According to Osho, humanity is essentially one at the center of consciousness; differences among races are peripheral—products of climate, history, and mind, which he calls a shifting shadow. Skin color and cultural moralities are minor variations, not divisions of being. Therefore, what unites us is awareness itself, and a single path—meditation—transcends mental differences and reveals our shared essence.
Deep down we’re the same; our looks and ideas differ, but calming the mind shows our shared heart.
From the Discourses
Passages where Osho speaks to this question — each links to the complete discourse.
Question: OSHO, ARE NOT DIFFERENT RACES OF MAN REALLY AND BASICALLY DIFFERENT? Prageeto, MAN ESSENTIALLY IS THE SAME -- but essentially, intrinsically, centrally. On the circumference he is not the same, and there are millions of varieties. In fact, it is not a question of different races -- no two individuals are alike, how can the whole humanity be alike? People have lived in different climates in different situations, facing different challenges; of course they have grown different circumferences, different minds. As far as minds are concerned people are different, and each race has a certain kind of mind. But the difference is only in the mind and mind is not very substantial; it is a shadow. Your shadow is different than my shadow, but the difference is only of the shadow.
Beloved Osho, are there real differences in different races, or is it just superstition?
And this is not a superstition. One of my secretaries, a beautiful Italian woman, well educated -- she was a professor in the university of Rome. She had all the degrees in philosophy, post graduation, Ph.D., D.Litt., and she was the first Italian to come into contact with me. She destroyed my interest in spaghetti, because she prepared spaghetti one day for me. That woman never used to take a bath. I don't think she had ever taken one in her whole life. Her face had layers of powder, centuries old; she went on putting more powder but she would not take a bath. I used to tell her to sit a little far away. Very lovingly she brought the spaghetti. I could not refuse -- it looked too unmannerly -- so I said to her, "Leave it on my dining table, but you leave the room." She said, "I…
Is there any real difference between different races, nationalities, etcetera, etcetera?
Ramananda, there are no real differences, there cannot be. All differences are superficial. The Jew is not different from the Hindu, the Mohammedan is not different from the Christian, the Chinese is not different from the American, the Negro is not different from the English. Man is one, differences are superficial. Yes, they are there, obviously. A Negro is a Negro: he has black skin, he looks different from the white man. But the difference is not a difference that makes a difference. The difference is so small: just a little more black pigment in his skin, four ANNAS' worth more -- just that is the difference, four annas. And remember, he is four annas more than the white man, not less -- richer by four annas. But the difference of the color of the skin or the difference of the length of your nose is not an important difference.…
Beloved master, are there great differences between the different races of mankind?
Every race has passed through different phases, different climates. This is a hot country. A hot country makes people lazy, so you cannot compete with Indians as far as laziness is concerned. They are utterly lazy and lousy! You cannot compete with them, it is impossible; they will surpass everyone in that. No country can have any superiority as far as laziness and lousiness is concerned. Indians are the tops! Because it is a hot country and the climate is not provoking people to work more, people have remained poor. If one person in the whole family earns then it is enough. If just enough is available to survive, Indians are satisfied, more than satisfied. Of course, they find rationalizations for it, they find great spiritual rationalizations for it -- "We are very contented people." That is all nonsense. The reality is that they are simply lazy and the climate…
Question: OSHO, AREN'T ALL PEOPLE REALLY THE SAME? Sudarsho, ESSENTIALLY YES, BUT ACCIDENTALLY NO. At the center yes, on the circumference no. Essentially we are made of the same stuff called God, but on the circumference God comes in every shape and size, in every color, in every form. There is much difference And it is beautiful because if people were really the same, both at the center and on the circumference, the world would be a very boring place. But it is not a boring place. It is immensely interesting; it is immensely beautiful, rich. And the richness comes because of variety. No two persons are the same on the circumference, although everybody is the same at the center -- not only people but trees and rocks, they are also the same at the center. Call that center the soul and it will be easier for you to understand.