Write ‘Brahman’ for caste and ‘Shunya’ for religion—to show we’re beyond labels, resting in emptiness and oneness.
From the Discourses
Passages where Osho speaks to this question — each links to the complete discourse.
Osho, this year the census is being conducted, and it requires a mandatory declaration of caste and religion. Since your sannyasins do not acknowledge any so-called conventional caste or religion, what should they tell the census officer?
Aroopananda! Have you forgotten so soon? Only yesterday I said— Our caste is Brahman; our mother and father are Ram. Our home is in shunya; in anahad we repose. What more do you need? For parents, write Ram; for caste, Brahman; for religion, Shunya; and for language, Anahad. Our caste is Brahman; our mother and father are Ram. Our home is in shunya; in anahad we repose.
Osho, how should we introduce ourselves as sannyasins?
Celebration is our caste; bliss is our lineage! That is our brief introduction. But it is enough. In it are contained all the Upanishads, all the Bhagavad Gitas, the Bible, the Quran, the Dhammapada. In it are contained all the songs of the buddhas. In it are contained all the celebrations of the awakened ones. Celebration is our caste; bliss is our lineage! That is all for today.
Osho, I am a Brahmin, and perhaps that very identity is becoming a barrier to surrender. I am not accustomed to bowing, and now even when I wish to, the old habit obstructs me. Please help.
So being a Brahmin is not something bad. It is good fortune—you were born in a house where there was talk of God; even if only in words, there was some hint of the divine, a far-off echo of God’s voice. There was the hum of the rishis, the Vedas and Upanishads. It has become very old, covered in dust, but behind it truth still lies. However deep the embers lie under ash, they are not extinguished. Even if only the ash is being worshiped, remove a little and you will find the coal aglow. Consider it a blessing. When I say consider it a blessing, do not misunderstand me. Do not think I imply that one born in a Shudra’s house is not blessed. I say to him as well: you too are blessed—blessed that you escaped the pundits’ nuisance, escaped the nets of doctrines and scriptures; you are…
Osho, when the world questions us, what should we answer? I have gone missing, my Lord; tell me my address. People ask me where I am from.
Buddha added a new chapter to human history: that which cannot be said, don’t say. Say it by silence. Let silence speak. Then leave it to the other. If he thinks you are ignorant, that is his affair. Why be disturbed? But I understand your hitch. If you cannot answer, people think: “Ah, so you are still ignorant! A sannyasi and still ignorant! Donning ochre and still ignorant!” Say: I am indeed ignorant. Make no claim to knowledge. And I tell you: this acceptance of ignorance will become the manure that cracks your seed. This acceptance will become rain upon you. After all, what does the effort to prove to others that “I know” really mean? Only this: that my ego depends on others’ recognition. Ego wants the prop of the other. You cannot be a knower alone; you can be a knower only if someone says so. Go sit…
Osho, the second part of the question is: moved by Krishna’s stream of life, into what dimensions of living might human civilization and culture enter? Please outline it briefly and clearly.
For this one would have to speak at great length. In fact, that is what we have been doing all these days. Two–three words can be said. Through Krishna’s understanding, human civilization will become effortless and natural; it will become moment-to-moment; it will be devoted to joy; it will no longer be sorrow-centered, time-centered, negation-centered, renunciation-centered. Life will be recognized, graciously, as a benediction. And there will be no division between life and God: life itself is God. That dignity will, little by little, grow. There is no God sitting somewhere opposed to life—life itself is God. There isn’t some creator sitting apart from creation; the very process of creation, the energy of creation—creativity itself—is the Divine. If you keep in mind all that I have been saying in the meantime, the last point I have just made will become clear. In these days I said many things to you;…