Courses

*Download the 2009-2010 Class Schedule here.

Diploma of Arcana

The Mayapur Academy offers an outstanding range of innovative
courses for devotees interested in developing their skills and ability as
pujaris and brahmanas.

The 'Diploma in Arcana' presents a relevant and challenging response
to current demands of deity worship and brahminical services in
ISKCON.

Course 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.
  

Certificate Courses

Eligible devotees having a special interest in a particular course unit
may enrol in individual units, and upon successful completion, will
receive a MA unit certificate.

Students who later enrol in the Diploma of Arcana will be awarded
credit for units previously studied as certificate units.

List of Units

    •    Temple Worship                       (Core Unit)
This unit develops the knowledge, skills and values of
temple deity worship and gives devotees practical
experience in the various procedures of daily worship.
40 Classes, 12 credit points

    •   Brahminical Culture and Ethics - Unit 1            (Core Unit)
In this unit devotees will develop values and knowledge
required to lead / guide a spiritual society. Devotees will
learn the role of a brahmana in giving guidance and
direction to various social and managerial structures
according guru, sadhu and scripture. This will include
elementary teacher training and giving sastra class.
(28 classes), 12 credit points

    •    Samskaras
In this unit devotees will develop skills and knowledge
required to perform major samskaras. Devotees will
learn the function of samskaras and how to set up and
perform a fire yajna.
(18 classes), 4 credit points

    •    Festivals
Devotees will learn the function of festivals, the meaning
of the different festivals, and how to observe various
festivals.
(12 classes), 4 credit points

    •    Tulasi
Devotees will learn to appreciate the identity of Tulasi
and will also develop knowledge and skills for caring for,
and worshiping Tulasi.
(6 classes), 2 credit points

    •    Cooking for the deities                                                     (Core Unit)
Devotees will learn the process of cooking within
ISKCON and how to develop and refine their cooking
skills.
(12 classes), 4 credit points

    •    Deity Dressing                                                                   (Core Unit)
Devotees will learn how to dress deities. Skills included
will be color matching, how to select appropriate
jewelry, wrap a turban, hang cloth and garlands etc.
(18 classes), 4 credit points

    •    Dress-making
Devotees will learn how to make beautiful clothes for
the deities. Skills included will be basic pattern design,
pattern making and also how to sew clothes for the
deities.
    •    Vedic Astrology
    •    Flower Arranging
    •    Practicum                               
    (Core Unit)
This unit will involve students being placed in
appropriate Temple settings and functioning in a
professional manner for a three day period. This will be
done under the tutorage of experts in specific fields.
Students will be assessed by keeping a professional
journal and the observation records of the tutor.
(5 days), 10 credit points

    •    Year Two Subjects
Advanced Temple Worship
Salagrama Worship
Brahminical Development 2
Teacher training 1

    •    Proposed Elective Units: (for future courses)
Clothes and jewelry design and creation
Introduction to Vedic Astrology
Introduction to Vastu
Introduction to Sanskrit
Worshiping Prabhupada (Murti & Instruction)
Teacher Training 2
Vaisnava Songs and Bhajanas

Poetry of the Vaisnava traditions
Civic training in ISKCON
Vaisnava Drama
Introduction to Ayurveda
Vedic mathematics