ISKCON Disciples Course (IDC) – The Purpose & Contents!
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked:
“Hare Krishna prabhuji , PAMHO , AGTSP. Recently in an online zoom meeting with a senior prabhuji i asked that i am following 4 regulative principles and also chanting 16 rounds from more than 1 year and I want to accept a guru from ISKCON then prabhuji recommended me to do ISKCON disciple course but i forgot to ask details about it.
REPLY:
I have explained the method of getting initiation from ISKCON approved gurus in this Post:
(Courses and Exams for initiations (Diksha) in ISKCON for different levels! READ HERE!)
There I had written about the ISKCON Disciples Course (IDC).
Let me explain some necessary details about it that can be published publicly:
Befopre taking diksha from a bonafide guru in ISKCON, the devotees should know what diksha means, how the diksha gurus function in ISKCON, what the administrative set up of ISKCON is and how a disciple should treat diksha and siksha gurus, how they should behave, vows, etc.
The devotees should know A to Z about the administrative and spiritual set up of ISKCON and the responsibilities of a disciple before and after taking diksha.
If the disciples don’t know these details, they may be forced to violate the rules of diksha.
Therefore, ISKCON has made this IDC compulsory to get diksha from the gurus in ISKCON.
In fact, it is a good system because previously many devotees were taking diksha without knowing sufficient details about the above things.
(Is Brahmana Diksha (Second Initiation) Compulsory for all? READ HERE!)
Contents of ISKCON Disciples Course (IDC)
INTRODUCTION, THEORY AND CONTEXT
Guru-tattva and Paramparä
Srila Prabhupäda – ISKCON Founder Äcärya
ISKCON Gurus
ESTABLISHING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH GURU
Guru-pädäçraya
Selection of Guru
Initiation Vows
ACTING IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GURU
Guru-puja
Guru- seva
Guru vapu and vani-seva
Guru-tyaga
CO-OPERATIVELY FULFILLING THE RELATIONSHIP & CONSOLIDATION
Presenting One’s Guru
Relationships within ISKCON
OTHER THAN THESE TOPICS…
Additional Quotes
GBC Statement on the Position of Çréla Prabhupäda
Mandatory Qualifications of Dikshä-guru in ISKCON
Standards of Conduct for ISKCON Gurus
Qualifications for Initiation in ISKCON
Rejection of a Fallen “Guru”
Harmonizing ISKCON’s Lines of Authority
GBC Resolution on ISKCON Disciple Course
(Why don’t you recommend to us which Diksha Guru to choose in ISKCON? READ HERE!)
EXAMS:
The Online IDC course offers both Objective and Descriptive questions from the above topics.
The examples of descriptive questions:
(1) Explain the similarities and differences between the two main categories of guru.
(2) Discuss appropriate and inappropriate methods and reasons for selecting guru. Give appropriate reference to sastra and current ISKCON
Law in your reply.
(3) Discuss inappropriate attitudes and behavior, for an ISKCON disciple, in regard to favoritism or bias on the basis of one’s diksha guru. Why is it important for ISKCON disciples to develop an appropriate attitude in this regard?
These are just a few questions. The Course teacher will teach you in person or online. Don’t worry. The exam is easier than expected if you study sincerely for just a few days. It won’t take months. Just a few days.
I did it within 4 days and got outstanding marks. I took it as an important project. So, It was easy.
The small exams are conducted unit by unit that are easy to answer if you read the IDC Student booklet given to you by the Institution where you study. The questions will be asked from that booklet only.
(Diksha (Initiation) – Benefits! How It Works! Details with Examples! READ HERE!)
HOW TO JOIN THE ISKCON DISCIPLES COURSE (IDC)?
There are a few GBC approved bodies who conduct this course online.
However, every ISKCON center may have tie up with a certain bodies to offer this IDC course for their devotees. Some centers conduct direct courses also.
So, it is advisable to approach your Local ISKCON center and convey your willingness to do this course.
Every ISKCON center will definitely help you.
So, if you have any idea to take diksha from an ISKCON Guru, it is better to do this course even now and keep the Certificate with you. It should be attached when you apply for diksha in future.
You need not wait till you get diksha. You can do this course even now if you are following the diksha rules and if your local ISKCON Center will recommend you.
Hope you are clear about ISKCON Disciples Course (IDC).
I should not write more than this in a Public forum. Contact your Local ISKCON center to join this course.
(How to follow initiation (diksha) vows in spite of challenges? READ HERE!)