Jayatirtha Dasa Adhikari

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Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari (James Edward Immel, also known as Vijaya, Tirthapada) was born in Saipan, US Trust Territory of the Pacific in November 13th, 1948. He was one of the leading disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and formally a guru within the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (commonly known as 'the Hare Krishnas' or ISKCON).

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[edit] Youth

Jayatirtha graduated from High School at the age of 15. Soon after he entered the University of California as a student of Law, but left before receiving diploma in order to discover the truth about the real purpose of life[1].

[edit] ISKCON

In 1969, Jayatirtha was initiated into the Vaishnava tradition by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, whereupon he was given the name Jayatirtha Dasa. He later went on to become a senior leader and preacher within the movement and a member of its management body known as the Governing Body Commission, and the head of ISKCON in Europe.[2]

After Prabhupada's death, Jayatirtha was one of eleven disciples selected to become an initiating guru.[3]

[edit] Expelled

In 1982, Jayatirtha was expelled from the GBC and ISKCON for use of LSD[4].

[edit] Death

On November 13th, 1987, Jayatirtha was murdered by his disciple and follower John Tiernan,[5] after leaving his wife for another woman[6].


[edit] References

  1. ^ Jayatirtha Biography
  2. ^ Snow, Robert L. (2003). Deadly Cults: The Crimes of True Believers. Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 41. ISBN 0275980529. Retrieved on 2008-05-07. 
  3. ^ Propp, Steven H (2004). Utopia on the 6th Floor: Work, Death, & Taxes-Part 2. iUniverse, p. 518. ISBN 0595337376. Retrieved on 2008-05-07. 
  4. ^ Ravinda Svarupa - Pillars of Success
  5. ^ "HE ADMITS KILLING GURU 'ANTI-CHRIST' BEHEADED, COURT TOLD", Philadelphia Daily News, 1988-07-21. Retrieved on 2008-05-07. 
  6. ^ Guru Trial

[edit] External links

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