Author : HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami

E-Mail : Bhakti.Raghava.Swami@pamho.net

Date Produced : September 2013

Serial No. : 33 of 54

VARNASRAMA

COLLEGECurriculum Design

Head OfficeSri Dham Mayapur

Cakra Bldg – Room No. 137

CURRICULUM DESIGN

“In human society, therefore, the brahminicalculture, ksatriya culture and vaisya culture must bemaintained and people should be taught how to besatisfied with only what they need”. SB 8.19.21

“Therefore, the India RGB hereby establishes the Varnasrama-based Rural Development Ministry with the following mandate:

1. To encourage the establishment in India of models ofKrishna-conscious rural communities (villages):

a. to demonstrate in a practical way how the principles of varnas(aptitude based occupations) and asramas (phased lifelongspiritual emancipation) are universal and standard principlesmeant to be implemented.

b. To demonstrate the principles of self-sufficiency, sustainability,and localized economy based on proper utilization of land andcow protection.

IDVM-IndiaMANDATE

2. To encourage, wherever possible in India,varnasrama-based rural development centered on theland, cows, and Krishna.

3. In order to accomplish the above, to establish trainingprograms, publish resource materials, organizeconferences and seminars, establish libraries andresource centers, etc.

IDVM-IndiaMANDATE

1. Srila Prabhupada Uvaca2. Two Sva-Dharmas3. ISKCON’s Four Movements4. Primary and Secondary Goals5. Agrarian vs. Urban Based Culture6. Why Traditional Education is Needed7. Varnasrama Education and The Five Pillars of Education8. The Four Vidyas in Traditional Education9. Cities as “Preaching Basis”10. Curriculum for Cities11. Villages as “Living Basis”12. Curriculum for Villages13. Practical Application14. Contacts

OVERVIEW

“This town life, industrial life, factory life, is asuric[demoniac] life. It is killing human ambition. It is killingcivilization.” Evening Lecture, Gita Nagari, July 15, 1976.

“And to save this human civilization, these two classes arerequired very urgently. So you American boys and girls, youare intelligent, you have got all facilities. At least in yourcountry, create these two classes, brahmana and ksatriya.The world will be saved, and you will be saved, and Krsnawill be pleased.” Conversation, LA, August 17, 1972

1. Srila Prabhupada Uvaca

“The varnasrama college has to be established immediately.Everywhere, wherever we have got our center, a varnasramacollege should be established to train four divisions: oneclass, brahmana; one class, ksatriya; one class, vaisya; andone class, sudra.” [March 12, 1974, Vrindavana, MorningWalk]

“Unless in the human society the varnasrama system isintroduced, no scheme or social order, health order or anyorder, political order, will be successful”. [RoomConversation, October 18, 1977, Vrindavan]

1. Srila Prabhupada Uvaca

The Material Norm: Varnasrama Dharma

“On the bodily plane sva-dharma is called varnasrama-dharma, orman's steppingstone for spiritual understanding. Humancivilization begins from the stage of varnasrama-dharma.” Bg 2.31

The Spiritual Norm: Bhagavat Dharma

“So, and real sva-dharma is spiritual sva-dharma….And what isthe occupation of that sva-dharma?... Jivera svarupa haya nitya-krsna-das…that is spiritual sva-dharma.” Bg 2.31, Lecture,September 1, 1973, London

2. Two Sva-Dharmas

From Essay on Gita Nagari, 1956

1. Sankirtan Movement Spiritual Sva-Dharma

2. Temple Worship Movement Spiritual Sva-Dharma

3. Spiritual Initiation Movement Spiritual Sva-Dharma

4. Classless Society Movement Material Sva-Dharma(Varnasrama Movement)

“Spiritual existence of devotional activities and classless society are two identical terms. The one without the other has no meaning.”

BTG, May 20, 1956

3. ISKCON’S Four Movements

The primary goal is the spiritual sva-dharma of devotional service toKrishna and attainment of pure love for Krishna. This is found in thefirst three movements introduced by Srila Prabhupada.

The secondary goal is the material sva-dharma, natural social (varna)and spiritual (asrama) divisions, localized living within an agrarianbased society, with economics focused on natural food production,cow protection, sustainable occupations and lifestyle, all meant to lendsupport and help towards developing the primary goal. This is foundin the fourth movement introduced by Srila Prabhupada, the classlesssociety or the culture of daiva varnasrama.

The training and education we impart to our children will moldtheir future lifestyle. Traditional education is therefore needed tomaintain, protect and nourish our traditional culture.

4. Primary and Secondary Goals

“Live village life, simple life, and be satisfied with thebare necessities. There is no need of luxury. And savetime and chant Hare Krishna. This is ideal life. So I amvery pleased that you are doing that, and do it morenicely so that others may be attracted.”

Evening lecture at Gita-Nagari Farm, July 15, 1976

5. Agrarian Vs. Urban Based Culture

”There are two schools of thought current in the world.One wants to divide the world into cities and the otherinto villages. The village civilization and the citycivilization are totally different things. One depends onmachinery and industrialization, and the other onhandicrafts.” M. Gandhi

5. Agrarian Vs. Urban Based Culture

Traditional education can best teach the full meaning of materialsva-dharma (daiva varnasrama dharma) and spiritual sva-dharma(bhagavat dharma – bhakti).

Both varnasrama dharma and bhagavat dharma represent twostandard sciences of sustainable natural systems, one beingmaterial in nature, the other being spiritual in nature.

Srila Prabhupada has given a standing order to introduce thesystems of traditional Gurukulas & Varnasrama Colleges, thebasis for establishing both Varnasrama Culture and BhagavatCulture.

6. Why Traditional Education is Needed

Varnasrama education refers to the social and

educational system of varna and asrama as a self-

contained educational institution based on the Vedic

teachings which lead individuals and society at large

towards the perfection of life, i. e. individual and social

emancipation. It takes into account the fullness of the

living entity, fulfilling his physical needs, his emotional,

intellectual and social needs, as well as his spiritual

needs.

* Vast majority of students don’t attend formal school!

7.1 VARNASRAMA EDUCATION

Varna education is based on

“aptitude based learning” which leads to

“aptitude based occupation”.

7.2 VARNA EDUCATION

Asrama education teaches

“phased lifelong learning”, (the 4 asramas)

from gradual awakening of consciousness to

“self-realization”, culminating in

“Krishna consciousness”.

Varna & Asrama Education are meant to be

the norm and standard in society.

7.3 ASRAMA EDUCATION

1. Definition Bhagavad-gita 7.2

2. Disposition Bhagavad-gita 18.43/4.34

3. Delivery Boarding/Free Education

4. Design Curriculum: “Veda” Based/Sruti/Smriti

5. Direction Bhagavad-gita 18.64 to 66

7.4 The Five Pillars of Education

From Kautiliya Arthashastra Audience

1. Science of Philosophy All

2. Science of the Vedas Brahmanas

3. Science of Politics Ksatriyas

4. Science of Economics Vaisyas

8. The Four Vidyas of Traditional Education

SYLLABUS * Srila Prabhupada’s Four main books (Bhagavad-

gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion and Caitanya Caritamrta)

* Books from our Vaisnava Acharyas

FOCUS

1. Sankya Srimad-Bhagavatam

2. Yoga Bhagavad-gita

3. Lokayata Nyaya Sastra, Anviksiki, Tarka Vidya

(Dealing with Logic and Perception)

8.1 Science of Philosophy

SYLLABUS Caturdasa Vidya (14 books of knowledge)

FOCUS Vedas (4)

Vedangas (6)

* Bhagavad- Mimansa (1)

Gita Nyaya (1)

* Srimad Dharma-sastras (20) (1)

Bhagavatam Puranas (18) (1)

Upavedas (4)

1) Ayur-veda, 2) Gandhharva-veda,

3) Dhanur-veda, 4) Sthapatya-veda

* 64 Arts and Sciences

8.2 Science of the Vedas

SYLLABUS Kautiliya Arthashastra, Viduraniti

Dhanur-veda, Canakya Niti, etc.

FOCUS

1. Raksha Protection

2. Palana Administration

3. Yogaksema Welfare

8.3 Science of Politics

SYLLABUS Dharma Sastras

FOCUS

1. Krishi Agriculture

2. Go Raksha Cow Protection

3. Vanijyam Trade Related to Krishiand Go Raksha

8.4 Science of Economics

“In Vrndavana and Allahabad, we’ll see Prabhupada explainthe role of city temples as staging grounds for organizingvarnasrama communities. In the first phase, devoteesshould go into the cities and attract the people byestablishing temples and distributing Krishna consciousliteratures. Second, as people become devotees, they can bebrought to farm communities where they can live theKrishna conscious liefstyle described in the books, andremain fixed up in devotional service practice without thetemptation and material allurement of the cities.”Introduction to Varnasrama Dharma by Hare KrishnaDasi.

9. Cities as Preaching Basis

Preparing Devotees to Preach in the Cities

• All present curriculum provided by existing educationalinstitutions such as VIHE, MI, ISKCON LEADS, etc.

• Adding Varnasrama Training Course Curriculumcovering the culture for brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas andsudras as it pertains to an agrarian lifestyle within a ruralsetting as well as an urban lifestyle in keeping with Vedicculture.

10. Curriculum for Cities

Preparing Devotees to Live in the Villages

* Introduction to curriculum taught in the villages

* Learning skills and crafts to be used in the villages

* Visiting rural projects

* Community gardens in the city (transitional)

* On-going discussions in relation to village life

* Seminars to create awareness

*** How to leave the “Comfort Zone” of City Life…

10. Curriculum for Cities

“Vrindavan conception is a transcendental village, withoutany botheration of the modern industrial atmosphere. Myidea of developing New Vrindavan is to create anatmosphere of spiritual life where people in bona fide orderof social division, namely, Brahmacaris, Grhasthas,Vanaprastha, Sannyasis, or specifically Brahmacaris andSannyasis, and Vanaprasthas, will live there independently,completely depending on agricultural produce and milkfrom the cows. The life should be simplified without beinghampered by laboring day and night for economicdevelopment, without any spiritual understanding.”

[Letter to Hayagriva, Montreal 17 August, 1968]

11.1 Villages as Living Basis

Gandhi was trying to get the Indians back to village. His

philosophy was that these capitalists, they are exploitingthese poor men, so all these poor men, they should goback to village and be satisfied with the village economy,not to come out. Actually that's a very nice program….Gandhi's policy was to make them happy by agriculturein the village, produce their own clot h, not in the mill butin charka.

But as soon as Gandhi died, or he was killed, the wholeprogram was changed-industrialization and attract thepoor man and let them live in wretched condition of citylife. [Sept 28, 1972, Los Angeles]

11.2 Villages as Living Basis

Formal Education GurukulaVarnasrama College

Non-formal Education Vocational TrainingArts and CraftsTraditional Technologies

Informal Education Cultural programs

*** In a varnasrama society, the vast majority of students willreceive eduation through non-formal and informal education.Most students therefore need not attend school!

12. Curriculum for Villages

DESA, KALA, PATRA: Each city temple may discuss anddecide how and when it wishes to introduce VarnasramaColleges according to time, place and circumstances.

ISKCON LEADERSHIP: Leaders can help by promotingthe ideals toward establishing a varnasrama culture workingtowards a more balanced and harmonized material andspiritual reality of life.

Devotees in general may visit existing rural projects.

Brahmanas learned in all four vidyas needed to teach.

13. Practical Application

ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India)

IDVM-India Secretariat: Sriman Rama Lakshman dasRam.Lakshman.BRS@pamho.net

* Website: www.iskconvarnasrama.com

Om Sri Surabhi Campaign: Sriman Sri Rama dassriramadasa.brs@gmail.com

* Website: www.srisurabhi.org

14. CONTACTS

HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Name HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami

Age and Gender 70, Male

Country/Province of Origin Canada, Ontario

Educational Degree and Year B.A, 1968, M.Ed., 2004

Educational Institution State University of Yogyakarta

Professional Work/Experience Social Worker/Counselor

Affiliation with ISKCON Since 1974

Present Service in ISKCON Minister, IDVM-India