Don’t Become An Organisation

I would like you to elaborate on two things you said in Poona on what happens when religious movements become institutions – when Buddha becomes Buddhism or Rajneesh becomes Rajneeshism. You warned that once a religion becomes organized, violence enters into it. Organization is going to be violent; it has to fight its way. I wanted you to comment on that, in light of the weaponry we see and the security forces in Rajneeshpuram.

The other thing you said on that subject which I found very fascinating was “we have to learn one thing, not to institutionalize religion. When the master goes, let the religion go.” I wanted you to comment on that in the light of the announcement that was made here last summer that three committees were being formed to oversee Rajneeshism once you – if you – leave your body.

Don’t get institutionalized.
Don’t become an organisation;
remain an organism.

Your question needs no answer, because the answer is all over the place. Look at the guns around me; look at the organisation of Rajneeshism – and I am still alive, I am not dead. But I am fighting with everybody, not only the people who are not Rajneeshees. I am fighting with every Rajneeshee too.

Don’t get institutionalized. Don’t become an organisation; remain an organism. Whatsoever I have said is absolutely true, and you can see the organization and the guns as evidence of it. And when I am going to die, who cares what happens? Please at least let me die peacefully.

Osho, The Last Testament Vol. 1, Ch 3