Champak wrote re his Osho Archive Centre
(This letter is for information only and does not enable comments)
Dear all,
Osho Galleria Oregon has grown by leaps and bounds. We have changed our official name to Osho Research and Archive Center and will keep the Osho Galleria Oregon as the name for the online pages of the Center. In order for us be able to apply for archival grants and to receive tax-free donations, we are in the process of applying for non-profit status. We will keep you posted on this development.
Furthermore, we have joined the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) and will become a member of both the SAA (Society of American Archivists) and the OHA (Oral History Association). Next month we shall participate in an archival class and will then start changing the format of the website to meet ‘official archival standards’ and catalogue all items in such manner.
We are helping the OHS digitize their Rajneeshpuram archives. The media reports that are being digitized are definitely one-sided with legal and negative reports. When we met with the Director of the OHS for feedback on the Galleria, he suggested that I commence on an Oral History Project to coincide with it.
This has become very insightful and has brought me back to our original purpose/intent of the Center and telling the other side(s) of the story. With this in mind, we are thus partnering with the Smithsonian Institute and creating such an Oral History Project.
This project will entail interviewing sannyasins and other persons who lived in Rajneeshpuram in order to communicate and archive their stories. Our hope is that this will bring to life the experiences of those who created the Ranch and the true buddhafield that existed.
If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact the Center. We will be adding a webpage soon to describe in more detail the process. All interviewees will always have the legal rights to all of the transcripts, audio, and video components of this project. We will not turn away any person who would like to share their stories. We believe that it is important to have all stories told and have already received such positive support and encouragement. Thank you all so much.
Our work here at the Center is to be a conduit for the stories, lives, and artifacts from Rajneeshpuram, the sannyas community, and Osho’s legacy.
We are so excited to be moving into the next phase of this wonderful project that I have been blessed with. My juices are flowing with the joy of being able to take this work into a new phase of development.
Future Vision:
- Official archival work of the Osho Research and Archive Center.
- 501 (c) 3 non-profit status.
- Building a traveling exhibition to take around the U.S.A. and the world.
- New Galleria Building and Archive Center.
Please be reminded that we are always grateful to receive Osho and sannyas related items of all kind…should you feel to, please donate.
Items desired:
- Original magazines, newsletters, pamphlets, posters, etc.
- Clothing items from Poona, Rajneeshpuram, Poona II, or the Resort.
- Items such as ashram shampoo or other unique novelty items.
- Personal recollections or letters, sannyas certificates, signed papers or photos, etc.
Thank you so much for all of your support! Words can never express the gifts that so many of you have given to us by sharing your items and your love. Bringing Osho into today’s world is a great honour for us. We grow every day in the blessings and joy that this work provides for us.
Love,
Prem Champak
