prajna open-house-091315

Translating knowledge into good action

Prajna Overview


JET USA - Prajna Overview 2

Contents

• Why do our kids need Prajna?• How can Prajna can help our kids?• Prajna Pledge• Prajna Curriculum at a glance• Prajna Modules Overview• Academic Calendar 2015• Registration



Why do our kids need Prajna? Through Prajna, teachers help the kids build a strong foundation in our culture. Teachers carefully nurture your kids and grow them (from tender ages of 5) to turn them into leaders, responsible citizens and productive contributors of this world

Leaders and Responsible Citizens of the World who give protection, support, shade and juicy fruits to the world through their productive contributions

Values

Gratitude

Lessons fromhistory

Introduction to Vedic

approaches and practices

Significance of festivals

Discretionaryability

Ability todiscern right from wrong

Understanding and Tolerance

Respectfor the nature

Respectfor each other

Sense of identity

Vocabulary Pronunciation Through Prajna ModulesKids build a strong

foundation in our culture and heritage, be proud of it and be able to explain

to othersRightKnowledge

RighteousDeeds


How can Prajna help our kids? Prajna is a platform for kids to develop their personalities and become future leaders


Vedas

Itihasas (history)

Puranas(always new)

Our Kids

PrajnaCurriculum

(5 Modules – Slokas, Stories,

Bhajans, Values)

Avadhanam(Memorization

Techniques)

Platform that allows kids

to strive towardsEXCELLENCE

Future Leaders

Public Speakers Team Workers

Givers back tothe community

Upholder ofValues

Ones who can bridge Vedicknowledge with modern science

Understand anddemonstrate

gratitude

Respect one andanother and

mother nature

Managementskills

Consider serviceas a privilege

Source: Scientific study to prove chanting helps with improving memory

3

1

11

1

5

to

# Module in which this topic is emphasized Community activities C Thematic Camps

C

1 5to

1 5toUPANISHADS

1

5

to

http://www.niscair.res.in/sciencecommunication/ResearchJournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2006/April%202006/IJTK-vol%205(2)-April%202006-pp%20177-180.htm

http://www.niscair.res.in/sciencecommunication/ResearchJournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2006/April%202006/IJTK-vol%205(2)-April%202006-pp%20177-180.htm


Through repeating Prajna Pledge, our kids learn to respect each other, and their community


Oh Mother Earth!I being your best child and responsible citizen of this world, take this pledge!I shall revere my parents, my family, my Gurus and treat everyone with love.I shall serve my community, my country and those in need.I pledge to protect the nature by caring for animals, trees and the environment.I will learn from the experiences of my ancestors and pass it on to future generations.I, as a student of Prajna, swear to abide by the universal commandments –

Worship your own and respect allServe all beings as Service to God

Jai Srimannarayana!


Prajna has a carefully crafted curriculum designed by HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji


Modules Recommended Age

Concepts Learned

Module 1 5 To pronounce Sanskrit words 35 Slokas Vishnu Avatarams (introduction) Stories of Krishna Bhajans Our festivals Basic asanas in Yoga

Module 2 6 Pra:tah Smarani:yam - 7 sets of sto:tra:s (Hari Ashtakam, Krishna:shtakam etc.) Learn how to respect parents, elders & teachers Meditation Participate in classroom activities

Module 3 7 Hayagriva Stotram Learn stories about Goda/Kanta Chatusloki Guru Parampara Lakshmi Ashtotaram Stories related to acharya devo bhava, sneham (friendship), sages and their contributions, festivals, devotees

Module 4 8 Vishnu Sahasranamam Learn stories about Jnanam Practice Yoga and Meditation and Matatheeru Participate in classroom

Module 5 9 Bhagavad Gita – 1st Chapter Aditya Hrudayam Learn stories about gratitude, our birth, importance of community service, sages and contributions (2nd level) Practice Yoga and Meditation Participate in classroom

Module 6 10 Learn Stories related to Kruthajnatha, Gratitude, Jnanam and Maata Theeru Bhagavad Gita – 2nd Chapter Learn about Sages Agasthya and Vasishta Practice Meditation and Yoga Participate in activities related to classroom learning Importance of volunteering

Module 7 11 Learn Srimad Bhagavat Gita – Chapters 3, 4 and 5 Sankhshepa Ramayanam Learn about sages Viswamithra, Jadabharatha, VedaVyasa, Bharadwaja and Sukha Practice Meditation and Yoga Participate in activities related to classroom Volunteering


Prajna curriculum is delivered in a captivating and an easy to follow manner




In Module 1, kids learn the importance of gratitude; They also get grounded into our culture through thematic stories centered around festivals throughout the year

Gratitude

Gurus and Rushis (1..2,4)

Universalgiver (7)

Rivers (8)

35 Foundational Slo:kas Stories around festivals

Para tathvam (3)

Complete man,God incranate (5,9,12)

Universal nourisher (10,11)

UPANISHADS

Removal ofObstacles

Bestower ofknowledge

Bestower ofwealth

Wise andable one

Ganesh / Vighna Niva:rakaChathurthi

SravanaPu:rnima /

Raksha Bhandan

Janmasthami

NavarathriDussera Di:pavali

Gi:ta Jayanti

Dhanur ma:sam

Holi

Yuga:diRa:ma

Navami



In Module 2, Kids learn Pra:tah Smarani:yam (twilight prayers)

Haryasthakam

Krushna:sthakam

Panchayadha Sto:tram

Gajendra Mo:ksham

Slo:ka Trayam

Paratva:di Panchkam

Archira:di

Sarana:gathi

Twilight Prayers

Pray to Lord’s weapons tostrengthen our faith

in God

Pray to the protector of all living beings

Synchronize mind, speech and actions in focusing on

the Supreme being

Sing the greatness of the5 abodes of God

Praise the giver Of Bliss

Pray to the Lorduttering whose

Name burns our sins away

Pray to getSatsang and

march on the pathOf sreyas (benefit)

Prayer ofsubmission


Module 3 focuses on reciting Hayagriva Sto:tram that helps in significantly improving our oratory skills


Taught Vedas

Lost Vedas

Recovered Vedasand re-taught Brahma

Taught Vedas as

Hayagriva on Sravana Poornima

Lost Vedas

Brahma never lostVedas

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23743707

Two main aspects of a horse’s memory are:

1. Sequential memory2. Long term memory

Consequently, in addition to learning the Vedas, after learning memorization techniques, lord Brahma never forgot the Vedas

Prayer to Hayagriva in the form ofHayagriva Stotram

Ability to speak eloquently

Improves memory


Module 4 Focuses on Bhagavad Gi:ta Chapter 1


Sorrow Types

Sorrow for my kins(Dhritara:shtra’s

sorrow)

Sorrow for the world(Arjuna’s Sorrow)

Sorrow for myself(Duryodhana’s

sorrow)

Guidance ofan able

counselor

Upliftment of the WorldUpliftment of

the Self


Module 5 focuses on Bhagavad Gi:tha Chapter 2



Parent’s Responsibility

• 100% attendance• Attending the class on time and picking them on time• Parent attending the PRAJNA class along with kid as much as possible• Make sure kid’s practice at home daily and during vacation.• Prajna books safe keeping.• Bring books to every class.• Volunteering• Yoga Mats



PRAJNA Calendar 2015 – 16



Class Structure

Time (minutes) Activity Description

2 min Pledge The principles of Prajna are reinforced in each class

20 min Slo:ka Chant slo:kas till date Slo:ka of the day

20 min Story / Bhajan Story of the day

30 min Yoga/Workbook Every other week we do Yoga or Workbook

1 hr 30 min Each Class Time

Time (minutes) Activity Description

2 min Pledge The principles of Prajna are reinforced in each class

20 min Slo:ka Chant slo:kas till date Slo:ka of the day

20 min Story / Bhajan Story of the day

30 min Yoga/Workbook Every other week we do Yoga or Workbook

30 min Cultural Activity Preparation – for upcoming JET USA Events – Raganjali,etc

Every Last Sunday of the Month Schedule – 10AM to 12PM


Prajna classes are held in 50+ centers across the US



Some memorable pictures


Drawing competition during Vijaya Dasami 2007 celebrations


Ethnic dress competition during Ugadi 2008


Sloka chanting and bhajan’s during 2008 Lakshmi Puja


Dasavataram play during 2009 Lakshmi Puja


Dance performance during TAF 2010 Sankranthi Celebrations


With Shantaram Swamy and Surendracharya Swamy


Parents and students with Shantaram Swamy and Surendracharya Swamy


Prajna Summer Party 2011 – Kids watching Dasavataram cartoon


Prajna Teacher Training Camp – New Jersey


Prajna Kid’s with Sri Sri Sri Ahobila Jeeyar Swamiji


Prajna Summer Party 2013 – Temple Tour



Q & A

prajna open-house-091315

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