Welcome to the ISKCON Disciple Course. This is your Course Material which you’ll be using throughout the course, and which we hope you’ll keep and use as a reference throughout your devotional career. Therefore, please look after this booklet carefully. Take many notes as you will be studying a variety of interesting and important topics.
This ISKCON Disciples Course is a training program which is meant to help you deepen your understanding of guru-tattva and gurupadasraya within the multiple guru culture of ISKCON. It is designed for new devotees preparing to take initiation, but is also recommended for leaders, preachers councilors and educators in ISKCON.
The course was developed over a two-year period under the direction of the GBC Guru Services Committee, with the combined efforts of leading educators in ISKCON.
This ISKCON Disciple Course is based on the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and current ISKCON Law and gives reference to the writings from the broader Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition.
I would like to offer my gratitude to the following devotees who were instrumental in its creation, including Prahladananda Swami, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Ravindra Svarupa dasa, Laxmimoni dasi, Atul Krsna dasa, Gopika Radhika dasi, Ananda Vrindavana dasi, Taraka dasi, Braja Bihari dasa, Madhavananda das, Hanuman das, and many others. Also special thanks to the Mayapur Institute for piloting the course.
We also offer our gratitude to the members of the Steering Committee that created the ISKCON Guru Seminar, out of which the vision and foundation for this Disciple Course grew. That committee included, in addition to some devotees named above, Jayapataka Swami, Bhakti Charu Swami, Radhanatha Swami, Garuda dasa and Rukmini dasi.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to speak to the facilitator at idc@iskconcongregation.com or to contact the ISKCON Disciple Course Secretariate (idcsecretariate@gmail.com). In the meantime, all good wishes for the seminar and in your continuing service to Srila Prabhupada.
On behalf of all the Vaisnavas that brought you this Course,
Your servant,
Anuttama dasa
ISKCON Minister of Communications
Member, GBC Guru Services Committee