Maximizing Devotee Empowerment: Enhanced Bhakti-sastri Curriculum

We are piloting a revised approach to the VTE Bhakti-sastri Course. This new curriculum deals with the main subjects of bhakti-sastri in seven distinct units. These seven units reflect the fundamental principles of learning presented in the VTE approach to education, wherein students progressively learn knowledge, skills and values in a systematic manner.

 

Benefits

This approach benefits our students on both the practical and educational levels and improves the quality of their overall experience in the course:

  • Practical Level
The course can be taught on either a full or part-time schedule. Students have the option of completing the course over an extended period of time, if they cannot complete all the units within one semester.

  • Educational Level
Information is categorized, filed and accessed in our subtle bodies in terms of subjects. Learning new information is easier when it is categorized in terms of subjects. Dividing the content of bhakti-sastri material into seven specific subjects utilizes this natural approach to learning.

  • Qualitative Level
Separately assessing the respective units of the course facilitates more regular assessment, thus making the assessment more relevant to the day-to-day learning experiences of our students. Assessment done in this sattvic way will reduce stress and anxiety students may feel regarding assessment that is less regular.

Overview of course structure

Section Unit Topic Content
Understanding
of Bhakti-sastras		 1 Dharma in Bhagavad-gita Bhagavad-gita Chapters 1-2
2 Yoga Ladder & Jnana in Bhagavad-gita Bhagavad-gita Chapters 3-6
3 Pure Krsna-bhakti Nectar of Devotion Intro - Chapter 5,
Bhagavad-gita Chapters 7-12
Application
of Bhakti-sastras		 4 Sadhana-bhakti Nectar of Devotion Chapters. 6-19,
Nectar of instruction
5 Preaching from Bhakti-sastras Sri Isopanisad,
Various Bhakti-sastri Material
6 Elevation through Modes of Nature Bhagavad-gita Chapters 13-18
Values
in Bhakti-sastras		 7 Qualities of a Bhakti-sastri Various Bhakti-sastri Material

 

Section 1: Understanding of the Bhakti-sastras

In the beginning of the course, facilitators focus on subjects such as varnasrama-dharma, yoga ladder, and pure krsna-bhakti. In this section the students' learning emphasis is on understanding the bhakti-sastras. This first section of three units draws from the Bhagavad-gita Chapters 1-12, and the Nectar of Devotion Introduction - Chapter 5.

  • Orientation
     
  • Unit 1
    Topic: Dharma in Bhagavad-gita
    Content: Bhagavad-gita, Chapters 1-2
  • Unit 2
    Topic: Yoga Ladder & Jnana in Bhagavad-gita
    Content: Bhagavad-gita, Chapters 3-6
  • Unit 3
    Topic: Pure Krsna-bhakti
    Content: Nectar of Devotion, Introduction - Chapter 5 & Bhagavad-gita, Chapters 7-12

 

Section 2: Application of the Bhakti-sastras

After students have sufficiently explored and understood the basic philosophical subjects, they progress into the units dealing with personal application with subjects such as sadhana-bhakti and elevation through the modes. Students also study preaching applications such as defeating Mayavada philosophy and addressing inappropriate worship of the devatas. This section draws material from Bhagavad-gita Chapters 13-18, Nectar of Devotion Chapters 6-19, Nectar of Instruction and Sri Isopanisad.

  • Unit 4
    Topic: Sadhana-bhakti
    Content: Nectar of Devotion, Ch.6-19 & Nectar of Instruction
  • Break (Ganga Sagara Mela)
  • Unit 5
    Topic: Preaching from Bhakti-sastras
    Content: Sri Isopanisad & Various Bhakti-sastri materials
  • Unit 6
    Topic: Elevation through Modes of Nature
    Content: Bhagavad-gita , Chapters 13 - 18

 

Section 3: Values in the Bhakti-sastras

In the final section of this course, facilitators address appropriate attitudes for a bhakti-sastri graduate. Students thoroughly explore topics such as guru-tattva, perpetuating Srila Prabhupada's mood and mission, the mood of a bhakti-sastri preacher, and cooperation within ISKCON. This section draws from various materials throughout the bhakti-sastras and, in addition to exploring appropriate attitudes, consolidates the learning achieved in the previous units.

  • Unit 7
    Topic: Qualities of a Bhakti-sastri
    Content: Various Bhakti-sastri materials

Bhakti-sastri Assessment

Facilitators assess students in each of the seven course units and give ongoing reports of their progress. This style of regular and transparent assessment reduces students' anxieties regarding assessment. Students who are unable to complete all seven units at once, due to other commitments, can complete the course over two or more years, as successfully completed units remain credited.