The ISKCON Disciples Course is a training program which deepens devotees understanding of guru tattva and guru padasraya within the multiple guru environment of ISKCON. Designed for new devotees preparing to take initiation in ISKCON, the course is also recommended for leaders, preachers councilors and educators in ISKCON. The course was developed under the direction of the Guru Services Committee, with the combined efforts of leading educators in ISKCON. The course is based on the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and current ISKCON Law and gives reference to the writings from the broader Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition. The 14 lessons include Powerpoint presentations, interactive workshops and assessment exercises.
Registration: Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus.
This course exceeded my expectations. It gave me the chance to learn many new things and also to better understand Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. I love to read about Prabhupada. And I learned about some particular aspects of Prabhupada’s teachings and dealings. I want to reread the course lectures again and again, as they answer questions regarding who I am and what I am doing in ISKCON in terms of guru-tattva and how should I behave as a disciple in Vaishnava association. I am planning to increase my relationship with Prabhupada and his representatives by trying to add these teachings to my life. I want to deeply study Prabhupada’s teachings and apply them. I really hope to enroll again in BCOC courses. I don’t know whether I will have the time, but I really like all the interaction and the devotee association. All these courses are a perfect opportunity to just study and meditate on Prabhupada’s teachings. I could read Prabhupada’s books by myself, but the association of the devotees at BCO inspires and motivates me to read and study his books. Otherwise, I tend not to prioritize Prabhupada’s books. I know that a more real understanding will come when I can give these teachings to others. Actually from my job, I always entered our online “class” to see what is going on. My mind was always turning to our course.
It was a helpful course. I was looking for someplace to learn about spiritual masters and their relationship to disciples, how they properly interact, and what this relationship is all about. I appreciate the ISKCON authorities for recognizing my need. I learned about the position of Srila Prabhupada and how to cooperatively function in a multi-authority system and the basis for unity in diversity. ISKCON is truly a spiritual movement beyond any barriers. I learned about the importance of being more disciplined and keeping the initiation vows.
My heart and my mind opened in this course. It was helpful and wonderful to be able to rationally connect so many thoughts that have been forming in my mind. I’ve taken a long time to aspire for initiation, and one of the factors was not knowing “the way in” to ISKCON. I was viewing it too much from an outsider’s viewpoint. This course enabled me to start applying an insider’s perspective and to see my way to begin connecting to all strata in ISKCON: Srila Prabhupada, the guru-parampara, the diksa- and siksa-gurus and Sri Krishna, the guru in my heart. The course strengthened my resolve to strive for maximum Vaishnava association and devotional service immediately. I had already started to do this, but now I can be systematic and achieve better realizations on the strength of doing so, I hope. That little phrase one can write above one’s signature in an e-mail, “your aspiring servant” has taken on a whole new meaning. I thank Jahnava-lila for guiding us through this course. Her feedback has been valuable, and for this I am grateful. I felt strengthened by the online association of my fellow students, whose contributions were thought provoking and enlivening. Thank you all!
I really enjoyed this module, and I’m really happy that the GBC is doing something about improving the quality of disciples. This course is a product of all those years of GBC meetings. I’m also happy to see that the Disciple Course has now been added to the Bhakti Shastri curriculum in Mayapur.
I have a thirst for spiritual knowledge, so this course was just the beginning for me. It has inspired me to continue studying this path. I am most grateful to be given the opportunity to continue with what my heart desires the most. A special thank you to my husband. I find BCOC to be most efficient in presenting study materials. Its technology for online study is at a high standard. My future studies will be done with BCOC. I learned that there is much to learn about the spiritual world. I had a lot of interaction with students from around the world, which is good for me. Generally, we are restricted to our own country and a type of living or way of thinking that is sometimes confined. Online interaction is an eye opener. I saw different types of people, and that gave me a more objective perspective on study. I do not work, as I have a young child. Though I am a bit confined to my home, this has worked out to my advantage. If I were at work, there would be a great demand on my time. So I intend to continue my studies for another year and apply what I can at home with my family and in the association of devotees. I have already consulted my siksa-guru for guidance on initiation in the year to follow.
As with the courses I took for the certificate in Bhakti-yoga studies, this course was informative, but because the subject is vast I feel that I’ve only scratched the surface. I’ll start living with devotees soon, and I also hope to select a siksa-/diksa-guru and ask that he accept me as a potential disciple. I’d like to thank the teacher and my fellow students for this wonderful course.
