…left his body on 17th April 2016.
Antar Tathagat (Goncalves de Oliveira) was born in Brazil in 1940 but spent many years in India and Europe. He first came to Germany as an exchange student. He was a teacher for physical education for more than 14 years at the Gymnasium Bergheim, a high school near Cologne. He visited Rajneeshpuram during the Festivals. Tathagat was the backbone of Veeresh’s music studio at the Humaniversity and, since the early 80’s, was also involved in many different activities at the Osho Uta Centre in Cologne, as musician, body worker and Trance Dance instructor. In other locations he led meditation groups and Bossanova Combos. In no chronological order, Tathagat was also a teacher at Ko Hsuan-School in England, a dance, massage and bodywork trainer in centres related to Osho, but also in schools and universities. He was also a crew member at the Petit Prince and Zorba the Buddha bars and discos in Cologne, and in his later years he worked for the German Osho Times. Of course he was also part of the Buddha Hall musicians whenever he visited Pune.
A few years ago he was diagnosed with dementia and came to live in a home where sannyasins and friends visited him regularly. This did not mean that he was not invited to play music at festivals and events!
Raji writes from Tathagat’s Leaving The Body Celebration which was held on Tuesday, 19th April, 15.00 – 16.30 at Trauerhaus Müschenborn, Kamekestraße 3, near Osho Uta Meditation Centre, where his body was present in an open coffin:
Beloveds, today we had the farewell for Tathagat. We listened to music, said goodbye one by one and sang ‘Home is where the heart is’. I spoke about Tathagat’s life, we heard an Aramaic Father and Mother Prayer which Claudia read out in German and then we listened to Tathagat’s great songs, ‘Beleza Humana’ and ‘Osho aqui’. We heard Osho talk on Dying and Death and finally we sang, first softly and then fiery, ‘The universe is singing a song’. In the end we hummed Aum. Thatagat’s body will be carried into ‘the holy fire’ in about 10 days time. Om shanti <3
Text and photos credit to Raji, Satya Loka, Iris and friends
The word tathata is of great profundity. A man who understands what tathata is becomes undisturbed in every situation; nothing can disturb him, he becomes unperturbable. And tathagat means one who has been living moment-to-moment in tathata. Tathagat is one of the most beautiful words possible in any language: one who lives simply according to his nature without being bothered about other people’s nature.
Osho, Bodhidharma: The Greatest Zen Master, Ch 5
Tributes
Dear Tathagat, while Osho was relaxing and getting ready to leave his body we were in Nala Park; a bunch of aspiring percussionists learning from you various patterns of the agogo. At the same time you asked us to make intricate steps so that we would not just play from the mind but from the rhythm in our bodies. Thanks you so much for inspiring us! Wishing you all the best for your journey. Your
Punya
I always remember you when you sing Imagine. Good journey. Love,
Darpano
Dear Tathagat, your kindness and your smiles always reflected your big, big heart. I was fortunate to have met you.
Chanda
I remember your laughter and your totality as a man of heart. Thank you for modeling that for me! May you continue to stay in the moment as you travel that Bardo. Love,
Abhiyana
Beloved, Free at last! Thank you so much, Tathagat! Thank you for all the Massage Trainings, Primal Tantras, Born Agains we did together for so many years in Cologne. You would be the most loving, compassionate silent presence in the room – until you suddenly came out with something quite clear and strong, like: “You are not tired, man! You are just German! What you call ‘tired’ is relaxation finally happening to you! Enjoy it, man!” I loved dancing, laughing and singing with you. I celebrate you! Free again… OSHO!
Udgita
Oh what glorious dances we danced
I remember your beautiful music as well
Swing into the arms of Bhagwan
Mahadevi
My beloved Tathagat, thank you so much for your friendship you gave to me in Cologne. You have been so important to me at that Time. We singing together, dancing, had a lot of laughter together, also we fought together. But there was always forgiveness for each other. There is nothing left behind. You have been singing directly only for me, and it runs like the sweetest honey into my heart and it was sooooo healing for me. I am sure you will fly high. I will never forget you! Thank you for all your love! I love you!
Rashida
Beloved Tathagat, Thank you for all the songs and joy you brought. My heart dances with you still, celebrating you, now free. Love,
Ajata
Thank you, friends, and thank you oshonews.com, thanks to all of you for your synchronicity in this special time for our beloved Tathagat. I love to read all the memories you share. Thank you, you´ve been a big source for Hardy and me, that meant and means a lot to us over all those last eight years. Love,
Raji
Tathagat was a beautiful friend who lived true to his heart, a great man of Osho, as Veeresh says. I had many opportunities to meet him, as friend and samba professor, in Poona, in Goa and in some cities of Brazil, our homeland. He was always loving and also straightforward. I am very grateful to life, to Osho, for having met Tathagat, a great friend. Now he left his body but his heart and smile lives with me forever. Thanks, Tathagat!
Antar Abheeru
Dear Tathagat, amazing person, amazing friend, amazing soul! For me, you will always be alive on this planet, with your voice, in your songs, in your words. Here in Brazil everybody keeps listening your words and the words of Veeresh in Portuguese. What a present I can share! Obrigado, querido, finally free! Forever in our hearts, love,
Samadhi
Beloved Tathagat, I send you much love and light on your travel to peace, you beautiful soul. With love,
Jivani
Bon voyage, Tathagat, you look so peaceful! The last time we met was with one of these famous looong hugs and danced a samba. You warmed my heart and I loved the twinkle in your eyes. Yesterday I travelled trough the beautiful countryside and saw a sweet white cloud floating upon the hills, and I felt you in spirit. Whenever I hear the Bossanova you’ll be in it! Bom viagem, may you dance to the rhythm of the stars… Thank you, Raji, for all your loving care and tenderness. Much love to you and all the fellow travellers, friends, a deep bow ?
Mahana Devi
Beloved Tathagat, I remember you dancing, singing, hugging and the fantastic moments we shared together. Tathagat, thank you for having been part of my life. I’m so happy I met you. I’m thankful and wish you a great journey; soon we’ll be together again.
Anabhra
Tathagat, beloved friend, thank you for sharing your music and your dance with us. You will live forever in my heart. Remembering when I first met you dancing in the small Disco. And later so many nights in the Humaniversity recording studio, with you and Veeresh and other musicians, creating beautiful music. Dancing along with you forever….. OSHO ?
Gramya
Farewell, beloved Tathagat. We like your songs with the Parimal Chorus Line on our CD “osho songbook” and listened to it the whole evening yesterday…
Prem Veda
Thank you, Tathagat, for your big heart and for all your music and support. We were nightworkers together in the Cologne nineties and shared many a full-moon night including flying celestial objects. Have a good journey, heartful friend.
Madhupran
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