Misleading information about Prem Rawat (also known as Maharaji) and his teachings of inner peace (Knowledge) is being distributed on the internet by a small but vocal hate group known as "ex-premies."
Ambient music track 1: Still Breathing Click here to play
Prem Rawat's words & music: Listen to your heart Click here to play
ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT PREM RAWAT
Does Prem Rawat benefit from the activities of any of the organisations which promote his message?
Absolutely
no money flows from supporting organizations to him or his family. He receives
no benefit from the activities of the not-for-profit organisations supporting
his work and no income from attendance to his addresses or from the sale
of DVDs and other material.
How does he support himself and his family?
During the 1970s, Prem Rawat received stock shares in corporations as gifts of appreciation from people who were concerned that he should be financially independent. Eventually, these produced significant dividends, and some were sold generating substantial profits which were reinvested. A company which developed software applications for government contractors went public. This generated considerable income for Prem Rawat and his family.
When he first arrived in the West, numerous people were happy to help him out with food, shelter and clothing. "He was also provided support by the organization in the US in keeping with his guest status until he became an emancipated minor capable of pursuing his own interests privately. This support included housing, transportation to and from events, and other relevant expenses." The organization supporting his work was audited by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in 1997 and "found to be in full compliance with regulations governing charities."
Does Prem Rawat charge for the techniques that he teaches, or for his appearances at events?
He has always been adamant that Knowledge be made available free of charge. He does not charge for his appearances at events, nor does he receive income from the organizations which support his work. Elan Vital and The Prem Rawat Foundation are granted royalty-free copyright to produce vidoes and other materials from his addresses. (pp218, 219 Peace is Possible by Andrea Cagan)
Does Prem Rawat speak to the media?
"Prem Rawat (Maharaji) speaks to the media from time to time. He is happy to grant interviews to journalists with a sincere interest in his message. Because he travels approximately 11 months each year, and because his schedule is very busy, interviews usually need to be arranged at least two months in advance."
Many people offer a message of hope and peace. What is different about Prem Rawat and his message?
He has answered this question by saying: "It is not just a question of a message, but actual experience.… I don't just come along and say, 'Everything is great.' I offer a practical way to be able to appreciate every breath.… My message is not just words. There is something more. There is an experience to be had, and I offer the know-how to do that."
What does Prem Rawat do? What are his activities?
In 1971, at the age of 13, he began traveling internationally, speaking to diverse audiences about the real possibility of inner peace. At the core of his message are techniques that he makes freely available to those who wish to discover the inner experience he speaks of.
He usually travels 11 months of the year, responding to invitations to present his message to interested people and to provide inspiration and guidance to those who are practicing the techniques that he teaches. He has a pilot's licence and flies a leased plane himself, thus reducing expenses while making it possible to travel quickly and safely to venues around the world. His schedule would not be possible if he had to resort to commercial flights.
He also spearheads significant humanitarian initiatives through The Prem Rawat Foundation. He sponsors free ophthalmology clinics organized by the Foundation and has launched a charitable outreach initiative in northeastern India which provides 600 meals a day, every day, year round, to people most in need. A similar facility was opened in 2009 in Nepal. He is also an accomplished composer of music, as well as a talented photographer and graphic artist. His events are regularly broadcast on cable and satellite TV in many countries.
Between 1992 and 1998 he spoke at more than 800 events around the world. A total of more than 1.3 million people came to hear him at these events. Since 1999, there has been an exponential increase in the number of people learning his techniques for finding inner peace.
Today, Prem Rawat's message is broadcast via public channels on satellite and cable TV in more than 88 countries and 70 languages. In the US, an estimated 200 local cable networks air his addresses weekly in 33 states.
Was Prem Rawat (Maharaji) described as "Greater than God" or "Lord of the Universe" in the 1970s?
Prem Rawat has never referred to himself as "greater than God" or "the lord of the universe." Claims to the contrary are perpetuated by a few misinformation web sites which are unable to produce a single supporting quote.
These expressions are translations of Indian sayings that were repeated by young Westerners who were attracted to his message in the 1970s at a time of affinity for all things Indian. To the man on the street in India, these are common statements - nothing out of the ordinary. Indian culture and socio-religious attitudes are fundamentally different from the Judeo-Christian based beliefs of Western countries. His message is independent of, and not based on any religious or cultural tradition.
Biographies
For an informative on-line biography please visit Man of Peace.com. A more detailed biography, Peace is Possible: The Life and Message of Prem Rawat by independent journalist, Andrea Cagan is available at Amazon.
The information provided above was obtained from official publications and from independent sources.
Accounts by some of the many people who know Prem Rawat and have spent time with him are available here.