According to Osho, Western civilization is overtaking the world, setting lifestyle standards even in advanced non‑Western nations. Its influence spreads materialism under a spiritualistic ideology (belief in God, soul, eternal life). Yet this dominance won't yield a unified world culture or government: deep philosophical, economic, and political rifts—especially between communism and capitalism—intensify rivalries, arms races, and the risk of confrontation rather than global harmony.
Western ways are spreading everywhere, but big system differences mean more rivalry and conflict than one happy world culture.
From the Discourses
Passages where Osho speaks to this question — each links to the complete discourse.
Question: BELOVED OSHO, THE OTHER NIGHT WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE DECADENCE AND SUICIDAL TENDENCY OF WESTERN SOCIETY, PEAKING NOW IN THE USA, I WAS WONDERING WHY THE WESTERN LIFESTYLE IS CAPABLE OF PENETRATING OTHER CULTURES AND SPOILING THEM IN A SHORT TIME. IT AMAZES ME AGAIN AND AGAIN HOW EASILY ABORIGINAL TRIBES ON ALL THE CONTINENTS, WITH, BUT MOSTLY WITHOUT FORCE, DROP THEIR MILLENNIA-OLD CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE AND START IMITATING THE WESTERN WAY OF LIFE -- OFTEN IN QUITE RIDICULOUS WAYS. ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, A FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER PRODUCED TWO WONDERFUL PHOTO ALBUMS DEPICTING TWO REMOTE TRIBES IN THE SUDAN, CALLED THE NUBA. THESE PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHICALLY VERY BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, CREATED OVER THOUSANDS OF YEARS -- BESIDES AMAZING SKILLS AND ARTS -- A SOCIAL STRUCTURE FULL OF LOVE AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER. INCIDENTS OF MAJOR VIOLENCE WERE UNKNOWN.
Osho, why do Shankara and you, before telling us to sing the praises of Govinda, always address us as fools?
Edison said, people say I know a great deal. My condition is like that of a small child on the seashore who has gathered a few shells and conches. That is the extent of my knowledge—just a few shells in my fists—while the vast ocean lies there, unknown to me. Your little knowledge seems very big to you! You have lit a small lamp; its flickering light falls a little around you, a small area gets illuminated—and you call this knowledge! And the infinite lies there filled with darkness; you have no awareness of it! When you understand your foolishness, you will say, “Is this knowledge—the flicker of a tiny lamp!” The infinite lies ahead to journey through, to explore, to search—and I, clutching these shells in my hands, am posing as a wise man! Then you will drop even this “knowledge.” And the day you know that you are…
Osho, isn't Indian culture the greatest culture in the world?
They were students of philosophy, so they all said, “Philosophy.” He said, “Is anything left to prove? I am the head of the department of philosophy. I am the most superior person in the world.” This is the kind of reasoning: my scripture is supreme! My doctrine is supreme! My caste is supreme! My class is supreme! But why not say it straight? Say it straight, it’s better. If the disease is clear, it can be treated. When the disease comes hiding, treatment becomes difficult. When it keeps taking new shapes, diagnosis itself becomes difficult. Centuries have passed and the diagnosis is still not happening. If you say, “I am the greatest person in the world,” first you yourself will tremble: how to say it? And everyone will raise doubts. But you say, “Indian culture is supreme!” and those you say it among are also Indian; they will all nod…
Osho, until now religion and politics were regarded as mutually opposed dimensions. But today it seems clear that religion and politics are two sides of the same coin. Today in Bhuj, the mahant of the Swaminarayan sect, Hariswarupdasji, has labeled your entry into Kutch as “an attack on Kutch culture.” And a politician, Mr. Babubhai Shah, has called you “a hunter in the garb of a sadhu”! On this blackboard of religion and politics, your religiosity seems to stand out like white chalk.
Italian friends come. I put a mala around their necks and say, “Look at me,” and they instantly close their eyes! Only Italians do that, no one else. I was surprised: whenever I say, “Look at me,” they close their eyes. I ask them to look; they close their eyes. Something is amiss between us. Perhaps they are right—because to see me, closing the eyes is indeed a way. That is how women look: more loving, more inward. When a woman embraces someone, she closes her eyes. Therefore, women are not as keen about a man’s color, form, features as they are about his refinement. Women are touched by different things than men. A man looks at complexion, form, features—head to toe, hair color, skin tone, nose, eyes. A woman takes less interest in these; her interest is elsewhere. She sees how graceful the man is, how humble, how simple,…
Question: BELOVED OSHO, WHAT IS CIVILIZATION? And the third thing is the most interesting that he said. He said, "Moreover Osho has not committed any crime; we don't have any proof, we don't have any evidence." This recognition by the U.S. attorney for Oregon ... and still I was fined four hundred thousand dollars! They don't have any proof and they don't have any evidence, they don't think I have committed any crime. For what have I been fined? And they know perfectly well, I don't have a single dollar. I have not touched money for almost thirty-five years! Perhaps they were hoping that because I don't have any possessions ... how was I going to pay? Almost half a million dollars! So naturally, if I could not pay them they would have an excuse to put me in jail for at least twenty years, thirty years.