Mahavir Vani Lecture 43 Kaun Hai Pujya

Here's a comprehensive summary of Osho Rajneesh's lecture "Kaun Hai Pujya" (Who is Worthy of Worship?) from the Mahavir Vani series, based on the provided Jain text:

The lecture "Kaun Hai Pujya" delves into the core principles of Jainism, as expounded by Mahavir, to define who is truly worthy of reverence and worship. Osho interprets Mahavir's teachings, emphasizing that true worship is not directed towards external figures of power or popularity but towards individuals who embody specific inner qualities and behaviors.

Defining the Truly Worthy (Pujya):

Osho highlights the "Pujya-Sutra" (verses defining the worthy) and breaks down the criteria for true reverence:

1. Humility and Reverence for the Guru: The truly worthy person uses humility (vinay) to acquire righteous conduct (achar). They listen to the guru's words with devotion, accept them, and act accordingly, never disobeying the guru.
2. Detachment in Alms-Seeking: The worthy person wanders for alms (unch-vritti) in a pure, unsullied manner, without attachment to specific households. They remain unfazed whether they receive alms or not, neither lamenting scarcity nor boasting about abundance.
3. Contentment and Simplicity: They take only what is necessary for their sustenance, even if more is available. They are rooted in contentment (santosh) and maintain inner satisfaction.
4. Equanimity and Self-Knowledge: The worthy person recognizes their true self through their own soul. They maintain equanimity in the face of both attachment (raag) and aversion (dwesh). Qualities and lack of qualities alike do not shake their inner composure.

Critique of Modern Worship and False Idols:

Osho then uses relatable anecdotes and critical observations to contrast these true virtues with the superficiality of modern-day worship:

• The Mullā Nasrudin Analogy: The story of Mullā Nasrudin saving a bottle of liquor during a house collapse illustrates how people often prioritize the trivial or superficial, mistaking it for essential. Similarly, people often save their life energy for a hypothetical future crisis, neglecting the present moment and the urgency of self-transcendence.
• Hitler's Soldiers and the Illusion of Life: The story of Hitler's soldiers jumping out of the window highlights how individuals can be manipulated into a false understanding of life. Many people are living a life that is not truly "life" but a mere existence of suffering and pain, devoid of joy or spiritual awakening. They have closed themselves off to the "vast" and the divine.
• The Brain Transplant Story: The anecdote about the unused politician's brain being the most expensive illustrates how society often values the void, the unintelligent, and the self-serving. This is because "stupidity ascending to the pinnacle of ego" and "ignorance embraced" are rewarded.
• The Shifting Nature of Idols: Osho observes how societal idols have changed from saints and renunciates to actors and politicians. This shift reflects a society increasingly valuing falsehood, entertainment, and the superficial over truth, inner peace, and genuine virtue. The rise of entertainment is directly linked to increasing unhappiness, as only the unhappy seek distraction.
• The Deception of Appearances: The story of the "blind" man at the cinema, who is actually a representative for his blind friend while he himself claims to be deaf-mute, highlights how life has become a facade of falsehood. Names, publicity, and outward appearances are deceptive; the inner reality is often something else entirely. The worship of actors and symbols of status is proof of this pervasive hypocrisy.
• The Ego in "Good Conduct": Osho points out that even the pursuit of "good conduct" is often driven by ego, not humility. Parents teach children to be "principled" to gain societal respect, which is a subtle way of teaching ego fortification rather than genuine humility. True humility is the absence of ego, the state of "nothingness," not the ego of being "very humble."
• The Misinterpretation of Jain Practices: Osho critiques modern interpretations of Jain monastic rules, such as the prohibition of bathing or using toothpaste. He argues that these rules, intended to prevent harm, are twisted into a form of external show or even self-punishment, still driven by the desire to impress others, just as decorating the body was originally for external appeal.
• The Misuse of Scriptures: He warns against rigidly adhering to the literal words of scriptures without understanding their underlying spirit. Scriptures are seen as guides, not rigid rules. The spirit behind Mahavir's teachings, like the careful disposal of waste to avoid harming life, is lost when followed mechanically, especially in modern contexts like flush toilets.

The Essence of True Practice:

Osho then returns to the core of Mahavir's teachings, emphasizing the path to becoming "pujya":

• The Importance of "Vinay" (Humility): True humility is the foundation of righteous conduct. It means becoming "shunya" (empty) – devoid of the egoistic sense of "I am." Without this emptiness, one cannot truly receive a guru.
• The Guru-Disciple Relationship: A true guru cannot be found through a searching, critical mind. The disciple must first dissolve their ego. When the disciple is ready, the guru appears. The guru's role is not to force knowledge but to offer it when the disciple is open.
• The Nature of True Giving: Masters and enlightened beings are like overflowing vessels (clouds, mothers with milk) who naturally wish to share their abundance. Their offering is unconditional, but it requires a receptive vessel – the disciple.
• The Need for Receptivity, Not Criticism: Science progresses through criticism and logic, while spirituality thrives on receptivity, surrender, and faith. A critical mind, always looking for flaws, will never find the truth or a true guru.
• Listening with Devotion: Osho emphasizes that listening to the guru with devotion, like a lover listening to their beloved, transforms ordinary words into profound insights. This devotion opens the heart to receive the guru's teachings.
• Surrendering to the Guru's Guidance: Just as a patient on the operating table must surrender to the surgeon, a disciple must surrender to the guru's guidance. This requires absolute trust, even if the guru's actions seem counterintuitive. The ego must be silenced.
• The True Meaning of Disobedience: Osho clarifies that a disciple's true birth occurs when they overcome the natural inclination to disobey the guru, especially when the guru's actions seem challenging. True obedience comes from complete surrender, not blind following.
• The Purity of Intent in Alms-Seeking: Mahavir advocated for seeking alms from strangers to avoid attachment and the creation of ego in both the giver and the receiver. The aim is detachment and the avoidance of burdening anyone.
• Contentment as the Foundation of Sadhana: True sainthood (sadhuta) comes from contentment with what one has, not from renouncing external possessions due to unhappiness or weakness. True renunciates leave the world because it has become meaningless, not out of aversion.
• Cultivating Virtues, Not Fighting Vices: Osho stresses that one should focus on cultivating virtues rather than trying to eradicate vices. Vices naturally fall away when virtues blossom, like dry leaves falling from a tree when new leaves emerge.
• Equanimity in Attachment and Aversion: The ultimate goal is to achieve equanimity in both attraction (raag) and repulsion (dwesh). Recognizing that one is their own friend and enemy, and detaching from external judgments of good and bad, leads to inner transformation.
• True Renunciation: Renunciation is not about escaping suffering but about leaving the world when it loses its meaning. It is a strong, conscious act, not an escape from weakness or unhappiness.
• The Trap of "Wise" Tactics: People often use clever strategies to appear spiritual or to follow the path of a guru while preserving their ego and comforts. This self-deception prevents genuine transformation.
• The Illusion of Leaving: Leaving home is easy; leaving the mentality of lack and dissatisfaction is difficult. True contentment with what one has is the hallmark of a sadhu.
• The Source of Sadness and Attachment: Unhappiness drives people to seek external solace, be it through vices like drinking or through religious practices born from fear rather than joy. True spiritual seekers are drawn to Mahavir by the promise of joy, not by a desire to escape suffering.
• The Danger of Mechanical Following: Blindly following rules or traditions without understanding their essence leads to absurdity. The true path is to grasp the spirit and adapt to changing times and tools.

In essence, Osho's "Kaun Hai Pujya" is a profound reinterpretation of what it means to be worthy of reverence. It challenges conventional notions of worship and emphasizes the inner transformation of the individual through humility, detachment, contentment, self-knowledge, and a deep, devotional receptivity to the wisdom of enlightened masters. True worship, for Mahavir and Osho, is the cultivation of these qualities within oneself.