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Osho
Commune International |
The
Bhagwan Rajneesh's famous ashram (Ph.- 6128562, fax-6124181),commune@osho.net,
17 Koregaon Park) is in a leafy northern suburb of Pune. Styling itself as a
‘Spiritual Health Club’, it has continued to prosper since the
Bhagwan’s death in 1990 and
attracts thousands of visitors each year. Facilities include swimming pool,
sauna, tennis and basketball court, massage and beauty parlour, bistro,
bookshop and a five hector Zen garden known as Osho Teerth, open to public
from 6am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm.
Daily. The main center for meditation or
dance are Buddha Hall (where the ‘White robe Brotherhood’
gathers every evening ) and the Osho Samadhi, where the guru’s
ashes are kept. The Commune is a Big Business - its ' Multiversity' runs a
plethora of (expensive ) courses in traditional meditation as well as New
Age Techniques, all with computerized booking facilities. Those wishing to
meditate at the commune must fill out an application form( complete with two
passport size photographs), prove HIV - negative to an on -the -spot test
given at the center (Rs 125) and purchase three tunics (two maroon and one
white). Meditation is then Rs 100 per day (Rs 35 for Indians) and you can
come and go as you please. You must also arrange your own accommodation
outside the Ashram. Casual visitors can take a one hour tour and video
presentation (Rs 70,including some Osho literature ) at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm
daily. Even if you don't decide to enter the ashram, it's worthwhile to see
hundreds of maroon-clad soul-searchers being together - though there are
just as many wandering around outside the ashram. It's advisable to book
ahead.
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The
Bhagwan |
Bhagwan
Shree Rajneesh (1931 - 1990) , or Osho as he preferred to be called, was one
of India's most popular and flamboyant ' export gurus ' and without double
the most controversial. He followed no particular religion, tradition or
philosophy and his often acerbic criticism and dismissal of various
religious and political leaders made him many enemies world over. What
particularly outraged his Indian critics was his advocacy of sex as a path
to enlightenment an approach which earned him epithet 'sex guru' from the
Indian press. Rajneesh used a curious blend of Californian pop psychology
and Indian mysticism to motivate his followers. His last technique , tagged
The Mystic Rose, involved following a regime of laughing for three hours a
day for one week, crying for three hours a day the next week, followed by
becoming a ' watcher on the hill ' (i.e. sitting ) for three hours a day for
another week. The Bhagwan felt that it was' the most important breakthrough
in editation since the Buddha's vipassana, created 25 centuries ago' .
Indeed, he began to lean heavily towards Zen Buddhism in the years before
his death and at one point, even declared himself to be the Buddha. In
1981, Rajneesh went to USA and set up the agricultural commune and ashram of
Rajneeshpuram in Oregon. It was here that he drew the attention of
international media and ashrams notoriety (along with its highly publicised
fleet Rolls Royces) grew and grew. In January 1987, Rajneesh took residence
at Pune ashram, and soon thousands of foreigners (mostly from Germany,Italy
and Japan) were flocking to attend his nightly discourses and meditation
courses. From early 1989 until his death, Rajneesh reverted to silence as he
had done so once in America.Before his death, the orange clothes and the
mala ( the string of beads and photograph of Bhagwan worn around the neck),
which used to be the distinctive mark of Bhagwan followers, had been
discarded. This was done so that his followers could( according to ashram
press office) 'avoid harassment and molestation by the authorities'. These
days there seems no discrimination against the followers (who now get around
in maroon ).
For More Information
Contact :
Osho Commune International
17 , Koregaon Park , Pune 411001 ( India )
Telephone :
6128562 Fax : 6124181
Or
Visit :
www.osho.com
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