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Date Posted: 07:23
Author: thomas mark - 26 April 2002
Subject: Re: Is Kriyananda a Swami?
In reply to: Anonymous - 25 April 2002 's message, "Is Kriyananda a Swami?" on 07:19

The fact is that D. Walters stated under oath that he is not a swami, on Day 2 of his 1995 deposition. So, no, he is not a swami. Why people still call him that is a mystery.



Below are tedious details in support of this fact, if you want them.


(A) Following is summarized from Day 1 of the deposition of Mr. J. Donald Walters: September 6, 1995. (at http://www.anandainfo.com/walterdep1.doc )

1) He took the final vows in 1955.

2) In 1962, he ceased to be a part of SRF. "From then on, I had to follow my own inner guidance."

3) In 1985, "I got Daya Mata to dispense me from those vows."


(B) Following is copied from Day 2 of the deposition (at http://anandainfo.com/waltdep2.doc ). As used below, the "Witness" and "A" are both Mr. D. Walters, and Q is the attorney questioning him. Below, some of the banter between the attorneys has been removed, so this will be easier to read.

Q. Now, when did you first tell (the plaintiff), if at all, that you were not a celibate swami, but it was a nickname

A. The issue never arose

Q. And during your years as the spiritual director of the Ananda community, when, if ever, did you tell the community that you were using the name as a nickname and not as a celibate swami

A. It was I think just general knowledge. I can't say when. It was something I always clarified as --whenever the issue came up, I made it very clear, no, I am not a swami.

Q. Even though it says that on your letterhead. Is that correct

A. I've answered that one.

Q. Now, I believe you testified you went to this person Daya Mata in 1985 to dispense you of your vows as a swami. Is that correct

THE WITNESS: Hmm?

MR. PARSONS: You can answer it again.

THE WITNESS: All right. Yes, correct.

MR. FLYNN: Q. In 1985?

A. Yes.

Q. But you stopped being a celibate swami when, Mr. Walters?

A. This was in 1981, when I wrote that letter to the Yoga Journal stating that I had changed my status.

Q. Why is it that you waited 4 more years to go and be dispensed of your vows as a celibate swami?

A. I cannot say. I don't know.

Q. And why is it that you continued to hold yourself out on your envelope printing as a Swami Kriyananda, notwithstanding the fact that you gave up your vows in 1985?

THE WITNESS: But I answered that testimony before. I've answered it perhaps by now ten times.

MR. FLYNN: Q. Well, why is it that you continued to use the letterhead?

A. All right. I'll continue. It was just there, envelopes that hadn't been thrown out yet. To the community, I would use anything, blank or whatever, because there was nothing formal about it.

I just didn't happen to have an official --probably after this, I wrote to my secretary and said, please send me another stack of envelopes that say Crystal Hermitage, which is what I do. But this was in fact, more or less, like just another piece of scrap envelope.

Q. Now, and the last time these envelopes were printed that say Swami Kriyananda on them you're certain was in the 1970s. Is that correct?

THE WITNESS: Yes, but I'm not certain. I merely think so.

MR. FLYNN: Q. Now, whenever the issue arose that there was a distinction between your nickname Swami and your celibate status as a swami pursuant to your monastic vows, how did you make it clear to your followers that there was a distinction?

THE WITNESS: I always made it very clear, if there was any question that arose, that no, I am not a swami. I made that statement.

MR. FLYNN: Q. Did you ever issue any writing to that effect?

A. Probably. I don't remember. I would have if it had seemed apropos. I had no interest, nor did I ever express interest, or did I ever say or try to give the impression that I was still a swami.

Q. So you would say, then, that Exhibit 6 did not intend to convey the impression that you were a Swami. Is that correct?

A. In no way.

Q. And when you wrote to (the plaintiff) on November 29, 1993, which is marked here as Exhibit 7, and you signed "Swami," you didn't intend to create the impression with (the plaintiff) that you were a Swami. Is that your testimony?

THE WITNESS: In no way.

MR. FLYNN: Q. And can you direct me to any writing of any nature or description in which you've first advised (the plaintiff) that you were not a swami?

A. At no time did the question come up.

Q. So the answer is, there is no writing; is that correct, Mr. Walters? Is that your answer?

A. There is nothing that would have required such a writing.

Q. And can you identify any writing to your community in which you advise them that you were not a celibate swami, even though you were using the term "swami" on your (etc. etc....on & on & on)

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Replies:

  • Re: Is Kriyananda a Swami? -- norman - 25 April 2002, 07:24
  • Re: Is Kriyananda a Swami? -- Mike - 25 April 2002, 07:25
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