He jokes that meek people will keep Earth because the daring will head for the stars—so don’t just play safe; grow beyond small comforts.
From the Discourses
Passages where Osho speaks to this question — each links to the complete discourse.
Osho, you said, “Blessed are the meek, for theirs is the kingdom of earth.” But regarding “Blessed are the pure in heart, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” what do you say?
There is another saying of Jesus: Blessed are those whose hearts are pure, for the kingdom of heaven shall be theirs. There is a slight difference between the two. Blessed are the humble—the earth will be theirs, the kingdom of the earth. Blessed are the pure—the kingdom of heaven will be theirs, the kingdom of heaven. In truth, humility is the beginning; purity is the culmination. Humility is the first step; purity is the fulfillment. Those who are humble have stepped onto the first rung. They have opened the door to purity. They are not yet pure, but by becoming humble they open the door to becoming pure. Those who are not humble can never be pure, because there is no greater impurity than the ego. The ego-filled can never be pure; but those who become humble, who drop the ego, who bow down, who surrender—they open the door to…
Questioner: you explained to us this saying of jesus: "blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" there is another saying of jesus: "blessed are the pure in heart, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." can you say something about it?
Yes, there is another saying of Jesus: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." But there is a small difference between the two sayings: "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth," and "Blessed are the pure for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." In fact, humility is the beginning and purity is the end, the attainment. To be humble is to be on the first leg of the journey to purity. The humble has yet to be on the first leg of the journey to purity. The humble has yet to be pure; he is on his way to it. One cannot be pure without being humble, because there is no greater impurity than ego. One who is full of ego can never be pure, but one who drops his ego, who is humble, who is surrendered, is on the path…
A monk asked the buddha: what is most powerful and what is most illuminating? The buddha said: meekness is most powerful for it harbours no evil thoughts, and moreover it is restful and full of strength. As it is free from evils it is sure to be honoured by all. The most illuminating is a mind which is thoroughly cleansed of dirt, and which, remaining pure, retains no blemishes. From the time when there was yet no heaven and earth till the present day there is nothing in the ten quarters which is not seen or heard by such a mind. For it has gained all knowledge and for that reason it is called
When Buddha was alive, Ananda was listening so-so -- as you listen to me. You listen and yet you don't listen. You say, 'Okay. If I miss today, tomorrow I will be listening again, so what is the hurry? If this morning is missed, nothing is missed; other mornings will be following.' So he had listened half-asleep, half-awake. Maybe he was tired, maybe the night was not good and he had not slept. Maybe the journey was too long and too exhausting. And Buddha was saying the same thing again and again and again, so how long to listen? One starts feeling that one already knows. One starts feeling, 'Yes, I have heard this before, so what is the point? Why not take a little sleep? A little nap will be good.' But when Buddha was dying, Ananda must have been alert, utterly alert. He was really trembling -- the…
Jesus says "Blessed are the meek for theirs is the kingdom of god". He is talking about the outside world to make you aware that it is better to be meek, to be humble, to be the last rather than to be the first. But that is only half of the story: the other half has to be remembered. The other half is: Blessed are the blissful, blessed are the kings of the inner world, blessed are those who are the first in their subjectivity, who have reached to the highest peak, because theirs is the kingdom of god." On the outside it is good to be the last, but it is not good to be the last in the inner world.
Matthew 5
1. AND SEEING THE MULTITUDES, HE WENT UP INTO A MOUNTAIN: AND WHEN HE WAS SET, HIS DISCIPLES CAME UNTO HIM: 2. AND HE OPENED HIS MOUTH, AND TAUGHT THEM, SAYING, 3. BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT: FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 4. BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN: FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED. 5. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK: FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH. 6. BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH DO HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED. 7. BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL: FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY. 8. BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD. 9. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD. 10. BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE: FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN 12. REJOICE, AND BE EXCEEDING GLAD: FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN: FOR…