ISKCON Disciples Course

Dates: 03/02/2020 - 01/03/2020
Mode of Delivery: Online

• PROGRAM SUMMARY
• weekly programme
• Assessment
• REGISTRATION

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  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 references the writings of the broader Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition.

  The 14 lessons include Powerpoint presentations, interactive workshops, forums, quizzes and assessment exercises. The ISKCON Disciples Course is designed so that your time zone is not of primary importance. You just move along the materials to be found on the Web pages. During the course we will meet for two or three live Q. & A. sessions, but we decide on the timings together so that the majority of participants will have the opportunity to take part.

  
  

  • Course Principles and Values

    • Srila Prabhupada as Pre-eminent Siksa Guru
    • Allegiance to ISKCON and Parampara
    • Respect for Multiple Authorities and Senior Vaisnavas
    • Considerate Selection of Diksa-Guru
    • Commitment to Vows
    • Exemplary Sadhana and Conduct
    • Faith in Guru’s Instructions
    • Inquiry, Humility and Service
    • Favorable Association
    • Purity, Inclusivity and Cooperation
    • Cultivation and Propagation  of Holy Name
    • Assimilation and Dissemination of Srila Prabhupada’s Teachings

  
  

  • Broad Aims of Course

    To improve the quality of discipleship within ISKCON in order to promote the long-term wellbeing of Srila Prabhupada’s Society and its members. We will achieve this by enabling students to: 1. Understand the long-standing principles of discipleship, as presented in the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and the broader Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, and appreciate the unique contexts in which these teachings are applied within ISKCON. 2. Apply these principles to: – Form spiritually healthy, constructive relationships with their gurus and senior Vaisnavas – Act appropriately within those relationships. 4. Develop the values and attitudes required of a disciple. 5. Co-operatively serve the Supreme, and His various representatives, in order to perpetuate Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and mission, through both personal example and instruction.
  
  

  • ISKCON GBC Resolutions 2014

    ISKCON Disciples Course Mandate

    Whereas there is a need for standardized training of new devotees about the:

    1.  Preeminent position of Srila Prabhupada
    2.  Duties of a disciple regarding the guru and other ISKCON authorities
    3.  Appropriate selection of a diksa-guru
    4.  Importance of initiation vows
    5.  Service to our parampara and the mission of ISKCON
    6.  Other relevant matters

    Whereas ISKCON does not have a standard training system or course for new members in regards to the specific duties of initiated disciples; Whereas such a course would promote shared vision, unity, and cooperation among ISKCON devotees around the world; Whereas an ISKCON Disciples Course was created under the auspices of the GBC Guru Services Committee, the Mayapur Institute, and ISKCON Communications with the input of senior devotees, diksa- and siksa-gurus, and educators from around the world; Whereas the Disciples Course was taught and tested for two years in many diverse countries evoking positive results and feedback from new and senior devotees; Whereas the Disciples Course is translated into major languages including Hindi, Bengali, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, Russian and Chinese, and is also available online in English via the Bhaktivedanta College, Radhadesh; Whereas the Guru Services Committee is working with ISKCON Desire Tree to create online versions of the Course in several Indian languages; Whereas ISKCON leaders have requested the Disciples Course be mandatory before initiation and ideally before devotees select a diksa-guru

     RESOLVED:

    That the ISKCON Disciples Course, as developed by the GBC Guru Services Committee, shall be a mandatory pre-requisite for all devotees accepting first or second initiation by an ISKCON guru, effective Janmastami, 2015. After that date, no guru may initiate a disciple who has not first completed the Disciples Course. This is in addition to current requirements of new initiates. Furthermore, all GBC Members and Temple Presidents shall ensure that within their respective areas of authority, no later than Janmastami, 2015:

    1. Devotees shall be advised and encouraged to complete the Disciples Course before selecting a diksa-guru
    2. Devotees shall have reasonable access to enroll in the Disciples Course
    3. A sufficient number of teachers shall be identified and facilitated to teach the Course
    4. No devotee shall be allowed to accept initiation before completing the Course (subject to exemptions below)

    Teachers/facilitators of the ISKCON Disciples Course must:

    1. Be initiated for at least 5 years
    2. Have completed the ISKCON Disciples Course
    3. Be recommended by their Disciples Course facilitator
    4. Have completed the VTE Teacher Training Course 1 (TTC1)* or have equivalent training or experience
    5. Have the approval of their local GBC representative
    6. Teach from the official curriculum, manuals, and other materials as approved by the GBC Guru Services Committee

    Illiterate devotees are welcome to participate in the Course. Upon completion, they shall be required to undergo a minimal oral examination at the discretion of the teacher. In rare cases of the infirmity or terminal illness of a prospective disciple the requirement for completing the Disciples Course may be waived by the local Temple President. GBC members who find a specific area within their jurisdiction needs more time for implementation due to exceptional circumstances may request an extension of up to one year by submitting a request no later than July 31, 2015, to the GBC Executive Committee for approval. *An exemption for the requirement of the TTC1 may be granted by the local GBC Zonal Secretary based upon an assessment of the potential teacher’s maturity and teaching skills. The Mayapur Institute shall provide to the GBC a list of criteria by which such evaluations should be made.

    
    
  
  

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  • Week 1: Guru-tattva & Parampara

    
    A guru represents Krishna and previous acaryas. He is a manifestation of Krishna’s mercy. This lesson is meant to provide an understanding of the position, role, and importance of the various types of gurus. It will help students understand principles of paramapara by way of contrast with fallacious understandings, such as ritvikvada.

  • Week 2: Srila Prabhupada as ISKCON's Founder-Acarya & Gurus in ISKCON

    
    The lesson about Srila Prabhupada aims at helping students understand Srila Prabhupada’s unique position as the preeminent guru in ISKCON for both present and future generations. The lesson about gurus in ISKCON aims at providing an understanding of the role, position, and qualifications of gurus in ISKCON (present and future), with regard for their loyalty to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and ISKCON’s authority structure. These lessons will also help students develop appropriate attitudes toward gurus in other Gaudiya Vaisnava organizations.

    Lessons on guru-padasraya and selecting a guru will mainly nurture the students’ devotional relationship with Srila Prabhupada and their own diksa and siksa gurus, through discussions of the relation between Prabhupadasraya and guru-padasraya. A guru’s qualifications will be defined, as exemplified in sastra, and the students will be familiarized with how to examine, select, and develop appropriate relationships with diksa and siksa gurus in ISKCON. These lessons will also prepare students for harinama-diksa, by considering the suitable motivation, time, choice, and qualifications. The regular study of Srila Prabhupada’s books, as an effective way of developing a deep relationship with him, will also be evaluated.

  • Week 3: Initiation Vows & Guru-puja; Vapuh and Vani

    
    Discussion on the purpose and importance of strictly following initiation vows with relevant references to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. We will identify challenges encountered in strictly following vows and suggest solutions in rectification, in case they are broken. In the second part, we will familiarize students with the standards for guru-puja and Vyasa-puja (Pancaratra-Pradipa) and prepare them to maintain regular, appropriate worship. Students will reflect on their experiences, such as taking part in a Vyasa-puja celebration.

    Students will also learn about the relationship between service to a guru and service to the mission of ISKCON (and resolving possible tensions between the two) and balancing every-day duties and obligations with guru-seva, especially according to one’s position in varnasrama. They will be advised on how to appreciate the importance of both vapuh and vani-seva and their interrelationship. Their skills and attitudes for behaving appropriately in the guru’s presence will be nurtured.

  • Week 4: Guru-tyaga & Presenting One's Guru; Cooperative Relationships

    
    We will identify ways in which disciples establish connections to Srila Prabhupada, the guru-parampara, and ISKCON in addition to their connection via diksa. We aim to help students deal with issues in the disciple’s relationship with the guru, with hearing criticism of or rumors about the guru (true or false), and with the guru’s encountering spiritual difficulties or falling down. Also, we will explain correct procedures for lodging complaints in relation to a guru; guru-tyaga, or renunciation of a guru; and arguments for either re-initiation or the appropriate continuation of devotional service in ISKCON. The second part aims to help students appreciate the importance of appropriately presenting their guru within Vaisnava society and to the general public in line with the principles of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, relevant sastric evidence, and current ISKCON Law.

    In the last part of the course, our focus will be on helping students appreciate the maintenance of cooperative relationships in ISKCON, especially by being mindful of Srila Prabhupada as the foundational guru and unifying leader. We will differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate discrimination on the basis of one’s diksa guru in ISKCON and discuss the consequences arising from it. We identify challenges faced in developing and maintaining cooperative relationships among disciples of different gurus and suggest ways of meeting the challenges. At the end, we will discuss the broad aims and overall topics of the course, sharing our plans to apply the course’s values and principles in the future.

  
  
• Your knowledge and understanding will be assessed in three following ways:
  

  CANDIDATES WITH A PASSING MARK WILL GET THE DISCIPLES COURSE CERTIFICATE.

  Participation on the Forum; every week 10% of the total mark

  Homework Questions (Essays) approximately 300-600 words; every week. 30% of the total mark

  Two Quizzes; after 2nd and 4th week 20% of the total mark

  Closed book exam 40% (minimum 65% at the exam itself)

  Candidates with a final mark higher than 65% (80% for self-study) can get the digital Disciples Course Certificate to their email address. Alternatively, if they wish so, the students can receive the Certificate at their home address by filling out this form.
  

• Disciples Course can be attended without special requirements. There are three possibilities for enrollment:

  1) PayPal – Standard enrollment

  The Paypal fee is €49, fully inclusive. By clicking “Enrol Now” you will be redirected to Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus (BCOC), where you will proceed with registration and payment for this module.

  Enrol now or request more information

  2) PayPal – Disciples Course and Bhakti Yoga for Beginners

  
  We are also offering the possibility to study Bhakti Yoga for Beginners and ISKCON Disciples Course for the fully inclusive fee of €98 (25% discount). You will be enrolled into both modules after that.

  1. Create account on Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus (BCOC).
  2. Fill in the registration form.
  3. Pay the Paypal fee (link below).
  4. Inform by email Bhaktivedanta College Secretary.
  5. As a special gift we will immediately send you breathtaking audio CD recorded by the Bhaktivedanta College students!
  
  
  
  

  3) PayPal – For those who don’t have a regular source of income

  The PayPal fee is €39, fully inclusive. This payment, though, does not lead you directly into the Disciples Course. This is three step’s procedure:

  1. Create account on Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus (BCOC).
  2. Fill in the registration form.
  3. Pay the Paypal fee (link below).
  4. Inform by email Bhaktivedanta College Secretary.
  
  
  
  

  4) PayPal – Self-study model

  
  For those who urgently need ISKCON Disciple Course education and certificate, we offer Self Study course which you can finish at your own pace. Our estimation is that you can do it earliest within three intense study days. Assessment is based on the test made of 80 questions. There is no mentor to oversee the class. From student is expected to go over all material and write elaborate Closed Book Exam. Minimum 80% mark is required for pass.

  By clicking “Enrol Now” you will be redirected to Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus (BCOC), where you will proceed with registration and payment for this self-study module. The PayPal fee is €49, fully inclusive.

  Enrol now or request more information