As prepared by a former member with family members involved in Dahn Hak. Cult expert Steve Hassan checked the accuracy of the applied BITE model with several former members. More information is on file.
All opinions expressed in this document are that of the former member in question.
Where, how and with whom the member lives and associates with
Masters all live together in the same communal housing and work minimum of 15 hours/day. Most work close to 20 hours a day 7 days a week. Occasionally they will get an afternoon off or be permitted to leave but that is usually not planned.
What clothes, colors, hairstyles the person wears
Everyone wears a uniform; Master uniforms are different to show the rank. Women's hair is usually short as they only have 5 minutes to get ready in the morning and sleep is precious.
What food the person eats, drinks, adopts, and rejects
The Masters all eat together and the diet is Korean. There is a high level of sugar usually with sweet breads for breakfast and lunch. There is a lot of rice and small bits of meat.
How much sleep the person is able to have
The Masters are all definitely sleep deprived--1-5 hours in some regions.
Financial dependence
They get a small stipend of approximately $1,500/month at the Centers and pay expenses out of that (rent, utilities). I don't know what the higher ranks get back at headquarters. There is no medical insurance or benefits of any kind.
Little or no time spent on leisure, entertainment, vacations
There are no regular days off and Masters have to ask permission to leave. I had to ask the head master one Christmas for my family member to be released from the center to join us for Christmas dinner.
Major time commitment required for indoctrination sessions and group rituals
" Yes-you are strongly encouraged to come to class and activities. If you are signed up for healing sessions they will call you to keep coming in for appointments. If they think they can't get any more money from you-they won't call you.
Need to ask permission for major decisions
Absolutely all decisions are made by the head masters. Students are told that their head masters "look out for you and have your best interest for your personal growth". A young master is told exactly what to do and when to do it-they are never alone or allowed to have their own thoughts.
Need to report thoughts, feelings and activities to superiors
Yes, and you are required to connect your energy to them.
Rewards and punishments
(behavior modification techniques- positive and negative)
Love and attention is given and withdrawn to break you down. If you pay money, then you are given lots of attention. Also the amount of money you pay is equated to the amount of growth you will get and the amount of 'healing' you will receive. Shaming techniques are used rampantly to control people. Out of nowhere you are suddenly told that your "energy is bad" or poor and then they have an opening to control you because they are made to appear with "good energy" and superior powers.
Individualism discouraged; group think prevails
Yes, and head masters make all the decisions. You are also made to believe that you hold responsibility for bad things happening if you are not connected to them or have bad energy.
Rigid rules and regulations
Yes.
There are four "Cardinal Rules" that you must never, never violate; they are listed below. One submitter says they have a tape in which the Diamond states that these are rules that you must follow "or you will pay". This same individual has said he would "take out" anyone that messed with his upline Diamond. He apparently is very serious and the submitter believes he would do it to prove his loyalty.
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