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Osho on Is competitiveness lacking in Zen due to the absence of hierarchy?

Is competitiveness lacking in Zen due to the absence of hierarchy?

In the absence of hierarchy, Zen cultivates a space where comparison fades, allowing compassion and direct insight to flourish.

— Osho
Synthesized from Source definition
Core Insight:
According to Osho, Zen lacks competitiveness precisely because it has no hierarchy: no master is higher or lower, and even the enlightened are not 'superior' to the unenlightened—just awake while others sleep. Teachers don't collect followers; they send seekers wherever is most suitable. With superiority absent, comparison disappears, fostering compassion, flexibility, and direct insight.
Zen doesn’t play “who’s best”; people wake up at different times, and teachers just help you find what fits you.
Why this matters practically
- Frees you from ego-driven comparison and anxiety.
- Encourages choosing guidance for fit, not status or popularity.
- Builds compassion and mutual respect in communities.
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