Bhakti Tirtha Swami facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bhakti Tirtha Swami Krishnapada
Religion	Hinduism
Sect	Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Order	Sannyasa
Philosophy	Achintya Bheda Abheda Bhakti yoga
Other names	John E. Favors, Toshombe Abdul, Ghanasyama Dasa (pre-sannyasa), Swami Krishnapada
Personal
Born	February 25, 1950
Died	June 27, 2005
Religious career
Predecessor	A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Post	ISKCON Guru, Sannyasi
Website	Official Site: http://www.btswami.com/

Bhakti Tirtha Swami (IAST: Bhakti-tīrtha Svāmī; February 25, 1950 – June 27, 2005) was an important spiritual leader. He was a guru and a commissioner for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, also known as the Hare Krishnas (ISKCON). He was the highest-ranking African American in this worldwide spiritual movement.

Before becoming Bhakti Tirtha Swami, he was known as John Favors and Toshombe Abdul. He also had the honorific name Krishnapada (Kṛṣṇapāda). He wrote many books on spiritual topics and helped with community projects. These projects were in the United States and other countries. He also founded a group called the Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology in Washington, DC. This group helps people from different spiritual backgrounds. He often traveled and gave spiritual advice. In 2006, the Council of the District of Columbia honored him for his work. They recognized his efforts to bring about social change.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Ohio

Bhakti Tirtha Swami was born John Edwin Favors on February 25, 1950. His family lived in Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States. They were a Christian family. His parents taught him to be confident and generous. They showed him the importance of helping others. As a child, John Favors even appeared on television. He spoke about Christianity.

School Days and College

John Favors was a very good student. He went to East Technical High School in Cleveland. He then received a special scholarship. This allowed him to attend the Hawken School. There, he spent an extra year studying philosophy and political science. He was also active in sports, playing football and wrestling.

In 1968, he started attending Princeton University. While at Princeton, he was a leader in the Martin Luther King Jr. civil rights movement. He was very active in politics on campus. He led the Association of Black Collegians (ABC). He also helped start the Third World Center. He even served as the president of the student council. In 1972, he earned a degree in psychology and African American studies. He realized that some knowledge can quickly become outdated.

Joining the Hare Krishna Movement

A New Spiritual Path

After finishing Princeton, John Favors joined the Hare Krishna Movement. This began his journey of worldwide travel, study, and teaching. On February 16, 1973, in Los Angeles, he was initiated into the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. This means he formally became a part of the spiritual lineage. The founder of ISKCON, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, initiated him. He was given the spiritual name Ghanashyam Dasa. This name means "servant of Krishna". In the 1970s, Ghanashyam Dasa traveled to Eastern Europe. He shared the teachings of Gaudiya Vaishnavism there. He distributed religious books and worked with scholars.

Becoming a Swami

On March 13, 1979, he took a vow of renunciation. This means he dedicated his life fully to spiritual practice. He was given the name Bhakti Tirtha Swami. In the same year, he visited Nigeria. He helped spread the teachings in West Africa. In 1990, he was honored as a high chief in Warri, Nigeria. He became a senior leader in ISKCON. He was also a member of its main management body, the Governing Body Commission.

Bhakti Tirtha Swami was the first person of African descent to become an initiating guru. This means he could initiate new members into the spiritual tradition. As a spiritual leader, he became friends with famous people. He also gave spiritual advice to leaders. These included members of the United Nations and world leaders. He advised people like former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa. He also advised President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia.

In 1990, Bhakti Tirtha Swami was crowned High Chief in Warri, Nigeria. This was to recognize his good work there.

His Works and Legacy

Books and Films

Bhakti Tirtha Swami published more than 17 books. He was also often interviewed by the media. He took part in many documentaries and television shows. One of his biographies, Black Lotus: The Spiritual Journey of an Urban Mystic, was released in 2007. This book explores his life story. It tells how he rose from a difficult background. He became a global spiritual leader of the Hare Krishna movement.

Passing Away

Bhakti Tirtha Swami passed away on June 27, 2005. He died from complications related to cancer. He was at Gita Nagari, a Krishna community in Pennsylvania. He is remembered by his family and many followers.

Honors and Recognition

On February 7, 2006, the Council of the District of Columbia honored him. They passed a special resolution. This resolution recognized his dedication to social change. It highlighted his impact on civil and human rights. He helped many residents in the District of Columbia.

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  Bhakti Tirtha Swami