# Rajneesh

> Indian guru and leader of the Rajneesh movement (1931–1990)

**Wikidata**: [Q148285](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q148285)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajneesh)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rajneesh

## Summary
Rajneesh, also known as Osho or Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was an Indian guru, mystic, and the founder of the Rajneesh movement who lived from 1931 to 1990. Born Chandra Mohan Jain, he became a prominent spiritual teacher known for his controversial teachings and the establishment of the intentional community Rajneeshpuram in Oregon. His legacy includes a vast body of spiritual literature and a global following that continues to influence modern spirituality.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 11, 1931 (Place not specified in source material)
- **Nationality**: India
- **Education**: Dr. Hari Singh Gour University (Sagar, Madhya Pradesh)
- **Known for**: Leading the Rajneesh movement and founding the religious community Rajneeshpuram
- **Employer(s)**: Associated with the Rajneesh movement; specific institutional employer not listed beyond movement leadership
- **Field(s)**: Spiritual teaching, mysticism, writing, autobiography

## Contributions
Rajneesh founded the Rajneesh movement, a spiritual organization inspired by his teachings as an Indian mystic. He established Rajneeshpuram, a religious intentional community located in Wasco County, Oregon, United States. As a prolific writer and autobiographer, he produced a significant body of literary works that form the core of his movement's philosophy. His teachings and leadership attracted a global following, resulting in the creation of a distinct spiritual community and cultural phenomenon in the 1970s and 1980s.

## FAQs
**What are the various names used for Rajneesh?**
He was born Chandra Mohan Jain and was also known as Acharya Rajneesh, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Bhagwan, Shree Rajneesh, and later adopted the name Osho. These aliases reflect different stages of his life and the titles given to him by his followers.

**Where did Rajneesh receive his higher education?**
He was educated at Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, a central university located in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India. This institution, founded in 1946, is where he completed his academic studies before becoming a spiritual leader.

**What was the primary location of his spiritual community in the United States?**
His followers established Rajneeshpuram, a religious intentional community situated in Wasco County, Oregon. This community served as a major center for his movement and attracted thousands of disciples from around the world.

**Who was a key figure in his inner circle?**
Ma Anand Sheela served as his former chief assistant and played a significant role in the administration of his movement and the community in Oregon. She held multiple occupations within the organization and was a prominent figure during the movement's peak.

## Why They Matter
Rajneesh fundamentally altered the landscape of modern spirituality by blending Eastern mysticism with Western psychological concepts, creating a unique path that attracted a diverse global following. His establishment of Rajneeshpuram represented a radical experiment in communal living and religious freedom, challenging societal norms and legal frameworks in the United States. The movement he inspired continues to influence contemporary spiritual practices, meditation techniques, and the publishing of spiritual literature worldwide. Without his work, the specific synthesis of mysticism and modernity that characterizes much of the New Age movement would likely have developed differently.

## Notable For
- Founding the Rajneesh movement, which inspired thousands of followers globally.
- Establishing Rajneeshpuram, a significant religious intentional community in Oregon.
- Being a prolific writer and autobiographer with a vast catalog of spiritual works.
- Adopting the name "Osho" and being widely recognized by this title.
- Serving as a guru, mystic, and spiritual guide in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh traditions.
- Holding Indian citizenship and being educated at Dr. Hari Singh Gour University.
- Having Ma Anand Sheela as a prominent chief assistant and key figure in his organization.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Rajneesh was born on December 11, 1931, in India. His birth name was Chandra Mohan Jain, and he is also known by the aliases Acharya Rajneesh, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Bhagwan, Shree Rajneesh, and Osho. He held Indian citizenship throughout his life. His identity as a human, writer, autobiographer, guru, and mystic defined his public persona. He is classified as an instance of a human being and is associated with the occupation of a spiritual teacher.

### Education and Academic Background
He pursued his higher education at Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, located in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India. This central university was founded on July 18, 1946, by Dr. Hari Singh Gour and is also known as Sagar University or University of Saugar. The university operates under the Central Universities Act, 2009, and its motto is "From Unreal To The Real." Rajneesh's education at this institution provided the academic foundation for his later career as a teacher and writer.

### Spiritual Leadership and the Rajneesh Movement
Rajneesh became the leader of the Rajneesh movement, a group of persons inspired by his teachings as an Indian mystic. He is widely recognized as a guru, defined as a teacher, expert, counselor, or spiritual guide often found in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, or Sikh traditions. His role as a mystic and spiritual leader attracted a significant following, leading to the creation of a global movement. The movement is documented with 18 sitelinks, indicating its presence across various language editions of knowledge bases.

### Establishment of Rajneeshpuram
A major achievement of his leadership was the founding of Rajneeshpuram, a religious intentional community located in Wasco County, Oregon, in the United States. This community served as a physical manifestation of his spiritual ideals and became a focal point for his disciples. The establishment of Rajneeshpuram involved complex interactions with local laws and society, marking a significant chapter in the history of the movement. The community is associated with the country code Q30 (United States) and has 15 sitelinks in knowledge databases.

### Key Associates and Collaborators
Ma Anand Sheela was a central figure in Rajneesh's inner circle, serving as his former chief assistant. She held multiple occupations and had citizenship in Switzerland, India, and the United States. Her role was critical in the administration and daily operations of the movement and the community in Oregon. Other notable figures associated with the movement include Nicoletta Machiavelli, an Italian actress who was part of the broader cultural context of the movement's timeline.

### Literary and Intellectual Output
As a writer and autobiographer, Rajneesh produced a substantial body of work that includes books, lectures, and spiritual discourses. His writings are cataloged under various identifiers, including ISBNs and library authority numbers, reflecting their widespread distribution and academic interest. He is recognized for his contributions to literature and spiritual thought, with his works continuing to be published and studied. The variety of his aliases and the extensive list of identifiers (such as P213, P214, P227, etc.) underscore the global reach and documentation of his intellectual legacy.

### Legacy and Global Impact
Rajneesh passed away on January 19, 1990, leaving behind a complex legacy that continues to influence spiritual seekers worldwide. His movement, the Rajneesh movement, remains active, with persons still inspired by his teachings. The website osho.com serves as a central hub for his followers, and his name is associated with numerous digital identifiers and knowledge base entries. His life and work have been the subject of extensive documentation, with 96 sitelinks across different language versions of Wikipedia, highlighting his enduring significance in global culture and spirituality.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.metal-archives.com/artist.php?id=408666)
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. CiNii Research
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Integrated Authority File
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. SNAC
8. filmportal.de
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Babelio
11. AlKindi
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. CONOR.SI
14. Autoritats UB
15. Quora
16. [LIBRIS. 2018](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/fcrvz5tz12vhpg8)
17. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q88142)
18. Catalogo of the National Library of India