• All students must attend the full temple program – mangala arati, tulasi puja, darsana and Srimad-Bhagavatam class – Monday through Saturday.

• The course is English medium only. Assignments, homework, etc. must be submitted in English.

• The practicum (see description below) is assessed as one of the core units, therefore students must participate fully in order to receive a diploma.

Diploma of Arcana

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.

Our 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 enroll in individual units, and upon successful completion, will receive a MA unit certificate.

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

Course Units Overview

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.

(35 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 sastra. This will include elementary teacher training and giving sastra class.

(40 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.

(22 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.

(12 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.

(25 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.

(25 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.

(34 classes) 4 credit points

Practicum - (Core Unit)

This unit will involve students being placed in appropriate temple settings and functioning in a professional manner for approximately a two week 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

Flower Arranging

Devotees will learn how to make attractive flower arrangements for placement on the altar.

 (2 classes) 2 credit points