Religion Rajneesh movement

logo of neo-sannyas international. circa 1970s.

to end, communities founded around world , groups of sannyasins tour world aid seekers of spiritual enlightenment , demonstrate techniques of meditation. other groups perform kirtan (call , response chanting) , conduct experiments in healing. communities run own businesses, , various publishing companies founded. central international university of meditation have branches on world , run meditation camps, , study groups investigate key texts of tantra, taoism, hinduism , other traditions.

in 1 survey conducted @ rajneeshpuram, on 70 percent of surveyed listed religious affiliation none ; however, 60 per cent of sannyasins participated in activities of worship several times month. in late 1981 osho, through secretary ma anand sheela (sheela silverman), announced inception of religion of rajneeshism , basis of fragments taken various discourses , interviews osho had given on years. in july 1983 rajneesh foundation international published book entitled rajneeshism: introduction bhagwan shree rajneesh , religion, in attempt systematise rajneesh s religious teachings , institutionalise movement. despite this, book claimed rajneeshism not religion, rather religionless religion ... quality of love, silence, meditation , prayerfulness . carter comments motivation formalising osho s teachings not easy determine, might perhaps have been tied visa application made immigration , naturalization service obtain religious worker status him. people followed norms of wearing similar clothes , participating in same activities. interesting poeople not punished wearing other clothes or disagreeing teachings. people allowed come , go pleased long did not hurt anybody.

in last week of september 1985, after sheela had fled in disgrace, rajneesh declared religion of rajneeshism , rajneeshees no longer existed, , bearing name dismantled.

his disciples set fire 5,000 copies of book of rajneeshism, 78-page compilation of teachings had defined rajneeshism religionless religion . osho said ordered book-burning rid sect of last traces of influence of sheela, robes added bonfire.