This past Saturday and Sunday the local paper, the Austin American-Statesman ran front-page articles on the Barsana Dham Ashram south of Austin.

The first article recounts allegations of sexual advances by from five women "who spent a collective 60 years living, working and worshipping at the Hindu temple."

When it was over, she said, the guru told her he loved her. "I felt it was the opportunity of a lifetime," she said.

Today, however, she said she feels betrayed. "We thought he was doing it all for us," she said. "That we were gross, and that he was coming down to our level, but that he wanted to share his divine love."

Hmmm.

Sunday's story focused on the connection between the temple and several highly successful informercial business people.

This is the quote which caught my eye:

Most of Barsana Dham's income comes from donations from its base of approximately 1,200 worshippers nationwide, according to the organization. Like many churches, Barsana Dham asks members to pay dues when they join.

When the spiritual leader of the organization, Maharajji Kripalu, is in Austin, more money is raised through donations called seva, or service. Generally speaking, devotees pay for a connection to the guru: from $20 to bow to him in the morning, $200 to push him on a swing, $220 to share a cookie, $600 to wash his feet and $2,500 to celebrate a birthday with him, according to a written list provided by a former resident.

"The pressure to give was intense," recalled Anastasia Blaschke of Austin, a 10-year devotee who lived on the ashram for almost three years. "The more seva you did, the better a devotee you were."

Just for the record I will charge half of these prices (heck, I might even buy the cookie). Yes, that's right for only $1250 I will agree to spend either my or your birthday with you.

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