Date: 01/09/2024
Chandra Mohan Jain: A Life of Controversy and Enlightenment
Chandra Mohan Jain, later known as Acharya Rajneesh, Bhagwan Sri Rajneesh, and Osho, was born on 11 December 1931 in Kuchwada village of Madhya Pradesh. He was the eldest of 11 children in the family of a Jaina cloth merchant, Mr. Babulal Jain, and his mother, Smt. Saraswathi Jain, an artist.
As a child, Jain was known for his rebellious and inquisitive nature, questioning conventional beliefs and rituals from an early age. His formative years were spent in his maternal grandparents’ house, where he was greatly influenced by his wise grandmother.
Jain’s academic journey was marked by a series of conflicts and disruptions. He started college at the age of 19, but was asked to leave after conflicts with an instructor. Despite his disruptive nature, he managed to complete his B.A. in Philosophy from D N Jain College, Jabalpur in 1955. Subsequently, he completed his M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Sagar in 1957 with distinction, showcasing his academic prowess despite his rebellious tendencies.
Throughout his college years, Jain demonstrated his intellectual abilities by becoming a national-level debate champion and earning a gold medal in the university examination. These early experiences shaped the controversial yet influential figure he would later become.
Jain’s later years were marked by his teachings, his alternative views on spirituality, and his controversial reputation as a “sex guru.” His multifaceted life continues to be a subject of fascination and debate.
The Provocative Life of Acharya Rajneesh (Osho)
After completing his M.A., he embarked on a challenging academic journey that led him to employment as a lecturer at Raipur Sanskrit College. However, his unorthodox views and teachings prompted the vice-chancellor to request his transfer due to concerns about his influence on the students’ morality, character, and religious beliefs. Subsequently, he joined Jabalpur University where, within a remarkably short period of 2 years, he ascended to the position of a professor. Renowned for his exceptional intellect and ability to transcend the limitations of his earlier education in a small town, he gained recognition as a popular lecturer.
In 1966, a controversial public speech led to his resignation from the university, thus concluding his career as a professor of philosophy. Osho claimed to have attained enlightenment at the age of 21 on March 21, 1953, a pivotal moment that propelled him into the public sphere where he delivered speeches at the annual “Sarva Dharma Sammelan” in Jabalpur until 1968. During this time, he also embarked on nationwide travels under the name Acharya Rajneesh, delivering provocative lectures on socialism and criticizing orthodox Indian religions, which sparked controversy but also attracted a devoted following, including affluent merchants and businessmen.
His lectures, notably the 1968 series later published as “From Sex to Super-Consciousness,” stirred further controversy as he advocated for a more liberal attitude towards sexuality, earning him the moniker “sex guru” in the Indian press and provoking disapproval from Hindu leaders.
Osho’s Spiritual Journey in Mumbai and Pune
Following his relocation to Mumbai (Bombay) in 1970, Osho introduced his disciples to a new meditation technique known as “Dynamic Meditation” and began giving lectures from his Woodlands Apartments. This period also marked the beginning of his interactions with western visitors. However, Osho struggled to adapt to Mumbai’s humid climate, leading to health issues such as diabetes, asthma, and allergies, prompting his move to Pune (Poona) in 1974.
In Pune, Osho settled in a six-acre property at Koregaon Park, which later became the renowned “Osho Commune International.” It was during his time in Pune that Osho delivered a prolific number of spiritual discourses, often giving 90-minute lectures almost every day in alternating Hindi and English. Additionally, he would engage with disciples in the evenings, initiating many sannyasins into his teachings.
As the number of visitors rapidly increased, the ashram in Pune became too small to accommodate everyone, leading Osho to seek a larger space. Despite efforts to secure a new location in Gujarat, tensions between the ashram and the Murarji Desai Government prevented the realization of this plan.
Osho’s Controversial Years in the United States
In 1981, amidst escalating tensions and growing criticism in India, Osho and his secretary Sheela initiated plans to establish a new commune in the United States. Osho traveled to the US on a tourist visa, ostensibly for medical reasons, and sought treatment for a prolapsed disc at a Rajneeshee retreat center located at Kip’s Castle in Montclair, New Jersey. After being diagnosed and treated, Sheela, along with her husband and fellow disciple, purchased a vast 64,299-acre ranch spanning two Oregon counties for $5.75 million, which was later named “Rajneeshpuram.”
However, the transition to the United States was fraught with challenges from the outset. The relationship between the native inhabitants and the ashram residents quickly soured, leading to escalating tensions. Over the following years, the commune faced sustained, coordinated pressure from various factions, exacerbating the existing conflicts.
At one particularly contentious juncture, the commune attempted to sway an election outcome by importing a considerable number of homeless individuals from different cities across the US. This endeavor ultimately failed, as the individuals were subsequently released into surrounding towns, resulting in the State of Oregon shouldering the responsibility of returning them to their respective home cities at its own expense. The commune’s actions during this period further intensified the already strained relations with the local authorities and communities.
I have modified the content to include the information about Ma Anand Sheela’s controversial actions during her time in the Osho commune in the United States:
Osho’s Controversial Years in the United States
In 1981, amidst escalating tensions and growing criticism in India, Osho and his secretary Sheela initiated plans to establish a new commune in the United States. Osho traveled to the US on a tourist visa, ostensibly for medical reasons, and sought treatment for a prolapsed disc at a Rajneeshee retreat center located at Kip’s Castle in Montclair, New Jersey.
However, the transition to the United States was fraught with challenges from the outset. The relationship between the native inhabitants and the ashram residents quickly soured, leading to escalating tensions. Over the following years, the commune faced sustained, coordinated pressure from various factions, exacerbating the existing conflicts.
During her tenure as Oshoโs secretary and personal aide from 1981 to 1985, Ma Anand Sheela was instrumental in the bio-terror attack orchestrated in 1984 in Rajneeshpuram. She pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault, which led to her sentencing to 20 years in a federal prison. She was released on parole after serving only 39 months of her sentence. Additionally, Ma Anand Sheela repeatedly attempted to poison Osho’s caretaker and girlfriend, Ma Yoga Vivek, as well as his personal physician, Swami Devaraj (real name George Meredith), before leaving the ashram in disgrace.
In an interview during this period, Osho referred to her in derogatory terms, adding further controversy to the already tumultuous situation within the commune. These events significantly impacted the legacy of Osho’s time in the United States and continued to be a subject of intrigue and debate.
Osho’s Controversial Years in the United States
Bhagwan, also known as Osho, departed from India in June 1981 and arrived in the United States on a tourist visa. It is notable that his mother, Saraswatabai Jain, also accompanied him to the United States during this time. Upon his arrival, reports indicated Bhagwan’s presence in a white Rolls-Royce in Montclair, N.J., where a portion of his followers resided. Subsequently, he was believed to have relocated to Oregon in the fall of 1981, marking a significant shift in his spiritual journey and influence.
Upon arriving in the United States, Osho experienced a period of “silence” and withdrew from public speaking and lecturing due to the upheaval. Instead, videos of his previous discourses were played for audiences at the commune. Public notoriety surrounded Osho’s acquisition of 93 Rolls-Royces, making him the world’s largest single owner of the cars. His followers aimed to expand the collection to include 365 Rolls-Royces, symbolizing every day of the year.
Tensions within the ashram grew due to autocratic leadership among inmates, while allegations, including Osho abusing nitrous oxide, surfaced in the press. Criminal activities, such as a bioterror attack and violence, were committed by ashram residents, which Osho claimed occurred without his knowledge. In August 1985, his personal secretary left the ashram due to differences. Osho subsequently resumed daily public lectures and press meetings after 3.5 years of silence.
On 28 October 1985, Osho was indicted on 35 counts in Multnomah County, Oregon, including immigration violations and making false statements on his visa application. Subsequently, he was jailed for 12 days and claimed to have been poisoned with heavy-metal Thallium during this time. Following an agreement to pay US $400,000, Osho was deported from the US.
Upon returning to India in November 1985, he faced visa denials from 17 countries in Europe and the Americas. Finally, in June 1986, Osho settled back in the Poona Ashram, where he resumed giving evening discourses. However, health problems became frequent, leading Osho to express his wish to be called “Osho” and request the rebranding of all trademarks from โRajneeshโ to โOshoโ. The word โOshoโ has been ascribed with various meanings, including “dissolving into the whole of human existence,” “the blessed one on whom the sky showers flowers,” “great gratitude and respect for one who expands consciousness,” and “a revered teacher of meditation.”
Osho’s Final Years and Legacy
In his remaining years, Osho’s health declined, leading to his withdrawal from public discourse, as he chose to sit in silence with his followers. During this period, he expressed concerns about potential malevolent practices being directed towards him during evening meetings, yet the perpetrators were not identified.
On the 19th of January 1990, at the age of 58, Osho passed away due to reported heart failure. His ashes found their resting place in his newly constructed bedroom in Lao Tzu House at the Poona Ashram, where the epitaph conveys a profound message: “OSHO, Never Born; Never Died; Only visited this planet Earth between 11th Dec 1931 and 19th Jan 1990”.
The Legacy of Bhagwan in the United States
Following Bhagwan’s departure from the United States, the fate of his vast property and Rolls-Royce collection took unexpected turns. His fleet of Rolls-Royces was sold off, marking the end of an extravagant symbol of his time in the country. Meanwhile, his Oregon ranch, burdened by debt, faced challenges in finding a new owner despite attempts to sell it. The property became unoccupied, and the original town name of Antelope was reinstated after a series of events that left the area in a state of transition.
These developments reflect the shifting legacy of Bhagwan’s presence in the United States, leaving behind a complex imprint that continues to intrigue and captivate observers.
Read also:
Oregon vs City of Rajneeshpuram | Oregon District Court (12/10/1984)