Since August 2015, the ISKCON Disciples Course has been mandatory for all new initiates in ISKCON, and recommended for all devotees. Developed under the direction of the Guru Services Committee, it is designed to deepen devotees’ understanding of guru tattva (the meaning of guru) and guru padasraya (taking shelter of the guru). The poster for the Argentine ISKCON Disciples Course
So far tens of thousands worldwide have completed the course, which has inspired a family togetherness amongst devotees, as well as a strong dedication to Srila Prabhupada, their gurus, and Lord Chaitanya’s mission.
Along with an online version offered by Bhaktivedanta College and other educational institutions, the course has been given locally in person by ISKCON centers worldwide at least once a year.
This year with COVID-19 halting in-person courses, ISKCON Argentina National Council’s Department of Education decided to offer the Disciples Course in a unique way via Zoom, providing a very personal experience in a virtual space.
The course ran from June 15th to August 17th, consisting of ten meetings of two hours each for a total of 20 hours, easily fitting into busy schedules. With 100 devotees participating from all over Argentina, it was the largest ISKCON Disciples Course offered in Latin America so far.
The course was taught by Buenos Aires-based Prema Rupa Madhava Das, a member of the National Council and the Department of Education, as well as about a dozen other facilitators and co-facilitators from different parts of the country.
The ISKCON Disciples course emphasizes Srila Prabhupada’s position as ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya and pre-eminent siksa guru for all devotees in the society, and their relationship with him.
It also covers guru tattva, the process of guru padasraya, the Guru Parampara system (chain of teachers), types of gurus such as diksa (initiating) and siksa (instructional), and how to select a guru.
Reas more: https://iskconnews.org/argentina-hosts-latin-americas-biggest-disciples-course-ever-virtually,7491/
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