Osho in America: The Rise and Fall of Rajneeshpuram



Osho in America: The Rise and Fall of Rajneeshpuram

When the mystic from India, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh—later known as Osho—set foot on American soil in 1981, few could have predicted the whirlwind of controversy, community building, utopian dreams, and eventual collapse that would follow. The story of Osho in America is a complex chapter in modern spiritual history, filled with philosophical exploration, legal clashes, and one of the most bizarre bioterror attacks in U.S. history.

Arrival in the Land of Opportunity (1981)

Osho had already become a spiritual phenomenon in India by the late 1970s. His teachings blended eastern meditation with western therapy, attracting thousands of followers from around the globe. After facing increasing political and legal pressure in India, Osho and his secretary Ma Anand Sheela decided to relocate to the United States, seeking a fresh start.

In 1981, Osho arrived in Montclair, New Jersey under a medical visa. Shortly after, his followers purchased a 64,000-acre ranch in Wasco County, Oregon—a vast, arid landscape that would soon be transformed into Rajneeshpuram, a city built from scratch in the desert.

The Dream of Rajneeshpuram (1981–1984)

Rajneeshpuram was envisioned as a utopia—a self-sustaining city based on Osho’s philosophy of “Zorba the Buddha,” combining material enjoyment with spiritual enlightenment. Within a few years, the city had its own post office, police force, fire department, schools, farms, a dam, an airstrip, and homes for thousands of sannyasins (Osho’s followers). People came from all over the world to meditate, dance, and live freely in this experimental commune.

But Rajneeshpuram wasn't just a spiritual center—it became a political force. The commune’s attempt to control local governance by taking over the nearby town of Antelope (which they briefly renamed Rajneesh) drew resistance from local residents, the state of Oregon, and eventually the federal government.

The Downfall: Crime, Conflict, and the Largest Bioterror Attack in U.S. History (1984–1985)

As tensions escalated, Ma Anand Sheela and her inner circle began orchestrating covert operations to maintain control. In 1984, in a desperate attempt to influence local elections, members of the commune contaminated salad bars in The Dalles, Oregon, with salmonella, sickening over 750 people. It became the largest bioterror attack on U.S. soil at the time.

The commune also engaged in immigration fraud, illegal wiretapping, and plots to assassinate Osho's enemies—including government officials and journalists. By 1985, the dream had begun to unravel.

Osho, who had maintained a public silence for several years, suddenly broke it to denounce Sheela and her team, accusing them of criminal activities. Sheela fled to Europe, and the FBI began a full-scale investigation.

Arrest and Deportation (1985–1986)

In October 1985, Osho was arrested while trying to flee the U.S. and was charged with immigration fraud. After spending 12 days in jail and paying a hefty fine, he agreed to leave the country. He was deported and banned from re-entering the United States.

Rajneeshpuram collapsed soon after. The city was abandoned, buildings were dismantled or sold, and the once-bustling commune faded into history.

Legacy and Reflection

Osho returned to India and continued teaching until his death in 1990. Despite the controversies, his teachings continued to spread globally, and the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune remains a spiritual hub.

The story of Osho in America is both inspiring and cautionary—a tale of visionary ambition tainted by ego, power, and paranoia. It raises essential questions: Can utopia exist without authoritarianism? Can spiritual movements survive unchecked charisma? And what happens when spiritual liberation collides with political law?

Osho once said, “The greatest fear in the world is the opinion of others, and the moment you are unafraid of the crowd, you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion.” In America, Osho roared—but it was a roar that echoed with both liberation and destruction.



Comments