Rajneesh: Difference between revisions
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This is a [[stub]]. |
This is a [[stub]]. |
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In [[1981]], Rajneesh came to the United States and settled for several years at a marginal ranch in [[Wasco County, Oregon]] previously known as "The Big Muddy", but later renamed ''[[Rajneeshpuram, Oregon|Rajneeshpuram]]''. Disagreements over zoning rules and building codes in the beginning continued to escalate between not only his followers and the inhabitants of Wasco County, but eventually with the rest of the state. His followers, known as Rajneeshes, settled en bloc in [[Antelope, Oregon]] and were able to elect a majority of the town councillors. Acerbic and impolic, if not hostile comments by his public spokeswoman, [[Ma Annand Sheela]], only increased tensions, and were not helped by Rajneesh's vow of silence. When the Rajneeshes subsequently recruited [[homeless people]] from across the United States to settle at Rajneeshpuram, it was widely seen as an attempt to use the ballot box to sieze control of Wasco county. But perhaps the most bizarre turn of events was when an outbreak of [[salmonella]] in a salad bar at a restaurant in The Dalles was traced to the acts of his followers. About this time, Sheela was removed from her post in the Rajneesh's service, and shortly afterwards left for [[Germany]]. |
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See also [[Wasco County, Oregon]]. |
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::<small>''(Perhaps the Osho section there should be copied here?)''</small> |
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This chapter finally ended in 1985, when Rajneesh was arrested in North Carolina as he was fleeing the U.S. On October 23, 1985, a federal grand jury in Portland had secretly indicted Rajneesh, Sheela, and six of his other followers for immigration crimes. Two days later, a Wasco County grand jury returned indictments against Sheela and two others, charging them with the attempted murder of Swami Devaraj, the Bhagwan's personal doctor. He entered an "[[Alford plea]]," also called a no-contest plea, and given a suspended sentence on condition that he leave the country. |
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Revision as of 22:35, 21 February 2003
Rajneesh Chandra Mohan (1931-1990), better known during the 1970s as "Bhagwan Shree" Rajneesh and later as Osho, was the founder and leader of a controversial religious movement in India and the United States.
The Sanskrit word Bhagwan means "God" (N.B. not "god", that would be Deva); Shree (more commonly transliterated as Shri or Sri) is roughly equivalent to the English word "Lord". Thus, among those who disagree with his claim to be God, he is most commonly referred to simply as Rajneesh.
The name "Osho" has since been trademarked, something not normally associated with gods.
This is a stub.
In 1981, Rajneesh came to the United States and settled for several years at a marginal ranch in Wasco County, Oregon previously known as "The Big Muddy", but later renamed Rajneeshpuram. Disagreements over zoning rules and building codes in the beginning continued to escalate between not only his followers and the inhabitants of Wasco County, but eventually with the rest of the state. His followers, known as Rajneeshes, settled en bloc in Antelope, Oregon and were able to elect a majority of the town councillors. Acerbic and impolic, if not hostile comments by his public spokeswoman, Ma Annand Sheela, only increased tensions, and were not helped by Rajneesh's vow of silence. When the Rajneeshes subsequently recruited homeless people from across the United States to settle at Rajneeshpuram, it was widely seen as an attempt to use the ballot box to sieze control of Wasco county. But perhaps the most bizarre turn of events was when an outbreak of salmonella in a salad bar at a restaurant in The Dalles was traced to the acts of his followers. About this time, Sheela was removed from her post in the Rajneesh's service, and shortly afterwards left for Germany.
This chapter finally ended in 1985, when Rajneesh was arrested in North Carolina as he was fleeing the U.S. On October 23, 1985, a federal grand jury in Portland had secretly indicted Rajneesh, Sheela, and six of his other followers for immigration crimes. Two days later, a Wasco County grand jury returned indictments against Sheela and two others, charging them with the attempted murder of Swami Devaraj, the Bhagwan's personal doctor. He entered an "Alford plea," also called a no-contest plea, and given a suspended sentence on condition that he leave the country.