Osho
Born 1931 · Age 94
Indian spiritual teacher and founder of the Rajneesh/Osho movement; advocated dynamic meditation and neo-sannyas, led ashrams in Pune and Rajneeshpuram (Oregon), involved in major controversies including legal battles and the 1984 bioterror attack; later known as Osho.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth of Chandra Mohan Jain (Rajneesh)
Born Chandra Mohan Jain in Kuchwada, Bhopal State (British India), eldest of 11 children to Babulal and Saraswati Jain.
Grandfather's death; moved to parents' home
At age seven his grandfather died; he moved to live with his parents in Gadarwara.
Death of childhood girlfriend Shashi
Death of his childhood girlfriend Shashi from typhoid; led to prolonged preoccupation with death.
Begins college studies at Hitkarini College, Jabalpur
Started college studies; later transferred to D.N. Jain College after conflicts.
Spiritual awakening (enlightenment) in Jabalpur
Experienced what he called a spiritual awakening while sitting in Bhanvartal garden in Jabalpur.
Completes BA in Philosophy (D.N. Jain College)
Earned a B.A. in philosophy at D.N. Jain College, Jabalpur.
MA in Philosophy (University of Saugar) & first university post
Received M.A. (with distinction) from University of Saugar and was appointed to a teaching post at Raipur Sanskrit College.
Lecturer of Philosophy at Jabalpur University
Appointed to teach philosophy at Jabalpur University; later promoted to professor.
Promotion to Professor at Jabalpur University
Promoted to professor; became a popular and noted lecturer.
Begins leading multi-day meditation camps
From 1962 he began to lead 3- to 10-day meditation camps; first meditation centres (Jivan Jagruti Kendra) emerged.
Resigns university position; becomes full-time public speaker/guru
After a controversial speaking tour, he resigned his post at University of Jabalpur and traveled across India as Acharya Rajneesh.
Speaks at Second World Hindu Conference
Invited to speak at the Second World Hindu Conference; caused controversy with statements about religion and Gandhi.
Ma Yoga Laxmi becomes first secretary/early key disciple
Laxmi Thakarsi Kuruwa (Ma Yoga Laxmi) became his first secretary and key early supporter; she helped raise funds enabling him to settle.
Introduces Dynamic Meditation (first presentation)
Presented Dynamic Meditation publicly for the first time – a cathartic practice combining fast breathing, movement, music, dance and silence.
Moves to Mumbai (Bombay)
Left Jabalpur and moved to Mumbai (end of June 1970) to settle, give lectures and receive visitors; Western visitors began to arrive.
Initiates first neo-sannyasins
On 26 September 1970 he initiated his first group of disciples or 'neo-sannyasins' (new-style sannyas without ascetic renunciation).
Settles in Woodlands Apartments, Mumbai
Moved into Woodlands Apartments (Dec 1970) and curtailed travel; began receiving visitors and had first Western disciples.
Adopts title 'Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh'
In 1971 he began using the title Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, a change he later said was strategic to change the type of followers who came.
Pune ashram therapy groups become controversial (allegations)
Allegations appeared in the press about injuries and violence in therapy groups and claims of drug use and illicit financing by some Western sannyasins.
Relocates to Pune; establishes ashram in Koregaon Park
On the 21st anniversary of his awakening he moved to Koregaon Park, Pune, on land purchased with help from Ma Yoga Mukta (Catherine Venizelos); the Pune ashram became the movement's HQ.
Begins regular daily discourses in Pune
From 1974 he gave near-daily 60–90 minute spontaneous discourses in 'Buddha Hall', recorded for distribution worldwide.
Pune discourse recordings begin large-scale publication
The Pune ashram allowed regular audio/video recording and printing of his discourses, enabling worldwide distribution and translations.
Ashram arts & crafts and income diversification
Pune ashram established arts-and-crafts production (clothes, jewellery, ceramics) and hosted cultural performances as community features and income sources.
Western visitors increase sharply; internationalization of movement
After establishing Pune ashram the number of Western visitors rose significantly; the movement’s global reach expanded with English discourse months and translations.
Therapy groups & Human Potential methods integrated
Therapists from the Human Potential Movement arrived (from 1975) and therapy groups became a major activity and income source for the Pune ashram.
Therapy group violence ended by ashram statement
In January 1979 the ashram issued a release stating that violence in therapy groups had fulfilled its function and was ended.
Growth strains & government friction
By the late 1970s ashram growth outpaced capacity; tensions with the Janata Party government built, culminating in visa restrictions and tax issues.
Attempted assassination at Pune discourse
In May 1980 Vilas Tupe, a young Hindu fundamentalist, attempted to kill Rajneesh at a discourse; Tupe alleged Rajneesh was a CIA agent.
Rajneesh movement corporate structure reaches peak complexity
By the early 1980s the movement had a complex corporate machine: Rajneesh International Foundation (RIF), Rajneesh Investment Corporation (RIC), Rajneesh Services International Ltd. and numerous subsidiaries (e.g., for travel, holdings, car collection).
Given power of attorney to Ma Anand Sheela
In 1981 he gave Ma Anand Sheela limited power of attorney which was extended in 1982, centralizing her control of many affairs.
Diagnosis of degenerative back condition
Diagnosed with a prolapsed disc and treated by doctors; one reason cited for travel to the U.S. in 1981.
Begins period of public silence (3.5 years)
On 10 April 1981 he entered a self-imposed silence during which satsangs (silent gatherings) and videotaped discourses replaced live talks.
Arrives in United States (Montclair, NJ)
Traveled to the United States on a tourist/medical visa on 1 June 1981; stayed at Kip's Castle in Montclair, NJ initially.
Purchase contract signed for 'Big Muddy Ranch' (Rancho Rajneesh)
On 13 June 1981 John Shelfer signed a contract to purchase the 64,229-acre Big Muddy Ranch in Oregon for US$5.75 million for the movement.
Rajneesh moves to Rancho Rajneesh (Oregon)
Moved to the ranch (renamed Rancho Rajneesh); the movement’s focus shifted to the United States.
Large-scale local and state opposition begins
Legal battles, citizens' groups (e.g., Citizens for Constitutional Cities, 1000 Friends of Oregon) and state legislation sought to challenge and dismantle Rajneeshpuram.
Rajneeshpuram incorporated as a city
Residents of the ranch voted to incorporate the community as the city of Rajneeshpuram in May 1982; escalation of legal conflicts with locals and state began.
Rajneesh's extensive Rolls‑Royce collection grows
During the Oregon years Rajneesh acquired a large Rolls-Royce collection, eventually reported to number 93 cars.
Court case: state seeks to void city on Establishment Clause grounds
Oregon Attorney General filed suit alleging the City's incorporation violated the Establishment Clause; court later entered judgment for the State.
1984 Rajneeshee bioterror (Salmonella) attack
Members of the commune contaminated salad bars in The Dalles with Salmonella to influence county elections; about 751 people were sickened. Subsequent investigations implicated commune leaders.
Dictates books under nitrous oxide (Glimpses of a Golden Childhood, Notes of a Madman, Books I Have Loved)
While at Rajneeshpuram he dictated several books allegedly while administered nitrous oxide by his dentist.
Allegations of apocalyptic predictions & AIDS warnings
Communal rhetoric included predictions of mass death (e.g., two-thirds of humanity from AIDS) and precautions among sannyasins were enforced.
Ends period of public silence; resumes public speaking
On 30 October 1984 he ended his three-and-a-half-year silence and began speaking publicly again.
After deportation, denied entry by multiple countries
After deportation he was denied entry into or deported by many countries (21 countries later reported to have denied him entry).
Convictions of Sheela & associates (commune leaders)
Following investigations into poisonings, attempted murders, wiretapping, and the 1984 salmonella attack, Sheela and several associates were convicted in U.S. courts.
Ma Anand Sheela and management depart Rajneeshpuram
In mid-September 1985 Sheela and her management team suddenly left the commune for Europe; Rajneesh publicly accused them of crimes.
Rajneesh publicly asks authorities to investigate Sheela
Following Sheela's departure Rajneesh labelled her a 'gang of fascists' and invited authorities to investigate alleged crimes, including poisoning and attempted murders.
Indictment by federal grand jury (immigration-related charges)
A U.S. federal grand jury in Portland secretly indicted Rajneesh and others on immigration-related charges (Oct 23, 1985).
Arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina
Arrested (without warrant) in Charlotte on 28 October 1985; he was held without bail for 12 days and returned to Oregon in custody.
Alford plea, fine and deportation from the United States
In November 1985 he entered an Alford plea to immigration fraud charges, was fined US$400,000 and deported from the United States.
Returns to Mumbai (July 29, 1986)
After deportation and a world tour of rejections, he arrived back in Mumbai (29 July 1986) and stayed with a disciple, resuming discourses for six months.
Returns to Pune and revives ashram (Rajneeshdham)
Returned to Pune in January 1987; ashram revived and later renamed Rajneeshdham / Osho Commune International.
Resumes personally leading evening meditations; introduces 'The Mystic Rose'
In July 1988 he personally led meditations for the first time in ~14 years and introduced a new technique called The Mystic Rose.
Stops using the title 'Bhagwan'; accepts the name 'Osho'
In early 1989 he stopped using 'Bhagwan' and later accepted being called 'Osho' (name derived from 'oceanic').
Recovery/rest period after alleged poisoning
Between March and June 1989 he rested and recovered from health issues attributed to prior poisoning attempts; health remained fragile.
Daily appearances/Evening darshan resumed; creates White Robe Brotherhood
In August 1989 he began daily evening darshans and inaugurated a white-robed sannyasin group called the 'Osho White Robe Brotherhood.'
Drops the name 'Rajneesh' and ashram renamed Osho Commune International
In September 1989 he discontinued 'Rajneesh' and the ashram became known as 'Osho Commune International'.
Movement continuity & management structure established
After death, the ashram (now OSHO International Meditation Resort) and intellectual property were managed by Osho International Foundation (formerly Rajneesh International Foundation).
Death of Osho (Rajneesh) in Pune
Died on 19 January 1990 in Pune; cremated and ashes placed in samadhi at the ashram.
Reported increase in popularity after death
By 2005 commentators reported increased popularity of Rajneesh's teachings in Western New Age circles and many translations/distribution of discourses.
Key Achievement Ages
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