Thread by @HindooHistory

The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, 1909

"HOLD ORGIES IN REMOTE CANYON"

"STRANGE CAMP OF HINDUS AND WHITES FIFTY-SEVEN MILES FROM SAN JOSE, CAL"

#HindooHistory

"Hidden in the treacherous and wild recesses of San Antone canyon, thirty miles back of Mount Hamilton and fifty-seven miles from San Jose, is a Hindu camp, known as the Shanti Ashrama, meaning a peace retreat..."

"where the hundred members of a peculiar Asiatic cult practice their fanatical religion and hold nightly orgies. The recording of a deed here last week brought to light the location of the strange camp where men live alone, hoping by solitude to gain spiritual advance..."

"where their religion prevents the killing of the most poisonous reptiles or the dreaded and wild beasts of the forest"

"The religious cult is a branch of the Ramakrishna mission of India and is known as the Vedanta school of philosophy. It was established by Swami Vivikanda,an advanced Hindu priest,who came to the country many years ago, bent upon planting the religion of his fathers in America"

"The property which the Hindus own was deeded to them by Mrs. Minni Boock, a wealthy eastern woman who had been converted to their faith. The camp is not restricted to Hindus. Many white people belong to the cult, but their identity is not known."

"The swamis in charge of the camp say that many actions of prominent California families are member of their cult, but they have renounced all family ties and assumed new names"

"Marriage is not believed in. To attain the greatest benefit from the religion these Hindus say that a man must be alone and have ample time for meditation. Marriage would hinder their spiritual advancement."

"The cult has been likened by some to the famous abode of love, which startled London society several years ago"

You can read the history of the Shanti Ashrama on the SF Vedanta Society website here: sfvedanta.org/the-society/hi…