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Osho on Are Mahavira's teachings on asharan and his act of making disciples mutually contradictory?

Are Mahavira's teachings on asharan and his act of making disciples mutually contradictory?

“

A true master shows you the way, but the journey is yours alone; seek no refuge in others, for the path must be walked by your own feet.

— Osho
Synthesized from Source definition
Core Insight:
According to Osho, Mahavira’s ‘asharan’ (seek no refuge) and his accepting disciples only seem contradictory. The awakened appear paradoxical because they mirror life. ‘No refuge’ warns against clinging; discipleship means learning directions from one who sees farther, then walking yourself. A master can point the way like to a river, but no one can walk for you.
A teacher can show you the path, but you must do the walking—don’t cling to the teacher and stop.
Why this matters practically
- Encourages self-reliance and responsibility in practice rather than dependence on a guru.
- Prevents spiritual stagnation by using guidance without clinging to milestones or personalities.
- Fosters discerning listening—absorb what helps, then act from your own understanding.
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