Bhakti Tirtha Swami (; February 25, 1950 – June 27, 2005), previously called John Favors and Toshombe Abdul and also known by the honorific Krishnapada (), was a guru of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (commonly known as the Hare Krishnas or ISKCON).

He wrote 17 books on religious topics and led community development projects in the United States and other countries.

Early life

Bhakti Tirtha Swami was born John Edwin Favors on February 25, 1950, into a Christian family living in Cleveland, Ohio, US. His parents instilled in him the values of self-confidence, religiosity and a spirit of generosity demonstrated by giving to persons less fortunate than oneself. (meaning servant of Krishna). In the 1970s, Ghanashyam Dasa preached Gaudiya Vaishnavism in Eastern Europe by distributing religious books and working with scholars. Later he went on to become a senior leader and one of the most prominent preachers within ISKCON and a member of its management body known as the Governing Body Commission. B.T. Swami Vault was created to preserve his filmed memory B. T. Swami was interviewed in One: The Movie

Death

Bhakti Tirtha Swami died following complications from melanoma cancer on June 27, 2005, 3:35pm at Gita Nagari, the Gaudiya Vaishnava Krishna community in central Pennsylvania.

Footnotes

References

  • Bhakti Tirtha Swami's Official Website
  • Harinama Press, the publishers of Bhakti Tirtha Swami's books
  • Reflections by Adisajion the Life & Times of Bhakti Tirtha Swami