Testimonial letter from Ma Prem Avinna

This letter is one of a remarkable series of over 2650 letters amassed in 1983 to support Osho's attempt to get permanent resident status in the US at the time of the Oregon ranch. The image is reproduced here with the kind permission of The Oregon Historical Society. Information about their collection of these letters and other supporting material -- the "Jeffrey Noles Rajneesh Collection", named for Osho's immigration lawyer Jeffrey Noles, who compiled them in 1983 and donated them to the OHS -- can be found at this page. The wiki is grateful to the OHS for making access available for these documents. For more information and links to all the letters, see Testimonial letters.

This letter is from Ma Prem Avinna (A. F. van Dobben). It is "Exhibit A-1697" in the Noles collection.

The original letter was handwritten in French, a text transcription has not yet been created. A text version of its translation has been created by optical character recognition (OCR), from the images supplied by OHS. It has not been checked for errors but this process usually results in over 99% correct transcription.

The image in the text box links to a pdf file with the original letter, the translation, and a notary statement attesting to the validity of the translation. It has 3 pages.

translation Ma Prem Avinna c/o Van Dobben 25 Rue Caroline 1227 Geneva, Switzerland. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I worked in a hospital from 1969-1972. In 1973 with physically and mentally handicapped children, then in a halfway house where we helped young people get off drugs and reinstall themselves in society. My vocation seemed to be to help needy people but the methods used by traditional medicine (as much at the practical as the relational level) as well as the few gratifications from these activities (few visible results, betterment at too long a term) discouraged me. I didn’t feel any more the strength to give, to help or to communicate. I tried to change direction, and turned toward easier activities (business, handicrafts) without really being satisfied. I despaired to find a path until, in 1977, I met some disciples of Bhagwan in Geneva. I began to read his books, listen to his discourses on cassette and to practice his meditations. I felt the need to go and see what was being done in his ashram on the level of therapy. I met him in December 1977, he counselled and aided me. I felt him so full of love and clairvoyance that I decided to become his disciple. He gave me again strength and joy in work, whatever its nature. He gave me and continues to give me many positive changes in my personality and in my life. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh is an exceptional being and his presence in a place will bring immense benefits on the cultural, economic and social level. It is not necessary that he speak in order that we feel the benefits of his presence. Even in silence he continues to have an enormous influence on the life and work of those who appreciate him. His presence in Oregon is a vey precious heritage. To accord him a residence visa and permit him to accomplish his teaching work in the United States is the most precious gift that you can give to your country. Please receive my thanks for your time and attention. Signed: A.F. van Dobben

(Please note: We assume that the above letter is still copyrighted, but we regard its historical interest to constitute a Fair Use exception for publication in this wiki.)