Bhavananda Das

Bhavananda das (formerly known as Bhavananda Goswami, birth name Charles Bacis) 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).

Early days
Bhavananda became an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada in 1969. In 1972 he wrote the script to the movie Rainbow Bridge. He also starred in the movie ' the same year.

After Prabhupada's death
After Prabhupada's death, Bhavananda was one of eleven disciples selected to become initiating gurus. As part of the Zonal Acarya system, Bhavananda initiated disciples within Vrindavan, Central India, Mayapur,USA, and Australia.

Downfall
In 1985, Bhavananda, a sannyasi (celibate priest) confessed to forbidden active homosexuality. The ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC) then ordered him to give up the company of his traveling companion and stop giving initiations. In 1989, the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON passed a resolution removing Bhavananda from his position of Initiating Guru.

Footnotes