Diploma Course
Language: English, Russian
Duration: 4 months
The Diploma Course presents a relevant and challenging response to current demands of deity worship and brahminical services in ISKCON. Our instructors are some of the finest and most qualified devotees in their fields, who have been chosen for their ability to impart brahminical knowledge, values and attitudes. Underpinning the academic structure is a developing base of support from staff members, senior devotees, well-wishers and patrons.
(minimum 1st initiation and/or gurukuli required to be considered)
Certificate Course
Language: English, Russian
Duration: varies – 1-4 weeks per unit
The Certificate Course is also available for eligible devotees having a special interest in a particular course unit. They may enroll in individual units, and upon successful completion, will receive a Mayapur Academy certificate. Students who later enroll in the Diploma Course will be awarded credit for units previously studied in the Certificate Course.
Hindi & Bengali Certificate Courses
Language: Bengali, Hindi
Duration: 7 to 10 weeks
In the summer months, Mayapur Academy also offers an Arcana Course in Bengali or Hindi language.
Seminars
During the annual Gaura-pūrṇimā festival in Mayapur, Mayapur Academy offers a range of seminars including cooking, dressing and other aspects of deity worship.
Mayapur Academy offers innovative courses for devotees interested in developing their skills and ability as pūjārīs and brāhmaṇas.
Applications for Diploma, Certificate and Bengali Arcana Courses are open to all initiated devotees in good standing, who are at least 16 years old. While preference will be given to those with brahminical initiation, devotees with first initiation and gurukula devotees may also apply. Application to attend the course does not automatically guarantee that the devotee will be accepted. We consider all applications individually before notifying prospective students of acceptance.
For the duration of the course, devotees are required to attend the full morning program, follow the 4 regulative principles, and chant at least 16 rounds of japa every day.
Core Units
Temple Worship
This unit aims to give devotees an introduction to the knowledge, skills and values of deity worship that will help them to understand and appreciate it as an integral part of the philosophy and practices of devotional service, and to assist them in carrying out the basic items of daily temple worship.
(35 Classes) 10 credit points
Brahminical Culture & Ethics
In this unit devotees will develop values and knowledge required to lead / guide a spiritual society. Devotees will learn the role of a brāhmaṇa in giving guidance and direction to various social and managerial structures according guru, sādhu and śāstra. This will include elementary teacher training and giving śāstra class.
(40 classes) 10 credit points
Cooking
This unit will provide an introduction to the basic principles of cooking, where students will gain a wealth of culinary traditions, including cooking theory, kitchen technique, ingredient handling and entail the necessary values when cooking for Krsna. As an added feature students are given opportunities to learn from some of the prominent cooks in Mayapur enabling them to plan a balanced menu in accordance with traditional Vaisnava practices and cook Raja Bhoga.
(11 days) 4 credit points
Dressing
Devotees will learn how to artistic dress deities. Skills included will be color matching, how to select appropriate jewelry, making a turban, hang cloth and garlands etc.
(25 classes) 4 credit points
Mantras
Devotees will be able to chant all the mantras associated with the daily worship from memory.
Students who are not taking the full Diploma Course, but are taking Temple Worship are also required to attend during the duration of the Temple Worship unit.
(Duration of Diploma) 4 credit points for complete unit
Electives
Saṁskāras
In the men’s unit, students will learn about the theory and history of major saṁskāras in our tradition, how to perform an initiation yajña, and based on that, how to practically perform major saṁskāras, including basic mantra recitation. The women’s unit will also provide an introduction to and appreciation of the exalted position of Vedic samskaras in Gaudiya Vaisnava society. Students will also learn to plan and execute the dasa-vidha-samskaras in accordance with traditional Vaisnava practices
(22 classes) 4 credit points
Festivals
Students will learn the function, meaning, and elements involved for planning and performing various Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava festivals, including learning about and performing .
(12 classes) 4 credit points
Tulasī Care & Worship
Devotees will learn to appreciate the identity of Tulasī and will also develop knowledge and skills for caring for, and worshiping Tulasī.
(12 classes) 2 credit points
Dress-design
Many temples have difficulty to get the suitable dress for their Deities. In this unit, the students will learn variation of the design, colors, materials, the technique of embroidery with pearl, silk thread, beads, etc. At the end of the unit they will be able to draw their own design for the Deity with unique concept.
(34 classes) 2 credit points
Jewelry Making
Jewelry is an essential part of deity dressing. It enhances the outfit and adds beauty to overall dressing. This unit covers making of various jewelry items like necklaces, bangles, earring, waist belts etc. Students will be trained in basic pattern making, adding details and developing intricate patterns. By the end of the unit, students will be able to individually make each of the items for the deity.
(15 classes) 2 credit point
Flower Arranging
Devotees will learn how to make attractive garlands and flower arrangements for placement on the altar.
(6 classes) 1 credit points
Astrology
A short course dealing with the basics of astrology. Students will learn about selecting auspicious times used in saṁskāras and other Vaiṣṇava activities, naming of children, Vaiṣṇava calendar, zodiac and much more.
(4 classes)