Philip Toelkes
Philip Toelkes | |
|---|---|
| 2nd Mayor of Rajneeshpuram | |
| In office 1985–1986 | |
| Leader | Rajneesh |
| Preceded by | David Berry Knapp |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philip John Toelkes Tigard, Oregon, U.S. |
| Education | University of San Francisco (BA, JD) |
Philip John Toelkes, also known as Swami Prem Niren and Philip Niren Toelkes,[1] is an American lawyer and follower of Rajneesh who served as the second mayor of Rajneeshpuram from 1985 until the commune's disbandment in 1986.[2]
Early life and education
Toelkes was born in Tigard, Oregon and raised Catholic.[3] He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of San Francisco and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law.[4]
Career
Toelkes began his career as an attorney in Los Angeles. After traveling to Pune and meeting with Rajneesh, he quit his job and relocated to the newly-established Rajneeshpuram commune in Wasco County, Oregon.[5] From 1981 to 1990, Toelkes acted as Rajneesh's personal attorney.[6]
Toelkes was the director of the Rajneesh Legal Services Corporation[4] and later mayor of Rajneeshpuram, succeeding Krishna Deva. After his first marriage ended, he remarried Ma Prem Isabel, director of public relations for Rajneeshpuram.[4] No legal charges were ever filed against Toelkes, he continues to practice law, and he remains loyal to Osho.[4]
He is featured in Wild Wild Country, a Netflix documentary series about the controversial Indian guru.[7]
References
- ^ Herzog, Kenny (March 27, 2018). "Wild Wild Country: Where Are They Now?". Vulture. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "A Swami by Any Other Name Is--Philip J. Toelkes, Attorney". Los Angeles Times. January 9, 1986. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, The (1985-07-20). "Rajneeshees catch service napping (part 20 of 20)". oregonlive. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- ^ a b c d Win McCormack (2010). The Rajneesh Chronicles: The True Story of the Cult that Unleashed the First Act of Bioterrorism on U.S. Soil. Tin House Books. pp. 129, 325. ISBN 098256919X.
- ^ "Swami Prem Niren Wants His Old Name Back". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- ^ "Recounting the community of Rajneeshpuram". The Argonaut. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
- ^ Gajanan, Mahita (April 13, 2018). "How the Makers of Wild Wild Country Think About the Heroes and Villains of Their Story". Time. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- Turnquist, Kristi (March 14, 2018). "Netflix documentary on Rajneeshees in Oregon revisits an amazing, enraging true story". OregonLive. Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
External links
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