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| ===Debating the allegations=== | ===Debating the allegations=== | ||
| Followers of Maharaji see the vocal critics of him as a small group of ex-followers, not representative of the many followers who have left silently. They reproach the vocal critics of repeatedly defaming, libelling and harassing Maharaji and his students. Some of these critics have left the practice of Knowledge 20 or more years ago and have not been in touch with this movement since then. The group of vocal critics justifies their campaign as "public service" although many of their activities have leapt, according to |
Followers of Maharaji see the vocal critics of him as a small group of ex-followers, not representative of the many followers who have left silently. They reproach the vocal critics of repeatedly defaming, libelling and harassing Maharaji and his students. Some of these critics have left the practice of Knowledge 20 or more years ago and have not been in touch with this movement since then. The group of vocal critics justifies their campaign as "public service" although many of their activities have leapt, according to official websites, from mere criticism into outright illegal acts. | ||
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| *An FAQ that provides information about Maharaji and the allecgations posted by ex-followers is availabl | |||
| ==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
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| ===Skeptics and opponents=== | ===Skeptics and opponents=== | ||
Revision as of 19:16, 28 June 2004
some material of this section has been taken with permission from www.mikefinch.com
Prem Rawat (born 1957) who took the name Maharaji was an Indian guru but now styles himself as an inspirational speaker has some ex-followers who have become vocal critics.
Prem Rawat's elder brother Satpal also claimed ownership of their father's Divine Light Mission which led to a protracted legal challenge in India. Satpal won ownership of all the Indian Divine Light Mission assets whilst Prem Rawat retained ownership of the assets of Divine Light Mission (renamed Elan Vital) elsewhere. Satpal positions himself in essentially the same manner as his brother, that of being the Satguru (true guru).
Ex-followers assert that the meditation techniques that Maharaji teaches have not helped the guru to stop daily drinking of cognac, or having sex with followers, stopped him from cheating on his wife, they did not help the guru overcome his hatred of his mom and two brothers, he shunned his mom seventeen years till she finally died. He still has not let his kids meet their uncles or cousins after over twenty five years and counting. Opponents, including people who have followed the guru for thirty years, like Mike Finch, claim that the techniques can be easily learned without Maharaji, for example on the internet and do not bring anyone to a higher state.
Ex-followers, like Mike Finch, assert that the number of 5.5 million is inaccurate, as the tabulation method counts each audience as if it were all new people. For example, a four-day program with 2,000 people attending would be counted as 8,000 people. Basically, the same people are counted over and over again, as propaganda to bring credibility to the guru.
Finch and some other ex-members assert that Maharaji has misled the donors of the "voluntary contributions" by claiming to be lord God almighty in person, and claiming that extremely adamantly for years, though toned down by now. Finch writes that some of his followers are so entrapped, indoctrinated and mind controlled that they give their inheritances and their money to a guy that insists on only having the most expensive excessive lifestyle items. Some ex-followers point out that most, if not all, of his money has come from his followers, through individual donations or businesses.
Maharaji is now very wealthy. Apologists claim that his followers support him for giving them such a wonderful gift, and they are only providing him with the comfortable life-style that he deserves. Detractors say that he has milked his followers through manipulation, though opinion differs on whether he is an actual con-artist, deliberately deceiving people, or whether he himself believes that he is indeed the satguru (true guru) of this age and that he is as deluded as his followers.
Finch claims that eyewitnesses among his ex-followers have published accounts of his regular drinking to excess, keeping a mistress, and smoking cigarettes; and that he had knowledge of one of his senior disciples, Mahatma Jagdeo, actively engaging in pedophilia for years without taking any action. The only action that he took was to send the disciple back to India once the issue heated up. A court case has been settled for one woman who was abused.
There is also an account of his having accidentally run over and killed an Indian man and allowed a young follower to take the blame.
He travels around the world in a Gulfstream V jet airplane (worth $45 million), leased for his exclusive use, owns 3 helicopters, and just sold his $7 million yacht. He has mansions in California, England, and India. This expensive method of travel is subsidized by non-profit organizations around the world, as a business expense.
Not surprisingly, to some of his ex-followers, Maharaji is the head of a cult, who teaches platitudes and fluff, and lives off the gullibility and credulity of his followers. The late Margaret Singer, Ph.D., one of the most prominent anti-cult activists, included the Divine Light Mission in her list of cults.
Debating the allegations
Followers of Maharaji see the vocal critics of him as a small group of ex-followers, not representative of the many followers who have left silently. They reproach the vocal critics of repeatedly defaming, libelling and harassing Maharaji and his students. Some of these critics have left the practice of Knowledge 20 or more years ago and have not been in touch with this movement since then. The group of vocal critics justifies their campaign as "public service" although many of their activities have leapt, according to official websites, from mere criticism into outright illegal acts.
- Maharaji's own web site which contains hardly any information but gives poetic messagesAn FAQ that provides information about Maharaji and the allecgations posted by ex-followers is availabl
External Links
Official and un-official websites
- Maharaji's own web site which contains hardly any information but gives poetic messages
- The Prem Rawat foundation, introduction to him and his message
- Testimonials by followers about the meditation techniques
- For an up-to-date blog of Maharaji's activities around the world
- Response of followers who see outspoken ex-members as a "hate group" harrassing current followers
Skeptics and opponents
- Ex-premie, A website made by ex-followers
- Ex-follower, Mike Finch’ website that includes an article that had been taken down by fervent followers
- Main discussion forum for former followers of Prem Rawat
- A satirical website made by ex-members
- Guru Maharaji Info - See historic videos and magazines that Maharaji doesn't show on his homepage
- House of Maharaji Drek - All kinds of trivia and information about Maharaji
- Satpal's Manav Dharam website. Satpal is Prem Rawat's elder brother and also claims to be the unique Satguru