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Jeffrey Noles Rajneesh Collection, circa 1975-1985
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Jeffrey Noles
- Title
- Jeffrey Noles Rajneesh Collection
- Dates
- circa 1975-1985 (inclusive)19822004
- Quantity
- 7 cubic feet , (7 record cartons )
- Collection Number
- Coll 621
- Summary
- Records of immigration lawyer Jeffrey Noles of Portland, Oregon, who represented Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, his mother Saraswati Bai Babulal Jain, and many of his followers and residents of Rajneeshpuram. Items include immigration case exhibits which include originals and copies of correspondence, news clippings, affidavits, letters of support for Bhagwan, original Rajneesh newsletters, pamphlets and books. Materials date from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English and Hindi.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Jeffrey Noles was a prominent immigration lawyer from Portland, Oregon. Noles represented Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Ma Anand Sheela and many other Rajneeshees on immigration matters during their inhabitancy of Rajneeshpuram in Oregon.
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, a spiritual teacher who developed a substantial international following in Pune, India, decided in 1981 to relocate to the United States. While investigating possible sites, he and his chief lieutenant, Ma Anand Sheela, visited the 64,000-acre Muddy Ranch in southern Wasco County, decided that it was the perfect place for their planned community, and purchased it at top dollar.
Because the ranch was agricultural land in a rural part of Wasco County, creation of what was effectively a new city violated state land-use laws. Rajneesh leaders used physical intimidation to exclude Wasco County officials from the ranch and tried to incorporate it as the City of Rajneeshpuram, a status that would subject them to fewer restrictions. Oregon Attorney General David Frohnmayer argued vigorously that the incorporation was illegal because the community was closed to nonadherents, a position with which court decisions agreed. (In a moot decision laid down in 1987, after the community had imploded, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that the incorporation was legal.)
In addition to the legal troubles associated with the establishment of Rajneeshpuram, many Rajneeshees, who came from all over the world had trouble with immigration. Bhagwan, as well as many of his followers, attempted to gain citizenship or permanent residence in the United States by way of marriage. In Bhagwan's case, he filed for preference as a religious leader, most of the cases were met with denials and lengthy legal processes which eventually resulted in charges of immigration fraud.
Portions of this note come from The Oregon Encyclopedia Project
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Collection consists of primarily documents used in the immigration cases of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, his mother, Saraswati Bai Babulal Jain, and residents of Rajneeshpuram, Oregon
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library prior to any use of reproductions. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use of reproductions may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright holders.
Preferred Citation
Jeffrey Noles Rajneesh Collection, Coll 621, Oregon Historical Society Research Library
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Items are arranged and labeled as they were found in binders and folders. Original arrangement was kept as close as possible. The collection is arranged into seven series:
- Series A: Exhibit A, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh Immigration case
- Series B: Exhibits B-T, rebuttals and Affidavits
- Series C: Rebuttal exhibits 1-32
- Series D: Contents of a binder labeled "Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh"
- Series E: Contents of a binder labeled "Jain, Saraswati Bai Babul"
- Series F: Individual case files
- Series G: Miscellaneous
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Series A: Exhibit A, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh Immigration Case Documents, circa 1983Return to Top
Exhibit A contains documents used in the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh immigration case that were organized into folders based on the subject. Documents were used as evidence in an attempt to argue his importance and fame all over the world as a religious figure. Includes photocopies of letters, examples of published works, materials from various Rajneesh organizations and information about his religious beliefs and activities both in India and the United States. Includes a few color brochures and an introductory pamphlet.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Letters "attesting to His exceptional
ability and international acclaim"
Individual letters of support from all over the world for
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh to gain citizenship in the United States.
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | Letters (Exhibits
A-1-A119) |
|
| 1/2 | Letters (Exhibits
A-1-A119) |
|
| 1/3 | Letters (Exhibits
A120-A238) |
|
| 1/4 | Letters (Exhibits
A120-A238) |
|
| 1/5 | Letters (Exhibits
A239-A344) |
|
| 1/6 | Letters (Exhibits
A239-A344) |
|
| 1/7 | Letters (Exhibits
A345-A479) |
|
| 1/8 | Letters (Exhibits
A345-A479) |
|
| 1/9 | Letters (Exhibits
A480-A580) |
|
| 1/10 | Letters (Exhibits
A581-A655) |
|
| 1/11 | Letters (Exhibits
A656-A789) |
|
| 1/12 | Letters (Exhibits
A656-A789) |
|
| 1/13 | Letters (Exhibits
A790-A860) |
|
| 1/14 | Letters (Exhibits
A861-A1008) |
|
| 1/15 | Letters (Exhibits
A861-A1008) |
|
| 1/16 | Letters (Exhibits
A1009-A1145) |
|
| 1/17 | Letters (Exhibits
A1009-A1145) |
|
| 1/18 | Letters (Exhibits
A1146-A1293) |
|
| 1/19 | Letters (Exhibits
A1146-A1293) |
|
| 1/20 | Letters (Exhibits
A1294-A1436) |
|
| 1/21 | Letters (Exhibits
A1294-A1436) |
|
| 2/1 | Letters (Exhibits
A1437-A1567) |
|
| 2/2 | Letters (Exhibits
A1658-A1706) |
|
| 2/3 | Letters (Exhibits
A1658-A1706) |
|
| 2/4 | Letters (Exhibits
A1707-A1852) |
|
| 2/5 | Letters (Exhibits
A1707-A1852) |
|
| 2/6 | Letters (Exhibits
A1853-A2059) |
|
| 2/7 | Letters (Exhibits
A1853-A2059) |
|
| 2/8 | Letters (Exhibits
A1853-A2059) |
|
| 2/9 | Letters (Exhibits
A2060-A2244) |
|
| 2/10 | Letters (Exhibits
A2060-A2244) |
|
| 2/11 | Letters (Exhibits
A2245-A2388) |
|
| 2/12 | Letters (Exhibits
A2245-A2388) |
|
| 2/13 | Letters (Exhibits
A2389-A2566) |
|
| 2/14 | Letters (Exhibits
A2389-A2566) |
|
| 2/15 | Letters (Exhibits
A2567-A2709) |
|
| 2/16 | Letters (Exhibits
A2567-A2709) |
|
Subseries 2: Rajneesh Meditation Brochures
Brochures from various Rajneesh Meditation Centers around the
world
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2/17 | Brochures (Group Exhibit
A2712) |
|
| 2/18 | Brochures (Group Exhibit
A2712) |
|
| 2/19 | Brochures (Group Exhibit
A2712) |
|
Subseries 3: Rajneesh Buddhafield Newsletters
Worldwide
Newsletters from around the world in various languages.
Includes an issue of Bhagwan Magazine #4, 1983
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/1 | Newsletters (Group Exhibit
A2713) |
|
| 3/2 | Newsletters (Group Exhibit
A2713) |
|
Subseries 4: Commentaries on His
Publications
Letters from publishers and bookstores regarding the
significance of carrying or publishing Rajneesh works. Booklet entitled
"Rajneeshism: An Introduction to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his Religion",
Catalog of books and audiotapes
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/3 | Commentaties (Group Exhibit
A2714) |
|
Subseries 5: Religious discourses published in Hindi and
English
Letters from publishers and bookstores regarding the
significance of carrying or publishing Rajneesh works. Booklet "Rajneeshism: An
Introduction to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his Religion". Includes a catalog of
books and audiotapes
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/4 | Religious Discourse (Group
Exhibit A2715) |
|
| 3/5 | Religious Discourse (Group
Exhibit A2715) |
|
| 3/6 | Religious Discourse (Group
Exhibit A2715) |
|
| 3/7 | Religious Discourse (Group
Exhibit A2715) |
|
Subseries 6: Darshan diaries and booklets in Hindi and
English
Front covers of Darshan diaries and booklets by Bhagwan Shree
Rajneesh.
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/8 | Darshan Diaries (Group Exhibit
A2716) |
|
| 3/9 | Darshan Diaries (Group Exhibit
A2716) |
|
Subseries 7: Video and Audiotapes of His Religious
Discourse
Examples, including photos of audio and tape displays, letters
from television stations, television schedules, lists of videos and cassettes.
Folder includes cover of missing material entitled "Meditation Techniques"
Exhibit A2718
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/10 | Examples of Videos and Audio
Tapes (Group Exhibit A2717) |
|
Subseries 8: Published Material "about Him"
Photocopies of books, journals, thesis paper, examples of
academic courses that teach Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh material
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/11 | Published Material about
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Group Exhibits A2719-A2723) |
|
| 3/12 | Published Material about
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Group Exhibits A2719-A2723) |
|
| 3/13 | Published Material about
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Group Exhibits A2719-A2723) |
|
Subseries 9: Artistic Works "Dedicated to
Him"
Photocopies of album covers, inserts, song lyrics and book
excerpts.
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/14 | Examples of artistic works
about Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Group Exhibit A2717) |
|
Subseries 10: Worldwide Presentations and Displays "of
His Religious Vision and Teachings"
Displays, ephemera from conference presentations, examples of
publicity materials having to do with presentation events.
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/15 | Examples of presentations and
Displays (Exhibits A2725-A2730) |
|
Subseries 11: Religious Activities During the Past
Year
Photos of events, articles, interviews and book releases related
to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh from September 1982-September 1983
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/16 | Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
religious activities from 1982-1983 (Group Exhibit A2731) |
|
Subseries 12: Religious Activities in India
Documents spanning Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's life in India from
roughly the 1950s-1970s. Includes a number of affidavit testimonials from
friends, family and classmates and school records
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/17 | Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
religious activities in India (Exhibits A2732-A2762) |
|
| 3/18 | Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
religious activities in India (Exhibits A2732-A2762) |
|
Subseries 13: Case overview "A religious teacher and
leader of exceptional ability"
Summarized overview of already presented information regarding
Bhagwan's religious work.
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 4/1 | Examples of Bhagwan’s work as
religious teacher and leader (Exhibit A: to form eta, part b) |
|
| 4/2 | Examples of Bhagwan’s work as
religious teacher and leader (Exhibit A: to form eta, part b) |
|
| 4/3 | Examples of Bhagwan’s work as
religious teacher and leader (Exhibit A: to form eta, part b) |
|
| 4/4 | Examples of Bhagwan’s work as
religious teacher and leader (Exhibit A: to form eta, part b) |
|
| 4/5 | Examples of Bhagwan’s work as
religious teacher and leader (Exhibit A: to form eta, part b) |
|
Subseries 14: Binder titled "Bhagwan Shree
Rajneesh"
Summary of supporting documentation. Includes copies of
applications, ordered list of all documents and biographic information about
authors of letters of support
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 4/6 | Summarized immigration case
documents (Exhibits) |
|
| 4/7 | Summarized immigration case
documents (Exhibits) |
|
| 4/8 | Summarized immigration case
documents (Exhibits) |
|
Subseries 15: Summaries by theme "Religious
Leader"
Contains an affidavit assessment and summary of themes
throughout submitted letters of support. Topics are broken down e.g. Bhagwan's
contribution to religion and culture
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 4/9 | Exhibit C: Contribution to
religion and Culture |
|
| 4/10 | Exhibit C: Contribution to
religion and Culture |
|
| 4/11 | Exhibit C: Contribution to
religion and Culture |
|
| 4/12 | Exhibit C: Contribution to
religion and Culture |
|
Subseries 16: Summaries by theme "International
Recognition"
Continuation of Subseries 15. These are focused on themes of
international recognition and the potential positive economic benefit to the
U.S. of granting citizenship to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 4/13 | Exhibit C: International
recognition and economic benefit |
|
| 4/114 | Exhibit C: International
recognition and economic benefit |
|
| 4/15 | Exhibit C: International
recognition and economic benefit |
Series B : Exhibits B-T, rebuttals and AffidavitsReturn to Top
Series B contains correspondence between lawyers, immigration officials, examples of procedures and information showing how the case had been handled previously.
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
| Box/Folder | |
| 5/1 | Exhibits B-L |
| 5/2 | Exhibits B-L |
| 5/3 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/4 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/5 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/6 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/7 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/8 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/9 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/10 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/11 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/12 | Exhibit M Rebuttal |
| 5/13 | Exhibits N-T |
| 5/14 | Affidavits 1-19 |
| 5/15 | Affidavits 1-19 |
| 5/16 | Affidavits 1-19 |
| 5/17 | Affidavits 1-19 |
| 5/18 | Affidavits 20-52 |
| 5/19 | Affidavits 20-52 |
| 5/20 | Rebuttal |
Series C: Rebuttal exhibits 1-32Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
| Box/Folder | |
| 6/1 | Exhibits 1-4 |
| 6/2 | Exhibit 5 part 1 |
| 6/3 | Exhibit 5 part 2 |
| 6/4 | Exhibits 6-9 |
| 6/5 | Exhibits 10-14 |
| 6/6 | Exhibits 15-23 |
| 6/7 | Exhibits 24-27 |
| 6/8 | Exhibit 28 part 1 |
| 6/9 | Exhibit 28 part 2 |
| 6/10 | Exhibits 29-31 |
Series D: Contents of a 2nd binder labeled "Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh"Return to Top
Various documents related to immigration case. Includes initial approval of 3rd preference status.
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
| Box/Folder | |
| 6/11 | Documents related to immigration case for Bhagwan Shree
Rajneesh |
| 6/12 | Documents related to immigration case for Bhagwan Shree
Rajneesh |
| 6/13 | Documents related to immigration case for Bhagwan Shree
Rajneesh |
| 6/14 | Documents related to immigration case for Bhagwan Shree
Rajneesh |
Series E: Contents of a binder labeled "Jain, Saraswati Bai Babul"Return to Top
Documents related to the immigration case of Bhagwan's mother. Initially she overstayed her visa and appealed an order to leave the country on the basis of poor health.
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
| Box/Folder | |
| 6/15 | Exhibits and correspondence related to immigration case
for Saraswati Bai Babul Jain |
| 6/16 | Exhibits and correspondence related to immigration case
for Saraswati Bai Babul Jain |
| 6/17 | Exhibits and correspondence related to immigration case
for Saraswati Bai Babul Jain |
| 6/18 | Exhibits and correspondence related to immigration case
for Saraswati Bai Babul Jain |
| 6/19 | Exhibits and correspondence related to immigration case
for Saraswati Bai Babul Jain |
| 6/20 | Exhibits and correspondence related to immigration case
for Saraswati Bai Babul Jain |
| 6/21 | Exhibits and correspondence related to immigration case
for Saraswati Bai Babul Jain |
Series F: Individual case filesReturn to Top
Case files for individual residents of Rajneeshpuram. Documents mainly related to immigration status or a marriage in which immigration status will change with marriage.
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
| Box/Folder | |
| 6/22 | Ma Anand Sheela
Correspondence, handwriting analysis
|
| 6/23 | Ma Yoga Lalita aka Rosangela Fiori |
| 6/24 | Peter Watson |
| 6/25 | Peter Waight |
| 6/26 | Andrew Ktori |
| 7/1 | Linda Stelzer and Andrew Ktori |
| 7/2 | Rajneesh Naturalization |
| 7/3 | Richard John Vincent aka Swami Veet Vishada |
| 7/4 | Marco Drioli Salghetti aka Swami Prem
Asheesh |
| 7/5 | Ian Hugh Murray-Clark aka Sadana |
| 7/6 | Ellen Van Horsen |
| 7/7 | Annabel Schutz (Beams) |
| 7/8 | Roger M Lalor |
| 7/9 | Regine Kley-Haykas aka Ma Prem |
| 7/10 | Patsy Lee Newman aka Ma Prem Suman |
| 711 | Josef Dick aka Alok |
| 7/12 | Isabel M de Serilly aka Ma Prem Isabel |
| 7/13 | Suraj P Manchanda |
| 7/14 | David Marshan aka Agneya |
| 7/15 | Sheila Christine King |
| 7/16 | Nitin Hirji Shah |
| 7/17 | Rebekah Gay Maureen Carder aka Sarita |
| 7/18 | Narain Das |
| 7/19 | Vladimir M Arsiev |
| 7/20 | Tarla Lalitkumar Menta aka Ma Yoga Taru |
| 7/21 | Hugh Edward Evans |
| 7/22 | Patsy Lee Newman aka Ma Prem Suman and Charles Harvey
Newman |
Series G: MiscellaneousReturn to Top
Loose items and folders. Includes some immigration case related documents, news clippings and original copies of books, pamphlets and newsletters
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
| Box/Folder | |
| 7/23 | Rajneesh Newsclippings |
| 7/24 | Rajneesh Newsclippings |
| 7/25 | Original books, pamphlets and newsletters |
| 7/26 | Interviews with Bhagwan and Sheela by George
Hunter |
| 7/27 | Congressional Correspondence |
| 7/28 | Complaint for declaratory relief |
| 7/29 | Complaints against Tom Casey |
| 7/30 | Misc. Correspondence |
| 7/31 | Bhagwan Adoption
Contains documents demonstrating that Ma Anand Sheela's parents,
who were legal permanent residents of the United States had secretly adopted
Bhagwan as a child in India.
|
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Rajneeshees--Oregon
- Rajneeshees.
Personal Names
- Noles, Jeffrey (creator)
- Rajneesh, Bhagwan Shree, 1931-1990
Geographical Names
- Antelope (Or.)
- Rajneeshpuram (Or.)
