Systematically study Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, and Sri Isopanisad – 4 of the most important bhakti-texts. Our teachers are experienced devotees who have been studying, living by and teaching Prabhupada’s books for many years. Our students are from all over the world and create a worldwide online community with the goal of understanding and deeply imbibing the Gaudiya Vaishnava principles and practices.
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Bhakti Sastri Modules
- Bhagavad-gita 1 (Chapters 1-6) - Karma Yoga (next delivery: January 4, 2021)
- Bhagavad-gita 2 (Chapters 7-12) - Bhakti Yoga (next delivery: March 1, 2021)
- Bhagavad-gita 3 (Chapters 13-18) - Transcendental Knowledge (next delivery: April 26, 2021)
- Sri Isopanisad (next delivery: June 28, 2021)
- The Nectar of Instruction (next delivery: August 23, 2021)
- The Nectar of Devotion (next delivery: October 18, 2021)
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Certificates
We recognize and issue few levels of awards for the Bhakti Sastri degree: 1. Bhaktivedanta College Bhakti Sastri Module digital certificate - sent upon request to the student upon the successful completion of the module 2. Bhaktivedanta College full Bhakti Sastri digital certificate - sent to the student upon the successful completion of all 6 modules of Bhakti Sastri. 3. VTE Bhakti Sastri Certificate - issued once a year (January/February) by the ISKCON Board of Examination to students who successfully pass the full Bhakti Sastri course and:- Chant sixteen rounds of the maha-mantra daily
- Follow the four regulative principles for bhakti-yoga
- Provide a recommendation letter by a local ISKCON representative.
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Enrollment
Bhakti Sastri course is always going on, with 6 modules in total, one after another. It is possible to enroll at any time and continue from the next scheduled module. You can enroll for:- one module of your choice (every module is an independent unit) or
- full Bhakti Sastri course (you immediately enroll for all 6 modules)
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Fees
Fee for each module is €99. If you immediately enroll for all 6 modules, you get the following benefits:- a 15% tuition-fee deduction - pay €505, instead of €594
- a 15% deduction if, after receiving a Bhakti Sastri PLUS degree, you decide to study the Bhaktivaibhava course with us - pay €150 instead of €199 (applicable for those enrolled into BS+ after December 2015)
- Disciples Course free of charge; if you've already passed the course with us, you can give it to someone else as a gift
- a special gift - two breathtaking audio CDs recorded by the Bhaktivedanta College students!
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Assessment
The whole assessment is done online, through our learning platform (submission of essays, doing quizzes and exam, replying to the forum questions). The final mark for each Bhakti Sastri module is made:
- 15% of the mark for participation in the discussion forums throughout the module
- 30% of the mark for VTE essays (two or three, minimum 40% mark for each is required for pass)
- 15% of the mark for quizzes (five or more)
- 40% the mark for the closed-book exam (minimum 65% is required for pass)
- The VTE’s over-arching purpose in promoting the systematic study of shastra (sacred texts). This Module introduces the VTE methodology. To facilitate a systematic, Krishna-conscious education, the VTE has developed an aims-driven (as opposed to content-driven) approach to studying shastra. Here you will find an introduction to and overview of those 12 aims of shastric study.
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KUPP
1. Knowledge (Memory and Recall) = Kno
To help students memorise and recall the (theoretical) knowledge which forms the foundation of their ongoing progress in Krishna Consciousness.2. Understanding = Und
To deepen students’ understanding of the Krishna consciousness theology, particularly through studying it from a wide range of perspectives and through developing thoughtfulness and introspection.3. Personal Application = PeA
To help students apply the Krishna Consciousness theology, with reference to:- their external practices;
- their inner development;
4. Preaching Application = PrA
To enhance devotees desire and ability to preach effectively.
FATE
5. Faith and Conviction = F+C
To help build and maintain students’ faith and conviction in:- the process of Krishna consciousness;
- the sastra as its foundation.
6. Authority = Aut
To simultaneously cultivate within devotees:- wholehearted acceptance of the spiritual authority of shastra;
- a mood of open and honest inquiry and a desire to factually understand and realise the import of Vedic knowledge.
7. Theological Application = ThA
To help create learned Vaishnava theologians who are expert in assisting the Society through application of sastric knowledge to a wide range of personal, social, moral, topical and theological issues.8. Evaluation = Eva
To develop students’ analytical, interpretative and evaluative skills, particularly in respect of the practical application of sastric knowledge.
MARS
9. Mood and Mission = M+M
To facilitate devotees in:- understanding and appreciating the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada;
- perpetuating that understanding within the Society and its members.
10. Academic and Moral Integrity = AMI
To ensure that devotes develop moral and academic integrity in the interpretation, evaluation and application of sastric knowledge.11. Responsibility for Learning = RfL
To encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and develop healthy study habits by:- enhancing their desire to study Srila Prabhupada’s books (particularly by nurturing their appreciation of shastra and shastric study, and by demonstrating shastra’s relevance to everyday life);
- equipping them with the appropriate learning skills.
12. Shastra Caksus = SC
To equip students with the ability to see through the eyes of shastra, and with a Krishna conscious worldview. Ultimately, to assist the students in realising scripture, and in seeing Krishna, at all times and in all places.
Each Aim for sastric study is expressed in a few words as follows. Each aim has corresponding objectives. Each aim is also denoted by a two or three letter code, as shown below. Students should try to memorize these codes.
12 Aims: