“Our whole program is to train the untrained.”
Experience the Highest Possible Taste
Srila Prabhupada promises us in the Nectar of Devotion that even a neophyte can experience transcendental ecstasy and make rapid advancement by engaging in these five potent forms of devotional service: studying the Srimad Bhagavatam in Vaisnava sanga, associating with advanced devotees, living in the holy dhama, chanting the holy name of the Lord, and worshipping the Deity with love and devotion. In the Caitanya-caritamrta, Krishna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami describes that even a slight performance of this panca-anga bhakti awakens love for Krishna.
The Mayapur Institute for Higher Education and Training (MIHET) will provide an environment conducive for devotees to practice these five potent forms of devotional service to their hearts content. Participants in our courses will have easy access to serene places to study, potent places of pilgrimage, great association, gorgeous Deities to worship, an enlivening morning program, nice accommodations, and great prasadam.
Now the Mayapur Institute has developed a unique facility for Bhakti-sastri graduates to take the next step up the systematic sastric study ladder with the Bhaktivaibhava Course by reducing time away from their prabhu-datta-desas by 50%. We even have a few scholarships available if you need help.
(If you have not completed Bhakti-sastri, please click here for an enlivening opportunity.)
Beginning on November 21, 2007, the Mayapur Institute will launch an exciting new version of the VTE Bhaktivaibhava Course. The MIHET Sastric Curriculum Development Team in close consultation with the VTE (Vaisnava Training & Education, Oxford) designed this course according to the VTE's principles of effective education with the idea of facilitating devotees with service responsibilities within ISKCON. This course will have clear aims and objectives specifically designed to enliven, inspire and empower students.
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The VTE has established the Overall Purpose of Systematic Sastric Study as follows:
“To nurture the evolution of a brahminical, Krishna-conscious leadership, whose members are expert in the study and assimilation of sastric knowledge and are proficient in its application–in their own lives, in helping others, and in perpetuating the mission of Srila Prabhupada.”
The specific aims of the VTE Bhaktivaibhava Course are not only building upon the aims of the VTE Bhakti-sastri Course, but are also preparing students for further development in the future VTE Bhaktivedanta and VTE Bhakti-sarvabhauma Courses.
The VTE Bhaktivaibhava Course consists of two 26-week modules. Each module has a Preliminary Self-study Section and a Campus Study Section of 13 weeks each. |
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| Module 1 (Cantos 1 - 3) | November 21, 2007 - February 29, 2008 |
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| Preliminary Self-study Section | Distance Learning (Completed prior to attending course) | 13 Weeks |
| Campus Study Section | 11 Weeks of Classes, 2 weeks of Assessment | 13 Weeks |
| Module 2 (Cantos 4 - 6) | November 9, 2008 - February 17, 2009 |
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| Preliminary Self-study Section | Distance Learning (Completed prior to attending course) | 13 Weeks |
| Campus Study Section | 11 Weeks of Classes, 2 week of Assessment | 13 Weeks |
Preliminary Self-study Section
Students will study much of the material before they come to Mayapur, enabling them to spend less time away from their preaching fields and optimize their learning while in Mayapur. The Preliminary Self-study Section will include:
- Guidelines on how to study the Srimad-Bhagavatam
- Additional quotes from Srila Prabhupada's lectures on the Srimad-Bhagavatam
- Guidelines on compiling portfolios related to the various aims
- Guidelines on writing chapter overviews
- Focused reading assignments with Content Specific and Generic Questions
- Essay writing guidelines
- Lists of the memorization verses
Students will use notes compiled during the Preliminary Self-study Section during the corresponding On Campus Section. Students in the Preliminary Self-study Section will submit two essays (Understanding and Personal Application), and receive results by email. Passing the two essays qualifies a student to enter the subsequent On Campus Section. Students may acquire the Preliminary Self-study Section materials for Module 1 here.
On Campus Section
The 13 weeks of study on the campus in Mayapur will involve the following:
7 Classes Per Week:
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With this system, students will have the opportunity to hear from fully trained VTE facilitators in the morning structured learning classes and from the most senior ISKCON sannyasis and leaders in the evening thematic discussions.
Assessment for Each Module
- Closed Book Exams weekly (slokas and short questions)
- Open Book Questions submitted weekly
- Verbal presentations
Each Unit, consisting of 5 lessons taught over a week long period, will be seperately assessed during the course. This system allows students to keep their credits for completed units even if they do not sit an entire module (i.e Module 1 Cantos 1-3 or Module 2 Cantos 4-6). When they return, at a later time, to finish their degree, completed units will not have to be reassessed.
Contact the course supervisors at MIHET@pamho.net for more details on compleing the course in sections and part time study.
This course has a very developed system of assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the students based upon the aims and objectives of the course, thus dramatically enhancing the students' learning and growth.
Our sannyasi teachers will lead parikramas throuhout Navadvipa Dhama for our Bhakti-sastri and Bhaktivaibhava students on weekends from November 24, 2007 to February 2, 2008. More details on parikramas are here.