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Hindu Saints and Philosophers Details

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Hagiography

Rajneesh, also known as Osho, was an Indian spiritual teacher, mystic, and founder of the Rajneesh movement. He was born on December 11, 1931, in Kuchwada, British India, and died on January 19, 1990, in Pune, India. Rajneesh rejected institutional religions and emphasized freethought, meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity, and humor. He gained controversy and the nickname &quot;the sex guru&quot; for his open attitude towards human sexuality. Rajneesh traveled throughout India as a public speaker, criticizing mainstream political ideologies and religions. In 1974, he established an ashram in Pune, offering spiritual teachings and therapies to Western followers. In 1981, the movement shifted its focus to the United States, where it faced legal battles and conflicts with the government. Rajneesh was later deported and returned to India in 1986. His teachings have had an impact on Western New Age thought, and his ashram is now known as the OSHO International Meditation Resort.

During the period from 1971 to 1974, Rajneesh (later known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh) lived in Mumbai (formerly Bombay). He introduced his Dynamic Meditation method and initiated his first group of disciples during this time. His secretary, Laxmi Thakarsi Kuruwa, played a significant role in supporting him. In December 1970, he moved to the Woodlands Apartments in Mumbai and gave lectures while receiving visitors. In 1971, he adopted the title &quot;Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.&quot;

In 1974, Rajneesh moved to Pune due to health issues caused by the humid climate in Mumbai. He established an ashram in Koregaon Park, Pune, with the help of Ma Yoga Mukta. The ashram became a hub for his teachings and activities, attracting a large number of Western visitors. The ashram offered various meditation techniques and therapy groups, which became a source of income. Rajneesh&#39;s daily routine at the ashram included morning meditations, lectures, and evening darshans where he interacted with disciples. The ashram faced controversy due to allegations of therapy-related injuries and drug use among some sannyasins. Rajneesh entered a period of public silence in 1981, and Ma Anand Sheela replaced Ma Yoga Laxmi as his secretary.

In 1981, due to tensions and criticism in India, the Rajneesh ashram considered establishing a new commune in the United States. Rajneesh arrived in the US in June 1981 on a tourist visa for medical purposes and stayed at a retreat center in New Jersey. In June 1981, the commune purchased a ranch in Oregon and established Rajneeshpuram. The commune faced opposition from local residents, leading to legal battles and conflicts over land use. In 1982, the residents of Rajneeshpuram voted to incorporate it as a city. The conflict escalated, with opposition from various groups and government entities. Rajneesh remained in seclusion during this period, communicating with key disciples and addressing the commune through recorded discourses. The commune faced various controversies, including the acquisition of Rolls-Royce cars and allegations of drug use by Rajneesh. In 1984, tensions within the commune grew, leading to the departure of Sheela and her associates. Rajneesh accused them of serious crimes, including a bioterror attack using Salmonella. Investigations confirmed the accusations, resulting in convictions. Rajneesh denied involvement in the crimes but burned copies of a book on &quot;Rajneeshism&quot; and distanced himself from the religious teacher label.

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Rajneesh, also known as Osho, was a spiritual teacher whose teachings were delivered through discourses filled with humor and paradox. He drew from various spiritual traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and others, as well as Western ideas such as psychotherapy. Rajneesh emphasized the need to go beyond the mind and ego to experience enlightenment and unconditional love. He promoted meditation as a way to achieve awareness and inner transformation. Rajneesh&#39;s teachings also included the concept of a &quot;new man&quot; who combines spirituality with a zest for life, rejecting conventional societal norms. He entered a phase of silence in 1981 and communicated through &quot;silent heart to heart communion.&quot; His teachings were summarized in his &quot;Ten Commandments,&quot; which emphasized inner guidance, truth, love, and living in the present moment. Rajneesh&#39;s legacy includes a growing acceptance and appreciation of his teachings in India and worldwide, with numerous books and centers dedicated to his philosophy.

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