Bhaktivedanta Academy for Culture & Education

Syllabus (Level I)
Basics of Spirituality
 COURSE OBJECTIVE

This course aims to impart the sincere

student with a basic overview of the
philosophy and practice of Krishna
Consciousness.
The focus is to rationally introduce the
newcomer to the fundamental concepts of
spirituality, the values they represent, and
the culture and lifestyle of a practitioner.
The course shall strive to familiarize the
student with spiritual life in a way that he is
able to apply it and excel in his personal life,
simultaneously equipping him with the clarity
and confidence required to help and benefit
others around him.
Basics of Spirituality (MODULE-1)

Induction: Overview
Song: Hare Krishna Mahamantra

Session 1: Platform of real happiness

Song: Hare Krishna Mahamantra
Book: On the way to Krsna

Session 2: Mantra Meditation

Song: Hare Krishna Mahamantra
Book: On the way to Krsna

Session 3: Reincarnation, death and

immortality
Song: Hare Krishna Mahamantra
Book: Coming Back

Session 4: Evaluation
Written Test: 50 Marks
Essay: 50 Marks
1) Material happiness vs Spiritual happiness
2) Hare Krishna Movement
3) Shreyas and Preyas
Basics of Spirituality (MODULE-2)

Session 5: Regulative principles of freedom

Song: Jai Radha Madhava…
Book: Spiritual Yoga

Session 6: Urgent necessity

Song: Jai Radha Madhava…
Book: Transcendental Teachings of Prahlad
Maharaj

Session 7: Krishna- the supreme personality

Song: Jai Radha Madhava…
Book: Krishna- the reservoir of all pleasure

Session 8: Evaluation
Group Presentation: 50 marks
Quiz: 50 marks
Basics of Spirituality (MODULE-3)

Session 9: Acquiring absolute knowledge

Song: Bhaja hu re mana…
Book: Science of Self Realization

Session 10: Spiritual master- necessity and

qualifications
Song: Bhaja hu re mana…
Book: Science of Self Realization

Session 11: Is Krishna Consciousness a

Hindu Religion?
Song: Bhaja hu re mana…
Book: Science of Self Realization

Session 12: Evaluation

Written Test: 50 Marks
Essay: 50 Marks
1) Ascending and Descending knowledge
2) Are we Gods or God’s?
3) Hindu Dharma vs Sanatan Dharma
Basics of Spirituality (MODULE-4)

Session 13: Spirituality- a science or

sentiment?
Song: Bhaja hu re mana…
Book: Dharma

Session 14: Highest welfare activities

Song: Bhaja hu re mana…
Book: Dharma

Session 15: The Process in Nutshell

Song: Bhaja hu re mana…
Book: A beginner’s guide to Krishna consciousness

Session 16: Evaluation

Group Presentation: 50 marks
Quiz: 50 marks
Basics of Spirituality (CONCLUSION)

Session 17: Review and Q/A

Song: Bhaja hu re mana…

Session 18: Final Evaluation

Written Test: 100 marks
Interview: 50 marks
Essay: 50 marks
1) Four pillars of Religion
2) Nine process of devotional service
3) Vaishnava Etiquette
Basics of Spirituality (QUALIFYING CRITERIA)

ATTENDENCE:
Attendance in each session will carry 10 marks (total 180
marks)

BEHAVIOUR:
Group participation, Enthusiasm and Punctuality: 20
Marks

EVALUATION:
Academic marks = 50% of (Cycle1 + Cycle2 + Cycle3 +
Cycle4) + 100% of Cycle5 = 400
Marks on attendance & behavior = 200
Total Marks = 600

GRADATION:
1ST Class with distinction - 80%
1ST Class - 70%
2nd Class - 60%
3rd Class - 50%

RANK
1ST, 2ND AND 3RD across all the BACEs
Basics of Spirituality (APPENDIX – 1)

BOOKS FOR STUDY:

1) On the way to Krsna
2) Coming Back
3) Spiritual Yoga
4) Transcendental Teachings of Prahlada Maharaja
5) Elevation to Krsna Consciousness
6) Krsna, the Reservoir of Pleasure
7) Science of Self Realization
8) Dharma- the way of transcendence
9) A Beginner’s Guide to Krsna Consciousness

OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

1) Easy Journey to Other Planets
2) Civilization and Transcendence
3) The Topmost Yoga System
4) Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers
5) Path of Perfection
6) Life Comes from Life
7) The Perfection of Yoga
8) Beyond Birth and Death
9) Krsna Consciousness, The Matchless Gift
10) Laws of Nature: An Infallible Justice
Basics of Spirituality (APPENDIX – 2)

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
1) Wearing Vaishnava Dress
2) Applying Tilaka
3) Serving Prasadam
4) Mangalacaran
5) Chanting on beads
6) Offering Bhoga
7) Offering Obeisances
8) Narsimha Prayer and Tulasi Prayer
9) Book distribution
10) Daily routine & Sadhana Chart
 “BOOKS ARE THE BASIS”
“PURITY IS THE FORCE”
“PREACHING IS THE ESSENCE”
“UTILITY IS THE PRINCIPLE”

---Srila Prabhupada