As an example, in order to question what the BKWSU is worth now, the Yogi Bhajan RSS cult's financial empire, a sect of mainly caucasian would be Sikhs and yogis, was estimated to be worth as much as two billion dollars; as indicated by
on-going litigation in Eugene, Oregon pertaining to the division of the empire following its leader's death in 2004. He of the Yogi Tea brand.
Critics claim it was a financial empire built on fraud, deceit and a misrepresentation of the Sikh Religion even falling under the provisions of the RICO anti-racketeering statute. They say fundamental to the promotion of the enterprise was the propaganda that the purveyors had secret and mystical knowledge. As with the Brahma Kumaris, the aura of "secret and mystical knowledge" is re-packaged for Whites who have a false Occidental perception of Indians having mystical knowledge. Combined with dressing up as Indians, it seems to work wonders.
I have no way of knowing and comparing what the Brahma Kumaris have. Nor do I have any personal criticisms of the 3HO movement. However, on a purely anecdotal basis, I would say there are more BKs than "£HO" followers, and more wealthier and business orientated individuals with the BKs too. The 3HO people always seemed to be gentle, hippy types.
Does this sound familiar?
“What Yogi Bhajan accomplished,” says his nephew, Surjit P. Soni, “is truly remarkable. He came without a dime in his pocket. He started teaching Yoga, and formed a series of nonprofits. He encouraged entrepreneurialism among a bunch of people that were basically disenfranchised and lost, and created at least two significant businesses to perpetuate the nonprofits.”
“This is a huge corruption case. It really reads like a spy novel,” says Hari Nam Singh Khalsa, a longtime Portland Sikh convert now living in New York City.
“It’s like the Catholic Church,” Hari Nam adds. “My mother-in-law was an absolutely saintly person, but the people running her church were basically criminals ... They may look like they’re saints, and talk like they’re saints—but you dangle 5 cents in front of them, and what do you know?”
Although it appears Yogi Bhajan had little in the way of money or assets, he had a luxurious lifestyle, with a private chauffeur and a large personal staff of secretaries, attendants and nurses who worked as much as 16 hours a day, according to courtroom testimony, interviews with Sikh Dharma members and published reports.
Although members came and went ... companies grew steadily, a real achievement considering that the converted Sikhs had little access to outside capital. In addition to individual tithing, members sometimes donated their companies to the church, with the understanding that profits would be used for the good of the community.
- From "
Death of a Yogi"
Posted: 13 Aug 2012