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Ideal community is aim of spiritual group

This article, "Ideal community is aim of spiritual group" was published in The Bradford Era, October 18, 1973, in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

MOUNDSVILLE, W. Va. (AP) - "We are trying to set up an ideal community for the whole world," said Sama Kunda, standing in the sun on the cobblestone walks of New Vrindavan. 

He pointed to the milkhouse, the white frame temple, the rose garden and a slight crook in the shallow, limestone creek that serves as the bathing area. A fellow devotee dressed in a butter-colored robe, his head shaved except for the braided stub of a top knot, guided his horse-drawn plow over a five-acre field on a distant slope. 

"We will build our community without all the modern facilities that do not make people happy," said Sama Kunda, who was born Steve Olnoy and comes from Washington D.C.

"We live here without lust for money or illicit sex life to develop our love of God."

After almost five years of existence, the communal farm of New Vrindavan has spread across 350 acres of rugged West Virginia countryside and bocome home to some 90 young ascetics.

The community is named after the Indian village that was the birthplace of Krishna, the Hindu God of the ancient Vedic scriptures.

It's spiritual leader is Kirtsnananda Swami, the 36-year-old son of a Baptist preacher who dropped out of Columbia University graduate school seven years ago and joined a newly emerging sect. the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Swami founded the northern West Virginia communal farm of New Vrindavan in 1968. The farm is supported by donations and sales of incense and milk products.

Three weeks ago six men broke into the temple during an early morning service.

Those present said the men ripped two star-shaped chandeliers from the ceiling, cracked the marble altar, smashed idols and fired pistols into the air. Someone poked the barrel of a shotgun through one stained glass window and fired, wounding four persons.

Kenneth Elmore, of Louisville, Ky., was charged with felonious assault in connection with the raid. He is free on $500 bail. Police say they are searching for another man in the case.

The invaders demanded to know the whereabouts of the daughter of one of their number, Swami said. He said the girl has never been in the community.

The Hare Krishna people cite other incidents of harrassment.

"Sometimes they just ride by and yell things at us," said Sama Kunda. "Kids have let the horses out, and about six months ago they started tearing up our farm machinery and shoving it into the road. They used to come around at night carrying baseball bats, but now the people come with guns."

The incidents have prompted some additional security precautions.

"We have provided ourselves with a few weapons that are in the hands of our boys," Swami said. "I do not want to take elaborate measures because it is not good for the consciousness of the people here."

Many neighbors complain that during religious festivals large numbers of young mendicants come from all over the United States and block roads, trespass on private property and pick flowers.

"I'd say the majority of people I've talked to around here are not happy that they're here," said state trooper P.E. Paine. "It's not because of any trouble they make, but because they're odd."

Swami said: "I think the worst that anybody can say about us is that occasionally someone walks across their land or picks a flower. If we can keep it at that level we will be very fortunate."

Swami said anyone may come and live in New Vrindavan as long as he follows the four restrictive principles of the cult: no meat eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication and no gambling.

The majority of the devotees are in their early 20s, children of the upper middle class with roots in hippie and drug cultures. 

Swami said future plans call for acquisition of another 300 acres of farmland, eventual construction of seven temples on hills surrounding the community and establishment of the West's first Institute of Vedtc Culture.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who came to the United States from India in 1965 to spread the faith, has shaped a hard-core group of about 1,000 devotees across the country.

With the exception of those who stay on the communal farm at New Vrindavan, members live in large cities and gather on street corners and market places, burning long sticks of incense, singing and generally attempting to elevate the souls of non-believers by chanting the name of Krishna. 



Reference: The Bradford Era, West Virginia, USA, 1973-10-18