Prabhavishnu Das
Legal name Paul Magowan Barrow
Prabhavishnu SwamiPrabhavisnu SwamiPrabhavisnu Prabhu
Resigned as initiating guru — January 2012
- Initiating guru
- Sannyasi
- Governing Body Commission member
- Governing Body Commission Representative for Australia (so described in a 2002 court judgment; dates of the role not given)
Record summary
1 entry — 1 admission.
Last reviewedBio
Prabhavishnu joined ISKCON in 1971 and served first as a brahmacari and later as a sannyasi, known as Prabhavishnu Swami. He became an initiating guru and a member of the Governing Body Commission (GBC). The GBC credits him with extensive service “in some of the most challenging parts of the world” and with channelling donations to ISKCON development in Bangladesh and Nepal. The GBC’s statement refers to his projects in Thailand, Bangladesh and Nepal; his exact GBC zones are not confirmed. In January 2012 he resigned as an initiating guru and GBC member and gave up sannyasa. He said he wished to remain connected to ISKCON by serving “humbly in an ISKCON community somewhere”. He is now referred to in ISKCON as Prabhavishnu Das.
A 2002 judgment of the Supreme Court of New South Wales describes “Mr Paul Barrow, whose devotional name is Prabhavisnu Swami” as the GBC’s representative in Australia and a member of the movement since August 1971. He gave affidavit evidence for ISKCON’s Australian association on the movement’s teachings about obedience and material possessions, in a former member’s claim over a farm she had given it. The court found the gift unconscionable and gave judgment against the association for A$89,185; it made no finding about him.
Sources (5)
- [1]Keston Institute, Russian Review, Современное состояние Общества сознания Кришны в России (S. I. Ivanenko) — no. 56, March 2012 · copy on this site
- [2]ISKCON GBC Executive Committee, Regarding Prabhavisnu Prabhu's Resignation, Jan 13, 2012
- [3]ISKCON News, GBC Statement Regarding Prabhavishnu Dasa's Resignation, Feb 3, 2012
- [4]ISKCON GBC, Follow-up Letter Regarding Prabhavisnu Prabhu's Resignation, Feb 3, 2012
- [5]Supreme Court of New South Wales, [2002] NSWSC 810 — Supreme Court of New South Wales, Equity Division, Bryson J., 6 September 2002; a former member's claim against International Society for Krishna Consciousness Incorporated; via AustLII, Sep 6, 2002
Record
1 entry · most established firstBreaking sannyasa vows while a guru and GBC member
The GBC reported that Prabhavishnu, while a sannyasi and initiating guru, admitted to repeated sexual "falldowns", particularly in 2001, and that he had earlier denied related rumours. The GBC said its initial review had found no misuse of funds, with some questions still to be answered.
The conduct described by the GBC involved adults. No coercion and no minors are alleged in the sources. No later GBC follow-up to the initial financial review was found.
- 2002Reported allegationThe GBC reported that rumours circulated around 2002 (contact with a prostitute) and again in 2008 (seen with a woman in Bangkok). He denied them both times, and the Sannyasa Minister could not confirm them in 2008.
- 2012AdmittedPer the GBC, "he has admitted to a number of sexual falldowns, particularly in 2001", and said he began a relationship with a woman in Bangkok in 2011.
Resigned as initiating guru and GBC member and gave up sannyasa. Per the GBC, he had stopped accepting new disciples from 2002, with one exception in 2004.
Per the GBC, he apologised to the ISKCON society, the GBC, and his followers and disciples. [2]
Sources (3)
Photos
1
Timeline
Each status change in this record, on one axis, with the periods of the cases Prabhavishnu Das is involved in.
- 2002
- Reported allegation2002 Breaking sannyasa vows while a guru and GBC member The GBC reported that rumours circulated around 2002 (contact with a prostitute) and again in 2008 (seen with a woman in Bangkok). He denied them both times, and the Sannyasa Minister could not confirm them in 2008.
- 2012
- AdmittedFeb 3, 2012 Breaking sannyasa vows while a guru and GBC member Per the GBC, "he has admitted to a number of sexual falldowns, particularly in 2001", and said he began a relationship with a woman in Bangkok in 2011.