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The charismatic leader of a spiritual movement. He founded an ashram in India before leaving to the US. In the US he attracted many followers and amassed a large fortune with a fleet of Rolls Royces.

Osho or Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was born in 1931 in Central India. He was a charismatic and gifted speaker who became the leader of a worldwide new spiritual movement. It is claimed that at the age of 21 he attained enlightenment or Samadhi. At the time, he was studying philosophy at the University of Saugar. On receiving a master's degree, he taught philosophy at the University of Jabalpur for nine years.

As well as teaching philosophy he also began to attract disciples to follow his own eclectic mix of philosophy and religion. In 1966 he decided to leave his teaching post and give full attention to his role as a spiritual Master. In 1974 he moved with his disciples to Pune, India. Here he established a new ashram in a comfortable setting of six acres. In 1980 he was attacked by a Hindu fundamentalist who disagreed with Osho’s unconventional stance on religion and spirituality. It is said that due to police incompetence the assailant was never convicted.

Due to failing health Osho decided to leave India for America where he would be able to receive better medical treatment. His disciples bought a large plot of land near Antelope, Oregon. Here they wished to build a large ashram and other buildings. There was often friction between the local townspeople and the ashramites. There was a clash of cultures, and the local townspeople felt threatened by the influx of devotees. Because of this many building permits were denied. This led to ashramites trying to get elected directly to the town council. There were also allegations made that followers of Osho were involved in illegal activities such as spreading salmonella in a local restaurant. More seriously there were allegations of murder made against some followers of Osho. Two were eventually convicted of the murder of Charles Turner who had tried to close the ranch.

In 1987 Osho became fearful of an investigation by the authorities, so he decided to leave the compound in Oregon and went to South Carolina. Here he fell foul of US immigration law. He had arranged false marriages and other violations of immigration laws. He was given a suspended sentence on the condition that he leave the country. Therefore he reluctantly decided to leave for Puna in India. It was at this time that he decided to change his name from Rajneesh to Osho. This is said to be a Japanese word for “Master”, although others say Osho comes from the term “oceanic experience” Osho died in 1990, his death certificate gave a reason of heart failure. Although some followers alleged poisoning by the CBI, although these allegations had little evidence to support them.

Editor

This small book, The Greatest Challenge: The Golden Future, is unashamedly addressed to the intelligent people of this threatened planet. It is a response to the report of the United Nations from the World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, which identifies the major issues threatening the future of this planet.

This book presents another facet of the Osho vision, a proposal for a viable humanity; a diagnosis of the psychological and social sicknesses that divide human beings, within and without, into warring factions. It outlines the critical steps required if there is to be any future – let alone the golden future that lies within our grasp.

That our very survival is now an open question is doubted by no one – yet nothing changes. That we are sacrificing the very existence of the most beautiful flowering of this universe in childishly immature conflicts is widely understood – yet nothing changes. That action is needed now is accepted by global experts everywhere – yet nothing changes.

Discription

Throughout the world, there are intelligent people everywhere, scientists, artists, poets, students, business people, doctors, lawyers; young people, old people; the famous, the unknown. Yes, these people all over the world must stare out of their windows at the birds in the trees going about their business so intelligently, so naturally – and wonder.