Cults in Pune

I have nothing really new to report today but perhaps a little tidbit of info you might find interesting...

For the past few weeks I have noticed many whities in a specific area en route to work. It is in the suburb of Pune called Koregaon Park. Many of the white folks are dressed in red robes. Today we saw a man in just red underwear walking the street. So I decided to find out what is going on there. It is the location of a cult, the Osho Commune. The Osho community was founded by Bhagwan Rajneesh who later changed his name to Osho. Much to my surprise, this cult actually exists in the US as they had a compound in Oregon. At its peak there were 200,000 members and 600 centers. Here is what I found on the internet to describe the techniques of the cult

Rajneesh used a curious blend of Californian pop psychology and Indian mysticism to motivate his followers. His last technique , tagged The Mystic Rose, involved following a regime of laughing for three hours a day for one week, crying for three hours a day the next week, followed by becoming a ' watcher on the hill ' (i.e. sitting ) for three hours a day for another week.

Based on talking to locals around here, one can safely assume that California pop psychology is a polite way to refer to free love and mind altering substances. And if there is any doubt, just look at the entry requirements to the commune...

Those wishing to meditate at the commune must fill out an application form( complete with two passport size photographs), prove HIV - negative to an on -the -spot test given at the center (Rs 125) and purchase three tunics (two maroon and one white). Meditation is then Rs 100 per day (Rs 35 for Indians) and you can come and go as you please. You must also arrange your own accommodation outside the Ashram

Yep, an HIV negative test. Apperently that is key to spiritual enlightenment. I might have to see what this is all about this weekend. Visitors are welcome to view the commune and the price is less than $2. Similar to many other cults I have read about, this one has a do as I say not as I do philosophy. The cult leader lived in luxury while his followers lived through humble means. Everyone in India refers to this Oshu guy as crazy and the guy who owned 99 Rolls Royces. Which of course were purchased by the members of his community. And if you dig in a little, of course only those in the community are wealthy and mostly westerners. I have enclosed a web site if anyone is interested on the history.

http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/rajneesh.html

And for those of you who were interested in the 2nd 5 day test match between India and Pakistan, it ended in a draw again today.

Tomorrow is a holiday in India so there is no work. A group of us from the office are going to dinner and then to see Wedding Crashers. Movies get here a little later than the US. Rumor has it that 10 - 15 minutes were cut from the movie to get it from an R rating to PG. Last time I saw this i nearly pee'd my pants so hopefully that is still in there.