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file
Page 8 Section A- THE DALLES WEEKLY REMINDER 298-8545 SEPT. 27. 1983
6
no other way
Mohen's vision explained
E
a
e
Due to "scores of requests from
The Rajneesh Foundation In-
ot
readers", The Rajneesh Times this week
ternational copyrighted vision, as it will
se
or
published the full text of the vision of
appear in the newest edition of
3-
Rajneesh Chandra Mohen ("bhagwan").
"Rajneeshism: An Introduction to
An editorial titled "International
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and His
thunderclap" intimated that it may be
Religion", follows:
R
more than a coincidence that soon after
"Man is now living in his most critical
2
Rajneesh's vision was made public,
moment and it is a crisis of immense
o
disasters occurred all over the world.
dimensions. Either he will die or a new
h
"No sooner had we gone to press last
man will be born. Rajneeshism accepts
;.
week with Rajneesh's vision of 15 years of
this challenge and is making the only
1-
natural and man-made disasters, in-
world-wide effort to transform human
cluding nuclear war, than his remarks
consciousness so that man can die and a
1.
were punctuated by an international
superman can be born out of his ashes. It is
thunderclap.
going to be a death and a resurrection.
2
"The shot-heard-round-the world was
Unless human consciousness changes
fired by a Soviet jet and it downed a
totally man cannot survive. As he is right
1.
South Korean civilian jetliner on a flight
now he is already outdated.
a
from Anchorage, Alaska to Seoul, South
"The period of this crisis will be
Korea. All 269 aboard perished, including
between 1984 and 1999. During this period
U.S. Congressman Larry McDonald, D-
there will be every kind of destruction on
Georgia.
earth including natural catastrophes and
"This wasn't the only bombshell to
man manufactured auto-suicidal efforts.
explode virtually within minutes of
In other words there will be floods which
Bhagwan's vision being released," The
have never been known since the time of
Times edit said. "The world was shocked
Noah, along with earthquakes, volcanic
when the opposition leader to Philippine
eruptions and everything else that is
director Ferdinanc Marcos was gunned
possible through nature. The earth cannot
down the minute he touched ground in
tolerate this type of mankind any longer.
Manila following a three-year exile in the
There will be wars which are bound to end
U.S.; Israeli Prime Minister Begin an-
in nuclear explosions, hence no ordinary
nounced his resignation, and all hell
Noah's Arks are going to save humanity.
promptly broke loose in Lebanon, in-
Rajneeshism is creating a Noah's Ark of
cluding the deaths of four U.S. Marines
consciousness, remaining centered
who were part of a multi-national
exactly in the middle of the cyclone.
peacekeeping force in Beirut; and fighting
"I say to you that except this there is
in Central America and North Africa in-
no other way.
creased in intensity.
"Tokyo, New York, San Francisco,
"Now, Bhagwan isn't the kind of guy
Los Angeles, Bombay etc. - all these
who will say 'I told you so' as the world
cities are going to disappear and the
races to unravel. And he isn't likely to
holocaust is not going to be confined to
point out that recent events seem to in-
certain places. It is going to be global SO no
dicate the doomsday he envisions will
escape will be possible.
occur closer to 1984 than to 1999.
"You can only escape within and
"But, given the dramatic worldwide
that's what I teach. I do not teach worship
events accompanying disclosure of his
of God or any other ritual but only a
vision, we suspect people will pay closer
scientific way of coming to you innermost
attention next time."
core."
- THE DALLES WEEKLY REMINDER 298-8545 - SEPT. 27, 1983
Rajneesh teachers, not
children are obstacle
It's not the other children, but the
teachers that will keep non-Rajneeshees
from sending their children to school in
Levy voted down
Antelope.
Antelope School District's $25,000
Derald McCall, former Antelope
one-year operating levy fell Tuesday by
School Dist. 50J chairman, said this week
a landslide.
that nobody he knows plans to send their
The levy fell cumulatively 359 votes
children to the Antelope School, The school
to seven. In the city of Antelope, the
was opened Friday, Sept. 16, with the use
measure fell 52 votes to two, and in Raj-
of volunteer Rajneesh teachers for about
neeshpuram the Issue was defeated 307
53 Rajneeshee students.
votes to five.
Now that the status of the district
Passage of the $25,000 operating
boundary changes is known- that the citi-
levy would have sent 19 non-Rajneesh
zens living in changed portions are no
children to Madras for schooling.
longer eligible voters and therefore cannot
serve on the board - there are only two
non-Rajneesh girls, a ninth grader and a
Ma Anand Sheela, president of Rajneesh
Junior, left within the new district. The
Foundation Internation, was at the office
other 19 children are being bused to
of Dr. Fred Krause, Superintendent of
Madras with Antelope School Dist. 50J
Wasco County Education Service District.
picking up the tab for tuition and transpor-
According to McCall, Sheela told Krause
tation.
that if the board compromised Rajneeshee
McCall said that if something should
plans, there would be a recall and a suit
happen and the district will no longer pay
filed.
the non-Rajneeshee student tuitions and
McCall said the situation "stinks" and
transport costs, "I'm sure all the parents
says Swami Deva Wadud's decision to fire
will send their kids on their own. Nobody I
the school clerk did not constitute an emer-
talked to will send their kids to Antelope
gency. Ma Deva Jayamala was confirmed
School with their teachers. It's not the
as unpaid clerk to the board and Swami
kids, it's the teachers." McCall said citi-
Anand Suraj as head teacher in the school
zens were also concerned that teachers
board meeting by Wadud Thursday night.
and students were wearing religious garb
The paid position of clerk, formerly occu-
in the school building.
pied by Dora Harris, "no longer exists"
Overall, McCall said he and other
because of lack of funds, Wadud said.
former board members were glad to get
McCall said there is much confusion
out from under Rajneesh threats.
around Antelope these days, concerning
"If they can't tax us or float a bond,
school matters.
we're happy to get out from under the
"Nobody knows," he said, noting a
threat of suits," McCall said. McCall said
school bus driver who transports children
that an hour before state officials called
to Madras was wondering where his next
and informed the board of the situation,
pay check would come from.
Rajneesh mayor:
'Court antagonistic'
The Mayor of Rajneeshpuram says
the Wasco County Court has "become
increasingly antagonistic towards the
Rajneesh community since the
departure of Rick Cantrell."
Swami Krishna Deva, Rajneesh-
puram mayor, is quoted in Friday's
edition of the Rajneesh Times.
"Rick believes in doing what's
right. Judge Hulse seems to believe in
doing what protects his political
career," Krishna Deva said. "But the
legal problems which may ensue from
the court's recent actions (last Wed-
nesday, before Tuesday changes) could
cause Wasco County and Bill Hulse
more trouble than he imagines."
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Collections
This is not a presidential record. This marker is used as
an administrative marker by the Ronald W. Reagan
Presidential Library Staff. This marker identifies that
there was an object in this folder that could not be
scanned due to its size.
DAS, OERI, Brown Bldg. Rm 722-D
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
U.S.MAIL
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300
®
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF IDUCATION
ED 395
Hon. Morton Blackwell
OEOB
Rm. 191
NUV 1 1983
The White House
%
Washington, DC 20500
pm
20
3/2
DOW JONES
The
Oregonian
18.60
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1983
FORECAST: FAIR
25c
Rajneesh city declared
illegal
By DON JEPSEN
said. "In short, as presently constituted, this city
Mayor Krishna Deva told The Oregonian that
Ion, the community should be denied any. state
the city council is not the question," he said H
of The Oregonian staff
is fundamentally incapable of behaving as a
the opinion was "A political maneuver born out
revenue permanently.
said there is no constitutional tenet to bar on
SALEM - The incorporation of the city of
city."
of bigotry." He accused Frohnmayer of a "misin-
"We believe that drawing money from the
religion from dominating a community's govern
Rajneeshpuram by followers of an Indian reli-
The far-ranging opinion, which took six
terpretation of the doctrine of church and state
state Inescapably aids a specific religion," said
ment.
gious leader violates state and federal constitu-
months to research, must still be tested in the
to harm our community."
Frohnmayer.
The opinion was another blow to follower
tional guarantees of separation of church and
courts. Frohnmayer said he will seek a "prompt
Dèva said he Had not seen the opinion but he
Atiyeh said he had not had time to study the
of the 53-year-old guru who moved to Oregon il
state, Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmay-
mechanism" to get a judicial ruling.
did not expect Rajneesh attorneys to challenge it
opinion, which he received just before the
1981 with several hundred of his followers an
er said Thursday.
"We are moving rapidly to dètermine what
In court. "But If he (Frohnmayer) wants to bring
Frohnmayer press conference. "We have to un-
founded a commune on 64,000 acres in Wasc
In an opinion that was intended to address
legal test will be used," he told a news confer-
it to court, we will be there," the mayor said.
derstand that we are not dealing with Rajneesh-
and Jefferson counties.
the city's right to receive state revenue from
ence, adding that he expects the issue to be
Deva said there are no plans to challenge the
puram per se, although It affects them right
special taxes, Frohnmayer went far beyond that
The community not only is facing difficulties
determined by the Oregon Supreme Court, and
opinion because it does not have the force of
now, but the Issue of church and state," Atiyeh
issue and declared that the community on the
on possible violation of land-use goals, but it also
possibly the U.S. Supreme Court.
law.
said.
Muddy Ranch cannot provide any city services
faces the possible loss of basic school suppori
because of the "pervasive and unavoldable" in-
The opinion was requested by Rep. Mike
Frohnmayer said he has advised Gov. Vic
At one point during his re-election campaign,
funds because the Antelope School District may
McCracken of Albany. The attorney general's
Atiyeh, to sign legislation withholding state
Atiyeh said he wished the Rajneesh followers
be declared substandard.
trusion of religion in city government.
Not only is all the land owned by à religious
office said earlier it had helped McCracken
funds from gas, liquor and cigarette taxes from
would leave Oregon.
Frohnmayer is preparing legal advice for
foundation and leased to a cooperative religious
frame the questions, which is said was a com-
Rajneeshpuram until the courts rule.
Asked If the opinion had an impact on nearby
Verne Duncan, superintendent of public instruc-
commune, Frohnmayer noted, but also only fol-
mon practice.
The special session of the Legislature rushed
Antelope where Rajneesh followers make up a
tion, on whether the district, which has yet to
lowers of the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh can live
McCracken said the opinion gives the an-
through a bill In one day to put the tax money in
majority of the city council, Frohnmayer sald
approve a budget or open for classes. will be
within the corporate boundaries.
swers he had hoped for. "I believe this is the
escrow until Wasco County decided whether
that was a separate Issue.
eligible for basic school support. Duncan is ex.
"The intrusion of religion into city govern-
beginning of the end of Rajneeshpuram," he
Rajneeshpuram has violated land-use goals. The
"Because there 18 multiple land ownership Ih
pected to make a decision next week.
ment affairs is pervasive and unavoidable," he
said.
attorney general said If he is correct In his opin-
Antelope, the fact that the Rajneeshees dominate
Related story on Page C3.
THE OREGONIAN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1983
C3
Rajneesh celebration permit OK'd
CAR
By JEANIE SENIOR
curred by the county sanitarian, who will
ing a provision in the ordinance that would
Correspondent, The Oregonian
make at least six visits during the festival, as
limit the advance time that a person or 8
HUNTING?
THE DALLES - The Rajneesh Neo-San-
well as two inspections each by the county
group can apply for a mass gathering permit.
nyas International Commune received a per-
commission and the county sheriff.
Because of questions of the constitutionality
MORE THAN
mit Wednesday from Wasco County to hold
Only about 25 people attended the permit
of such a restriction, commissioners later
its third annual world celebration in the
hearing, and no one spoke in opposition to
dropped all reference to time limits.
summer of 1984.
the Rajneesh application.
Katherine Long, a representative of the
1200
The event is expected to draw 15,000
Just & handful of people were present,
Pacific Northwest Four-Wheel Drive As-
followers of Indian guru Bhagwan Shree
too, at the afternoon hearing on the mass
sociation who attended the ordinance hear-
Imported and do-
Rajneesh, the same number who came to the
gathering ordinance, which was written as
ing, said the lead time for a mass gathering
mestic cars are of-
Central Oregon commune for a festival this
an adjunct to Oregon state law and state
of that group could be two years.
fered in classifica-
year
Health Division administrative rules that
County commissioners had included the
tions 686 through
Following the provisions of a newly
govern mass gatherings.
time limits because they said they felt un.
695 in today's
adopted mass gathering ordinance, put into
The new ordinance's chief aim, County
comfortable when the Rajneeshees applied
effect earlier Wednesday, county commis-
Judge William Hulse said, is not to restrict
for a mass gathering permit for the 1984
sioners agreed on an estimated $1,600 in
citizens' right to assembly but rather to cre-
festival before final inspections had been
Oregonian
inspection fees, to be paid by the commune
ate a means for the county to recover some
made on the 1983 festival. Krishna Deva, a
to reimburse the county for permit enforce-
of its enforcement costs during difficult bud-
commune representative, said the lead time
CLASSIFIED
ment costs.
get times.
was necessary to allow worldwide advertis.
The inspection fees will cover costs in-
Commissioners earlier discussed includ-
ing for the festival.
Page 6A
Gresham@utlook.
Gresham, Ore: Sat., Oct. 1, 1983
Rajneeshee says religious prejudice 'is sad'
by KIM COOK
put more than $60 million into the ranch and
affirmation attitude.
being organized. Of the 75 children in the
proving the lives of former Antelope
of The Outlook staff
they were just not going to walk away from it.
"Worldwide there are over 350,000 Ra-
school district, 55 are Rajneeshees.
residents, after they had disrupted them.
People have criticized the Rajneeshees for
jneeshees who want to see the Bhagwan's vi-
Sarito asked the question be asked in a less
CORBETT - It is sad there is religious pre-
moving 80 quickly on the building and con-
sion become a reality," she said. "When he is
The Rancho Rajneesh is financed through
prejudicial manner.
judice in a country founded on religious
struction of Rancho Rajneesh, she said.
gone, all of us will take his place, not just one
three corporate structures which were
freedom, a follower of the Bhagwan Shree Ra-
"We want to make the Bhagwan's vision a
of us,"
started by donations, investments, and loans,
"Don't look at me like an alien," she said.
jneesh told members of the Columbia Gorge
reality in his lifetime," said Sarito. "That is
When asked if the Bhagwan's beliefs would
said Sarito. Of the three, two are regular cor-
"I am aware of this attitude where you pro-
Kiwanis Club on Thursday night.
why we are moving so quickly. We do not
be taught in the Antelope School District,
porations that pay taxes and function under
ject prejudice. Each person has responsibility
"We came to Oregon because we thought
want to create a dead dogma for the
Sarito answered no.
the same laws other businesses do, she said.
for their own life. If those residents want to
Oregonians respected the environment and
Bhagwan, but a living essence while he is
"There is a complete separation of the
The third is a non-profit religious corporation
live in negativity, they have chosen to make
believed in conservation," said Ma Ananda
alive."
teaching of his beliefs and education," she
to further the beliefs of the Bhagwan around
misery out of their lives. Everyone has the
Sarito. "Our belief was we were all people of
Sarito answered questions about the beliefs
said. "When the ranch had its own school, the
the world.
freedom of where to live in the United
like minds. But a lot of religious prejudice is
of the Rajneesh only when asked. She made a
children learned vocational training around
"These myths you,are hearing that we are
States."
coming up and being revealed."
point to tell the audience she would not
the ranch. I believe this made the children
not paying taxes are untrue," Sarito said.
The ruling against the Rajneesh by the
preach.
more bright, alive and dynamic than children
"Use your brain. We are under the same
Sarito answered questions from the more
state Land Conservation and Development
"Our religion is a new vision believing in
trapped in a classroom all day."
laws, in the same state. We are paying a lot
than 60 people present. A video tape was
Commission on Thursday has put the ranch in
life affirmation, the celebration of life, and
The Rajneeshees are sending their children
more taxes now since we incorporated the ci-
shown at the beginning of the meeting to aç-
danger, said Sarito. She emphasized the
living joy," she said. "We wear the shades of
to the Antelope School District where
ty on the ranch."
quaint members with Rancho Rajneesh and
followers of the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh had
the sunrise, reds and violets, to show our life
teachers are still being hired and the school is
One man asked how the Rajneesh were im-
the city of Rajneeshpuram.
A26
3M
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, OCTOBER 9, 1983
Antelope school work
continues as county
seeks to freeze funds
By JEANIE SENIOR
time," when Rajneeshee children will
Correspondent, The Oregonian
line the main road through Antelope to
ANTELOPE - The subject isn't aca-
watch Rajneesh drive by in a Rolls-
demics at Antelope School these days.
Royce.
Instead, it's a curriculum called
"It's not a break, it's the end of the
'Practical Arts and Work Experience,"
school day," school board president
which involves 56 children from age 5
Deva Wadud emphasized.
tb 16 in a renovation project at the ag-
Head teacher Suraj, 42, who has
ing, two-story school.
bachelor's and master's degrees in his-
The children are involved in a varie-
tory and social work from the Universi-
ty of jobs readying Antelope School Dis-
ty of California at Berkeley, holds an
trict's only school for its reopening Oct.
Oregon secondary teaching certificate.
24 by the followers of Bhagwan Shree
The district has recruited a Rajnee-
Rajneesh. It remained closed after last
shee teacher from Salem who has an
school year because Rajneeshee voters
elementary certificate, and three other
refused to authorize money to reopen it,
commune residents have applied for
choosing instead to send their children
emergency certification in the state. Su-
to a private school at the ranch.
raj said he expects no problems in ob-
After Rajneeshee voters backed out
taining the emergency credentials.
of an agreement to pay tuition in Ma-
dras for non-Rajneeshee children in the
All of the teachers will be volunteer-
district, the all-Rajneeshee school board
ing their time. "I think the state's get-
decided to reopen the school for all stu-
ting an extraordinary deal here," Suraj
said.
dents.
With adult help, the Rajneeshee chil-
Other problems may be looming for
dren are preparing to repaint Antelope
the district, however. Wasco County
School - in shades of green - both
has filed a complaint in Wasco County
inside and out. Plans call for installing
Circuit Court asking that about $33,000
carpet in the two upstairs classrooms
in district money, which the county
and in the two new classrooms that will
holds, be frozen until questions regard-
de built in a large daylight basement.
ing the legal status of the district are
New school furniture will consist of
resolved. No court date has been set for
couches. coffee tables and soft chairs.
the lawsuit.
There will be no desks, teacher Suraj
The new school board withdrew
said, and students will use clipboards
more & than $12,000 in district money
and hardcover binders instead.
"It's going to be classy," said an
from a Madras Savings and Loan As-
enthusiastic student, Jeevan Leela, 14.
sociation account Sept. 26 and also
withdrew about $8,000 from a bank in
To the extent possible, the young-
The Dalles, according to Wadud. The
sters are fully involved in the school
money is being spent on the renovation
renovation project.
project, new furniture and new text-
We don't consider children any dif-
books, he said. The $33,000 will be
ferent from adults in their capabilities,
needed to pay for utility and heat bills,
other than physical limitations or when
he said.
they are new to a task," said Anand
Verne Duncan, state superintendent
Anubodhi, one of the adult volunteers
of public instruction, is expected to
Helping with the renovation.
make a decision this week on whether
The school district's board of direc-
the Antelope School District can receive
tors has said that all school-age children
basic school support. Attorney General
in the district are welcome at the
Dave Frohnmayer, who last week ruled
school, but a non-Rajneeshee child has
that Rajneeshpuram is an unconstitu-
yet to enroll. Instead, the children of
tional city, is preparing legal advice for
area ranchers and Antelope townspeo-
Duncan on the procedure for withhold-
ple are attending school in Madras.
ing state school support if the high
school program does not meet state
Most of the large property owners
standards.
in the sparsely populated school district
petitioned earlier this year to annex
Frohnmayer already has ruled that
their property to districts in Maupin and
teachers may not wear religious garb in
Madras on May 31, 1984.
a public classroom. It is unclear wheth-
er that will prohibit Rajneeshee teach-
When Antelope School reopens, the
ers from wearing their customary red-
former elementary school also is to of-
shaded clothing and malas, necklaces
fer high school classes in American gov-
that bear a photograph of Rajneesh.
ernment, English, French, algebra and
general math. "Every child in the dis-
Suraj, who was wearing hls mala
trict will be offered what he needs in
out of sight under his shirt at the school
order to meet the state requirement for
last week. said, "I taught in Oakland
high school graduation." a notice posted
(Calif.) for three years with my mala
on the front of the school says. "Neces-
out." He pointed out that Christian
sary courses for college enrollment also
teachers are not forbidden from wear-
will be provided."
ing crosses or other religious symbols
when they teach in public schools.
The notice also lists the class sched-
ule, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. and
Suraj said the new Antelope School
end at 2:25 p.m.. crom 3:15 p.m. to 6:15
will offer "a lot of individual instruc-
p.m., optional sports and practical arts
tion, a lot of emphasis on research and
training will be offered.
independent study." and what will be a
The gap in the afternoon affords B.
"practically oriented curriculum."
Photo by JEANIE SENIOR
TIME OUT - Two future students of the Antelope they wait for the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh to take
School play with an Antelope resident, Farid, while
his daily drive down nearby road.
Anti-Rajneesh hysteria 'erodes freedom'
OSU professor's study urges honest dialogue with sect
By CAROL RUBENSTEIN
rather as one in a series of "enlightened
of The Oregonian staff
The followers of the Bhagwan Shree
'Anyone at all familiar
masters," including Buddha, Lao-Tzu,
Jesus and Mohammed, who have ap-
Rajneesh have been subjected to an anti-
with Eastern religious
peared on earth throughout time.
cult hysteria since coming to Oregon,
said an Oregon State University profes-
traditions would
Although the term "bhagwan,"
sor who spent the summer studying
which Rajneesh uses to describe him-
Rajneesh's teachings.
immediately
self, is sometimes translated in English
as "God," Clarke said it is best under-
Ronald O. Clarke, a professor of re-
recognize
stood as "the blessed one."
ligious studies at OSU for the past 20
Rajneesh disciples must surrender to
years, says that hysteria poses a much
Rajneeshism as a
Rajneesh's spiritual guidance, wear gar-
more serious threat than Rajneeshism,
ments in the colors of the sunrise, wear
which he views as an emerging religion.
religion'
a mala necklace bearing Rajneesh's pic-
"Anyone at ali familiar with Eastern
ture, receive a new Sanskrit name and
religious traditions would immediately
-Ronald O. Clarke,
meditate. Beyond this, said Clarke, who
recognizè Rajneeshism as a religion,"
professor of religious studies,
is not a Rajneeshee, there are no special
said Clarke, whose summer research
rules to follow.
project was financed by a $2,000 grant
Oregon State University
Clarke discounts contentions that
from the Oregon Committee for the Hu-
Rajneesh advocates "free sex," explain-
manities.
ing that the guru believes that attempts
"It reflects many Eastern religious
Clarke said he visited Rajneesh-
ing" about new faiths as an ancient tra-
to repress sex have turned it into an
concerns and values. The bhagwan is a
puram twice, participated in several
dition.
obsession. While Rajneesh is not op-
mystic, and he is dealing with spiritual
group meditation exercises, interviewed
posed to sexual acts that are entered
He noted that early Christians were
matters as understood in the East," he
a number of Rajneesh's followers and
into lovingly by two people, Clarke said
considered atheists by Romans because
said.
consulted with several academics who
his goal is "to guide his followers to
they refused to burn incense to the em-
are conducting research on the Rajneesh
redirect their sexual energy toward
Clarke said persons attempting to
perors. They also were rumored to be
movement. But he added that he had
spiritual fuifillment, toward transcend-
discredit the sect through what he
indulging in sex orgies and cannibalism
ence of sex."
termed "misrepresentation and guilt by
read only 20 of Rajneesh's more than
because they attended "love feasts" and
association" could seriously Jeopardize
300 books of published discourses. "I've
participated in ceremonies in which
The researcher also disputes conten.
traditional American guarantees of reli-
tried to distill the major themes, com-
they "ate someone's body and drank
tions that Rajneesh and his followe:
municate the basic ideas," he said of the
are anti-Semitic. A superficial case for
gious freedom.
someone's blood," said Clarke, referring
31-page report he submitted to the hu-
to the Eucharist.
anti-Semitism might be made by quot-
The professor said he is not suggest-
manities committee.
ing some passages of Rajneesh's dis-
ing that genuine differences in religious
"This history ought to cause us some
courses out of context, he said.
values and value orientations be glossed
"Rajneesh is building a community
pause," he said.
Acknowledging that Rajneesh does
over. Rather, he advocates that other
of followers who are following a defi-
Clarke, a former ordained Christian
criticize Jews rather severely on some
Oregonians engage in an "open, honest
nite spiritual pathway," Clarke said.
minister, said that many Christians be-
occasions, Clarke noted that the Indian
dialogue" with Rajneeshees character-
"They are seeking an ultimate fulfill-
lieve that there is only one true faith
mystic also criticizes other groups, in-
ized by "a mutual civility, respect and a
ment of their existence and some mean-
and only one way to salvation and often
cluding his own Indian people, and that
genuine desire to understand."
ing for their lives."
feel threatened by new, non-Christian
he also has praised Jews on numerous
occasions.
Much of Rajneesh's teachings, based
groups.
"Whether we adorn ourselves out-
on a life-affirming strain of Eastern
wardly with ochre garments and a maia
"We live in a shrinking planet and
"In my view, Rajneesh occasionally
mysticism, may be difficult for West-
seems to lack what I would consider to
or more conventional apparel, we are
have to come to grips with spiritual
erners who grew up in a religious tradi-
pluralism," Clarke said. "There are
be appropriate tact and sensitivity,"
nevertheless embarked upon a common
tion that is "other-worldly" to under-
Clarke said. "But I, for one, do not be-
venture for life enrichment, growth and
things of value in many religious tradi-
stand, he said.
lieve that he harbors any ill will or ma-
fulfillment," he said.
tions. I would hope that the bloody reli-
licious intent toward Jewish people,
"I've heard some incredible rumors
glous wars of the past are over."
particularly when his vision for human-
He declined comment on specific is-
about Rajneeshpuram," said Clarke,
Clarke emphasizes that Rajneesh
ity is of a unity that transcends all divi-
sues, such as Attorney General Dave
who described such "rumor-monger-
does not consider himself a god, but
sions."
Frohnmayer's recent ruling that incor-
poration of Rajneeshpuram violated
THE SUNDAY'OREGONIAN, OCTOBER 16, 1983
constitutional guarantees of separation
of church and state, as beyond the scope
of his study.
Rajneeshee beliefs
Clarke acknowledged that there are
Here are the main tenets of the teachings of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, as compiled by Ronald O. Clarke and
legitimate conflicts of interest between
Rajneeshees and other residents of the
confirmed by Prem Sunshine, a spokeswoman for the Rajneesh Neo-Sannyas International Commune.
state, particularly in areas of politics
All reality is of a single, divine essence. :
and land use. "But we should deal with
those conflicts in their proper spheres,
God is not a thing among other things; God is existence as such. God.is eternal, dynamic creativity.
not by injecting religious hysteria, prej-
Whatever exists is sacred and has absolute worth.
idice and fear into them," he said.
Reality has no ultimate purpose; it is all part of God's play or dance.
He said he would personally like to
Rajneesh's mission is to create a new man, "Zorba the Buddha," who will be both materialistic and spiritual. The new
ban the term "cuit" from all discussions
man will be concerned with this life, will be life-affirming, and will live out of love, not fear. He will seek neither to
of emerging religions such as Rajnee-
manipulate nor dominate others.
shism because of its negative taint.
It is necessary to dissolve or "drop" the mind and ego to attain enlightenment, liberation and bliss. "Dropping" means
freeing the mind from the tyranny of its discriminating, analyzing and limiting functions, and does not mean a
He noted that, when used in reli-
permanent destruction of the mind.
glous studies, "cult" is a precise term
used to describe relatively new, small
Love and meditation are two major pathways that lead to the goal of enlightenment. Love is a pathway via feeling and
movements that deviate substantially
relatedness; meditation is a pathway through aioneness. Sex should be transcended by experiencing it in a meditative
from mainstream religious beliefs. "Ac-
manner, thereby redirecting sex energy from a lower.to a higher, spiritual level.
cording to the definition, early Chris-
True love and true marriage must allow each partner to remain as free as possible.
tianity in Roman society was a cult," he
said.
Women are equal to men, but equality does not mean they are the same. In fact, they are opposites.
The basic concepts of morality and ethics are awareness, spontaneity, authenticity and balance. Tha truly moral
Praised by Prem Sunshine, a spokes-
person is one who is not trying to do the right, not trying to avoid the wrong. He simply remains conscious and acts
woman for the Rajneesh Neo-Sannyas
out of his consciousness. Rajneesh is critical of all forms of morality based on absolutes, rules or commandments.
International Commune, for the open-
minded approach he brought to his
Poverty must be eradicated before people can become truly religious and spiritual. Poverty must be overcome by
study, Clarke described his findings on
creating greater wealth through capitalism and by creating a new vision of life among the poor themselves.
the Rajneesh religion as "preliminary."