ATHENS, Greece -- Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh relaxed at 'a palace' on the Grecian resort island of Crete Monday on the guru's first European visit since he was forced out of the United States last year.
'The Ministry of Public Order has given Mr. Rajneesh a one-month residence permit,' a police spokesman at the resort community of Aghios Nikolaos said.
The guru 'is staying with some friends at the villa of a Greek film director,' Nikos Coundouros, the police spokesman said.
Coundouros' latest film, 'Bordello,' portrays life in a Greek brothel and has been given an adults-only rating by the Greek censor because of its explicit nude and sexual scenes. The guru 'came to relax and he is enjoying Crete's lovely, mild climate,' Sangit, one of Rajneesh's followers, said.
'It's a wonderful house -- a palace -- and such a magnificent view of the sea,' she said of the villa.
Sangit said Rajneesh could not come to the telephone because 'he's tired now. He's sleeping. He doesn't want to speak to anybody just yet.'
The guru's local followers said they did not plan to go to Crete to see him.
The guru 'is resting. He wants to take it easy, so we won't disturb him,' said Ingrid Spendlingivimmer-Frangatoni, one of Rajneesh's followers, at her home in Athens.
Sangit said she did not know where Rajneesh, often referred to as the rich man's guru, would visit after Greece, nor how long he would stay at the island resort.
Ma Prem Hasya, Rajneesh's personal secretary, flew to Athens Monday to prepare for the guru's future travels, Sangit said.
The guru left Nepal Saturday.
He had been there since leaving India, his home, where he returned after leaving the United States in November.
Rajneesh, 54, was forced to leave the United States for at least five years as part of a plea bargain disposing of federal immigration charges. He had presided over a commune in central Oregon.
