While at Poona, Rajneesh designed the orange (or pink) robes and wooden-bead necklaces with his picture, which have become trademarks of his cult. It was also at this time that he elevated himself from "teacher" to "Sir God".

Rajneesh believed he was the Buddha of our time--the only living master able to guide people to enlightenment. He considered himself an incarnation of God in the role of Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mahavira (patron saint of Jainism) and others.

Rajneesh at first used to personally instruct his devotees, but later ceased all speaking. He did speak to his personal nurse, and this set off a chain of command that finally filtered down to the lowly "sannyasins", as his followers were called.

IMMIGRATION TROUBLES IN THE USA

Rajneesh disciples once resided in large numbers at a 100 square mile ranch in Oregon, U.S.A. A large disbursement took place after the deportation of their late leader from the United States of America. Immigration authorities allowed Rajneesh into the country because he claimed he needed medical attention for cancer, a bad back, heart problems, diabetes, and asthma. When this ploy failed, he married a U.S. citizen.

However, all these efforts to remain failed. He attempted to flee the country with his fabulous wealth in two jet planes, but was intercepted and fined, before being deported. He was forced to go on a "world tour" with several countries refusing him admission. India finally let him in, and his ashrams do still exist in various parts of the world.

EXPERIENCING THE ASHRAM

Disciples of Rajneesh talked about being "blissed out" in the Ashram. Some described the feeling as "floating". Followers eagerly engaged in uninhibited sex, nudity, and violent encounter sessions. Tantric Yoga was practiced.

METHODS OF INDOCTRINATION

The lifestyle at the Ashram was presented as total therapy for the individuals' problems. Rajneesh stated that all problems were caused by the person's ego. The solution was to surrender all egos to him. In the Rajneesh Foundation Newsletter of April 1979, Rajneesh said,

"Only those are accepted who surrender, only those are accepted who are utterly committed, who have fallen in love with me, who can trust and whose trust is unconditional, and absolute--they are accepted."

The ego was thus dealt with in a number of ways designed to lead to this absolute surrender to Rajneesh. One therapy called "centering" required one to speak of himself in the third person for seven days. Another program called "intensive enlightenment" forced participants to do nothing else for three days, but answer the question "Who am I?". Sometimes hypnosis was used to lead the participant back to childish states of consciousness. The recruit became extremely vulnerable and felt distanced from his true self, and more dependent on the leader. They were told their problems had now been "transcended". No wonder a sign was posted on the Poona commune that read, "Shoes and minds are to be left here at the gate".

SEX AND NUDITY

A form of Yoga called tantric yoga was practiced at the commune. Sex was regarded as a help in attaining consciousness or enlightenment. It was regarded as a form of meditation. Rajneesh stated, "Firstly, sex becomes life-giving...Secondly, it becomes the deepest natural meditation. Your thoughts cease completely. When you are totally relaxed with your lover, your thoughts cease. The mind is not there; only your heart beats. It becomes natural meditation." (The Book of Secrets-2, p. 382). As expected, venereal disease was rampant at the commune, and was such a problem that condoms were supplied in all hotel rooms during gatherings in an attempt to bypass the fruits of such a lifestyle. Children were discouraged at the commune, but were expected to adapt to the commune life it they remained.

ENCOUNTER GROUPS

Many frustrations resulted from the communal life-style. The encounter groups were designed to get rid of frustrations and feelings like anger, hostility, etc. They were characterized by loud screaming and even fighting. This carried on until the participant was exhausted and "at peace". Outright violence was finally forbidden, yet many wore protective clothing for these sessions.

DOCTRINES OF RAJNEESH WERE CONTRADICTORY

Rajeesh admitted "...you will find that I am very inconsistent." (Dimensions Beyond the Known p.161). Rajneesh repeatedly contradicted himself, and bragged about it. Although this was very frustrating to the researcher of Rajneesh doctrines, we could see a consistent pattern to his beliefs. His religion was a curious mixture of many others--Hinduism, Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Tantric Yoga, meditation, touch encounters, uninhibited sex, scream sessions, rebirthing, and even acupuncture!

UNDERLYING THEME IS MONISM

Monism teaches that essentially there is no distinction between God, nature and people, for they are all one. Monism is a philosophical doctrine that only one ultimate reality exists. This leads to the teaching that

"You are gods. That is your reality...You are gods and you have never been anything else." (Words Like Fire, p.156,157).

Students of the Bible will recognize that this is the same doctrine that Satan presented to Eve in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:5)

REINCARNATION

Rajneesh taught, not a strict reincarnation, but a form of progressive transmigration. Rajneesh believed that his last previous birth was 700 years ago, and that he was 106 years old when he died. (Dimensions Beyond the Known, pp.68,76).

The Bible refutes both reincarnation and transmigration with the words in Hebrews 9:27,

"It is appointed unto men to die ONCE and after this comes judgment."

RAJNEESH AND CHRISTIANITY

Rajneesh told his followers, "I don't want you to become Christians--that is useless, that is a lie." (The Mustard Seed, p.508). He titled one of his video tapes, "You can be a Christ Why be a Christian?" "Let me be your death and resurrection" he is quoted as saying.

HOW TO WITNESS TO RAJNEESH DEVOTEES

Christians need to first of all pray with authority, binding the Rajneesh influence in the name of Jesus and loosing the person to hear the gospel of Christ. (See Matt. 1818:-20). Be loving and kind, remembering that the sannyasin is not used to thinking logically, but "feeling". If the follower has left the commune, first ensure that they have sufficient rest and a nutritious diet. If possible, try to get rid of the bead necklace and other items connected with Rajneesh, as devotees claim these objects flow with the late Rajneesh's energy, and they may well be objects of demon inhabitation. Usually after a period of time, the Rajneesh follower will have a "snapping back" to some good feelings from the past. Now is the time to begin witnessing. We have found the following to be effective The sannyasin will agree that they have placed their whole trust in Rajneesh's beliefs.

Ask them why he died, sick and old before his time, if he was so powerful and all-knowing? Ask them why he hasn't risen from the dead to lead them once again? Point out that only one master has been able to walk out of the tomb alive, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus said,

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die." (John 11:25,26).

How tragic that so many are looking to this dead man, Rajneesh, believing he was an incarnation of God. He could not impart to his followers that which he did not have, eternal life. We must come to the true Jesus Christ for that. (Romans 6:23).

The communes are smaller and fewer now, but some still cling to Rajneesh's influence and doctrines. His beliefs never worked for Rajneesh, and they will not work for current followers either. Be ready to receive the disillusioned ones home in time, and welcome them with the love of Christ. Hasten their return with your prayers.

http://mmoutreachinc.com/cult_groups/rajneesh.html

Spiritual paths and ethical systems

Osho^®, formerly known as
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

Early History of the Movement:

Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (1931-1990) was born Rajneesh Chandra Mohan in Kuchwara, a town in central India. Various sources state that "Bhagwan" means either "The Blessed One" or "God" and that "Shree" means "Master". At the end of his life, he changed his name to Osho.

His parents' religion was Jainism. However, Osho never subscribed to any religious faith during his lifetime. He received "samadhi" (enlightenment in which his soul became one with the universe) on 1953-MAR-21 at the age of 21. Rajneesh obtained a masters degree in philosophy from the University of Saugar. He taught philosophy at the University of Jabalpur for nine years and concurrently worked as a religious leader. In 1966, he left his teaching post and gave his full attention to teaching his sannyasins (disciples) while pursuing a speaking career. He had an apartment in Bombay where he often met individuals and small groups, where acting as spiritual teacher, guide and friend. Most of his Sannyasins came from Europe and India in the early years.

In 1974, Osho moved from Bombay southward to Pune, India. Some anti-cult groups have claimed that this decision was made because of local opposition from the public in Bombay. In reality, it was to establish an ashram (place of teaching) which would provide larger and more comfortable facilities for his disciples. The ashram consisted of two adjoining properties covering six acres in an affluent suburb of Pune called Koregaon Park. Some estimate as many as 50,000 Westerners spent time seeking enlightenment there with the guru. In 1979, he saw his movement as the route to the preservation of the human race. He said:

"If we cannot create the 'new man' in the coming 20 years, then humanity has no future. The holocaust of a global suicide can only be avoided if a new kind of man can be created."

He taught a syncretistic spiritual path that combined elements from Hinduism, Jainism, Zen Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, ancient Greek philosophy, many other religious and philosophic traditions, humanistic psychology, new forms of therapy and meditation, etc.

In 1980, he was the victim of a knife attack by a Hindu fundamentalist during his morning discourse. Because of police incompetence, the charges against the terrorist were dropped.

In 1981 he left India reluctantly because of health problems. He went to the United States in order to obtain advanced treatment. There have been rumors of income tax evasion, and insurance fraud; it is not known whether these have any validity. The group settled on the 65,000 acre "Big Muddy Ranch" near Antelope, Oregon, which his sannyasins had bought for six million dollars. The ranch was renamed Rajneeshpuram ("City of Rajneesh"). This "small, desolate valley twelve miles from Antelope, Oregon was transformed into a thriving town of 3,000 residents, with a 4,500 foot paved airstrip, a 44 acre reservoir, an 88,000 square foot meeting hall..." ₈ Many of the local folks were intolerant of the new group in their midst, because of religious and cultural differences. One manifestation of this intolerance was the town's denial of building permits to the followers of Rajneesh. Some buildings were erected on the ranch without planning board approval. When officials attempted to stop the construction, their office was firebombed by unknown person(s). When the local city council repeatedly refused to issue permits for their businesses, some sannyasins elected themselves to the city council. The town of Antelope was renamed City of Rajneesh.

Top aides of Osho were charged with a number of crimes, including the attempted murder of Osho's personal physician. There were stories of a hit list. Some fled the country for Switzerland where they had control over the group's bank accounts. Two were eventually convicted of conspiracy to murder local lawyer Charles Turner in an attempt to prevent closure of the ranch.

In 1983, Osho's secretary Sheela Silverman predicted on behalf of Osho that there would be massive destruction on earth, between 1984 and 1999. This would include both natural disasters and man-made catastrophes. Floods larger than any since Noah, extreme earthquakes, very destructive volcano eruptions, nuclear wars etc. would be experienced. Tokyo, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Bombay were all expected to disappear. There is doubt that these predictions actually came from Osho; they are not representative of his other teachings.

A number of sources have reported that spiritual devotees of Rajneesh had spread salmonella on a local restaurant's salad bar in order to reduce voter turnout on a measure that would have restricted the group's activities. Allegedly, 751 people were affected by the bacteria. _9,10

Fearing a raid of the type that later happened in Waco, several of Osho's disciples arranged for him to be flown to Charlotte for safety. In North Carolina, he ran afoul of US immigration law. He allegedly arranged a number of phony marriages between some of his Indian followers and American citizens so that the former could obtain clearance to stay in the country. He was also charged with lying on his immigration papers. He entered an "Alford Plea," commonly called a no-contest plea. His lawyers suggested that he do this because of concerns over his health and safety if he had to spend more time in prison. He was given a suspended sentence on condition that he leave the country.

He returned to Pune, India in 1987, where his health began to fail. Here, he abandoned the name of Rajneesh and adopted "Osho". Some sources explain that the name was derived from the expression "oceanic experience" by William James; others say that it was derived from an ancient Japanese word for master. He died in Pune in 1990. Various rumors spread that he had been poisoned with thallium by the CIA, had been exposed to damaging doses of radiation by the U.S. authorities, or had heart failure. It is obvious that he did not experience thallium poisoning, because he died with a full beard, and only male-pattern baldness on the top of his head. A person suffering from thallium poisoning suffers a dramatic loss of hair with a week of exposure. ₆ His death certificate lists heart failure as the cause of his death.

At its peak, the movement had about 200,000 members and 600 centers around the world. They were targeted by many anti-cult groups as an evil, mind control cult. One source, in a masterful stroke of religious disinformation, claimed that "Bhagwan" means "Master of the Vagina." He has been called the "sex guru."

Beliefs and Practices

Osho developed new forms of active meditation. The best known is Dynamic Meditation which often starts with strenuous physical activity followed by silence and celebration. These were expected to lead the individual to overcome repression, lower their personal inhibitions, develop a "state of emptiness", and attain enlightenment. The person then would have "no past, no future, no attachment, no mind, no ego, no self." Prior to 1985, the disciples wore red robes, and a necklace of 108 beads which had an attached picture of Rajneesh. Osho assigned a new name to each of the disciples. Men were given the title "Swami"; women were called "Ma". Although most members lived a frugal, simple lifestyle, Rajneesh himself lived in luxury. His collection 27 Rolls Royces, given to him by his followers, was well known. (Some sources say he had as many as 100 cars). Anti-cult groups claimed that he urged his disciples to sever their connection to their families of origin. It is true that he felt that the institution of the family was out of date and that it should be replaced with alternative forms of community and ways of caring for children. However, he actually encouraged individual disciples to make peace with their families. Many of the latter became disciples themselves, including Osho's own parents.

He taught a form of Monism, that God was in everything and everyone. There is no division between "God" and "not-God". People, even at their worse, are divine. He recognized Jesus Christ as having attained enlightenment, and believed that he survived his crucifixion and moved to India where he died at the age of 112.

Osho was noted for reading very offensive jokes; some were anti-Semitic; others were anti-Roman Catholicism; others insulted just about every ethnic and religious group in the world. He explained that the purpose of these jokes was to shock people and to encourage them to examine their identification with and attachment to their ethnic or religious beliefs. His contention was that national, religious, gender and racial divisions are destructive.

Recent Developments

Osho repeatedly stated that he would not appoint a successor to replace him after his death. He viewed each disciple as his successor. However, before his death, he appointed an inner circle of 21 individuals to look after the functioning of the meditation resort at Pune and handle administrative affairs relating to his work. They now operate about 20 meditation centers worldwide. Rajneesh's main influence now is through his voluminous writings; they are read by many New Agers as well as followers of Osho.

Osho Commune International^® administers the center in Pune, India. Since it was founded, it has been expanded from 6 to 32 acres. The group has a Global Connections department that provides information about centers and activities worldwide. Osho International in New York, NY, administers the rights to Osho's works.

Some of Osho's aides who were imprisoned because of crimes committed in Oregon were released from prison in mid-1998 and deported to England.

About the registration symbol ®:

The Osho International Foundation (OIF) has registered the word Osho^® in order to promote of certain products. The registration is being challenged before the US Patent and Trademark Board of Appeals. Those opposing the OIF allegedly claim that the name cannot be a trademark, and that the OIF committed fraud in its application. While this matter is being sorted out in the courts, we are using the registration mark, to avoid prosecution.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/rajneesh.htm