According to Osho, enlightened masters criticize each other not from ego but as a compassionate device to secure a disciple's single-pointed commitment. The goal is one but paths are many; to prevent the mind's fickle spiritual tourism, each master defends his own method and negates others so followers don't mix systems, get confused, and abandon the journey.
They argue so you’ll stay on one safe road home instead of switching streets and getting lost.
From the Discourses
Passages where Osho speaks to this question — each links to the complete discourse.
Satyam Shivam Sundram · Discourse 6
1987-11-09 · Gautam the Buddha Auditorium · English
Beloved Osho, I don't understand why enlightened masters are critical of each other. Are they not all working towards the higher good? Are they not different flavors of the same truth?
"My wife, Bridget," Sean confided to Paddy, "is an angel." "You are lucky," said Paddy, "my wife Maureen is still alive." Hymie Goldberg was having his first session with the psychoanalyst. "Do you cheat on your wife?" asked the shrink. "My God," said Hymie, "who else could I cheat on?" A Californian psychiatrist was driving along in his car, when he saw a man lying on the sidewalk. He stopped his car and got out. It turned out the man had been mugged and left for dead. "Quick," said the shrink, "tell me who did this to you; he needs help immediately!" An Indian businessman who had made millions after a childhood of poverty was on his deathbed giving advice to his son. "Listen, son," he said, "I owe my success to two principles -- honesty and wisdom. Honesty is if you promise to deliver some goods, no matter what…Read the full discourse →
Maha Geeta · Discourse 72
1977-01-22 · Pune · Hindi · English translation
Osho, why does there seem to be so much conflict between the world and God?
It is as if someone were sleeping deeply in this garden. The cuckoo comes and sings, birds are chattering, the sun rises, breezes dance through the trees; but someone is fast asleep. The breezes touch him, the birds’ songs echo at his ears, the sun’s rays play on his face, but he knows nothing. Then someone comes and shakes him awake. His eyes open—the glory of the sun is revealed, the song of the passing breeze is heard, suddenly the cuckoo’s call, the fragrance of flowers. Do you think something new has happened? Everything was already there, just as it is. Only this man has become new—nothing else has changed. The same garden, the same sun, the same flowers, the same birds—everything the same; only a small difference: he was asleep; he is awake. The meaning of “world” is: you are asleep in God. The meaning of “God” is: you…Read the full discourse →