“Our Aim Is to Link Humanity to the Divine”

This article is based on the fieldwork with Sri Aurobindo Society (SAS), a faith-based organization headquartered in Pondicherry, India. SAS is based on the ideals of Sri Aurobindo and his spiritual consort Mirra Alfassa, the Mother. I have focused on the social philosophy and social service of SAS, particularly one of its rural development projects, Sri Aurobindo Rural and Village Action and Movement (SARVAM). I have reviewed the organizational literature, had discussions with sadhaks, the members of the order, and interviewed 396 project beneficiaries. The social philosophy of SAS focuses on transcendence and divinity of human beings. Its social and rural development projects endeavor to translate this philosophy into action. For the beneficiaries, SARVAM fulfills their material and spiritual needs, gives them a feeling of being anchored by SAS, and is thus different from other rural development projects. SAS as a faith-based organization demonstrates how faith shapes civic culture and creates a sociopolitical capital and commitment to the wider community.