Many of the first Krishna converts were solace-seeking hippies or troubled Vietnam veterans, ready to move away from the free love and drug excesses of the late 1960s. In an effort to escape urban problems and temptations, Prabhupada led the group to West Virginia in 1968. When he died in 1977, Bhaktipada, who was a Columbia University graduate student when he joined the sect in 1966, took over the leadership. Many of Bhaktipada's followers are fanatical in their devotion. Once, after a disgruntled commune member hit the swami on the head and caused a concussion, commune members prayed in front of the brain scan performed on their leader.
Some members say they welcome the commune's many problems as a test of their faith.
Pa. At daily 5 a.m. services or long, rambling press conferences, Bhaktipada continually reminds his followers that the fight to come will winnow out the weak. Some departures, however, occurred after a teenager and a teacher in the commune were charged with molesting children. The juvenile was convicted, but the teacher fled, according to the Marshall County prosecuting attorney's office.