Tearing Down Buddha Hall is Destruction of a Pilgrimage

Tuesday, 19 November 2002, New Delhi: Tearing down Buddha Hall in Osho Commune, Pune, amounts to destroying an important spiritual tourism site that placed Pune on the world tourism map and a sacred pilgrimage for all Osholovers round the world.

The State Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Vinod Khanna, said this when a delegation from Osho Friends International petitioned him on Monday to stop the demolition of this spiritual heritage. Similar petitions from Osho Meditation Centers in North and Central India and Nepal were also handed over to him and he was shown the latest photo of the Buddha Hall with its roof torn down and steel frame jutting out - a scene of total vandalism.

Vinod Khanna, who is also an Osho disciple, said that seekers on the spiritual path have travelled from the far corners of the world to be with Osho and have kept coming even after he passed away in 1990. Thus it is a global venue of spiritual tourism - not only for Maharashtra or India and must be preserved for the future.

"Where Buddha sat, millions of followers came and keep coming even now after 2,500 years. It is a very precious place for them. Similarly, this Buddha Hall where Osho delivered his discourses over a quarter of a century is also very precious for all who love Osho. What would happen if the Bodhi Tree was cut down tomorrow?" he asked. "We must preserve it for all time to come," he added, "So the demolition must be stopped immediately. Moreover, nothing must be changed as it has to be preserved as it is."

From 1975 to 1990, the enlightened Master Osho has delivered his discourses here for 10,000 'disciples at a time. All major Osho celebrations have taken place here. Tens of thousands of Osholovers took 'sannyas' and become his disciples at this place. How can anyone destroy this sacred place?

This spiritually charged place has Osho's personal energy and anyone who is open and sits silent there can experience this. This must be preserved, as it is an integral part of global spiritual legacy. I have meditated there with fellow disciples from all over the world and treasure this as one of the most precious experiences of my spiritual search. Similarly, millions of Osho disciples are spiritually attached to this venue that must not be tempered with before we, Osholovers, take further and serious action, he said.

For over quarter of a century, Osho attracted followers from all over the world and put on the world tourist map. Destroying the Buddha Hall is destroying the soul of this place of spiritual tourism we are so anxious to promote and share with the world for the future, said Vinod Khanna.