Umapati Swami

Breach of leadership standards

Legal name Wallace Edward Sheffey

Umapati DasaUmapati DasWally Sheffey

Removed as initiating guru — Feb 28, 2011

Sannyasi
Initiating guru: 1995–2011
Member, GBC Rtvik Refutation Committee: 1997

Record summary

1 entry — 1 ISKCON finding.

Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026

ISKCON finding2011 · conduct standards

Bio

Umapati Swami, also known as Umapati Dasa, was born Wallace Edward Sheffey in 1937. In the 1960s he lived with Keith Ham (later Kirtanananda Swami) and Howard Wheeler (later Hayagriva). In September 1966 he was initiated in New York with the name Umapati. He lived at New Vrindaban in the mid-1980s. On 22 July 1987 he reportedly officiated, on Kirtanananda’s order, at the prison ceremony in which Thomas Drescher (Tirtha) became a swami. In 1992 the GBC welcomed him back to ISKCON as a sannyasi, and in 1995 authorised him as an initiating guru. He lived in China for many years and was later based in India. In 2011 the GBC stated that he was no longer an ISKCON sannyasi, guru or member. When and from whom he took sannyasa is not confirmed.

Sources (8)

Record

1 entry · most established first

ISKCON findingFeb 28, 2011

TKF-032-A

Removal as sannyasi and guru for violating "required standards of behavior"

ConductBreach of leadership standards (unspecified)Period

ISKCON's Governing Body Commission stated that accusations had been presented to it that Umapati Swami "had violated the required standards of behavior for a Krishna conscious leader", and that after considering them it determined he could no longer be accepted as a sannyasi or function as an initiating guru in ISKCON. The GBC did not publish the specifics of the accusations or of its findings.

The GBC did not say what conduct the accusations concerned or when it occurred. The category reflects the resolution’s framing around “the standards expected of sannyasis, initiating gurus and other spiritual leaders”; the GBC did not state that sannyasa vows were broken.

Outcome

No longer accepted as a sannyasi or initiating guru, and described by the GBC as no longer an ISKCON spiritual authority or member. Initiations he gave after February 2010 are not recognised. He may visit ISKCON centres only with the prior permission of the temple president and GBC representative, and may not reside in ISKCON temples or teach or lead kirtan at ISKCON temples or events.

His response

According to the GBC, he "does not accept the findings of the GBC" and said he planned to continue in the role of a sannyasi and initiating guru against the direction of the GBC Body. [1]

Sources (2)

[1]ISKCON GBC, GBC Resolutions 2011 — Annual General Meeting, Sri Mayapur Dham, 20 February – 3 March 2011; Resolution 307: Statement Regarding Umapati Das, Feb 28, 2011 original copy on this site
[2]ISKCON News, GBC Releases Statement Re: Umapati Dasa, Apr 13, 2011 original

Photos

rememberMayapur.com
rememberMayapur.com
rememberMayapur.com

Timeline

Each status change in this record, on one axis, with the periods of the cases Umapati Swami is involved in.

Showing 1 of 1

ISKCON finding Feb 28, 2011 Removal as sannyasi and guru for violating "required standards of behavior"

20102012

2011
- ISKCON findingFeb 28, 2011 Removal as sannyasi and guru for violating "required standards of behavior" GBC resolution 307 (2011): after "accusations were presented to the GBC that Umapati Swami had violated the required standards of behavior for a Krishna conscious leader", the GBC "carefully considered these allegations and determined that Umapati Swami, now Umapati Das, shall no longer be accepted as a sannyasi, nor may he function as an initiating guru within our society". Released by ISKCON News on 13 April 2011.

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