ISKCON Disciple Course (Self-Paced)

About Course

The ISKCON Disciple Course is an online training program that 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 the current ISKCON Law and gives reference to the writings from the broader Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition. The 14 lessons include Powerpoint presentations in pdf format, interactive workshops via forum discussions, and assessment exercises.

Course Certificate

We will bill only those devotees who require the ISKCON Disciple Course Certificate for their first initiation. You must pass the course assessment to qualify for the ISKCON Disciple Course Certificate. The requested donation for the course assessment is USD 19.00, which we bill after you pass it.

FAQ

How can I contact the course facilitator?

For any course-related questions, please contact us at idc@krishna.community

How do you assess the course?

Ten (10) Questions are to be answered in short essays. Your responses should be no more than approximately 250 words each. Some questions may require shorter answers. For the assessment, the mandatory Course Summary Quiz and your Course Forum participation are also used. A minimum grade of 65% is required for an overall pass. The course has only two grades – pass and not yet passed. You will receive a report of your assessment from your facilitator. And if needed, then you get the chance to improve individual essays to reach the passing grade to obtain the certificate.

Can I audit the course?

Yes, the course is open and free of charge for devotees who don’t need the course certificate.

Will I receive a Course Certificate?

Yes, after successfully passing the course assessment, you will receive by email a printable digital ISKCON Disciple Course Certificate – endorsed by the ISKCON Governing Body Commission Guru Services Committee.

Is there a time limit to finishing the course?

Yes, there is a course access time limit of 365 days. But you should attempt to conclude and graduate within 30 days.

What if my English is only basic?

We only assess course comprehension through the essays and not your English skills. If you cover in your essays the necessary points, then you will be perfectly fine.

Don’t overdo it. We don’t want you to write lengthy college-level essays. Rather, we prefer you to deliver essays concisely, showing comprehension.

Can I teach the ISKCON Disciple Course after graduating from this online course?

No, Online IDC graduates are not eligible to teach IDC on-site campus courses. Potential teachers of IDC must attend, in person, an on-site campus course.

Additional requirements to teach the ISKCON Disciple Course:
-Be initiated for at least 5 years
-Have completed the ISKCON Disciple Course
-Be recommended by their Disciple Course facilitator
-Have completed the VTE Teacher Training Course 1 (TTC1)* or have equivalent training or experience
-Have the approval of their local GBC representative
-Teach from the official curriculum, manuals, and other materials as approved by the GBC Guru -Services Committee

Do you offer refunds?

If you are unhappy with the course, you can ask for a refund. We will send you back the money, no questions asked.

What about Plagiarism?

Please understand that the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry delivers this course on krishna.community as a service to the ISKCON Members and that the ISKCON Disciple Course is meant to improve Guru & Disciple and ISKCON Member relationships. Trying to pass the assessment using plagiarism shows disrespect to the ISKCON Disciple Course creators, its facilitators, and ISKCON’s acting Gurus.

We have a non-tolerance policy regarding plagiarism.

Guru-tattva and the Guru-parampara System
Srila Prabhupada ISKCON Founder Acarya and Preeminent Guru
Types of Gurus
Relationship between ISKCON Guru and ISKCON Authorities
Gurus outside of ISKCON
Guru-padasraya
Selecting a Guru
Following Initiation Vows
Guru-puja and Vyasa-puja
Worship of ISKCON Gurus
Guru-vapu and Vani Seva
Guru-tyaga
Developing Cooperative Relationships in a multi Guru environment

Course Content

Introduction
Covering the Principles and Values of the Course's Broad Aims

Introduction
Welcome
Principles, Values, and Aims

Course Forum

Assessment

Course Content

ISKCON Disciples Course Contents
Unit One – Theory and Context
Lesson Two – Guru-tattva and Parampara
Lesson Three – Srila Prabhupada – ISKCON Founder Acarya
Lesson Four – ISKCON Gurus
Unit Two – Establishing the Relationship with Guru
Lesson Five – Guru-padasraya
Lesson Six – Selection of Guru
Lesson Seven – Initiation Vows
Unit Three – Acting in Relationship with the Guru
Lesson 8 – Guru-puja
Lesson 9 – Guru- Seva
Lesson 10 – Guru-vapu and Vani-seva
Lesson 11 – Guru-tyaga
Unit Four – Co-operatively Fulfilling the Relationship & Consolidation
Lesson 12 – Presenting One’s Guru
Lesson 13 – Relationships within ISKCON
Lesson 14 – Course Round Up

Additional Reading

1. Additional Quotes
2. GBC Statement on the Position of Srila Prabhupada (March 2013)
3. Mandatory Qualifications of Diksa-guru in ISKCON
4. Standards of Conduct for Gurus
5. Qualifications for Initiation in ISKCON
6. Rejection of a Fallen “Guru”
7. Harmonizing Lines of Authority Paper
8. G.B.C Resolution on ISKCON Disciple Course
9. Principles for Creating a Diksa-guru System for ISKCON
10. Norms for Classroom/Course Behavior
11. Further Reading

Supplementary Material

Frequently Asked Quesions

Course Summary Quiz

Student Ratings & Reviews

5.0

Total 2 Ratings

2 Ratings

0 Rating

laurasherman

3 months ago

Excellent course!

Param Gati

1 year ago

Nice course. Thanks.

About Course

Course Certificate

FAQ

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Introduction Covering the Principles and Values of the Course's Broad Aims

Introduction

Welcome

Principles, Values, and Aims

Course Forum

Forum

Assessment

Assessment Method

Short Essay Questions

Course Content

ISKCON Disciples Course Contents

Unit One – Theory and Context

Lesson Two – Guru-tattva and Parampara

Lesson Three – Srila Prabhupada – ISKCON Founder Acarya

Lesson Four – ISKCON Gurus

Unit Two – Establishing the Relationship with Guru

Lesson Five – Guru-padasraya

Lesson Six – Selection of Guru

Lesson Seven – Initiation Vows

Unit Three – Acting in Relationship with the Guru

Lesson 8 – Guru-puja

Lesson 9 – Guru- Seva

Lesson 10 – Guru-vapu and Vani-seva

Lesson 11 – Guru-tyaga

Unit Four – Co-operatively Fulfilling the Relationship & Consolidation

Lesson 12 – Presenting One’s Guru

Lesson 13 – Relationships within ISKCON

Lesson 14 – Course Round Up

Additional Reading

1. Additional Quotes

2. GBC Statement on the Position of Srila Prabhupada (March 2013)

3. Mandatory Qualifications of Diksa-guru in ISKCON

4. Standards of Conduct for Gurus

5. Qualifications for Initiation in ISKCON

6. Rejection of a Fallen “Guru”

7. Harmonizing Lines of Authority Paper

8. G.B.C Resolution on ISKCON Disciple Course

9. Principles for Creating a Diksa-guru System for ISKCON

10. Norms for Classroom/Course Behavior

11. Further Reading

Supplementary Material

Video – Srila Prabhupada’s Position as Founder Acarya – Part One

Video – Srila Prabhupada’s Position as Founder Acarya – Part Two

eBook – Srila Prabhupada Founder Acharya of ISKCON

eBook – The Spiritual Master and the Disciple

eBook – Siksa outside ISKCON?

eBook – How to Find Guru

Frequently Asked Quesions

Frequent Asked Questions

Course Summary Quiz

Course Summary Quiz

Quiz – Test what You have Learned

Student Ratings & Reviews

Introduction
Covering the Principles and Values of the Course's Broad Aims