Acharya Rajneesh is popular as Osho amongst his followers. In modern India, he was a very interesting Guru, but also one of the most controversial ones. Acharya Rajneesh was born in a Jain family on December 11th, 1933 at Kuchwada in Madhya Pradesh. In 1953 he attained enlightenment when he turned 21 years of age. Like most other Gurus, he did not turn to the forests but his experience made him realize his mission. Next Acharya Rajneesh began preparing himself for his important role for the future.
At first he obtained his Master’s Degree in philosophy in 1957 and took up a job in Raipur, Madhya Pradesh at a Sanskrit College. Next he worked a Philosophy professor the university in Jabalpur. He started organizing meditation camps and lecturing before big gatherings from 1966, after quitting his teaching profession.
Acharya Rajneesh shifted to Mumbai in1969, resided there for around 5 years and later shifted and settled at his famous ashram in Pune. For the next seven years, his popular Ashram became a centre for conducting intense activities related to the spiritual world. Devotees in thousands not only from India but abroad were attracted to the Ashram where he delivered discourses on daily basis.
Gradually in 1981 he shifted base to Oregon, USA and resided in a 64000 acre ranch, all due to pressure from local areas and request of his devotees. However, once at Oregon things took a strange turn and he ended up in a serious conflict with the local government, due to activities of some of his closest devotees.
After leaving the ranch in 1985 Acharya Rajneesh faced a difficult life. He travelled across 21 nations but finally shifted to Pune in 1987, spent the remaining part of his life there, conducting meditation sessions and discourses. Finally in 1999 he passed away as his heath gradually deteriorated. This great enlightened philosopher and gifted speaker par excellence was also a spiritual leader who was misunderstood by a lot of people.
