Open Letter from Inner Circle

As rightly suggested by Alok John, SN now publish the letter that Ramatheerta was responding to, below

Open Letter
To Friends and Lovers of Osho
From the Inner Circle
Date: 25. July 2013

Friends,
Ramateertha, the centre leader of the Cologne OSHO Uta Institute, has over the years made several attempts to attack and to undermine the work of Osho. He has done this through interviews, open letters and in addition by creating organizations whose sole purpose was to remove the legal protection to Osho’s work.
Osho gave specific instruction to create the following entities: Osho International Foundation (OIF) – the foundation which Osho created to hold his copyright and trademarks and to publish and license his work; the Inner Circle (IC), a team of people Osho put in place with the function to administer his work in Pune after his departure; and the OSHO International Presidium which for the most part overseas the international expansion of his work.
While creating these entities, Osho did not ask any of us what we thought about it nor as far as we know did he think it necessary to ask Ramateertha or others about their views on this aspect of his work – or any aspect of his work for that matter.
The protection of Osho’s work by copyright and trademarks was put in place by Osho himself during his lifetime and was confirmed in writing and during legal testimony by him on multiple occasions.
RAJNEESH, was an internationally protected trademark for some 20 years. When Osho changed his name shortly before leaving his body he initiated the process to replace the old mark RAJNEESH with the new OSHO mark. He requested that OSHO be used for meditation/information centers/institutes, the meditations, therapies, places, foundations, publications and programs, products and activities offered.
He specifically asked Jayesh – the Chairman of the IC – to protect his new name in exactly the same way “RAJNEESH” had been protected before. Osho personally initiated the process to replace the old mark Rajneesh with the new OSHO mark.
In a brochure created by Uta Cologne in 1984 (then known as Wioska Rajneesh Commune) there appears Ramateertha’s photograph alongside trademark and copyright information.
As previously noted rather than supporting Osho’s requests for his own work, Ramateertha decided to do the opposite and to attack the legal protection of Osho’s work through an organization he created called, “Friends of Osho Europe.” This organization attempted to strip the trademark and copyrights to Osho’s work away from OIF. With almost no support from sannyasins or other OSHO Centers, the organization was closed in 2005.
In 2010 Ramateertha started a legal trademark case in Europe against Osho International Foundation through an organization called Osho Lotus Commune e.V. which was originally the
“Anand Sagar Rajneesh Meditation Center,” a center name given by Osho to Ramateertha in the early 80’s.
In this new legal action Ramateertha presents Osho Lotus as the defender of Osho and Osho’s name and circulates half truths, misleading information, and accusations against the Inner Circle, Osho Global Connections, (an office created to take care of Osho Meditation Centers) and OIF. He accuses these entities of lying, misleading, cheating, as well as, being manipulative and dishonest…. He calls the Inner Circle a group of “would-be leaders” neglecting to mention that it was Osho himself who not only created the Inner Circle, but Osho who also appointed the Chairman and Vice-chairman and gave specific instruction on how it was to operate, which is how it continues to operate to this day.
Osho Lotus Commune e.V. is the shareholder/owner of a group of companies that are the core of the Cologne Buddhafield, the Osho Uta Institute, Osho Verlag (Osho Times), Osho’s Place and Meditation & More. These companies are the heart of the “Cologne Buddhafield,” supported by Osho’s sannyasins who go to the Cologne Osho Center, participate in Osho’s meditations and in groups – which are run, for the most part by sannyasin therapists – eat at Osho’s Place, read the OSHO Times, and purchase Osho’s books, videos and audios.
As his former plan via “Friends of Osho Europe” had no support, Ramateertha now uses the Cologne sannyas scene for his legal action by using the ownership of the Cologne Buddhafield companies to take legal action against the entities and people Osho personally appointed to take care of his work. We wonder if he consulted with all the people there when he started his action or is this in fact a personal crusade. We wonder if Ramateertha is using the Cologne Buddhafield to fund this very expensive legal action. On whose authority and with whose money is Ramateertha using an OSHO Center to attack Osho’s work?
Given the kind of vicious accusations Ramateertha is directing at the people and trusts Osho left to overview his work, the question naturally arises as to whether the participants of the Cologne Buddhafield were consulted about all this. In particular, were they consulted about using these funds for a costly lawsuit against Osho’s wishes rather than using this money to support Osho’s work?
In 1985, after Sheela left, Ramateertha was himself suggested by Osho as a director of Osho International Foundation, the foundation who took over the legal aspects of Osho’s work after he left the USA. In 1986 Osho asked Hasya, Osho’s then International Secretary, and Jayesh, later the chairman of the IC, to obtain Ramateertha’s resignation from Osho’s foundation, which they did.
In his capacity as a former director of OIF and as a long term center leader, Ramateertha is in a better position than most to know the history of Osho’s approach to his intellectual property. Ramateertha personally signed many legal documents and agreements related to Osho’s trademarks and copyright. He knows for example that Osho’s former name, Rajneesh, was a registered trademark around the world. And during interviews with Osho for the German Osho Times, Ramateertha never once raised any issues around Osho’s intellectual property, let alone attacking the Rajneesh trademark.
Ramateertha is also fully aware of the history of Osho’s branding of his work: Osho used his name to brand all aspects of his work. RAJNEESH was used to brand meditations, places, centers, foundations, and that for the restaurants and discotheques that were started in Cologne by Ramateertha Osho gave the name, “Zorba the Buddha Rajneesh Discotheques”, which became registered trademarks of the foundation and it was Osho who suggested to rename them to Zorba the Buddha OSHO Discotheques.
Ramateertha would probably also know that in 1975 Osho personally designed the first logo for his foundation and that later Osho personally designed the two flying birds symbol both registered as trademarks. And again, that in 1989 Osho selected the new swan logo – which like his name at the time, RAJNEESH were registered as trademarks.
Ramateertha was also aware of and took part in the rebranding – directed by Osho – that occurred when Osho changed his name from Rajneesh to Osho. Osho International Foundation instructed changes of all names from RAJNEESH TIMES to OSHO TIMES (international and German editions); corporations and centers were also asked to change from RAJNEESH to OSHO (Rajneesh Verlag to OSHO Verlag) etc….
Today, Ramateertha, in support of his anti-trademark action against OIF, is using the established legal system to present OSHO as the name of a religion and a religious leader. Anybody who knows Osho knows that this is absolutely false and of great disservice to Osho’s work. In support of his religious arguments Ramateertha provides material from dictionaries on cults, produced by the Catholic church and the German government for the most part, labeling Osho’s work as a cult. As anyone who has read or listened or seen Osho knows, he is very clear that he is not a founder of a religion or a religious movement and expressly states that he did not want to be placed in any religious context.
Osho did not include Ramateertha in any of the bodies he created to oversee his work at the end of his life. Ramateertha was never asked to be a member of the Inner Circle nor the Presidium nor any body or trust created by Osho with the exception of OIF in 1985 and in this case Osho specifically asked for his resignation a short time later.
Before Osho left his body he made it very clear that his centers are to promote his work and to direct people to Pune and are not places in which other guru figures, or ex-sannyasin who had turned against Osho, should be offered a platform to spread their own messages.
Recently we received some links to videos and images of Ramateertha sitting beside (for a photo op) and at the feet of, U.G. Krishnamurti (not to be confused with J. Krishnamurti).
U.G. Krishnamurti spoke often about Osho, most often in the ugliest of terms and Osho spoke against U.G. Krishnamurti, even in his last series of talks, in no uncertain terms.
Attached is a video link of an excerpt where Osho goes into some detail about UG. http://www.youtube.com

It seems that this closeted affair between Ramateertha and UG Krishnamurti has been hidden from the public and visitors of the Osho Uta Institute and the Cologne sannyas scene.
It seems that Ramateertha, as the Osho Center Leader, was selling Osho’s meditations, programs, books and CDs from the front desk of OSHO Uta, while on the weekend he was sitting with U.G. Krishnamurti in Switzerland, New York, Cologne, and Italy while UG railed against Osho.
It should be made clear here, that before the launch of Ramateertha’s legal attack, that no entity, not the Inner Circle, not the Presidium not Osho International Foundation has ever tried to limit any activities of the Osho Uta Institute in Cologne, in connection with the trademark OSHO or in any other context.
Much more detailed material submitted in evidence in this European Trademark case started by Ramateertha is publicly available for review at www.osho.info .

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25 Responses to Open Letter from Inner Circle

  1. shantam prem says:

    I just want to know whether Osho gave the specfic instuctions that 10 years after his departure, all the sannyas festivals should be scrapped?
    and then 10 years later two new festivals should be created known as Mansoon Festival and Winter festival.

    I also want to know, whether Osho gave the specific instuctions that name of the place should be changed and it should be called Resort.

    One can look into the archives of Osho Times(Resort does not keep any, they have most probably destroyed the past), One of Osho´s wish was to have a DHARAMSHALA; where seekers of truth can stay over.
    Mr. jayesh created GUEST HOUSE.
    Between Dharamshala and Guest house, difference os 180 degree. It is like instead of marrying a doctor, a woman becomes the keep of the doctor.

    Matter of the fact is Osho´s work needs to be protetced by the trade marks, copy rights etc. , but only by that authority, who has earned the trust of Osho´s disciples.
    Jayesh and Bros. have failed in this matter.

    After Osho, Authority should subvert to His people. That is the true homage and true love.

    • satyadeva says:

      It’s all politics, Shantam. You say this, others say something else, still others hold other views.

      How do you propose settling it all – by armed revolution?!

      Unless you provide at least one or two practical proposals for action then you’re wasting your time and energy.

      And please tell us why exactly the fate of the Poona ashram is of more than very limited importance.

      I don’t think you grasp the point of the policy to not allow the place to become somewhere for sentimentalists like yourself to gather, giving in to the temptation to always hark back to a ‘golden past’, attached to the memory of the master rather than to the truth of where he was pointing (as it were)…The mistake all ‘religionists’ make.

      It’s also actually an opportunity to face an aspect of death, but perhaps plenty of us are simply unwilling to accept this stark fact.

      It’s also an opportunity for people to take some initiative in pursuing their own paths – including developing Osho-inspired activities, if moved to – rather than having it all laid out for us ‘on a plate’.

      Or find some ‘nearest equivalent’ somewhere out there (Nepal, perhaps?).

  2. shantam prem says:

    World has hundreds of alive masters right now. You tube is full with their promotional videos. No need to cling with Pune..
    But yes, those who don´t want to be with some person and are happy to walk their walk with Osho´s devotees and disciples, for them Pune ashram can play a very vital role.
    For that it is important, One should not mix with Osho´s original plan and style.
    This has functioned amzingly beautiful till the year 2000.

  3. OIF says // the Inner Circle (IC), a team of people Osho put in place with the function to administer his work in Pune after his departure; and the OSHO International Presidium which for the most part overseas the international expansion of his work.
//

    in the very first place OIF foundation is totally illegal !!
    the crystal clear mandate by OSHO
    was for a 21 management team making unanimous decisions
    the current 2 – 3 management team of baboons
    are behaving like absolute dictators and rulers
    as if it is their personal fiefdom or kingdom

    remember those who control and dominate others
    and create thousands of rules and regulations
    and demand obedience
    and enforce their ridged fanatical views by force
    or threaten by banning
    are blackmailers and the real fanatics and exploiters

    OIF says //neglecting to mention that it was Osho himself who not only created the Inner Circle, but Osho who also appointed the Chairman and Vice-chairman and gave specific instruction on how it was to operate, which is how it continues to operate to this day//

    who is neglecting to mention that OSHO appointed
    the chairman and vice chairman
    with specific guidelines and clear parameters
    that decisions were to be made by 21 members unanimous in agreement ??

    after OSHO left his body
    amrito announced in the buddha hall 19 january 1990

    “ anando is preparing a full account of osho guidelines

    on the workings of this group and who is in it…

    it will be available for all to read tomorrow “

    conveniently these instructions were never announced !!

    OIF says // We wonder if Ramateertha is using the Cologne Buddhafield to fund this very expensive legal action. On whose authority and with whose money is Ramateertha using an OSHO Center to attack Osho’s work?
//

    we wonder why OIF management team
    is misusing OSHO sannyasin trust funds
    misusing the official instrument of OSHO foundation
    to launch personal legal attacks
    and use legal threats against individuals

    OIF says // In particular, were they consulted about using these funds for a costly lawsuit against Osho’s wishes rather than using this money to support Osho’s work?
//

    to expose OIF fanatical attempts to illegally monopolise
    and dominate and steal from OSHO trust for all sannyasins
    is the function of each individual sannyasin
    to protect against abuse of OSHO wishes

    is OIF using trust money to support OSHO work ??

    then why has this illegal management approved expenses
    towards living in mumbai oberoi and taj hotels for the past 20 years ??

    300 US $ per day x 30 days = 9,000 US $ month
    9,000 US $ month x 12 months = 1,08,000 US $ year
    1,08,000 US $ x 20 years = 2,160,000 US $

    this is misusing sannyain trust funds …
    these are the blood sucking vampires !!!

    OIF management is not OSHO himself
    and to attack OIF is not to attack OSHO work but to expose their abuse
    and rebel against dictators who have illegally usurped power

    OIF are launching an ugly illegal witch hunt against an individual sannyasin
    interfering into the personal freedom of ramatheertha
    amounts to abusing and misusing the official instrument of OSHO
    OIF have no right to use OSHO for their personal witch hunt
    against brave rebels and individuals who do not bow to their ugly demands

    it shows a great ugly desperation of this illegal management
    to attack ramatheertha in this worldwide circular

  4. shantam prem says:

    If someone puts a flowerpot on a cemented platform, will this be called a Tree?
    Something like this is being done by the property controlers of Osho, Pune.

    If Jayesh and his team really trust their master´s work on the human heart; they should take courage to invite all those hundreds of thousands of seekers who were blessed by Osho´s presence.

    The assembly of these people should chose a new rainbow management for a stipulated period of time.

    But i know too, it won´t happen.

    • satyadeva says:

      Utterly and totally impractical.

      Unjust as well, as far from all invited would be either willing or able to attend. Then what? Postal votes?!! Emails?!! Online voting forms?!! Carte blanche for corruption, the whole ridiculous scenario.

      Also:
      Who would ever trust anyone who would put themselves up as a candidate for such an election?

    • Arpana says:

      ‘ The assembly of these people should chose a new rainbow management for a stipulated period of time.
      But i know too, it won´t happen.’

      Look on the bright side Shantypants.

      You’ll be able to sulk and pout about not getting your own way for the rest of your life, instead of actually getting of your arse, meditating and having a life worth something

  5. shantam prem says:

    Think about a country where most of the people have higher sense but no common sense…

    Most probably, this is the country where most of the population will be of sannyasins, ex. sannyasins and Osho books readers.

  6. shantam prem says:

    Many times when i read Satyadeva..i want to shout..
    Meera Meera!

    If you are used to buy newspaper from a corner shop, most probably you will get lost in the super market.
    You will get many things including the magazines on the upper shelf but will forget to fetch your regular paper!

  7. prem martyn says:

    Mexican tourist Phrasebook…..

    You look very familiar
    Te ves muy familiar.

    Haven’t I seen you before
    ¿No te he visto antes

    Yes he was a dead ringer for me.
    Sí que era la viva imagen de mí.

    He wasn’t such a good mime artist as me though.
    Él no era un buen mimo como yo aunque

    What time is it please , I have to dance
    ¿Qué hora es, por favor, tengo que bailar

    I come from a very wealthy Indian family and yet have no interest in you.

    Vengo de una familia asiática muy rica y sin embargo no tienen ningún interés en ti.

  8. frank says:

    where is the osho commune?
    donde este la playa del locos?

    I have paid upfront and my hotel room hasn’t been built yet.
    yo estoy un autro religios succer.

    what kind of entertainment do you have at your resort?
    solamente abusato verbale los baboons del rojo culo.

    I am an osho therapist.
    cogerme por el culo,per favour.

    my pet monkey`s lips are super-glued to my asshole.
    io mono domestica a sole attaché del butt ole

    my pet monkey can speak
    hahahahahaha

    say yes to human cloning.
    hablo si a el vision del osho

    its like red rag to a bull
    es rojo lunghi por uno toro

  9. shantam prem says:

    The correct spelling is ‘mirror’, Shantam.
    I must say Sd, you have hit a boundary.

  10. shantam prem says:

    “To be with a master simply means to live with someone who is awake, who is no more asleep, whose dreams are finished, whose nightmares are over. ….”
    In a way, Osho has made the path easy for the master-disciple game. He has sung so many beautiful songs in such easy to understand words, masters or so called masters are reaping the wind fall.
    Many people read Osho´s words and start shopping for the master
    After all, they too deserve to have a living relation with someone who is on the earth around.
    Then there are people who have a guru but after reading Osho start looking at their guru with new found devotion.
    They serve their master even with more money, more gifts and more devotion.
    Basically, Indian masters in the market should give a life time achievement award to Osho for His extraordinary service to this sector!

  11. prem martyn says:

    From Solicitors
    Grand, Holee and Cocap
    Legal Chambers,
    Devonshire Mews Godown
    Chowpatty
    Empress Gardens
    Brittania Buildings
    Mumbai.

    Dear Sirs and Madams, and all and Sundry,

    It is coming to our attentions that as per notification of local constabulary, that your highly esteeemed Newspaper has becoming the mouthpieces for much unecessaries. We have being informed by our dearest clintele that such nonsense of the kind and manner of which you have the gracious publication is not forthcoming any further. Under the articles of the law of aaaaalllll Indian Republic most high senior justice of the bits and peaces, we are kindly informing that this tittle tattle must be putting the stop to it. Very simple reasons are the following,

    Legal pursuance of claim by Osho Car Parks and hereditary Dream leaving Corporation contested by named plaintiff Mr Shree UG Rumbaba in the sum of $ 50, 000, 000 and 1 rupee.

    Should all objections not be received by tiffin time on Tuesday, then evidence of Senor Osho Shree Captain Scarlet will be submitted for final approval of liability . Kindly you are seeing attached promotional Video for plans of New World Order with only few strings attached.


    The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.


    The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.

  12. shantam prem says:

    It has become quite clear from Great HINDU Saint Aasa ram´s case, those religious preachers who condemn sex and therefore never tell Dirty Jokes as Osho, most often prove to be really really dirty, they live dirty jokes in their “Mango” head!

    I have spend around 15 years of my youth in Osho´s Ashram Pune and always laughed with the thought, ” My God..This ashram has no sex energy. It has glamour, beauty, aesthetic, but no hunger energy.”

    India should kiss the feet of Osho and say, “Sorry you true sage of our time, it was our unconscious mind that we threw all the filthy comments on you, whereas you wanted to make us healthy and free from our obsessions.”

  13. shantam prem says:

    This quotation I dedicate to so many people-
    Those who are habitual to lick left over from others feet, will bite your finger, if you feed them with hand!

  14. shantam prem says:

    When few dogs bark with your entry in the street, treat yourself as grown up!
    When you have common sense wisdom, who cares when few mediocre in the crowd want to hear an intellectual.

  15. mukesh v shah says:

    bring the commune in more better & resoneable – affordable ,so more people can join ,and by that they feel the truth of osho reveal .

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