*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 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.

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.

(2 weeks), 10 credit points

Vedic Astrology

Flower Arranging

Year Two Subjects

Advanced Temple Worship

   - Salagrama Worship

   - Radha Krsna worship

   - Mantras

Brahminical Culture & Ethics 2

   - Civic training in ISKCON

Cooking

   - Bengali cooking

   - Sweet making

   - Savories

   - The Six Tastes

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

Vaisnava Drama

Introduction to Ayurveda

Vedic mathematics