IDC Lessons

Lesson 1 Welcome & Introduction

Aims

To introduce participants to each other and establish positive foundations for the course.
To familiarize students with:

  • The inception of the course and its relevance in ISKCON today.
  • CourseBroad Aims &Twelve Principals and Values
  • Course schedule & Assessment
  • Classroom norms
  • Student Handbook etc.

 

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Introduce themselves to the rest of the students.
  • Identify some the needs which form the basis of the courseand discuss the importance of the course for ISKCON in general.
  • Identify some areas they could personally improve in as a disciple
  • Cite the CourseBroad Aims & Twelve Principals and Values
  • Discuss comments from ISKCON’s leaders on the relevance of the course.
  • Discuss and agree to follow the Classroom Norms

Lesson 2 Guru-tattva and Parampara

Aims

  • To help students understand the position, role and importance of, the various categories of guru.
  • To help students understand the principles of paramapara and fallacious understandings, such as the philosophy of Ritvikvada.

Objectives

  • By the end of the lesson students should be able to:
  • Explain in their own words the role and position of guru, as the representative of Krishna and the previous acharyas.
  • Discuss how the guru is a manifestation of the mercy of Krishna
  • List the categories of guru and explain their roles.
  • Explain the import of Prabhupada’s statement “the guru is one”.
  • Explain the terms hari-nama-diksha, mantra-diksha and Shiksha, and briefly discuss their importance.
  • Discuss the necessity of accepting living diksha and shiksha-gurus.
  • Explain and discuss the significance of the transfer of karma from the disciple to the guru.
  • Explain, in their own words, the general principles of guru-parampara.
  • Explain the fallacy of current philosophies, such as Ritvikvada.
  • Give relevant reference to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and the broader Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition.

Lesson 3 Srila Prabhupada – ISKCON Founder Acarya

Aims

To help students understand the unique position of Srila Prabhupada as:

  • the pre-eminent representative of Krishna and previous acaryas (for the modern world)
  • the preeminent shiksha-guru in ISKCON (for present and future generations)

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Explain the meaning of the terms Founder-acarya and ‘preeminent guru’.
  • Explain the unique function of the Founder-acarya of an institute.
  • Identify ways, and explain in their own words, how Srila Prabhupada functions as the Founder-acarya and preeminent shiksha-guru of ISKCON.
  • Discuss ways to ensure that Srila Prabhupada remains the Founder-acarya and preeminent shiksha-guru of ISKCON for future generations.

Lesson 4  ISKCON Gurus

Aims

To help students understand the role, position and qualification of ISKCON gurus (current and future), especially with regard for their loyalty to:

  • The teachings of Srila Prabhupada
  • The authority structure within ISKCON.

To help students develop the appropriate attitude to gurus in other Gaudiya Vaishnavism organizations.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Discuss the appropriate general attitude for an ISKCON Guru (current and future) in regard to their loyalty to:
    • the teachings of Srila Prabhupada
    • the authority structure within ISKCON.
  • Demonstrate the appropriate way to deal with a situation where in the instructions given by one’s guru differ from the instructions given by one’s local ISKCON authority.
  • Evaluate the position of a guru who abandons:
    • the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and
    • the authority structure within ISKCON.
  • Discuss similarities, and differences, in the teachings of Shiksha-gurus, in the Gaudiya Vaishnavism paramparä, outside of ISKCON.
  • Discuss the benefits of accepting Diksha and Shiksha gurus within ISKCON.
  • Cite instances of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples accepting gurus in other Gaudiya Vaishnava organizations and discuss the significance of Srila Prabhupada’s responses in this regard.
  • Discuss the appropriate attitude to gurus in other Gaudiya Vaishnava paramparä and organizations.
  • Give appropriate reference to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada’s and the broader Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition

Lesson 5 Guru-Padacharya

Aim

To nurture within students, early in their spiritual progress, a deep and authentic devotional relationship with Srila Prabhupada, as the Founder-acarya and principle shiksa-guru of ISKCON and with their respective diksha and shiksha gurus.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Explain the meaning of the terms ‘guru-padashraya’ and ‘Prabhupada-ashraya’
  • Discuss methods for, and benefits of, developing a deep devotional relationship with Srila Prabhupada from the beginning of one’s spiritual life.
  • Evaluate the effect that regular study of Srila Prabhupada books play in regard to developing a deep relationship with him.
  • Cite the current guidelines, for new devotees joining ISKCON, in regard taking shelter of Srila Prabhupada.
  • Discuss the relationship between ashraya of one’s current or prospective diksha and shiksa gurus and ashraya of Srila Prabhupada.
  • Give relevant reference to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and the broader Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition

Lesson 6 Selection of Guru

Aim

To familiarize students with the authentic guru’s qualifications as defined and exemplified in shastra.

To equip students to:

  • examine, select and develop appropriate relationships with ISKCON diksha and shiksha gurus.
  • prepare for hari-nama-diksha, by giving attention to:
    • suitable motivation, time and choice.
    • the guru’s qualifications by current ISKCON standards.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Cite the general qualifications and symptoms of a bone-fide guru with reference to appropriate verses from Shastra.
  • Discuss eligibility to become guru in relation to:
    • Kanishtha-adhikari, madhyama-adhikari, uttama-adhikari Vaishnavas
    • Sadhana-siddha,nitya-siddha & maha-bhagavata Vaishnavas
    • position in Varna-ashrama
  • Discuss the specific qualifications of an ISKCON guru, with reference to current ISKCON standards.
  • Explain the responsibility of the prospective disciple to examine and select the Shiksha and Diksha gurus.
  • Discuss appropriate and in appropriate utilization of ISKCON’s process of guru-authorization in one’s selection of Diksha and
    Shiksha gurus.
  • Differentiate between appropriate and in appropriate reasons for, and methods of, selecting Shiksha and Diksha gurus.

Cite appropriate references from the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and the broader Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition

Lesson 7 Initiation Vows

Aim

To prepare students to strictly follow initiation vows and, where necessary, take appropriate steps for rectification.
 

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Discuss the purpose and importance of strictly following initiation vows with relevant reference to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
  • Identify challenges faced in strictly following initiation vows.
  • Suggest solutions to these challenges.
  • Explain the appropriate steps of rectification in the case of breaking initiation vows.

Lesson 8 Guru-puja

Aim

To familiarize students with the basic standards of Guru-puja and Vyasa-puja, and prepare them to maintain regular and appropriate worship.  

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Discuss the basic standards of Guru-puja and Vyasa-puja for Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON gurus.
  • Reflect on their experiences of participating in a Vyasa-puja celebration
  • Give reference to the:
    • teachings of Srila Prabhupäda ,
    • broader Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition
    • current ISKCON authorized standards as given in Pancharatra-Pradipa etc.
  • Discuss the benefits of maintaining regular worship according to the above standards.

Lesson 9  Guru- seva

Aim

To enhance student’s:

  • understanding of the relationship between service to guru and service to the mission of ISKCON.
  • ability to resolve possible tensions between the above two.

To enable students to balance obligations in their lives, in addition to obligations to their guru, according to their position in varna-ashrama.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Identify methods of guru-seva and service to the mission of ISKCON.
  • Explainthe relationship between guru-seva and service to the mission of ISKCON.
  • Discuss a balanced approach to regularly offering guru-dakshina and contributing financially to ISKCON preaching projects
  • Differentiate between a balanced and imbalanced approach to rendering these services.
  • Discuss consequences of imbalanced approach to rendering these services.
  • Discuss importance of balanced approach to rendering these services.
  • Identify obligations in their lives, in addition to obligations to their guru, according to their position in varna-ashrama.
  • Identify challenges faced in meeting these obligations in a balanced manner.
  • Suggest and discuss solutions to these challenges.

Lesson 10     Guru Vapu and Vani-seva

Aim

To help students:

  • appreciate the importance of both guru vapuh and vani-seva, and their inter-relationship
  • avoid neglect of either, especially vani
  • appropriately serve the guru’s vapuh and vani

To nurture students’ skills and attitudes for behaving appropriately in the presence of the guru.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Explain, in their own words, the aspects of vapuh and vani in regard to guru-seva.
  • Identify methods of guru vapuh and vani-seva.
  • Discuss the respective importance of guru vapuh and vani-seva.
  • Discuss the importance of guru vapuh and vani-seva in the case of departure of the guru.
  • List examples of disciples who perfected their spiritual lives through guru-vani-seva
  • Demonstrate appropriate behavior for a disciple associating with the guru:
    • according to one’s position in ashrama and one’s gender.
    • in the presence of both one’s diksha and shiksha gurus.
    • in the presence of the guru’s godbrothers/godsisters.
    • in the presence of the guru’s family members, if the guru is in the grihastha-ashrama.
  • Demonstrate appropriate behavior for inquiring from the guru.
  • Differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate issues on which to seek advice
  • Discuss the importance of behaving appropriately in the presence of the guru.
  • Give appropriate reference to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, the broader Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.

Lesson 11 Guru-tyaga  (Rejection of the Spiritual master)

Aim

To help students deal with:

  • problems in their relationship with the guru
  • criticism of the guru or rumors (whether true or false)
  • the guru’s encounter with spiritual difficulties
  • fall down of guru

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Explain the concepts of:
    • philosophical or institutional deviation,
    • spiritual fall down of the guru.
  • Explain, in their own words, the principles of guru-tyaga and re-initiation.
  • Discuss different levels of guru-tyaga.
  • Differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate, and explain the correct procedures for:
    • lodging complaints in relation to their guru
    • guru-tyaga
    • re-initiation
  • Identify ways the disciple establishes a connection to Srila Prabhupada, the guru-paramparä and ISKCON in addition to their connection through diksha.
  • Discuss the appropriate attitude for continuing to practice devotion service, in ISKCON, in the case of rejection of the guru.
  • Give appropriate reference to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, the broader Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.

Lesson 12 Presenting One’s Guru

Aim

To help students appreciate the importance of appropriately presenting their guru (within Vaishnava society and to the general public) consistent with:

  • The principles of Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition
  • Relevant Shastric parampara
  • Current ISKCON Law

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Explain why we require to present guru when preaching
  • Explain in their own words, with reference to relevant shastric pramana, and current ISKCON laws, the principles of Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition in regard to promoting one’s guru in public and within the society of Gaudiya Vaishnavas.
  • Identify areas where, and discuss reasons why, the above principles are not implemented in ISKCON.
  • Considering the above mentioned principles, discuss, in relation to gurus other than
    Srila Prabhupada:
    • the appropriateness of wearing clothes and badges promoting ones guru in public
    • the appropriateness of canvassing for ones guru amongst uninitiated new devotees
    • appropriate places for displaying pictures of one’s guru
    • appropriate places for promoting literary and other publications of one’s guru.
    • promoting one’s guru in public preaching programs
  • Discuss possible consequences of the disregard of these principles for the present and future of ISKCON.
  • Discuss and benefits of, publicly promoting Srila Prabhupada as the Founder-acarya and preeminent Shiksha -guru in ISKCON, for the present and future.

Lesson 13 Relationships within ISKCON

Aim

To help students appreciate the importance of:

  • avoiding negative discrimination on the basis of one’s diksha guru
  • maintaining cooperative relationships with all ISKCON Vaishnavas, with Srila Prabhupada as the foundational ISKCON Siksha-guru and its unifying leader, for the present and future.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate discrimination on the basis of one’s diksha guru in ISKCON.
  • Discuss consequences arising from inappropriate discrimination on the basis of one’s diksha guru.
  • Identify challenges faced in developing and maintaining cooperative relationships amongst disciples of different gurus in ISKCON.
  • Suggest ways of overcoming the above challenges.
  • Identify additional ways of develop and maintain cooperative relationships with all ISKCON Vaishnavas, without inappropriate discrimination on the basis of one’s diksha guru, with Srila Prabhupada as the foundational ISKCON Siksha-guru, and unifying leader for the present and future.
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