He told followers
that since NPDS and ASI were actually furthering their careers,
they should deduct the increasing payments from their taxes.
This enabled Rama to dramatically increase his "surprise" gift reservoir--
while bilking the IRS of millions, in a way that would be difficult
to expose.
In 1989, Rama justified to the disciples his rising tuition.
"I nearly killed myself by accepting your Negative Occult Energy,"
he said, "and now you are going to have to pay for it."
In January, 1990, Rama announced that disciples had until March 21,
1991, to donate additional money--from $50,000 to $1,000,000 per person,
depending on his or her "capacity." They didn't have to participate,
he told them. But it would be their last year in the Centre if they
did not. He gave them each "charmed" marbles. The marbles,
he said, would enable them to accomplish any task he suggested.
The charm, he added, would fade for those who left the Centre--
who had not already lost their marbles.
At one meeting in 1990, Rama claimed that his students were treating
him with disrespect by being late with their tuition payments.
"Better to owe your creditors than to owe me," he told them.
He suggested that they move in together, sleep on apartment floors,
and not pay their other bills for awhile.
Pages:
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288