Bhakti Sastri PLUS Campus

Dates: 21/09/2020 - 12/02/2021
Mode of Delivery: Campus

Bhakti Sastri Plus will empower you with answers based on scriptural study:

• When a non-devotee friend asks you “WHY are you a Hare Krishna?”
• When facing an existential crisis, you ask yourself “WHY am I a Hare Krishna?”
• When, despite all the opportunities coming your way, you still feel like asking yourself “WHY am I not a better devotee?”
• When a coworker asks you “WHAT do the Hare Krishnas believe?”
• When an agnostic asks you “WHAT does Vaishnavism have to say about the human condition?”
• When you ask yourself “WHAT should I do to improve my spiritual life?”
• When a relative asks you “HOW does it all make sense: your lifestyle, your philosophy and your goals?”
• When you ask yourself “HOW can I better share Krishna Consciousness with others?
• When a skeptic asks you “HOW do the Hare Krishnas contribute to the modern world?”

Bhakti Sastri Plus will equip you with more confidence in being a Hare Krishna devotee because it will help you understand the meaning and reasons behind our daily spiritual practice, theology and culture.

• Programme summary
• Highlights
• Schedule
• Modules
• Modes of studying
• Investment
• Registration

• Programme summary

  The Bhakti Sastri Plus course takes a personal approach to learning, encouraging students to not only memorize and understand the content of Srila Prabhupada’s books (knowledge) but to assimilate the philosophy (values) and practically apply it (skills). Through various systematic learning approaches, the course aims to strengthen students’ critical thinking skills while nurturing and deepening their faith in the scriptures.

  The Bhakti Sastri programme, which awards its students a Vaishnava Training and Education (VTE) Certificate, is designed to familiarise students with the theological background underpinning Vaishnavism and the practices of bhakti-yoga.

  The Plus component adds to the development of a sara-grahi (the essence seeker) attitude and further nurtures students in appropriate Vaishnava values.

  Carefully designed and written, Bhakti Sastri Plus draws on the principles of Krishna consciousness and progressive education. While remaining true to the ISKCON’s heritage, the course explores application and dissemination of sastric knowledge in the context of contemporary society echoing Srila Prabhupada’s dictum: “We must know the present need of human society.”

• Highlights

  Study

  Challenge yourself with numerous systematic learning opportunities to strengthen your critical thinking skills and deepen your faith in the scriptures. Learn the broader Vaishnava context of the Bhakti sastri books – expand the borders of your knowledge of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Think outside of the box – learn how to present the Bhakti sastri teachings in the context of contemporary society.

  Self-reflect

  Use the transformative potency of this extraordinary place, Vaishnava sanga, and scriptural studies to deepen your spiritual practice, to gain profound experiences and to be even more seriously inspired to apply and share Krishna Consciousness.

  Serve

  Radhadesh is a thriving community with various departments ready to give you an opportunity to (im)prove your skills and talents.

  Socialize

  Socialize with like-minded devotees pursuing the path of learned saragrahi Vaishnavas.

  Sing

  Besides being a place of education, Radhadesh is well known for being a place of kirtan. Your studies will be imbued with regular evening kirtans culminating with the Radhadesh mellows.

  Sightsee

  Experience different European yatras, such as Brussels, Antverp, Goloka Dhama (Germany), Paris, Amsterdam, London, Brugges, Cologne, their common practices and missionary activities, during short field-trips. Trips are optional and will be organized based on the interest of students.

• Students will receive full schedule before the course starts.

  General schedule is as follows:

  • approximately 3 weeks per month, 5 days a week, 3 hours of lectures + 2 hours of studying
  • approximately 1 week monthly dedicated for studying and preparing for exams
  • approximately 3-6 hours of lectures per month of PLUS modules
  • 1 morning lecture per week tailored specifically for BS students
  • field trips according to students’ registrations
  • classes during weekends only in exceptional circumstances

• Modules

  Bhakti Sastri Modules

  1. Bhagavad-gita 1 (Chapters 1-6) – Karma Yoga
  2. Bhagavad-gita 2 (Chapters 7-12) – Bhakti Yoga
  3. Bhagavad-gita 3 (Chapters 13-18) – Jnana Yoga (Transcendental Knowledge)
  4. Sri Isopanisad
  5. The Nectar of Instruction
  6. The Nectar of Devotion

   
  The Plus Component

  The PLUS modules are taught in intensive or block mode teaching apart from the regular Bhakti-sastri modules.
  Mahabharata Crash Course (setting the scene for Bhagavad-gita)

  • The Bhakti Tradition (Bhagavad-gita and Upanisads, basics of Vedanta – advaita, dvaita, acintya) and Rupa Goswami’s Rasa Theory
  • Modern Interpretations of Bhagavad-gita (comparing the interpretation of Srila Prabhupada with those of Gandhi, Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Maharishi, etc)
  • Madhurya Kadambini (recognizing common obstacles and staying enthusiastic on the path of bhakti)
  • Interfaith (an interactive course showing what interfaith activity is and why it is important for ISKCON members)
  • Psychology for Transcendence (explore the differences between humility and low self esteem, false pride and healthy self esteem in Krishna consciousness)

   
  The PLUS classes/workshops are spread throughout the course (during the Bhakti-sastri modules and PLUS modules) and aim to continuously supplement your studies with experiential learning of:

  • sadhana and temple/ashram life essentials
  • Vaisnava etiquette
  • the art of sharing Krishna Consciousness
  • following Srila Prabhupada
  • ISKCON and hot button issues – and many more interesting and relevant topics!

  Note: Classes/workshop topics to be taught during the 2019/20 course will be selected based on the tutors’ availability and students interest

• We offer different modes of studying the Bhakti-sastri PLUS program for different diplomas. Attendance of all BS modules and PLUS component is compulsory for all students.

  Studying Bhakti-sastri books and PLUS modules with successful passing of all the assessment components:

  • Living in the ashram
  • Offering regular service 10h service weekly
  • Following ashram sadhana standard – mangala arati, darsan, chanting
  • Bhakti-sastri certificate

   
  Studying Bhakti-sastri books and PLUS modules with successful passing of all the assessment components:

  • Living outside of the ashram
  • Offering regular service 2h service weekly
  • Following minimum sadhana standard – guru puja and darsan, chanting
  • Bhakti-sastri certificate

   
  Auditing option:

  • Studying Bhakti-sastri books and PLUS modules without taking the exams
  • Living outside of the ashram
  • Certificate of attendance

   
  The sanctity of our venue is influenced by the behavior and contribution of each resident, no matter how long or short she or he resides on its premises. To leave a positive imprint, all of us are required to follow the basic house rules. A detailed description of the house rules will be shared with the prospective students during the admission process.

• Investment

  
  

  • Tuition fee

    For all students: 189 euro

  • Accommodation and prasadam

    Option 1

    • Staying in the temple ashram
    • During the course: doing 10 hrs/week service
    • Price: 740 euro

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    Option 2

    • Staying in the temple ashram
    • 35 days additional stay before/after the course: doing service 6 hrs/day, 6 days/week service
    • During the course: doing 10 hrs/week service
    • Price: 290 euro

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    Option 3

    • Staying outside of the temple ashram
    • During the course: doing 10 hrs/week service
    • Price: 145 euro + accommodation (separate arrangement based on availability)

  • Field trips

    • Short field trips – 100 euro/person/trip, minimum 5 people
    • Long field trips (London) – 200 euro/person/trip, minimum 5 people

     
    Registering for the field trip during the course will require 10% higher payment:

    • 110 euro for short trip and
    • 220 euro for longer trip

  • Health Insurance

    
    If a student doesn’t have his/her own travel insurance, Belgian AXA Assistance can offer insurance for the time of stay in Radhadesh for the maximum of 185 days. More info.
    Basic insurance price is 168 euro, while extended insurance is 271 euro.

    As Radhadesh is in a remote place, and no public transport is available, students are advised to have some means to pay for the scheduled transport, which costs approximately 6 euros for a local doctor or an urgent dentist visit, or 26 euros for a trip to the hospital.
    

  
  

• Registration

  Registration will be open from February, 2020