Karl Tõnisson, also known as Karlis Tennisons, Karlis Tennison, Brother Vahindra, Barefooted Tõnisson, The Baltic Mahatma and Dharmaduta was born 20 August 1873 in Odratsi farm, Umbusi village near Põltsamaa in Estonia. In Estonia Karl Tõnisson gave lectures, published books and held lamamistic services in Kloostri Street, Tartu. In Riga he had a small temple-like building in one rented department, where he once a week held a buddhist service. Most of the audience were local thesophists.