The Rajneeshee Trivia Quiz

Answer: Population growth

Bhagwan had many concerns about over-population hence he advised against adding new persons to the earth that was stretching its resources thin. He advocated birth control and abortion.

Asked at one time to capsulize his belief in a manner such as is found in the Jewish/Christian tradition of the Ten Commandments, he gave this list:

1-Never obey anyone's command unless it is coming from within you also.
2-There is no God other than life itself.
3-Truth is within you, do not search for it elsewhere.
4-Love is prayer.
5-To become a nothingness is the door to truth. Nothingness itself is the means, the goal and attainment.
6-Life is now and here.
7-Live wakefully.
8-Do not swim-float.
9-Die each moment so that you can be new each moment.
10-Do not search. That which is, is. Stop and see.

The Rajneeshee were required to participate in violent physical activity to build to a state of hyperventilation and as a control measure. It provided a mild pleasure state without drugs.

Answer: Belief in American ideals

Bhagwan had gained a number of detractors in India. That included those who had supported Gandhi in the past. His advisors felt that a new beginning in a new place might solidify the message and the movement. Also it was felt that his life might be in danger. It was envisioned that this could be a model for further expansion of the movement. Aides also thought that Bhagwan's health might better be attended there.

If Bhagwan had some noble ideas of the merits of American tradition and laws, they were not reflected in acts committed in his name.

Answer: Personal secretary

A small city was erected near Antelope, Oregon pending the arrival of the Bhagwan. His arrival was anticipated with great celebration and joy. However, he chose to become more reclusive, living a luxurious and opulent life. As an example, it was reported that he owned ninety Rolls Royces.

Sheela became his confidante and linkage to the outside world. Born in India, she was an early follower of the Bhagwan and influenced him to relocate to Oregon to escape the pressures of India. Sheela grew in power and her face became the face of the Rajneeshee through its troubles. It was she who spoke at the press conferences and answered the intimidating questions.

Bhagwan was later to vehemently deny any physical contact ever with Sheela as well as directing any violence. Sheela admitted that she was in love with the Bhagwan as well as his ideals but never had physical sex with him.

Answer: Became an armed camp

Sheela ordered that the ranch be armed and purchased a large assortment of firearms. All visitors were accompanied by an armed guard with a machine gun including representatives of government (local, county, state, federal) and particularly of the press and media. Sheela believed that a state of war existed and the Rajneesh must be prepared for both defense of its holdings and offense if required.

First thought was that the bombing was carried out by a Christian conservative group or person, but police arrested and prosecuted Stephen P. Paster, 36, an Islamic militant who was sentenced to twenty years. No motive was given, and he was released after four years. Paster was a leading suspect in two 1984 bombings of Hindu and Vedanta religious sites in Seattle.

Answer: They wore a shade of red

The shades might vary from maroon to pink, and there was an occasional orange. The Bhagwan himself wore traditional Indian garb. Late in the Oregon experience he allowed a variety of costuming. They did wear pendants, but they were not silver and had a picture of the Bhagwan.

Visitors and new residents learned very quickly not to wear red on the streets. You could not, for example, wear an old school jersey--University of Wisconsin, Ohio State, Alabama.

Answer: College students

The Bhagwan was a charismatic leader and attracted large donors to his cause. He authored over 650 books and transcripts of his lectures. The central core were his teachings on the nature of sex and living in the moment. This had great attraction for young and moderately successful professionals. Some were only part-time residents and carried on careers. Others had already accumulated independent financial status.

During this Oregon experience, the Bhagwan became involved in the Hollywood cocktail circuit. These wealthy contributors, it is alleged, also introduced the Bhagwan to the wonders of Valium and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). His ego driven association with this group led to Sheela's uneasiness with his leadership and eventually a surveillance system was installed to monitor his activities.

Few college student had the ways and means to enter this system.

Answer: Poisoned local salad bars

The county seat of Wasco County is The Dalles. There were over 750 cases of food poisoning reported, with about 50 needing hospitalization. Local health authorities found that the victims had all eaten at local salad bars and the health authorities blamed unsanitary conditions on the restaurants and its employees. However, Sheela told the media, while not admitting guilt, that "America could benefit by acts of defiance".

The purpose of the poisoning was to discourage people from voting. This brought the federal government in as it was considered an act of terrorism. It was considered the first act of bio-terrorism in the United States. Rumors persisted of the possibility of the Rajneeshee poisoning water reservoirs.

Answer: To register them as voters

The Rajneeshee gathered between 2000-3000 homeless, mostly men, that they hoped to be able to register as qualified voters. This backfired very quickly. The Rajneeshee did feed and house them, but miscalculated on the degree of mental illness, alcohol and drug addiction, criminal records, and antisocial behavior. The buses were loaded again and dropped off anywhere but not allowed to stay at the ranch. Many had to be returned to their home cities at public expense.

Another ploy was to send members out to recruit new members. There might be a 'quickie' marriage and they would go to the compound and live apart as marriages were not a part of Rajneeshee teaching. Targeted were individuals prepared to make substantial contributions.

Answer: Agricultural land use

Agricultural land use was a State of Oregon issue. For instance, to be a legal 'ranch' there must be an indication that the primary source of income was dependent on cattle/other animal ventures. At an inspection the Rajneeshee had only nine cattle. Other issues included irrigation and waste management.

The Bhagwan was out of the public eye while he allowed Sheela to run things. Because he was not seen in public and did not give any lectures, the feds challenged his status as a religious leader and hence the tax exempt status. They attempted to cancel his visa but the Rajneeshee lawyers argued and won.

Recognizing the danger the Rajneeshee were in, Sheela ordered the assassination of Charles Taylor. She appointed Catherine Jane Stork as lead assassin. Unmarked handguns were purchased in New Mexico where it was alleged that all you needed was money and a library card. They stalked Taylor but proved to be inept at the task. Pressuring a postal employee for an address brought them to law enforcement attention.

Previously there had been a murder plot to eliminate the Bhagwan's personal physician as the Bhagwan was contemplating suicide. However, they were able to deter the doctor from administrating the lethal drugs.

After the failure of the assassination plot, Sheela and her cohorts absconded to an island off the coast of Germany. She took an estimated 40-50 million dollars with her.

The Bhagwan emerged from his self-made cocoon and tried to pick up remnants of the dying experiment. He denounced Sheela for going above and beyond his leadership. But the ship was sinking and battle was nearly lost.

Answer: The Bhagwan

The Bhagwan was allowed to return to India without charges although his return was slowed by several stops for questioning. He died in 1990 at the age of 58 in Pune, India.

Johnny Carson included several barbs in his monologues and dedicated a special satiric song of goodbye when the Bhagwan was returned to India.

Sheela was arrested in West Germany in October 1986 and returned to the United States and served 29 months of a 20 year sentence. She re-married and purchased two nursing homes in Switzerland. She still states that she did nothing the Bhagwan had not ordered.

Catherine Stork served only three months but was released with five years probation for humanitarian reasons--her son was dying of brain cancer.

Richard Kevin Langford was arrested in Germany in 1990 for his part in the assassination plot. He was sentenced to three years.

Many others were arrested but on various charges. Some were dismissed for their testimony.