BELOVED OSHO
IS THERE ANY REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIFFERENT RACES,
NATIONALITIES, ETCETERA, ETCETERA?
Ramananda, there are no real differences, there cannot be. All differences are superficial.
The Jew is not different from the Hindu, the Mohammedan is not different from the
Christian, the Chinese is not different from the American, the Negro is not different from
the English.
Man is one, differences are superficial. Yes, they are there, obviously. A Negro is a
Negro: he has black skin, he looks different from the white man. But the difference is not
a difference that makes a difference. The difference is so small: just a little more black
pigment in his skin, four ANNAS' worth more -- just that is the difference, four annas.
And remember, he is four annas more than the white man, not less -- richer by four annas.
But the difference of the color of the skin or the difference of the length of your nose is
not an important difference. Just because you have a long nose, a Jewish nose, you don't
become the chosen people of God. Or just because you are born in India you don't
become religious either.
These are all stupid ideas. But these stupid ideas have persisted in the world; and not only
persisted, have proved great calamities to humanity. They were very ego-gratifying. The
Hindu thinks he is the most religious in the world, his country the most sacred -- what
nonsense they go on talking!
Countries are separate only on the political maps; otherwise it is just one earth. Just thirty
years ago, Karachi and Lahore used to be holy land -- just thirty years ago. But now they
are in Pakistan and very unholy. Now Indians cannot think of a place which is more
unholy than Lahore or Karachi. Now they are the unholiest of the unholy, and they used
to be part of the holy land. Just a little change of politics, a line drawn on the map -- not
on the earth; the earth is still undivided.
I have heard a story: When India and Pakistan were going to be divided, there was a
madhouse just on the border, and nobody was particularly interested in having that
madhouse, neither India nor Pakistan. But it had to go somewhere -- and because
politicians were utterly uninterested, it was decided to ask the madmen themselves where
they want to go.
A great gathering -- one thousand madmen were gathered and they were asked, "Where
do you want to go?"
And they said, "We don't want to go anywhere, we simply want to remain here."
Again and again, in many ways it was explained to them, "You will not be going
anywhere, you will remain here. But still we want to ask where do you want to go -- to
India or to Pakistan?"
The madmen could not believe their ears. They said, "Now you are creating great
suspicion in us, whether we are mad or you are mad! If we are not going to go anywhere,
then why should we decide where we should go?"
There was no communication possible. And you see, the mad people were far more right.
They are always far more right than your so-called politicians.
Then the leaders decided, just divide it in the middle. And a wall was raised in the middle
of the madhouse. I have heard that still the madmen sometimes climb up on the wall and
they laugh. The whole thing seems to be so ridiculous. They are exactly in the same
place, but some have become Pakistanis and some have become Indians -- and just a wall
in between. And they still talk about it: "What happened? -- because we are the same, you
are the same, we don't see any difference! But now we are enemies -- we really should
not talk."
Differences are not there. Or, if they are there, very small differences like....
Do you know how many Indians it takes to screw in a lightbulb? Four. One to hold the
bulb, and three to screw him round.
Or, do you know many Californians it takes to change a lightbulb? Four. One to change
the bulb, and three to share in the experience.
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