(SQAUK) — In the 1980s, a seemingly utopian commune emerged in the remote high desert of Oregon. It was led by the charismatic spiritual leader Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, later known as Osho. The commune, Rajneeshpuram, promised its followers enlightenment and a new way of living. However, beneath its peaceful facade, sinister activities brewed, leading to an unprecedented FBI sting operation that exposed the dark underbelly of this spiritual paradise.
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, originally named Chandra Mohan Jain, was an Indian spiritual teacher who gained a significant following in the 1970s. His teachings focused on meditation, free love, and rejecting traditional societal norms. Many Westerners disillusioned with conventional spirituality were drawn to his ashram in Pune, India. In 1981, Rajneesh and his followers bought the Big Muddy Ranch in Wasco County, Oregon, and transformed it into the 64,000-acre Rajneeshpuram to create a more extensive commune.
Rajneeshpuram quickly became a self-sufficient city with its police force, schools, and a bustling economy driven by its devotees. The commune’s rapid growth and unorthodox practices soon drew the attention of residents and authorities, leading to a series of escalating tensions.
Ma Anand Sheela, born Sheela Ambalal Patel, became Bhagwan’s most trusted aide and spokesperson. Sheela’s unwavering loyalty and ruthless efficiency made her the de facto leader of Rajneeshpuram. However, her aggressive tactics to protect and expand the commune’s influence led to numerous confrontations with local authorities and residents.
Under Sheela’s direction, the Rajneeshees engaged in a series of controversial activities, including the mass immigration of followers to influence local elections, illegal wiretapping, and the establishment of an armed security force. These actions, coupled with Sheela’s aggressive style, intensified the scrutiny of Rajneeshpuram.
The tipping point came in 1984 when the Rajneeshees carried out the largest bioterror attack in U.S. history, contaminating salad bars in The Dalles, Oregon, with salmonella. This attack, aimed at hindering voters and influencing the Wasco County elections, resulted in over 750 people falling ill. The incident, initially a mystery, caught the attention of the FBI.
Undercover agents infiltrated Rajneeshpuram by posing as followers to gather intelligence on the commune’s illegal activities. The investigation uncovered a web of criminal activities orchestrated by Sheela and her inner circle, including murder plots, immigration fraud, and the poisoning of public officials.
In September 1985, Sheela and several of her close associates fled to Europe. Shortly after that, the FBI raided Rajneeshpuram, seizing evidence of the commune’s illicit operations. Bhagwan himself was arrested and charged with immigration fraud. Facing potential imprisonment, he accepted a plea deal and was deported to India.
Following his deportation, Bhagwan’s health deteriorated. He claimed that the U.S. government had poisoned him while in custody, a claim never substantiated. Bhagwan returned to Pune, where he reestablished his ashram. However, the spiritual leader’s health continued to decline, and he passed away on January 19, 1990, at the age of 58.
After fleeing Rajneeshpuram, Sheela was arrested in West Germany in October 1986. She was extradited to the United States and convicted on charges of assault, attempted murder, and the bioterror attack. She served 29 months in prison before being released on good behavior. Sheela later moved to Switzerland, where she ran a nursing home and published several books recounting her experiences.
The dramatic rise and fall of Rajneeshpuram left a lasting impact on the residents of Oregon and the wider world. Bhagwan’s story and commune have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and the critically acclaimed Netflix series Wild Wild Country.
Rajneeshpuram’s tale is cautionary, highlighting the dangers of unchecked power and the charismatic influence of spiritual leaders. The FBI’s infiltration and the subsequent exposure of the commune’s criminal activities underscore the importance of vigilance and the rule of law in maintaining societal order.
The saga of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Ma Anand Sheela, and Rajneeshpuram is a complicated story of spiritual ambition, criminal intrigue, and the dramatic collapse of a once hopeful utopian vision. It highlights the delicate balance between enlightenment and exploitation and the ongoing requirement for accountability in the quest for new lifestyles.
