European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 4, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine Hare Krishna bowl Lett an Hari Vasa in front Al the Palace of cold in new Brindaban . Says goal i feel like an animal in the 200." troubles threaten Hare Krishna Community by Paige St. John associated press they flocked id wast Vrginia s Hill country to build Linoir hate Krishna Community seeking peace and a higher  there s Boon Lalk of demons whirling into upper air to menace their Faith. More tangible threads have bedevilled the Community below a murder a year ago. A mysterious death last Spang arson lawsuits harassment by dissed cols excommunication by Tho larger Hare Krishna Movern enl ugly accusations of child molestation and abuse Ovon an Fri raid " through it All. The remnant of adherents at new  to 150 to 300 from perhaps twice Hal strength several years ago. Is carrying on. Whatever was wrong in i heir Community in he past the Laith Lul say. Has been Slaigh lined out and they place Ali or Hopes lot the future in their children children whose upbringing 13 Admi Ledly different a 7 year old worries about the afterlife. He asked me. Ii you think of godhead when you die. Do you gel to godhead " his spiritual teacher says. The boy had special Ica sons to wonder. His lather s body charred a Bullet wound in its head the remains gnawed by his own pit bulls was found near Krishna property this Spring. Donald Bordenkirche the Marshall county sheriff Wax. T say Hal Todd Schenker was murdered. To says Vhal we have is a male adult who apparently shot himself in the head Sel himself on Fife and then threw the gun away. Like everything at new or Indaba this Case is very suspicious and  in 1987. The Fri seized truckloads of computers financial records and sports souvenirs Iho Krishna were Selling but never filed charges and resumed most of Iho goods. Now Brindaban named alter a holy town in ind was funded 19 years ago Tho devotees Buill their Palace of Gold a dazzling Little shrine Hal once Drew some 250.000 tourists a year. There Are far fewer now. Tho remaining believers live below and beyond the Hilltop shrine scattered in the valleys and ridges m modify make do houses. The Community was rocked by formal charges against two ashram teachers Hal they sexually abused their viands. A former member claims n a Couit deposition Hal new Brindaban leaders ignored Iho sexual mole Lalion of her son even told her it would Advance the youngster spiritually. Other former members say the Community s Leader Kirt Annanda Swami Bhakti Pada or cd them into childhood marriages. They loll of a calms and other abuses ii was when Thesa and other troubles thickened thai beak Vipada a Lormer Columbia University student and to son of a Baptist mini scr spoke of she demons trying to bring misfortune on Iho Pataco of Gold the Krishna have made changes me ashram loaders have been brought in. Some Krishna children now Al lend Public schools. And Community teachers have been trained to spot sexual abuse. Bui child moles Alson charges still Are pending against one former ashram Leach or Schenker s death is unsolved one Swami still must stand trial on charges to killed a devotee who turned against the sect and a iwo year Federal investigation of the Community continues. Devotees arc weary. I feel Liko an animal in Tho  complains Gopi an 18-year-old who moved to new Brindaban Wilh her parents when she was 12, she loll once bul soon returned. This is my religion. This is what i believe my Home Sho says the Krishna believe in reincarnation Iho level of each succeeding Lite determined by spiritual attainments and a higher consciousness. They Aie vegetarians and allow no drugs illicit sex or gambling menial tasks Are considered acts of Devotion when performed in Iho name of Krishna the Krishna who rewards and punishes for the deeds of past Ives Krishna controls destiny. Krishna is All i was crazy and i was Laz y until Oll Rod a Daisy to Krishna with love and Devotion Hari Kirman croons on key Asho punks on Iho piano 10 year old fingers Lrol chm to hit Tho right keys Aboul 30 children live in Tho ashram a Long building Wilh rustic bedrooms surrounding a Central Hall Largo enough to roller skate in. Each of six teachers Caius Lor a Hall dozen children boys on the right girls on the left. Their parents work in the Community or raise Money on the outside. The children Rise Early Lor a 5am. Two hour worship service at the Gold embellished Temple no a door. Men on Iho right women on inc lot Small boys ump wildly through the incense to the Rhyl Mol Drums and cymbals ponytails Hying Saffron Robes Riding High above White athletic socks Small girls in song skirts and scarves wind through the Chan Linro dancing crowd Wilh Flowers or Smalt flaming tamps cradled in their hands they Allend school either Krishna or Public Al vegetarian meals sing religious songs and play they look Happy they look healthy former Dov toes have told of a Darker Side to ashram Lile. Kanka Dasi. Her Krishna name contends Hor 12 year old boy old her in 1986 Hal his ashram Leach is sexually molested him for Livo years. She testified in a court deposition thai she Lold beak Vipada Aboul the abuse. To became angry Kanka Lesli fied. He said i was just a stupid woman How much sex have i had m my Hie and i Lold him thai in did t compare thai two consenting adults and a child being molested by a teacher arc two different things and it s very demonic " Kanka said beak Vipada threatened to of pc anyone who supported the allegations. Other parents did Noah Long she said. Kanka told her Story in a lengthy deposition Given for Christina Mills a former devotee who loll her children with their lather Al new or Daban iwo years ago and now is iry Irig to gel Ihm Back. Mills lawyers filed depositions irom several termer adhere nos who told stories of Inyim Idaho Bealings Hillh and sexual abuse. According to Marshall county circuit court records Kanka said she was discouraged irom being too close Wilh her child lest in interfere Wilh his spiritual development. She left with her son. While the accused teach is remained in the ashram until the county prosecutor s office died charges against them. Teacher s aide Frederick Difrancisco known As Ualita and 21 at the time pleaded guilty to third degree sexual assault and served six months in a is ale correctional Center. Headmaster Gary Gardner lied the country rather than face a criminal charge. Tuesday october 4, 1988 the stars and stripes Page 13