Kirtanananda swami biography of michael

American Hindu guru and guilty criminal (1937–2011)

Kirtanananda Swami^[1] (IAST: Kīrtanānanda Svāmī; September 6, 1937 – October 24, 2011),^[2] also acknowledged as Swami Bhaktipada, was uncomplicated Gaudiya Vaishnava guru, the co-founder of New Vrindaban, a Chop up Krishna community in Marshall Division, West Virginia, where he served as spiritual leader from 1968 until 1994, and a evil criminal.

The first sannyasi convoluted the International Society for Avatar Consciousness (ISKCON), he also served as an initiating guru cry ISKCON from 1977 until government expulsion in 1987.

Early life

Kīrtanānanda was born Keith Gordon Ham in Peekskill, New York, restrict 1937, the youngest of quintuplet children of Conservative Baptist priest Francis Gordon Ham and coronate wife Marjorie.

Keith's older kinsman, F. Gerald Ham, would throw in on to fame as stop off archivist. Keith Ham inherited coronate father's missionary spirit and attempted to convert classmates to surmount family's faith. Despite an uncertain case of polio which explicit contracted around his 17th eat one\'s fill, he graduated with honors punishment high school in 1955.

Purify received a Bachelor of Field in History from Maryville Academy in Maryville, Tennessee on Can 20, 1959, and graduated magna cum laude, first in diadem class of 117.

He usual a Woodrow Wilson fellowship constitute study American history at depiction University of North Carolina efficient Chapel Hill, where he remained for three years.

There do something met Howard Morton Wheeler (1940–89), an undergraduate English major escape Mobile, Alabama who became diadem lover and lifelong friend. Consequent Kīrtanānanda acknowledged that, before comely a Hare Krishna, he abstruse a homosexual relationship with Wheelwright for many years, which was documented in the film Holy Cow, Swami, a 1996 movie by Jacob Young.^[3]

The two reconciled from the university on Feb 3, 1961, and left Shrine Hill after being threatened involve an investigation over a "sex scandal", and moved to Fresh York City.

Ham promoted Hallucinogen use and became an Hallucinogen guru. He worked as forceful unemployment claims reviewer. He registered at Columbia University in 1961, where he received a Waddell fellowship to study religious characteristics with Whitney Cross, but smartness quit academic life after a handful years when he and Wheelwright traveled to India in Oct 1965 in search of fastidious guru.

Unsuccessful, they returned come near New York after six months.^[4]

As Kīrtanānanda

In June 1966, after repeated from India, Ham met ethics BengaliGaudiya Vaishnava guru A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (then known only as "Swāmiji" to his disciples), the founder-acharya of the Global Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), more popularly known in picture West as the Hare Krishnas.

After attending Bhagavad-gita classes combat the modest storefront temple withdraw 26 Second Avenue in rectitude Lower East Side of Borough, Ham accepted Swamiji as realm spiritual master, receiving initiation chimp "Kīrtanānanda Dāsa" ("the servant interrupt one who takes pleasure instructions kirtan") on September 23, 1966. Swamiji sometimes called him "Kitchen-ānanda" because of his cooking compel.

Howard Wheeler was initiated bend in half weeks earlier on September 9, 1966, and received the fame "Hayagriva Dāsa".^[5]

Kīrtanānanda was among righteousness first of Swāmiji's western nursery school to shave his head (apart from the sikha), don robes (traditional Bengali Vaishnava clothing consists of dhoti and kurta), allow move into the temple.

Train in March 1967, on the buckle of Swāmiji, Kīrtanānanda and Janus Dambergs (Janardana Dāsa), a French-speaking university student, established the City Hare Krishna temple. On Esteemed 28, 1967, while traveling rigging Swāmiji in India, Kīrtanānanda Dāsa became Prabhupāda's first disciple get as far as be initiated into the Hindoo order of renunciation (sannyasa: undiluted lifelong vow of celibacy outer shell mind, word, and body), mushroom received the name Kīrtanānanda Swāmi.

Within weeks, however, he mutual to New York City harm Prabhupāda's wishes and attempted abolish add esoteric cultural elements complete Christianity to Prabhupāda's devotional bhakti system. Other disciples of Prabhupāda saw this as a conquest attempt. In letters from Bharat, Prabhupāda soundly chastised him arena banned him from preaching disintegration ISKCON temples.^[6][7]

Kīrtanānanda lived with Bicyclist, by then known as Hayagriva Dasa, who was teaching Openly at a community college compromise Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

In authority San Francisco Oracle (an covered newspaper), Kīrtanānanda saw a report from Richard Rose, Jr., who wanted to form an ashram on his land in Histrion County, West Virginia. "The theory is one of a non-profit, non-interfering, non-denominational retreat or custody, where philosophers might come go along with work communally together, or alone, where a library and second 1 facilities might be developed."^[8]

On copperplate weekend free of classes (March 30–31, 1968), Kīrtanānanda and Hayagriva visited the two properties distinguished by Rose.

After Hayagriva common to Wilkes Barre, Kīrtanānanda stayed on in Rose's backwoods cultivate. In July 1968, after fine few months of Kīrtanānanda's mount in isolation, he and Hayagriva visited Prabhupada in Montreal. Prabhupāda "forgave his renegade disciples shore Montreal with a garland aristocratic roses and a shower pencil in tears".^[9] When the pair reciprocal to West Virginia, Richard Pink, Jr.

and his wife Phyllis gave Hayagriva a 99-year repel on the 132.77-acre property form $4,000, with an option root for purchase for $10 when primacy lease expired. Hayagriva put gulp down a $1,500 deposit.^[10]

Prabhupāda established prestige purpose and guided the manner of the community in scores of letters and four private visits (1969, 1972, 1974 arm 1976).

New Vrindaban would identify five key elements for ISKCON:

1. Cow Protection and local agriculture,
2. Simple living,
3. Holy pilgrimage,
4. Spiritual education,
5. And above dropping off, loving Krishna.

Kīrtanānanda eventually established themselves as leader and sole dominance of the community.

In Newfound Vrindaban publications from the typical 1970s through the 1980s no problem was honored as "Founder-Acharya" pageant New Vrindaban, in imitation possess Prabhupada's title of Founder-Acharya very last ISKCON. Over time the district expanded, devotees from other Sect centers moved in, and kine and land were acquired impending New Vrindaban properties consisted line of attack nearly 2,500 acres.

New Vrindaban became a favorite ISKCON brace of pilgrimage and many Sect devotees attended the annual Avatar Janmashtami festivals. For some, Kīrtanānanda's previous offenses were forgiven. Haunt devotees admired him for coronate austere lifestyle (for a hang on he lived in an depraved chicken coop), his preaching skills^[11] and devotion to the ascendant deities of New Vrindaban: Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra.^[12]

Palace outline Gold

Late in 1972, Kīrtanānanda current sculptor-architect Bhagavatānanda Dāsa decided give an inkling of build a home for Prabhupāda.

In time, the plans yen for the house developed into young adult ornate memorial shrine of limestone, gold and carved teak flora, dedicated posthumously during Labor Existing weekend, on Sunday, September 2, 1979. The completion of magnanimity Palace of Gold catapulted Additional Vrindaban into mainstream respectability translation tens (and eventually hundreds) give evidence thousands of tourists began punishment the Palace each year.

Uncut "Land of Krishna" theme go red and a granite "Temple preceding Understanding" in classical South Asiatic style were designed to sham New Vrindaban a "Spiritual Disneyland". The ground-breaking ceremony of illustriousness proposed temple on May 31, 1985, was attended by heaps of dignitaries, including a Leagued States congressman from West Town.

One publication called it "the most significant and memorable put forward in the history of Original Vrindaban."^[13]

Assault and ensuing expulsion running away ISKCON

On October 27, 1985, all along a New Vrindaban bricklaying everlasting, a crazed and distraught adherent bludgeoned Kīrtanānanda on the tendency with a heavy steel tamping tool.^[14]

Some close associates began resignation the community.

On March 16, 1987, during their annual accession at Mayapur, India, the Sect Governing Body Commission expelled Kīrtanānanda from the society for many deviations.^[15] They claimed he abstruse defied ISKCON policies and difficult to understand claimed to be the lone spiritual heir to Prabhupāda's shipment.

Thirteen members voted for excellence resolution, two abstained, and single member, Bhakti Tirtha Swami, number one against the resolution.^[16]

Kīrtanānanda then overfriendly his own organization, The Immortal Order of the League be a witness Devotees Worldwide, taking several subsidy with him. By 1988, Another Vrindaban had 13 satellite centers in the United States shaft Canada, including New Vrindaban.

In mint condition Vrindaban was excommunicated from Sect the same year.^[17]

Criminal conviction beam imprisonment

In 1990, the US fed government indicted Kīrtanānanda on cinque counts of racketeering, six counts of mail fraud, and plan to murder two of crown opponents in the Hare Avatar movement (Stephen Bryant and Physicist St.

Denis).^[18] The government purported that he had illegally massed a profit of more fondle $10.5 million over four epoch. It also charged that settle down ordered the killings because nobleness victims had threatened to express his sexual abuse of minors.^[18]

On March 29, 1991, Kīrtanānanda was convicted on nine of rendering 11 charges (the jury unsuccessful to reach a verdict come close the murder charges), but representation Court of Appeals, convinced outdo the arguments of defense solicitor Alan Morton Dershowitz, threw observe the convictions, saying that minor molestation evidence had unfairly unjustified the jury against Kīrtanānanda, who was not charged with those crimes.^[18] On August 16, 1993, he was released from back-to-back arrest in a rented housing in the Wheeling neighborhood worldly Warwood, where he had cursory for nearly two years, current returned triumphantly to New Vrindaban.^[18]

Kīrtanānanda lost his iron grip grab the community after the Sept 1993 "Winnebago Incident" during which he was accidentally discovered agreement a compromising position with great teenage boy in the obstacle of a Winnebago van,^[18] splendid the community split into three camps: those who still endorsed Kīrtanānanda and those who challenged his leadership.

During this put on ice he retired to his arcadian retreat at "Silent Mountain" effectively Littleton, West Virginia.^[18]

The challengers at last ousted Kīrtanānanda and his purchasers completely, and ended the "interfaith era" in July 1994 saturate returning the temple worship accommodation to the standard Indian essay advocated by Swami Prabhupada weather practiced throughout ISKCON.

Most cue Kīrtanānanda's followers left New Vrindaban and moved to the Radha Muralidhar Temple in New Royalty City, which remained under Kīrtanānanda's control. New Vrindaban returned apropos ISKCON in 1998.^[17]

In 1996, beforehand Kīrtanānanda's retrial was completed, good taste pleaded guilty to one record of racketeering (mail fraud).^[18] Lighten up was sentenced to 20 era in prison but was floating on June 16, 2004, owing to of poor health.^[19]

On September 10, 2000, the ISKCON Child Shield Office concluded a 17-month controversy and determined that Kīrtanānanda confidential molested two boys.

He was prohibited from visiting any Sect properties for five years dowel offered conditions for reinstatement clandestine ISKCON:^[20]

1. He must contribute at least possible $10,000 to an organization besotted to serving Vaishnava youth, much as Children of Krishna, significance Association for the Protection read Vaishnava Children, or a gurukula approved by the APVC.
2. He blight write apology letters to finale the victims described in that letter.

   In these letters yes must fully acknowledge his transgressions of child abuse, and perform must take full responsibility fetch those actions. Also, he mould express appropriate remorse, and offer one`s services to make amends to position victims. These letters should make ends meet sent to the APVC, beg for directly to the victims.

3. He obligated to undergo a psychological evaluation give up a mental health professional pre-approved by the APVC, and sand must comply with recommendations espousal ongoing therapy described in high-mindedness evaluation report and by character APVC.
4. He must fully comply touch all governmental investigations into malfeasance on his part.

Kīrtanānanda never quenched any of these conditions.^[21]

After imprisonment

For four years after his let go from prison, Kīrtanānanda (now take advantage of a wheelchair) resided at picture Radha Murlidhara Temple at 25 First Avenue in New Royalty City, which was purchased delete 1990^[22] for $500,000 and dirty by a small number observe disciples and followers, although interpretation temple board later attempted holiday at evict him.^[23]

On March 7, 2008, Kīrtanānanda left the United States for India, where he be a success to remain for the pull towards you of his life.

"There deterioration no sense in staying neighbourhood I'm not wanted," he explained, referring to the desertions formulate the years by most fair-haired his American disciples and approval the attempts to evict him from the building. At excellence time of his death Kīrtanānanda still had a significant back copy of loyal disciples in Bharat and Pakistan, who worshiped him as "guru" and published her majesty last books.

He continued lecture a message of interfaith: depart the God of the Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Vaishnavas laboratory analysis the same; and that joe public of faith from each communion should recognize and appreciate distinction faith of men of all over the place paths. "Fundamentalism is one do in advance the most dangerous belief-systems come out of the world today.

Fundamentalism doesn't promote unity; it causes separationism. It creates enmity between kin of faith. Look at prestige Muslims; Mohammed never intended ramble his followers should spread their religion by the sword. Okay is more important today go one better than at any other time approximately preach about the unity extent all religions."^[24]

Death

Kīrtanānanda died on Oct 24, 2011, at a refuge in Thane, near Mumbai, Bharat, aged 74.

His brother, Gerald Ham, reported the cause medium death to be kidney failure.^[2]

He named Madhusudan Das (popularly situate as ‘Bapuji’), of Anand Vrindavan Dham in Ulhasnagar, Mumbai, orangutan his material and spiritual scion.

Bibliography

Kīrtanānanda Swami authored two twelve published books, some of which were translated and published drag Gujarati, German, French and Country editions.

Some books attributed divulge him and published in tiara name were actually written tough volunteer ghostwriters.^[25] Kīrtanānanda Swami's onetime disciple, Henry Doktorski, is lately working on a ten-volume story of his former spiritual artist and a history of greatness New Vrindaban Community.

To of that period, seven volumes have been published.^[26]

Books by Kīrtanānanda Swāmi:

• The Song position God: A Summary Study admire Bhagavad-gita As It Is (1984)
• Christ and Krishna: The Path substantiation Pure Devotion (1985)
• L'amour de Dieu: Le Christianisme et La Institution Bhakti (1985) French edition
• Eternal Love: Conversations with the Lord elaborate the Heart (1986), based ban Thomas à Kempis' Imitation representative Christ
• The Song of God: Excellent Summary Study of Bhagavad-gita Chimp It Is (c.

  1986) Indian edition

• On His Order (1987)
• The Pictorial Ramayana (1987)
• Lila in the Turmoil of Illusion (1987), based basically Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland
• Bhaktipada Bullets (1988), compiled by Devamrita Swami
• A Devotee's Journey concentrate on the City of God (1988), based on John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress
• Joy of No Sex (1988)
• Excerpts from The Bhaktipada Psalms (1988)
• Le pur amour de Dieu: Rescuer & Krishna (1988), French edition
• One God: The Essence of Each Religions (1989), Indian publication
• Heart invite the Gita: Always Think be in command of Me (1990)
• How To Say Pollex all thumbs butte To Drugs (1990)
• Spiritual Warfare: At any rate to Gain Victory in greatness Struggle for Spiritual Perfection (1990), a sequel to Eternal Love
• How to Love God (1992), homespun on Saint Francis de Sales' Treatise on the Love look up to God
• Sense Grataholics Anonymous: A Xii Step Meeting Suggested Sharing Format (c.

  1995)

• On Becoming Servant help The Servant (undated), Indian publication
• Divine Conversation (2004), Indian publication
• The Basis to Every Problem: Krishna Consciousness (2004), Indian publication
• A Devotee's Illustrate for Pure Devotion (2004), Amerindic publication ^[27]
• Humbler than a Trusty steel cross swor of Grass (2008), Indian publication

Articles and poems by, and interviews with Kīrtanānanda Swami published unfailingly Back to Godhead magazine:

• 1966, Vol 01, No 01, (untitled ode, no.

  1)

• 1966, Vol 01, Rebuff 01, (untitled poem, no. 2)
• 1966, Vol 01, No 01, (untitled poem, no. 3)
• 1966, Vol 01, No 02, (untitled poem, pollex all thumbs butte. 4)
• 1969, Vol 01, No 29, "Man's Link to God"
• 1969, Vol 01, No 31, "Krishna's Give off vs.
  Kratika punar vivah biography of martin garrix

  Maya's Night"

• 1970, Vol 01, No 32, "Prasadam: Food for the Intent, Food for the Soul stall Food for God"
• 1970, Vol 01, No 33, "Observing the Mar on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, Part 1"
• 1970, Vol 01, Clumsy 34, "Contents of the Gita Summarized"
• 1970, Vol 01, No 35, "Karma-yoga—Perfection through Action, Part 3: Sankirtana"
• 1970, Vol 01, No 37, "Transcendental Knowledge, Part 4: Type Is Transcendental"
• 1970, Vol 01, Rebuff 38, "Karma-yoga—Action in Krishna Tactless, Part 5: Work in Devotion"
• 1970–1973, Vol 01, No 40, "Sankhya-yoga: Absorption in the Supreme"
• 1970–1973, Vol 01, No 41, "Knowledge bazaar the Absolute: It Is Shriek a Cheap Thing"
• 1970–1973, Vol 01, No 42, "Attaining the Supreme: What Is Brahman?"
• 1974, Vol 01, No 66, "Turning Our Affection Toward Krishna"
• 1977, Vol 12, Rebuff 12, "The Things Christ Locked away to Keep Secret"
• 1986, Vol 21, No 07, "The Heart's Desire: How can we find welfare that is not purchased convene our pain?"

References

External links