Testimonial letter from Sw Devaraj
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 Sw Devaraj (Marc de Doming). It is "Exhibit A-1006" in the Noles collection.
The text version below 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. Most apparent "errors" are correct transcriptions of typos already in the original. The image on the right in the text box links to a pdf file of the original letter, it has 2 pages.
 Bodhi Tea in America, inc. Beloved To Whom It May Concern: Love. I totally support the application for Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh to be given permanent residency rights in the U.S.A. I am a U.S. Citizen, born in Boston, Massachusetts & am 42 years of age. I reside in British Columbia, Canada, I was born in the American Dream and was thoroughly educated in the ideals upon which the U.S.A, was founded. After finishing a few years of college and becoming increasingly appalled at the horror wrought by our country in Southeast Asia, I moved my family to Canada, Here I have come to live in the peace and love which was my birth-right. With my family I started a small farm and later a business grew out of the knowledge gained from farming herbs. Presently I am director of two herb tea producing companies in Canada and the U.S.A. These companies are small but dedicated to serving a product of complete integrity & fine value. Being born in love and having grown up protected by middle-class America I have been able to live a sensitive life. Early on the Compassion of Gautam the Buddha touched me deeply. Some eight years ago I read "Only One Sky", a book on the "Great Song of Liberation" of an enlightened Buddhist Master, This book was a transcription of discourses given by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh at Poona, India, My heart was opened by the Joy and Love that flowed thru this Being, Slowly, meditating on the commentaries on the "Great Song” my life gained a new center. Over time I learned that Bhagwan was indeed a Living Master illuminating the mystery schools of religious experience and at the same time developing meditation and therapies which were transforming the lives of participants at the ashram in India and in centers around the world. I became thirsty to drink from the fountain of this exceptional Being, I read all I could, listened to tapes of discourses and met His sannyasins when I could. Finally I felt to open my heart totally to this beautiful One and made plans to travel to India. At this point the world turned Upside-down and Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh arrived in America. Lover that I am I immediately took sannyas of Bhagwan and received my new name: Swami devaraj. I felt and still feel reborn. Bhagwan’s Love and clarity of Vision has been shared with millions of fortunate beings. Increasingly His message of Love is reaching many hearts in America, Love is the message Americans need at this moment. Our summer Celebrations of His Love has reached many millions thru media coverage. The example of His loving community in Rajneeshpuram, Oregon is an inspiration to many withwhom I have shared my experience. The Energy and Love that flows thru Bhagwan Shree is a fountainhead that will vastly benifit and transform all of humanity. This precious Being needs the support of all people in North America. We are blessed to be in the presence of a Prince of Peace, if we but have the eyes to see. At this crossroads of humanity’s evolution every effort needs be expended to support the energy of love, awareness and respect for our Mother Earth. This is the message of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh thru my perception. I can not imagine any place on Earth more befitting for Bhagwan to be than among His lovers and friends in their commune-city here in western America. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh has my total suppo(?) and commitment to living my life as joyously, openly and lovingly as I am able. My being a more loving and cooperatively contributing person, in His Light, is my total commitment to a peaceful existance. Bhagwan’s ability to share His Vision is a precious resource from which we all are benifiting. I trust, Beloved, that your heart too will be moved. In His Light, |
(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.)
