Karl Tõnisson

Karl August Tõnisson (Latvian: Kārlis Tennisons; 20 August (Jc 8 August) 1883 – 5 May 1962) also known as Brother Vahindra (Estonian: Vend Vahindra) and Barefoot Tõnisson (Estonian: Paljasjalgne Tõnisson), was an Estonian writer and religious figure. One of the first Estonians to engage with Buddhism, he was generally seen as eccentric but had a significant impact on Estonian views of Buddhism. In 1930 he left Europe for Thailand, later settling in Burma, dying in Rangoon, aged 78. His parents died at an early age (his father in 1891 and his mother in 1895) after which he was raised by his uncle.

Life and writings In the 1900s Tõnisson travelled to Riga, where he likely met local Theosophists.

In 1915 he moved to Tallinn. In 1917 he returned to Russia, where he stayed until 1923. He spent part of this time guarding the Datsan Gunzechoinei building site.

In 1923 he returned to Latvia after unsuccessfully attempting to return Estonia. Possibly becoming 10 years older around this time.

In 1930 he met Friedrich V. Lustig, who became his disciple and followed him on his travels for the rest of his life.

In 1931 the two left Europe for Thailand, wanting to go to Tibet. During and after World War II Tõnisson and Lustig became involved in Thai politics, raising a Red Soviet like flag on their roof and criticizing Thailand's wartime collaboration with Japan. As a result they were expelled from Thailand into Burma in 1949. They participated in the third and fourth World Fellowship of Buddhists conferences.

In various writings, elements of his biography are misunderstood, including his date and place of birth.