls for maintenance schools for children, those early grants to the Trust which support its activities and dependents in the material sense. Its of Avatar Meher Baba’s Tomb and the shelters for the poor and days, Baba programmes. second, long-term objective was to creation of pilgrim facilities; for education- leprous, a dispensary, used to fore- What this means, if you are a U.S. citizen or maintain and develop Avatar Meher al, medical, veterinary, and other charita- and a hospital. Several tell a time resident, is that you can now support the Trust in Baba’s Tomb and associated properties, ble services; for estate development and permanent buildings – when pilgrims a tax-advantaged manner by donating to an eligi- which would one day become the centre procurement of sources of water; for the the Jhopdi and the and lovers ble U.S. tax-exempt organization and by accom- of world pilgrimage, and to serve a propagation of Avatar Meher Baba’s Table-Cabin – had been would flock to panying your donation with the request that your range of charitable objects. message of love and truth through melas, erected, and other dilap- Meherabad in gift be used in a grant or grants supporting Trust In 1975 these two functions were lectures, publication, and the arts; and for idated or uninhabitable great num- programmes. divided: “Avatar Meher Baba Trust spiritual training. The Avatar Meher Baba structures – the Post bers. Mani For a U.S. tax-exempt Baba organization to Firstly,” a temporary trust, took charge of Trust is dedicated to the cause of Avatar Office, Dharamshala, would remi- become eligible for such grant-giving it must first the support of the “beneficiaries,” and Meher Baba in all its aspects and to that and Water Tower (now nisce about complete certain legal formalities authorizing it to the “Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual awakening of His love that will be the Meher Retreat) – had occasions in donate to foreign charities. The organization Public Charitable Trust,” registered transformation of the heart and the been repaired or the later must then enter into a grant-giving agreement under the Bombay Public Trusts Act dawning of a New Humanity. with the Trust. redesigned. 1930s when Donations and inquiries should be sent to: The Avatar Meher Baba Trust, Post Bag No. 31, King’s Road, Ahmednagar 414 001, State, India. To date six organizations–Sheriar Foundation Except for a few she, Mehera, (of Myrtle Beach, SC), Meherana (of Mariposa, neems and banyans, and other eastern and newly reconstructed as Bhau remembers, CA), Meher Prasad (of Atlanta, GA), Avatar Meherabad was largely western women disciples building that is now Baba foretold that Meher Baba Center (of Southern California), treeless in those days, were seated around His Baba’s Samadhi. “Baba Meherabad would even- Meher Baba House (of New York, NY) and the and the plains extending gadi (or couch) under made a gesture indicat- tually become the Meher Baba Washington Gathering (of to the east, except for an the veranda of Meher ing the area all around world’s greatest centre of Washington, DC)– have completed this process. occasional farmer’s hut, Retreat at Upper Him,” Eruch recalls. pilgrimage and the In short, Americans can now support Trust projects were empty as far as the Meherabad. “Enjoy the “‘The time will come,’ vicinity of Meherabad a in a tax-advantaged way by making contributions eye could see. A deep quiet that you experi- Baba said, ‘when this township. Instructing to any of these organizations, as described above. the lovers gathered Half a dozen other groups and organizations are around Him to pay their currently working on the various formalities and respects at His Samadhi, may soon become qualified to apply contributions Baba then said: “When toward Trust grants. I leave this body, it will The Trust hopes that similar channels can come to rest in the soon be opened up in other countries; prospects Tomb on this hill. After are particularly promising in European countries 70 years, this hill will apart from the U.K. (where this option has turn into a place of already for some time been available) and in world pilgrimage. How Australia. The next issue of In His Service will fortunate you all are OATES contain an update on these developments. C that you are here in My IN W Please note, however, that donations to Avatar Meher Baba Trust living presence and that Firstly (for the support of the mandali and other beneficiaries) HOTO BY cannot be made through U.S. or U.K. tax-exempt organizations. P you have come up the As in the past, these donations must be sent to Trustwallas or Padri (Faredoon Driver), an early and intimate disciple whom Meher Baba called one of the “four pillars of Meherabad,” is here depicted in the late 1970s gesturing in the direction of hill with Me.” directly to the Avatar Meher Baba Trust office in Ahmednagar. Baba’s Samadhi on Meherabad Hill.