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Priests and Politicians: The Mafia of the Soul
You have to be aware who the real criminals are. The problem is that those criminals are thought to be great leaders, sages, saints, mahatmas. So I have to expose all these people because they are the causes. For example, it is easier to understand that perhaps politicians are the causes of many problems: wars, murders, massacres, burning people. It is even more difficult when it comes to religious leaders, because nobody has raised his hand against them. they have remained respectable for centuries, and as time goes on their respectability goes on growing. The most difficult job for me is to make you aware that these people – knowingly or unknowingly, that does not matter – have created this world.
- GenresPhilosophy
Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
Osho
4,319 books6,838 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 24, 2019
A book everybody concerned with the way the world is going should read. It says who the real rogues are. And how they pretend to be nice and convince you about things.
Some people may not like the book. But it tells the truth as it is. And truth is unpalatable. Reading this book is worth the money spent on it.
Some people may not like the book. But it tells the truth as it is. And truth is unpalatable. Reading this book is worth the money spent on it.
April 18, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
What if the greatest control over humanity isn’t political—but spiritual?
Priests and Politicians: The Mafia of the Soul by Osho is a provocative, confrontational, and deeply polarizing work that challenges the very foundations of organized religion and power structures. This is not a book that seeks agreement—it demands reflection, and often, resistance.
Osho’s central thesis is stark: priests and politicians are two sides of the same coin, working—consciously or unconsciously—to dominate both the outer and inner lives of individuals. Where politicians govern behavior, priests govern belief. Together, they form what he calls a “mafia of the soul.”
The writing is direct, unfiltered, and unapologetically critical. Osho doesn’t soften his arguments or attempt neutrality. Instead, he dismantles institutions with sharp language, questioning their motives and exposing what he perceives as manipulation disguised as morality.
Freedom, according to Osho, is impossible until both external authority and internal conditioning are broken.
What makes the book compelling:
Fearless critique: Osho’s willingness to question deeply entrenched systems is both bold and intellectually stimulating.
Philosophical depth: The book explores themes of freedom, individuality, conditioning, and consciousness.
Engaging tone: The conversational, almost spoken style makes complex ideas accessible.
Where it may divide readers:
Repetitiveness: Core ideas are reiterated across chapters, which can feel excessive.
One-sided argument: The critique leaves little room for nuance or counterpoints.
Provocative generalizations: Broad claims about religion and politics may feel overstated.
The book’s strength is also its limitation. Osho’s uncompromising stance gives the work intensity and clarity, but it also narrows its scope. Readers looking for balanced discourse may find the tone overly assertive, while those open to radical perspectives will find it invigorating.
Final Verdict:
Priests and Politicians: The Mafia of the Soul is not a comfortable read—but it isn’t meant to be. It provokes, challenges, and at times unsettles, forcing readers to confront deeply ingrained beliefs about authority, spirituality, and freedom.
A bold and controversial work that questions not just institutions—but the very lens through which we see them.
January 12, 2021
Daring and powerful. Like every other discourse, it was ahead of its time. You might not agree with him on certain issues but he succeeds when he opens you up for thinking.
The book presents a sharp critic against the profession of politician and priest. He holds them responsible for half of the problem that humanity is facing now. His words are easy to understand yet very effective. He says that religion has every right to enter into the premises of politics but politics should not enter the realm of the religion. It is because religion is above politics. He is not talking about organised religion here. He criticised organised religion like Hinduism, Christianity and Islam and I find every point valid and arguable.
He was a voracious reader but history was certainly was not his forte. He calls Ashoka the king a religious man but it is not true. Ashoka was the irreligious ruler who waged war in the name of religion. Ashoka was a priest under the guise of the emperor. But, Osho gave the example of Ashoka being religious king. This was because he did not read primary texts or probably was unaware of historical writings. Osho was born in the times when communist historians were strangulating true facts of history; Osho simply fell their prey.
Another development that took place after the death of Osho is also worth mentioning. Osho says the poet cannot become PM since no one is going to listen to him. He gave the reference of President of USA but I tried to draw a parallel for the situation in India. Atal Bihar Vajpayee did become the PM of India despite being a wonderful poet. This happened after Osho's death; so obviously, he was not aware of this possibility while presenting the discourse. In my opinion, it was mostly because of Parliamentary nature of Indian democracy (unlike Presidential form of government in the USA). The Parliamentary form of government in India also gives more room for the leader to have his own personality. It is not always the case that leader has to influence the people; it is the party that goes on influencing the voters.
He also talks about the demerits of democracy. But, in no way, he was supporting the monarchy. He supported meritocracy in future and he believed that democracy will give way to meritocracy in future in which scientists would be on the top rungs of the decision making positions.
It is highly recommended for readers and researchers doing their research in governance and psychology.
The book presents a sharp critic against the profession of politician and priest. He holds them responsible for half of the problem that humanity is facing now. His words are easy to understand yet very effective. He says that religion has every right to enter into the premises of politics but politics should not enter the realm of the religion. It is because religion is above politics. He is not talking about organised religion here. He criticised organised religion like Hinduism, Christianity and Islam and I find every point valid and arguable.
He was a voracious reader but history was certainly was not his forte. He calls Ashoka the king a religious man but it is not true. Ashoka was the irreligious ruler who waged war in the name of religion. Ashoka was a priest under the guise of the emperor. But, Osho gave the example of Ashoka being religious king. This was because he did not read primary texts or probably was unaware of historical writings. Osho was born in the times when communist historians were strangulating true facts of history; Osho simply fell their prey.
Another development that took place after the death of Osho is also worth mentioning. Osho says the poet cannot become PM since no one is going to listen to him. He gave the reference of President of USA but I tried to draw a parallel for the situation in India. Atal Bihar Vajpayee did become the PM of India despite being a wonderful poet. This happened after Osho's death; so obviously, he was not aware of this possibility while presenting the discourse. In my opinion, it was mostly because of Parliamentary nature of Indian democracy (unlike Presidential form of government in the USA). The Parliamentary form of government in India also gives more room for the leader to have his own personality. It is not always the case that leader has to influence the people; it is the party that goes on influencing the voters.
He also talks about the demerits of democracy. But, in no way, he was supporting the monarchy. He supported meritocracy in future and he believed that democracy will give way to meritocracy in future in which scientists would be on the top rungs of the decision making positions.
It is highly recommended for readers and researchers doing their research in governance and psychology.
June 30, 2015
Sometime we need to zoom out our view to see life around us clearly, and this book has done its bit in doing so.
October 10, 2017
Powerful
One of the most powerful books I've read. Osho let's you know who controls you and society. A lot of history anecdotes are covered in this book. Well worth the read.
One of the most powerful books I've read. Osho let's you know who controls you and society. A lot of history anecdotes are covered in this book. Well worth the read.
December 27, 2019
Every word of OSHO is true even after decades. The only religious person who never claimed to be a God but still as accurate as God. A must read for everyone who wants to understand how the Politician and Pandits are ruining our society together.
November 7, 2018
Nice book but I felt that some examples or stories where twisted or invented to manipulate the readers to believe the writer point of view
February 24, 2022
The truth, also just for what we are seeing and power is looking each other in the eye....
Read
January 4, 2020Priest and Politician! and I added Prostitutes!!
Want to Read
March 4, 2022i interesting book
December 23, 2024
საინტერესოდ, გადმოსცემს რეალობას რომელიც ხდება ჩვენს თავს.
February 17, 2017
Thought provoking. I am going to read more of his books. However, i dont agree with some of his views.
August 4, 2018
Only people who will hate this book : IDIOTS who went mad because of their religion.
This book speaks too much of truth about religions and not everyone would like a person speaking a truth.
States the fact on how people misuse the terminology called as GOD. This book is a must read for both atheist and God lover.
This book speaks too much of truth about religions and not everyone would like a person speaking a truth.
States the fact on how people misuse the terminology called as GOD. This book is a must read for both atheist and God lover.
May 15, 2013
Wastage of time if u are looking for some good arguments,Osho is good in mocking people
October 24, 2017
Nothing much to comment except for dialiectics
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews