What are the consequences of not wearing mala and robes in Sannyas?

Osho, you have said that sannyas is the realization of truth. Then are ochre robes and the mala also essential for sannyas? And can a person not walk on your path without initiation? Kindly guide.

The day before yesterday a friend asked—he has taken sannyas, a simple-hearted man—he asked, “What is the scientific reason for this mala?” How can a mala possibly have a scientific reason? Its reason is religious, inward—not scientific. I told him, “If you want something ‘scientific,’ ask Laxmi.” A scientific reason? Does love ever have a scientific reason? A young man fell in love with Mulla Nasruddin’s daughter. He came and said, “I am in love with your daughter; please permit me to marry her.” Mulla said, “First prove it—what is the cause of your love?” The young man replied, “There is no cause, sir! Love has happened. Where there is a cause, can there be love? Where there is a cause, there is business, a bargain. Love is causeless.” Your love has happened with me; mine with you. Now some symbol becomes necessary. Think of this mala as the seven…

Beloved master, a few people are feeling not to wear their malas or red clothes, but they consider themselves rajneeshees and want to live here. How does this fit your vision?

There are no Rajneeshees, and there is no Rajneeshism. That was also part of this fascist regime. You cannot be Rajneeshees because there exists nothing like that. Even I am not a Rajneeshee, so how can you be? So, first thing, forget that you are a Rajneeshee. Second thing, the mala and red clothes are symbolic of the commune. If you don't want to wear the mala and red clothes, then pack your luggage and get lost. This is not your place, and we don't want you to be here. This only shows how the mind moves to extremes. Either you will be a slave or you will be licentious, but you cannot be a free individual. Your red clothes are your identification that you have dropped all old conditionings, that you are the sunrise of the new man and of the new humanity. The mala has one hundred and…

Osho, Sahajo says that religious practice should be done secretly—“janai na sansar” (let the world not know). You also say the same. But by wearing the robes of sannyas and the mala we keep advertising it. Please shed some light on this aspect.

Now before me is the question: what to do? If I tell you, “Do it quietly,” you’ll readily agree—because then there is no hassle at all; there is nothing to do. You do it so quietly that you don’t do it at all! There is no issue—who will know? That gives ample scope for dishonesty. If I say, “A bit louder—let the lips move so at least it’s clear what you’re chanting inside. Is it ‘rupee, rupee, rupee’ or ‘Ram, Ram, Ram’? Let at least that much be known!” you say, “Then people will know. But saints have said, keep it hidden.” So I thought of a middle way—half outside, half inside. Wear ochre robes outside, hang the mala on your neck; let meditation and sannyas happen within. You need protection on both sides. You are so dishonest, such tricksters, that you find a loophole for your dishonesty everywhere. So…

Osho, you have said that adopting personalities and faces from the outside is a subtle theft and gives birth to hypocrisy and irreligion. But it is being seen that these days many new sannyasins are gathering around you, and without any special preparation or maturity you are recognizing their sannyas. Are you not thereby causing great harm to religion? Please explain.

First thing: if someone tries to become like me, I will stop him; I will tell him that trying to be like me is self-destruction. But if someone sets out on the journey of trying to become himself, I have no hesitation in giving him my blessings. Those sannyasins who want me to be a witness to their journey toward God—to be a witness on their path—I have no objection to becoming their witness. But I am no one’s guru. I have no disciples. I am only a witness. If someone wants to take a resolve in my presence that he is setting out on the journey of sannyas, I have no objection to becoming a witness. But if someone comes to become my disciple, I have a grave objection. I cannot make anyone a disciple, because I am not a guru. If someone comes to walk behind me, I…

Fifth question, Osho, Some days ago you said that in Russia your sannyasins live without mala and robes. Recently, at a camp in Indore, Ma Anand Mridula said that those who do not wear the mala and robes can suffer harm on levels they cannot even know. Can the compassion of an enlightened one descend again into the ravines of anger? Out of this fear I have returned my sannyas, because I was neither a sannyasin inwardly, nor have I worn the mala and robes for two years. Kindly shed light, with compassion, on my state of mind!

You have heard the story of the mouse, haven’t you? The mouse, greatly troubled, recited the Hanuman Chalisa and devoted himself to Hanumanji. In the end, Hanumanji had to appear. He said, “Why, you son of a mouse, why are you after me? You are Ganesha’s vehicle—why harass me? Why don’t you talk to Ganesha?” The mouse said, “Ganesha does not listen; he is always sitting right on my chest. How can any words come out? Such a heavy body—my breath is going out; where will words come from? That’s why I remembered you. Just this much kindness: make me a cat. I am tired of being a mouse. If Ganesha doesn’t torment me, then the cat does. If Ganesha lets me go, the cat falls upon me.” To get rid of him, Hanumanji said, “All right—be a cat.” Two days later, he was again reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, meowing…