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General Information

1999 Bhakti Sastri Course and Kartika Semester

 

What is the VIHE?

The VIHE in Vrindavana was established to fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desire

for an educational institute in Vrindavana. The VIHE in the holy dhama

provides an ideal facility and atmosphere for you to improve your sadhana,

develop your devotional qualities, engage in serious study, associate with

senior devotees, and receive training in practical skills relevant to

management and preaching.

 

The VIHE also aims to preserve and disseminate standards Srila Prabhupada

set for acting in Krsna consciousness and to deepen devotee's understanding,

realization and appreciation of Srila Prabhupada's teachings and movement.

Thus, the Krsna conscious culture and values that Srila Prabhupada gave us

can be passed on to successive generations.

 

All courses are well researched and taught by senior devotees who have a

deep understanding of the subject.

 

Where Are We Located?

The VIHE main office is located in Room 31 of the gurukula building at the

Krishna Balarama Mandira in Vrindavana, India. Office hours are 10:00 a.m.

to 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays.

 

Semester Dates

The Bhakti Sastri Course is held from August 2 to November 30. Classes are

held 5 to 6 days per week. Both men and womens' classes are conducted at

this time but held in separate rooms.

 

The Kartika semester is from October 11 to November 5.

 

There is no Gaura Purnima semester in 1999 but short seminars are given in

conjunction with the Vrindavana temple during the Gaura Purnima Festival.

 

Classes

Bhakti Sastri

Bhagavad-gita (all 18 chapters) - 15 weeks

Nectar of Devotion (first 19 chapters) - 5 weeks

Isopanisad - 2 weeks

Nectar of Instruction - 2 weeks

 

Kartika semester

Classes vary from year to year. Courses will be finalized in August. Visit

our web site or contact us at this time to get complete course listings and

descriptions.

 

Required Classes

All classes listed above are mandatory for Bhakti Sastri students. Kartika

semester classes are optional. Students attending only the Kartika semester

classes can take as few or as many classes as they wish and pay accordingly.

 

Registration Procedures and Deadlines

Bhakti Sastri:

We must receive your request to attend by June 15. Written approval by your

guru or authority must accompany your request. Acceptance in the Bhakti

Sastri Course is dependent on approval by the VIHE administration. Those

applying after June 15 are not guaranteed acceptance and must pay a late

registration fee of Rs. 500 if accepted. Fees are paid when you arrive in

Vrindavana. Please arrive at least two days before classes begin.

 

Kartika semester:

Please confirm at least two weeks in advance that you will be attending.

This can be done by letter, e-mail, phone or in person. Include your course

choices at this time. We recommend that you do not take more than a 7-1/2

hour per day workload (total hours of classes and homework). See Course

Descriptions on our web site or request a copy from us for the length of

each class and the amount of homework. You can add or drop classes until the

third day of classes. Fees are paid when you register in Vrindavana.

 

Registration is done in Vrindavana for 3 days before classes begin from

10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 31. Students who register late must pay a late

registration fee of Rs. 300.

 

Fees

Bhakti Sastri: Rs. 10,000 (approximately US $240). Includes classes, course

books and materials, two parikramas and a 10 % discount on VIHE books and

tapes. This does not include room and board or classes offered at the

Kartika VIHE semester.

 

Kartika semester:

Registration fees: Rs. 550

Two-week courses: Rs. 750 each

One month courses: Rs. 1400 each

3 parikramas and two feasts: Rs. 550

 

Full schedule: Rs. 6500 (approximately US $160). This includes the

registration fee, 4 or more one month classes (or 3 one month and 2 two week

courses), course books and materials, 3 parikramas, two feasts, and a 10%

discount on VIHE books and tapes.

 

Bhakti Sastri students who wish to take Kartika semester classes will have

to pay for those courses, parikramas and feasts separately, but will not be

charged the registration fee.

 

Discounts

Discounts are available in certain circumstances for devotees from very poor

countries or temples, and are considered on an individual basis. An ISKCON

authority from your temple prior to registration should arrange them for

you.

 

Refund Policy

No refunds are given. Payment can be applied to another devotee or another

semester.

 

Requirements

A proficiency in English, an inclination to learn and study, and good

sadhana. Minors must have notarized parental approval.

 

Grading

Grading is an option the teacher may choose to use. See Kartik semester

Course Descriptions pamphlet for details.

 

Bhakti Sastri students who wish to get a Bhakti Sastri degree take an ISKCON

Ministry of Education approved Bhakti Sastri exam. 50% of this grade will be

derived from tests taken during the course.

 

Wheelchair Accessibility

Classrooms are on the first floor. There is no wheelchair accessibility but

we have carried disabled devotees up the stairs and can provide this

facility if needed. Please confirm with us before coming if you

require this service.

 

Weather

Very hot: mid April to early October

Very cold: mid December to mid February

Mild: mid October to early December and late February to April

 

Keep in mind that the temple is outdoors so bring sufficient warm clothing

if you plan to be here during the cold season.

 

What You May Want to Bring

Computer (optional). A computer is useful for having course books on disk,

taking notes, writing essays, access to the folio, etc. We have one computer

in the library with the folio (all of Srila Prabhupada's books,

conversations and lectures) and a word processor (Word for Windows 2.0). If

you wish to bring your own computer, you will need to purchase a constant

voltage regulator or a step-down in India to protect your computer from

being damaged by the alternating voltage that is common in Vrindavana.

 

Basic amenities are available in India but quality and variety can vary

considerably from what is available in the west. Keep this in mind when

deciding what to bring. If you have questions about what to bring, please

contact us.

 

Where to Stay

The VIHE has several rooms available for men in the gurukula building. The

cost per devotee is Rs. 50 per day or you can also reserve an entire room

(comfortable for three but there is room for four) for Rs. 150 per day.

Reservations must be made in advance.

 

There are many rooms and apartments available near the temple ranging from

Rs. 50 to Rs. 850 per day. A list of such rooms and apartments can be

e-mailed to you. They are also available on our web site and in the VIHE

office.

 

Where to Eat

Temple prasadam is available at Rs. 40 per day (prices are subject to a

slight change). The temple also runs a restaurant and snack bar. For those

who wish to cook for themselves, all required ingredients are available

across the street from the temple.

 

Classes in Foreign Languages

If your temple, country or zone has a sufficient number of non English

speaking devotees wishing to attend the VIHE, please contact us about

arranging special classes translated into your language.

 

Starting a VIHE in Your Country

If you would like to start a VIHE program in your temple or zone, please

contact us.

 

Contact Information

VIHE c/o Krishna Balarama Mandira,

Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, Raman Reti,

Mathura Dist., 281124

U.P., India

Phone: (0565) 445-002, (0565) 445-053

E-mail: vihe (AT) com (DOT) bbt.se

Web site: www.Iskcon.net/vihe