Course books:
1. ‘Essence of Bhagavad-gita’ five courses series, for ‘Siddhanta’ or philosophy
2. Vaishnava Etiquette Manual published by ISKCON, Shri Shri Radha Gopinath
mandir, Near Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 7, K.M.Munshi marg, Chowpatty, Mumbai- 400 007 Phone: (022) 2369 7228, [email protected]
3. ‘Devotional Practice’ and ‘Vaishnava Culture’, Introductory Course Student
Handbook, Contact: Sita Rama prabhu, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hilfield Lane, Aldenham, Watford WD25 8EZ, U.K.
For the students who have completed DYS course given before, they can directly go to EBG, Course 2 namely ‘Positive Thinker’ (Spirit of Bhagavad gita) course. The ‘Discover Your Self’ book was originally designed for college youth with a skeptical mind and the following ‘Spiritual scientist’ course book can be used for Girls VOICE, Family programs etc as the same content is presented in a more simplified manner here. If the students who have obtained DYS Certificate are eager to obtain the ‘Spiritual Scientist’ certificate, then they have to complete the Quiz and Examination requirements of ‘Spiritual scientist’ course.
The series on ‘Spirituality for the Modern Youth’ consisting of the four books ‘Discover Your Self’ ‘Your Best Friend’ ‘Your Secret Journey’ ‘Victory over Death’ can be used by teachers for the following purposes :
• For additional information to teach the following courses
• For additional topics to be taken during camps and outings
• For giving morning programs for the serious students
The following five courses on ‘Essence of Bhagavad gita’ make the teaching very easy for the teacher and the syllabus easy for the student to grasp.
I. Spiritual scientist (Discover Your Self)
Duration: 3 weeks, weekly twice
The course helps one to scientifically discover one’s real identity and one’s relationship with the Supreme. A material scientist knows only the atom; a spiritual scientist knows the soul, which is spiritual. This knowledge helps him find goal, mission and vision of life.
.
1. Introduction to Bhagavad gita
2. Material problems, Spiritual solutions
3. Getting the eyes of Knowledge
4. Vedas – the privelege of Humanity
5. Science of Soul
6. Different platforms of Worship
II. Positive Thinker (Spirit of Bhagavad gita)
Duration: 4 months, weekly once
This course helps one with the Positive spirit needed to tap the powerful message of Gita. It helps one to identify a divine guide in your life and to obtain the necessary qualifications to become a cheerful positive thinker in life by knowing the sublime truths.
1. Identifying my divine guide
2. Spirit of Bhagavad gita
3. Qualifications of an ideal Disciple
4. Reincarnation – fact or fiction?
5. Evolving towards Perfection
III. Self Manager (Basics of Bhagavad gita)
Duration: 6 months, weekly once
This course teaches not the art of managing men, machine, material, market and money, but managing ones own life by a holistic approach that combines knowledge of God’s position and practical application of mantra meditation.
1. Peace Formula
2. Who should be the object of my worship?
3. God and gods
4. Is God Personal or impersonal ?
5. The Art of Self Management
IV. Proactive Leader (Secret of Bhagavad gita)
Duration: 6 months, weekly once
This course prepares one to become a Proactive Leader. All of us at some moments or the other, become victims to anger, lust and pride and feel sorry for our un- exemplary behaviour. The Proactive Leader is a thoughtful person who gives a
Sadhana and Sadachar topics
1. Practical Devotional Service
2. Etiquette within the Temple
3. Habits and Behavior
4. Four Regulative Principles
5. The Four Don’ts to Freedom
Sadhana and Sadachar topics
1.Hearing and Chanting 2.Deity Worship
3.Tulasi Worship
4.Learning Meaning of Morning program Songs
5.Holy Days
6.Serving and Honoring Prasadam 7.Dress and Appearance
8.Missionary Activities
9.Dealing with Parents, Relatives and Friends
Sadhana and Sadachar topics
Sadhana and Sadachar topics :
1.Relating to Seniors, Juniors and
Peers
2.Three levels of Devotees
3.Dealings with Guests
4.Offenses to the Vaishnava
5.Twenty-six Qualities of a Devotee
Sadhana and Sadachar topics :
1.ISKCON’s Cultural Identity and its
connection to the Vedas
2.Varnasrama Dharma
3.Ethics and Morality
4.Sadhana
5.Position of women in Vedic culture
6.Relating to Devotees with due
Respect
positive spiritual response, by knowing what is illusion opposed to reality and the resultant effects of all types of action.
1. The three ropes that bind us
2. Surpassing Maya
3. Our lost home – Kingdom of God
4. Karma – the law of infallible
justice
V. Personality Development (Essence of Bhagavad gita)
Duration: 6 months, weekly once
Personality development is not a superficial change. We are generally covered over superficially by our acquired qualities like Experiences, Abilities, Memories, Learning, Habits and Beliefs etc. But the innate qualities of the soul like Peace, Love, Truth, Happiness, Humility, Tolerance are hidden. When we awaken the innate qualities of the soul, they come out in the 4 R’s of our life-- in the various Roles that we have to play, the different Routines that we go through, the Responsibilities we have to shoulder, and the various Relationships that we care for. The innate qualities are brought out when one’s personality is truly developed.
1. Essence of Bhagavad gita
2. Creation and Universal Time
3. Different types of Yoga system
4. Practical Application of Bhagavad gita
5. Passing the Final Exam
Earlier the ‘Essence of Bhagavad gita’ was published as a bulky jumbo-size volume and it was two one-year courses. This becomes too much for the modern day people leading fast paced life. Keeping this in mind we had made it into the above five courses. Each course lasts for only a few months. There are also separate ‘QUIZ BOOKS’ available for each of the above courses. We can inspire the students to buy both the Course book and Quiz book at the start of the course. Once they complete the book, send them for the final exam and give off certificates in a function and encourage them to join the next course.
Method of Evaluation and Reward For any of the abovementioned Five Courses
1) The marking will be done as follows : 50% weightage for the marks obtained from
EBG Course Quiz, BG As It Is Quiz, Storyline Quiz, etc.
EBG and BG Quiz will have to done by each student individually, while the Storyline Quiz has to be done in groups.
Full marks for Storyline Quiz will be given for those attended it.
We are not keeping individual marking for it as Storyline quiz is subjective. 30% weightage for the Final Exam
20% for Practical lifestyle and behavior, Attendance, Punctuality and Participation in the weekly classes
2) Certificates could be issued based on the following criteria: Passing marks : 60%,
Distinction : 80% and above
Honors : 90% and above,
High Honors : 95% and above
Candidates who get 60% and above will receive a Certificate of Recognition.
* * * *
Special Features of the ESSENCE OF BHAGAVAD GITA Five courses books
• simple books presenting the teachings of Srila Prabhupada with simple examples, stories and illustrations gradually developing the philosophy of KC
• Can be used for teenagers, boys, girls and families
• A systematic Syllabus based on the MTE (Manor Training and Education) manual, London and the VOICE syllabus used for teaching our students in the last ten years which have thoroughly researched from Srila Prabhupada’s books on the most essential items to be learnt by a beginner.
• Helpful in coaching candidates, evaluating them before recommendation for Diksha or Initiation
• There are quizzes at the end of each lesson in this book to solidify the understanding of the concepts. There are also quizzes based on ‘Bhagavad-gita As It Is’ by Srila Prabhupada. This is to ensure that the student gets the advantage of Prabhupada vani.
- Audio Lectures of the EBG 1 book by Director, VOICE to guide in teaching EBG1 - ANSWERS to ALL the EBG Quizzes to help you in correcting the answers.
- Color Slide shows for some chapters.
All these resources can be of immense help to Preacher organize the EBG Course very easily and get the students started in spiritual life. After the EBG courses, the students can start studying Bhagavad gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrta.