Oakland Tribune, Tues., June 25, 1974 F3
DENVER, Colo- (AP) - Guru Maharaj Ji's Divine Light Mission is being audited by state and local agencies to see if purchases ranging from underwear to an ocean-going power boat were proper under the mission's tax-exempt status as a religious organization.
The Colorado Department of Revenue and its counterpart at the city and county level announced the investigation yesterday.
At issue is whether the mission should have paid Denver's 61/4 per cent sales tax in purchasing its motorcycle and 56 cars and trucks.
Tax officials said the exemption does not apply to individuals.
But a Divine Light spokesman said all residents, who live in 17 mission houses, spend all their time in religious pursuits and have no private or individual selves. Not even their underwear is their own, he said.
Prem Rawat's "Knowledge" has three parts: regularly listening to his speeches, doing voluntary work for organisations serving him or donating money and daily meditation correctly practicing the four techniques he recommends. The techniques are so simple it's hard to see how they could be practiced incorrectly. First technique ("Divine Light") involves sticking your thumb and middle finger on your eyeballs (NB: with eyes closed) and your index finger between your eyebrows. Second technique: ("Heavenly Music") poking your thumbs into your ears and listening. Third technique: ("Holy Name") thinking about your breathing (NB: continue to breathe). Fourth technique: ("Nectar") curling your tongue backwards and tasting. Rawat's father taught slightly different techniques but either way it's difficult to see how these could produce the benefits claimed for them especially as Rawat claims His Knowledge is the only method of attaining real happiness and love in this life.