An exposé by The Guardian has detailed a number of recent allegations against monk-turned-celebrity Jay Shetty, who spent time at Bhaktivedanta Manor near Radlett.
Shetty is a bestselling author, entrepreneur and host of a podcast whose guests have included Michelle Obama and Matt Damon. He also officiated the wedding of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.
In an investigation published on February 29, The Guardian alleged that Shetty had made up his past and faked his credentials as a monk. As journalist John McDermott states, the credibility of Shetty’s claims to spiritual authority rests heavily upon the three years he spent as a monk in India.
In fact, RADLETTnews has heard from multiple members of the Bhaktivedanta Manor community that Shetty was brought up in and around the Hindu temple near Radlett.
Within The Guardian expose, a subheader titled ‘The Watford Ashram’ investigates Shetty’s links with Bhaktivedanta Manor.
Shetty’s own mother confirmed that her son had spent many years living at the temple before moving to Los Angeles, in direct contradiction to Shetty’s story about living in a Hindu ashram in India during the same period.
An official spokesperson for Bhaktivedanta Manor said: “Jay Shetty began his service as a monk at Bhaktivedanta Manor in 2010 and then moved to a monastery in India. During his three years of service as a monk, Jay spent a large part of his time in India with trips back to Bhaktivedanta Manor, as was encouraged by his monk teachers. We continue to welcome Jay and his family during their visits.”
Jay Shetty has been contacted for comment.
Photo credit: IceTheAlohaGod
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