Karl Friedrich Alfred Heinrich Ferdinand Maria Graf Eckbrecht von Dürckheim-Montmartin was a German diplomat, psychotherapist and Zen master. A veteran of World War I, he was introduced to Zen early in life. After obtaining a doctorate in psychology, he became an avid supporter of the Nazi Party. Following World War II he was imprisoned in Japan which transformed him spiritually. Upon returning to Germany he became a leading proponent of Western esotericism, synthesizing teachings from Christian mysticism, depth psychology and Buddhism.
Prabhupada on a morning walk with Baron von Dürckheim in Frankfurt, 1974
Bassenheim Castle near Koblenz in Germany (2005)
Sugamo Prison on 22 December 1948
Dürckheim on a morning walk with Swami Prabhupada in Frankfurt in June 1974.
Ludwig II, also called the Swan King or the Fairy Tale King, was King of Bavaria from 1864 until his death in 1886. He also held the titles of Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Duke of Franconia, and Duke in Swabia. Outside Germany, he is at times called "the Mad King" or "Mad King Ludwig".
Ludwig, c. 1874
Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (left) with his parents and his younger brother, Prince Otto, in 1860
Crown Prince Ludwig (left) with his mother, Queen Marie (in the centre) and his younger brother Otto (on the right), circa 1863. Otto would become king after the death of his older brother in 1886, although he would not be able to properly rule as King of Bavaria due to his mental health problems. The photo was taken privately for a family album, as was in vogue among many nobles during the period, and was not published at the time.
Ludwig II just after his accession to the throne of Bavaria in 1864
