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Examining the ancient Gospel of Thomas--a Gnostic text supressed by the early church--Osho paints a portrait of Jesus that is radical and revolutionary, a Jesus who makes demands that run counter to the safe and gentle person of traditonal Christian teaching.
395 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1975
130 people are currently reading
997 people want to read
About the author
Osho
4,294 books6,796 followersRajneesh (born Chandra Mohan Jain, 11 December 1931 – 19 January 1990) and latter rebranded as Osho was leader of the Rajneesh movement. During his lifetime he was viewed as a controversial new religious movement leader and mystic.
In the 1960s he traveled throughout India as a public speaker and was a vocal critic of socialism, Mahatma Gandhi, and Hindu religious orthodoxy.
Rajneesh emphasized the importance of meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity and humor—qualities that he viewed as being suppressed by adherence to static belief systems, religious tradition and socialization.
In advocating a more open attitude to human sexuality he caused controversy in India during the late 1960s and became known as "the sex guru".
In 1970, Rajneesh spent time in Mumbai initiating followers known as "neo-sannyasins". During this period he expanded his spiritual teachings and commented extensively in discourses on the writings of religious traditions, mystics, and philosophers from around the world. In 1974 Rajneesh relocated to Pune, where an ashram was established and a variety of therapies, incorporating methods first developed by the Human Potential Movement, were offered to a growing Western following. By the late 1970s, the tension between the ruling Janata Party government of Morarji Desai and the movement led to a curbing of the ashram's development and a back taxes claim estimated at $5 million.
In 1981, the Rajneesh movement's efforts refocused on activities in the United States and Rajneesh relocated to a facility known as Rajneeshpuram in Wasco County, Oregon. Almost immediately the movement ran into conflict with county residents and the state government, and a succession of legal battles concerning the ashram's construction and continued development curtailed its success.
In 1985, in the wake of a series of serious crimes by his followers, including a mass food poisoning attack with Salmonella bacteria and an aborted assassination plot to murder U.S. Attorney Charles H. Turner, Rajneesh alleged that his personal secretary Ma Anand Sheela and her close supporters had been responsible. He was later deported from the United States in accordance with an Alford plea bargain.[
After his deportation, 21 countries denied him entry. He ultimately returned to India and a revived Pune ashram, where he died in 1990. Rajneesh's ashram, now known as OSHO International Meditation Resort and all associated intellectual property, is managed by the Zurich registered Osho International Foundation (formerly Rajneesh International Foundation). Rajneesh's teachings have had a notable impact on Western New Age thought, and their popularity has increased markedly since his death.
In the 1960s he traveled throughout India as a public speaker and was a vocal critic of socialism, Mahatma Gandhi, and Hindu religious orthodoxy.
Rajneesh emphasized the importance of meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity and humor—qualities that he viewed as being suppressed by adherence to static belief systems, religious tradition and socialization.
In advocating a more open attitude to human sexuality he caused controversy in India during the late 1960s and became known as "the sex guru".
In 1970, Rajneesh spent time in Mumbai initiating followers known as "neo-sannyasins". During this period he expanded his spiritual teachings and commented extensively in discourses on the writings of religious traditions, mystics, and philosophers from around the world. In 1974 Rajneesh relocated to Pune, where an ashram was established and a variety of therapies, incorporating methods first developed by the Human Potential Movement, were offered to a growing Western following. By the late 1970s, the tension between the ruling Janata Party government of Morarji Desai and the movement led to a curbing of the ashram's development and a back taxes claim estimated at $5 million.
In 1981, the Rajneesh movement's efforts refocused on activities in the United States and Rajneesh relocated to a facility known as Rajneeshpuram in Wasco County, Oregon. Almost immediately the movement ran into conflict with county residents and the state government, and a succession of legal battles concerning the ashram's construction and continued development curtailed its success.
In 1985, in the wake of a series of serious crimes by his followers, including a mass food poisoning attack with Salmonella bacteria and an aborted assassination plot to murder U.S. Attorney Charles H. Turner, Rajneesh alleged that his personal secretary Ma Anand Sheela and her close supporters had been responsible. He was later deported from the United States in accordance with an Alford plea bargain.[
After his deportation, 21 countries denied him entry. He ultimately returned to India and a revived Pune ashram, where he died in 1990. Rajneesh's ashram, now known as OSHO International Meditation Resort and all associated intellectual property, is managed by the Zurich registered Osho International Foundation (formerly Rajneesh International Foundation). Rajneesh's teachings have had a notable impact on Western New Age thought, and their popularity has increased markedly since his death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 16, 2014
The first book of many that I have read of Osho. (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh when I read it) An absolutely fantastic look into the real meanings of the words of Jesus. Only a Master such as Osho can bring light to the true meanings of many of the parables of the Master that was Jesus. I read this in the summer of 1982 and it changed my life. It took me 9 months to read the first time as Rajneesh completely dismantled my understanding of the world and my belief structure. I would literally shake while reading not wanting to let go of the world I had been led to believe as a child growing up in a Christian nation. I have read it 2 more times since and each time find more relevant insights to my present state of being. I never got to meet Bhagwan ... but for 5 years I read nothing else but his books. His insightful and sometimes humorous words have helped me break free from the chains of "isms". Of all the books I have read of his, this one will always be my favorite.
November 9, 2007
This book basically changed my life.
October 1, 2012
Eye opening and enlightening. My first OSHO read... And I can't tell you how many "aha" and "exactly" moments I had. How many notations I made laboriously in my Kobo. How much I wanted to commit all of these ideas and feelings to memory.
Jesus, as the Ascended Master, the man he is truly. Not manipulated by church or politics. A message clear and untainted.
Jesus, as the Ascended Master, the man he is truly. Not manipulated by church or politics. A message clear and untainted.
January 28, 2013
4th Book by osho after god conspiracy, krishna - the man and his philosophy and The book of woman..... Very nice, helps to get a lot of knowledge.... Increases respect about Jesus.... His teachings are told in the way of osho along with his stories and jokes and great philosophy.... Though he has criticized jesus in many ways, here he has told his teachings.. Recommended to those having interest in jesus, religion and philosophy........!!!
November 28, 2017
I bow down to this book. I have no words. It is ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!! Every Catholic or Christian spiritual seeker should read this book. This is beyond what I’ve expected. Absolutely phenomenal! Osho has a unique way of imparting wisdom to the people of this generation. I wanted to say a million words but still, that wouldn’t be enough! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💓💓💓
If you are in doubt in buying or reading this book, then let me convince you: DEFINITELY GO AND READ IT! 😊❤️🙏🏻
If you are in doubt in buying or reading this book, then let me convince you: DEFINITELY GO AND READ IT! 😊❤️🙏🏻
April 7, 2011
Probably the best Osho book I've read to date. I'll always treasure it. Always.
February 11, 2012
He brought a different point a of view in Jesus teachings. He put him as a enlightened person such as Buddha and never denied his existence or teachings.
January 19, 2015
This book is a very well thought out meditation on some of the sayings from the gnostic Gospel of Thomas, one of the Nag Hammadi texts. I wouldn't say this is a Christian book, though. I don't know much about Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (later known as Osho), but this is basically Eastern philosophy/spirituality, not Christian per se. Of course, Rajneesh is of the mindset that all religions at their core are the same, once you dig through the surface stuff that gets laid over the basic spirituality, things like cultural norms of the time, certain interpretations, and so forth. So, in that sense, it is Christian. He of course is talking about Jesus much of the time, but he has him on a level with the Buddha and other enlightened souls. This could be Christian teachings through the lens of a Hindu/Eastern mind. This doesn't bother me at all, and in fact I agree with that viewpoint.
But beyond just agreeing with him, I think this is a very valuable book. in it, he touches on Eastern enlightenment, esoteric Christianity, Zen, Sufism, psychology, and more, and does so in a very convincing manner, full of stories and parables, with both humor and clear explanations, with many fresh ideas or at least fresh ways of presenting them. This book sort of hits you between the eyes.
Here are some short excerpts of the clarity and profundity that comes along every so often in this book. The whole text is full of thoughtful ideas, but these are among the gems that truly make the book worth reading:
“What will happen to the world when you are not there? When you were not there, what was happening? The world was a little more at peace, that's all. When you are not there, there will be a little less trouble in the world, that's all— because one uneasy person will have disappeared, and he was creating uneasiness in others.” 204
"We exist in the eyes of others: our identity consists of the opinions of others; others' eyes are the mirrors, we look at our faces in others' eyes. … Meditation means closing your eyes; not looking at the reflection but looking at your own being. Otherwise, the whole day you are engaged with others. In the night also when you sleep, either you are unconscious when there is deep sleep, or you are again engaged with others in your dreams." 158
"Nobody is at home because everyone is knocking at each other's door" 168
“The greatest and the deepest distinction is between male and female. Have you observed that you never forget if a person is male or female? You may forget the name, you may forget the religion, you may forget the face completely, but you never forget if a person is a man or a woman. It is impossible, it seems, to forget. That means the deepest impact on your memory is left by the division.” 188
"Obsession with the outside has to be broken. No need to escape to the forests, that will not help, but in twenty four hours you have enough moments to look within." 336
"Don't expect! All expectations belong to the world of Death, the dimension of time and space"
But beyond just agreeing with him, I think this is a very valuable book. in it, he touches on Eastern enlightenment, esoteric Christianity, Zen, Sufism, psychology, and more, and does so in a very convincing manner, full of stories and parables, with both humor and clear explanations, with many fresh ideas or at least fresh ways of presenting them. This book sort of hits you between the eyes.
Here are some short excerpts of the clarity and profundity that comes along every so often in this book. The whole text is full of thoughtful ideas, but these are among the gems that truly make the book worth reading:
“What will happen to the world when you are not there? When you were not there, what was happening? The world was a little more at peace, that's all. When you are not there, there will be a little less trouble in the world, that's all— because one uneasy person will have disappeared, and he was creating uneasiness in others.” 204
"We exist in the eyes of others: our identity consists of the opinions of others; others' eyes are the mirrors, we look at our faces in others' eyes. … Meditation means closing your eyes; not looking at the reflection but looking at your own being. Otherwise, the whole day you are engaged with others. In the night also when you sleep, either you are unconscious when there is deep sleep, or you are again engaged with others in your dreams." 158
"Nobody is at home because everyone is knocking at each other's door" 168
“The greatest and the deepest distinction is between male and female. Have you observed that you never forget if a person is male or female? You may forget the name, you may forget the religion, you may forget the face completely, but you never forget if a person is a man or a woman. It is impossible, it seems, to forget. That means the deepest impact on your memory is left by the division.” 188
"Obsession with the outside has to be broken. No need to escape to the forests, that will not help, but in twenty four hours you have enough moments to look within." 336
"Don't expect! All expectations belong to the world of Death, the dimension of time and space"
May 20, 2010
Beautiful, divine journey into living outside the box.....
January 12, 2012
Outstanding, Joyfilled
September 8, 2025
خیلی کوتاه و مختصر بخوام بگم: ۹۰٪ آموزههای اُشو به بودا بر میگرده و من شدیداً با بودا مشکل دارم! در واقع توو مسائل فلسفه و عرفان، طرفدار همیستار بودا ام: زرتشت!
ولی به هر حال ۱۰٪ باقیماندهی نظریات اُشو برام جالبه و میشه دربارهشون بیشتر فکر کرد.
ولی به هر حال ۱۰٪ باقیماندهی نظریات اُشو برام جالبه و میشه دربارهشون بیشتر فکر کرد.
April 18, 2014
I'm sure this is a book of spiritual substance needed in my 'journey'. i have read The Shadow of the Bamboo by the same author Bhagwan and it guided me along the way.This one's another provision,i hope, for my trip.
May 31, 2012
An important book with spiritual insight by a controversial figure.
July 9, 2012
Though this is based upon the teachings of Jesus, there are lessons for all - this is not a book on religion. There is a whole universe within.
Read
August 11, 2016I read this when I was a young teen (no memory of how I got it or why) and have been thinking about it a lot lately. Time to read it again I suppose.
February 9, 2021
Wonderul, So much wisdom in this book. Hope to understand one day this things
September 24, 2024
ერთ-ერთი ყველაზე ცუდი წიგნია რაც წამიკითხავს. იგავებით და ათასი დაუზუსტებელი ან არალოგიკური ისტორიებით თუ ციტატებით გაჯერებული ჩანაწერებია, რაც ზედმეტად ხელოვნურად ჩანს კითხვისას.ოშოს ვიდეოები, რომელიც მინახავს გაცილებით უფრო საინტერესო იყო ვიდრე ეს ტრანსკრიპტი. არ მიკვირს ამერიკაში რატომაც შეექმნა პრობლემები, ხალხის მასებზე ,,სიბრძნისმეტყველებით" გავლენის მოხდენა კარგად გამოსდის, თუმცა რაციონალური აზროვნება გაცილებით ჯანსაღია და სამეცნიერო ლიტერატურის კითხვა, ვიდრე უაზრო მითებისა და ლეგენდების.
P.S.ინდოელი ნარიმანია, იმ განსხვავებით, რომ ეს საუბრობს;)
P.S.ინდოელი ნარიმანია, იმ განსხვავებით, რომ ეს საუბრობს;)
January 4, 2022
Un libro extraordinario, revelador, paradójico y profundo que recorre las enseñanzas de Jesús desde un punto de vista místico. Es una interpretación profunda de los evangelios, espiritual y metafísica. Recorre muchos temas de vida, muerte, deseo, culpa, tiempo pasado y futuro, conciencia y muchos más. Reflexiones muy profundas y reveladoras sobre las parábolas de los evangelios, que nos transforman si las recibimos con una atención y disposición abierta. Para mí, el mejor de los libros de Osho.
"Cuando te deshaces del futuro automáticamente te deshaces del pasado..... Es como tender un puente sobre un río. El puente necesita dos orillas para existir. Si una orilla desaparece, la otra orilla no puede sustentar el puente por si misma, el puente cae, todo desaparece. El pasado y el futuro son las orillas, y entre ambas has tendido un puente de deseo. "
"Cuando te deshaces del futuro automáticamente te deshaces del pasado..... Es como tender un puente sobre un río. El puente necesita dos orillas para existir. Si una orilla desaparece, la otra orilla no puede sustentar el puente por si misma, el puente cae, todo desaparece. El pasado y el futuro son las orillas, y entre ambas has tendido un puente de deseo. "
July 25, 2012
Subtitled "A living explanation of the sayings of Jesus from the Gospel According to Thomas," this book is based on the Dead Sea scrolls. Rajneesh starts each of his twenty discourses with a quote from this gospel. He does a very good job of explaining what Christ meant by his sayings, why he said it, and how the text can be used to build our lives today. Rajneesh maintains that Christ is the eternal seed within everyone's heart, and that increased awareness will bring out what Jesus and Buddha were sent to teach. I found it enlightening, challenging, and very worthwhile.
December 9, 2014
This is a challenging book in some passages because it asserts a non-Western/organized religion view of Jesus by way of discussing the meaning of 21 of His sayings. And while I do not agree entirely with some of the assertations I do enjoy any work that challenges orthodoxy. By providing a Hindu spiritualist viewpoint the author achieves a deeper philosophical and comforting understanding of the message.
July 29, 2017
Osho as usual is brilliant and original. I have read articles and books by him before and in some ways he says the same thing. It's irreverent in many ways and challenges convention. But it's always contextualized with the subject being discussed. In this book he brilliantly juxtaposes what we hear mostly in Vedanta in light of Jesus' Gnostic gospel. Whether Jesus meant it in the way Osho describes it cannot be verified but reading it in the way he explains is interesting and intriguing.
August 11, 2011
Great read, no matter what your religious affiliation. He has some great insights and formulas for good living. I did enjoy the controversial nature of the book, too. Lost writings, even hidden texts kept privatized by the Catholic Church in Rome. Very thought-provoking.
December 29, 2013
If you haven't read this, than you are missing out. Raised Catholic with only basic spiritual tools, I needed this leg up. I have since redecorated my spiritual tool box to reflect a more universal understanding, more Mystical, yes Mystical.
October 18, 2014
one of the best book.. I have ever read...for me it took some time to understand the things that are conveyed in the book...It was a truly a spiritual awakening experience....Osho gave a clear insight of Christ messages...Very good book..
June 17, 2009
Read this book 24 years ago. Thought I'd see how it's changed.
December 20, 2012
This is a great book. Osho is a very palatable author. His words and insights are very easy to follow as if you are not reading but rather having a conversation with him.
May 25, 2012
A must read, especially for Eastern religion/philosophy people who have been generally turned off by Christianity.
January 5, 2013
very very good book, i really recommend this specially to Christian People. The author also known as Osho.
January 4, 2015
love books, loved the smell of this book.
September 11, 2015
No words can describe how deep is this book, a profund analyses of our souls and meenings! It comes to be almost dangerous!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews