Osho

Lore & Background

Osho was born into a Jain family in Kuchwada, Madhya Pradesh, India. He was profoundly affected by the deaths of his grandfather and a childhood girlfriend, leading to a preoccupation with death. As a student, he was gifted and rebellious, reading widely and becoming critical of traditional religion. He briefly associated with socialism and nationalist organizations but could not submit to external discipline. After earning an MA in philosophy, he taught at Jabalpur University, traveling widely as Acharya Rajneesh and criticizing socialism, Gandhi, and institutional religions.

Reader's Guide

Osho's significance lies in his founding of a new religious movement that rejected institutional dogma and traditional asceticism, instead encouraging followers to embrace life fully while remaining unattached. His teachings, including dynamic meditation, attracted a large Western following. After his deportation from the U.S. His legacy includes the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune and continued influence on Western New Age thought.

Did You Know?

• Osho was born Chandra Mohan Jain and was called Rajneesh from childhood.
• After his deportation from the United States, 21 countries denied him entry.