Many government officials were watching closely what was happening during the camp, and they had by now banned the habit of being naked during meditation practised in the previous camps. Bhagwan entered the meeting hall and inaugurated the camp by lighting the lamp before starting his lecture and answering the questions that had been put forward to him.

“Friends had asked many questions. All the questions are related to the ascetics being naked during meditation, the ban imposed by the government and my accepting the ban. The raising of such question is but natural because my dear friends could not avail the tents that were set in the Scout Ground and were cheaper, where they could enjoy free natural atmosphere. You have to take shelter in costly hotels and guest houses. Again you have to spend money on coming to this place, to attend meditation practices and sermons. You have to go through many inconveniences. But for an ascetic, it is a small test. I am happy that you have passed this test very successfully. I am really very delighted to see your love and enthusiasm.” (Bhed 2006, p. 359)

So the banner applauding the government was certainly meant to calm down the whole matter. And after Osho had lit the lamp and thereby inaugurated the camp, he commented on the situation:

“It has been a helplessness for us because of the ban imposed by the government of Rajasthan only two days ago that if we wanted the camp to be held, there won’t be any permission of becoming naked during meditation and if we wanted this facility, then there won’t be any camp. So, the less evil was opted for. The government informed us only two days ago that they would not provide any ground, institution or building owned by the government for the camp.

Now, ascetics had already come not only from all corners of India, but foreign countries also. Hence, only this could be managed. The camp had been organised in this hotel premises.

Moreover, government have the right to deny giving their land for the purpose. I don’t find any fault in their order because the land is theirs. We don’t have any land or building where we can manage as we wish and the owners of the Palace Hotel are also helpless. They don’t have the courage to allow us to be naked here in their hotel. It is the question of the business.

But you please don’t take it like we have changed the process of meditation or we have bowed down to the government. The government have only given us an opportunity so that we can arrange and put our own place where there won’t be any binding.” (Bhed 2006, p. 359)

The whole affair once again pointed to the fact that a commune without any restrictions from the outside world was very much in demand. Bhagwan went on and concluded his lecture with the words:

“Moreover, the government have their own anxieties too. They have pressure from the society, journalists, sects and religious leaders, but if we have our own arrangements, no such pressure will dominate…

Even I won’t ask you to drop your clothes on the roads because you don’t own roads. The others who move on those roads may get disturbed by your act. At the same time I would like to tell the others that they have no right to object if we do so in our own place, or in any lonely place. Of course! I had permitted you to drop your clothes during meditation, but it does not mean that you can do it everywhere. If you take interest in dropping clothes then it leads to opposite direction. It is a separate issue that you drop your clothes during meditation, but if you show others your nakedness, it is entirely a different thing. Showing one’s nakedness to others is a psychological disease. I am not a propagator of nudism, but I do agree that nakedness can be useful in meditation.” (Bhed 2006, p.359)

Rajneesh was at an early age confronted with death, as his younger sister Kusum died from an attack of smallpox when he was only five years old. At that occasion he was so upset by her death that he not only refused food but also put on the features of a traditional Jain monk. He was at that time impressed by the simplicity of the monks’ lifestyle and he started wearing a traditional loin cloth. When carrying his begging bowl he would walk along the line of family members begging them for food. This way of showing grief and the performance of some austere religious rites were only to be abandoned by the young boy after considerable persuasion. (From the Sourcebook).

Taran Panth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taran_Panth

Osho (Rajneesh), who was born into a Taranpanthi family, has included Shunya Svabhava and Siddhi Svabhava as among the books that influenced him most.[3]

https://www.facebook.com/notes/jainism/-osho-on-taran-taran-sect-books-shunya-svabhava-and-siddhi-svabhava-/155860031129629

I guess your authority for the nude Osho early meditations is the Source Book? The dynamic, but not other meditations were in fact also practised nude in the very early days in London at Bell Street and even elsewhere.

I always imagined it was the then major influence of the Esalen Institute but am glad to be corrected.

There are two types of Jains, Digambara and Svetambara. The ones with the hankies over the mouth are Svetambara. Osho’s family are Digambara of the Taran Panthi sect. Digambara ascetics are nude whereas Svetambara only wear a white sheet. To be meditating in the nude is a Digambara practice and the authorities/police had to stop Osho from conducting nude meditations.

In Osho´s case, it’s almost Nokia story.

Also, I am little slow. I am holding the hand of the old and unrecognizable gentleman, who incidentally is the founder of the sect ruled by his forward-looking offsprings.

If this change is genuine, the young lady is going to suffer. If this is a way to call attention to the Jain religion, she will make a lot of money. Hope is the second alternative.

Just my view, anyway!

A VW Petit-bourgeoisie, using tech to pretend to higher emission standards and aspiring to the Rolls Royce haute-bourgeoisie of enlightenment!