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Akhandadhi Dasa
The need for training
Training is a key element in the activities of the Krsna consciousness
movement. There is, however, little doubt that we have a long way
to go in perfecting our training process. Srila Prabhupada has
given us a clear understanding that Krsna consciousness develops
in definite, gradual stages. What we lack is a precise framework
for training devotees in the development of Krsna consciousness
on a personal level, and the acquisition of the necessary skills
to preach our philosophy under all circumstances.
Recently, a high-level member of the Mormon church commented that
we are the envy of other religious organisations because of the enthusiasm,
determination and dedication of our members. However, he couldn't
understand why we didn't invest in the training of our devotees?
Training is taking place, but it doesn't cover all aspects of a
devotee's life. I speak, of course, from the perspective of my experience
in the UK. This yatra is one of the oldest in ISKCON, and has experienced
many problems in development and growth over the years. We inaugurated
the Bhakta Programme in 1976, together with various methodical recruiting
techniques. Even today, the UK yatra attracts more new devotees
than any other in the Western world. Congregationally, there is
far greater interest than we can currently cope with, and we are
faced with training issues which make us desperately aware of our
deficiencies.
Radhadesh Communications Seminar 1992
It was with these considerations in mind that I presented some
ideas that I hoped to implement at Bhaktivedanta Manor, at the Radhadesh
Communications Seminar in June 1992. At that time, that's all I
had - just a few ideas; I wasn't even sure we were able to implement
them. But I was glad to have the opportunity to speak about an issue
which I considered of the utmost importance for the future of ISKCON
worldwide. I could clearly see that in other organisations, good
training processes can make up for deficiencies in manpower, organisation
and resources - three things which we often cite as obstacles to
our performance.
In the Radhadesh presentation, I principally focused on the training
we offer to temple devotees; although I made it clear that I fully
accept that training is also important for devotees outside the
temples, it was, at that time, beyond the scope of my presentaton.
I suggested the following objectives were both acccepted and desirable:
- We want as many full-time devotees as possible
- We want our present devotees to be confident about recruiting
- We want intelligent, dynamic men and women to join our movement
- We want them to be as equipped as possible in understanding
all aspects of devotional service
- We want to capitalise on the experience and learning devotees
receive while serving in the temples
- We want ISKCON to have the benefit of the maturity, experience
and excellence of its older devotees in all services and in leadership
- We want devotees to practise Krsna consciousness throughout
their whole life and go back to Godhead
I was certain that in the UK we were not adequately achieving these
objectives. Lack of a comprehensive training training programme was
the major issue, and a very lively discussion followed this presentation.
Questions, questions, questions
The first thing that became obvious to everyone present was that
there are a lot of unanswered questions. The issues surrounding
the concept of training within ISKCON are somewhat deep and complicated,
and questions must be tackled and answered before developments in
training programmes can be achieved. The following were identified
as the most crucial at this time:
- How far is it possible to train a person in devotional practice
or attitude? Can you train someone to be a devotee or can you
merely train someone to do the activities of a devotee?
- Can our standard devotional programme provide all the training
input that our devotees require in devotional practice and attitude,
or would they benefit from being augmented from specific classes,
seminars, istagoshtis etc.?
- We say that simply by following Krsna consciousness, the qualities
of a devotee will develop automatically. Does this militate against
training programmes to develop devotional qualities, or is training
part of following Krsna consciousness?
- Considering that relationships with devotees are crucial for
satisfaction within the ashram, what guidance, training or other
help can we offer devotees in this regard, particularly for those
who may have been emotionally scarred from experiences in material
life?
- Is it correct to assume that because we are under such pressure
from lack of staff and money that we can't afford the time and
expense required to train devotees, even in their specific services?
- Do we train according to the needs of ISKCON or to the needs
and nature of the devotee? Does the tension between doing the
needful versus engagement according to propensity blind us from
seeing something very obvious about the way forward in training?
- We are a preaching movement, yet surveys in America have identified
the 'unfriendly' attitude of the devotees. At times, preaching
efforts are less effective because of poor communication and presentation
skills. Further, we have a mood of rejection of material culture
and association yet in many circumstances we need to be fluent
and aware enough to reach people, particularly in specialist areas
such as science, education, interfaith and so on. How do we combine
the disdain of association of non-devotees with a need for compassion
and commitment to saving them and the association that brings
in a preaching context?
- How do we train devotees in the temple in the possibility of
lifelong brahmacarya while also providing a balanced attitude
towards other ashrams? How do we equip individuals for successful
transition to the grhastha ashram?
Our Society needs to develop a clear understanding of the identity
and responsibilities of the grhastha ashram. Training brahmacaris
to understand the social role and personal responsibilities of
grhastha life would then be much easier. Our present training
and engagement of brahmacaris and householders is tainted by the
unique attitude that brahmacaris are our financial assets and
householders our liabilities. Every other religious community
regards householders as their financial base and the training
of brahmacaris as an investment.
- Is it ISKCON's responsibility to offer occupational training
for those entering household life? Would it help such devotees
to gain such training? How does ISKCON balance encouragement
of continued preaching engagement with the occupational and financial
needs of those whom the temple once maintained but now does not?
Looking for the answers Although I went to Radhadesh with some ideas
which I hoped might be employed at Bhaktivedanta Manor, I was anxious
that it may well be beyond us. I was also unsure as to what the attitudes
of the devotees present would be to what I had to present to them,
and was subsequently very grateful to them for their sympathetic hearing
of the ideas I presented. The enthusiasm and commitment to the principle
of training expressed by these devotees led to the establishment of
a European Working Party on Vaishnava Education and Training. Devotees
with experience and expertise in the fields of recruitment, training
and management were drawn into the party from different parts of
the Continent. The purpose was to formulate practical programmes for
training devotees. It was my great privilege to be invited to chair
this Working Party. Needless to say, I returned from Radhadesh full
of great hope and optimism for the work ahead.
The work begins The following devotees have contributed
to the Working Party so far:
H. H. Bhaktivaibhava Swami - Germany
H. H. Sacinandana Swami - Germany
H. G. Jnana Dasa - UK
H. G. Purnacandra Dasa - UK
H. G. Rasamandala Dasa - UK
H. G. Bhagavat Asraya Dasa - UK
H. G. Ajita Dasa - Sweden
H. G. Navadvipa Dasa - Croatia
H. G. Guruttama Dasa - Latvia
H. G. Saunaka Rsi Dasa - Head of ISKCON Communications in Europe
The Working Party have met in plenary sessions for three full weeks
over the last year. Great excitement has been generated within
the group, there having been an ongoing consensus on all aspects
of training discussed.
The Working Party has no mandate from ISKCON authorities or any
kind of official role. It is simply a team of individuals anxious
to prepare proposals that ISKCON temples might like to take advantage
of. Nothing is cast in stone and indeed, the structure of the training
programmes and the details of courses are arranged in such a way
as to allow complete flexibility for local circunstances.
Overview of the Working Party discussions
1. Introductory Courses
It is proposed that there should be a solid induction programme
starting before devotees join the temples:
a) Preliminary Course. A ten topic course in the basic principles
needed for a preliminary understanding of the process of Krsna
consciousness and the structure and purpose of ISKCON. It is envisaged
that this course could be undertaken on a part-time basis over a
period of one month by individuals living outside who are interested
in joining a temple for formal training.
b) Foundation Course. A one year course, divided into semesters,
and consisting of five modules. The first three months will be an
enhanced version of the current Introductory or Bhakta Programme.
The modules proposed are:
ISKCON
Philosophy
Religion and Culture
Devotional Practice
Initiation
It is envisaged that this course will be full-time, where students
will be carefully prepared for life within the ashram. During this
period, on a part-time basis, they will experience a range of activities
such as book distribution, temple service and so on. At the end
of the year they will have a good understanding of all the aspects
of the Movement.
2. Personalised Monitoring
In addition to course tutors, it is proposed that in the first
year of training,each student should be under the care of a monitor.
The monitor's primary function will be to make sure that the students
are enrolled in the courses appropriate for them. Each new devotee
should be assigned a senior male or female devotee to watch over
them during this first year.
3. Ongoing Training and Education
From the beginning of the second year the training will become
more specialised in terms of service, but asrama training and development
of devotional practices will continue.
a) In-service training: Many companies operate a 'sit by Nellie'
process, where trainees are assigned to an experienced employee
in the hope that by simply by watching this person in action the
trainee will acquire the necessary skills to do the same job. In
ISKCON, we have a more primitive system called 'sit where Nellie
used to be' or 'sit where Nellie would sit', and do the job.
Enhanced training procedures in various services will put a lot
of pressure on our existing department heads but the full weight
won't lie with them because they would engage others, from inside
or outside of their departments, to take part in the training programmes
as far as possible. Further, we conceive that a number of our smaller
centres that wouldn't be able to offer training across the board
might become 'centres of excellence' for specific aspects such as
book distribution, Food for Life, cooking, etc.
b) Sastra. Study for the Bhakti Sastri Diploma will begin here.
Rasamandala Dasa of ISKCON Educational Services in the UK is in
collaboration with Bhurijana Dasa from the VIHE to formulate a Bhakti
Sastri Course.
c) Vocational training. Many service engagements involve skills
which are transferable outside of the movement, e.g. cooking, computing,
sales, gardening, accounts, etc. A number of UK devotees trained
for their current outside career within the brahmacari ashram and
doing service within ISKCON. Indeed, they continue to serve ISKCON
on a voluntary basis because of that training.
We envisage offering training for two types of careers, one within
ISKCON, the other for occupational services outside the Movement.
There are basically three career paths devotees can follow within
ISKCON itself, for which the following courses are proposed:
(i) Minister. I personally feel very excited about this course,
as it systematically trains devotees who have strong inclinations
towards preaching and pastoral activities (including book distribution,
nama hatta preaching, managing temples, etc). This course should
enable devotees to preach to any audience under any circumstance,
to minister to congregation and devotees and be fully equipped in
the philosophy of Krsna consciousness and its application in all
issues and to all complementary and conflicting ideologies.
We envisage that the course will involve no more than two study
days a month, perhaps as a series of seminars. There will also be
a high expectancy of involvement in a range of preaching activities.
Sastra study for the Bhaktivaibhava, Bhaktivedanta and Bhaktisarvabhauma
diplomas will begin during this stage of training.
(ii) Pujari or priest. This course will be in two parts. The
first part would bring someone to the standard of a good pujari,
capable of handling all aspects of deity worship within the temple.
The second part will train individuals to become ISKCON priests,
able to conduct ceremonies such as samskaras, festivals and yajnas.
(iii) ISKCON management. This course will also be in two parts,
the first training individuals to be proficient department heads
within a temple, the second covering the necessary skills to become
a temple president.
There are no firm plans as yet for training in careers external
to ISKCON, but it is envisaged we will offer skills training which
is both useful to ISKCON and transferable to outside employment,
perhaps augmented by courses at outside institutes.
4. Workbooks
As far as possible, all courses will be in the form of workbooks
divided into a series of modules. The students will complete these
through participation in various classes and seminars under the
guidance of a course tutor. It will be extremely difficult to set
up a chronologically consistent course and structure, but the workbook
system will allow provision of classes on a more flexible basis.
The course tutor would be responsible for providing all the modules
within a given time limit rather than being tied down to a specific
schedule of classes. There will be no need for examinations or competition
between students because each person will complete the workbook
in his or her own time. It may be that devotees in one temple may
wish to visit another temple to acquire a particular module. Flexibility,
self-responsibility, and lack of competition, are the keys to this.
Apart from the shorter degrees, we are not looking for devotees
to pass an examination and achieve a certain pass grade; rather,
we want them to be properly aquainted with a whole range of topics.
Training the trainers It is clear that such a complex series of
training programmes will require a large number of well-trained
tutors. Where are we to find such devotees and how will we train
them? To a large degree, I believe that the very capable devotees
we already have within our temples can be enabled to perform the
role of trainers by providing them with detailed course materials
and workbooks. If we then offer them courses in training others,
we should be able to implement the initial stages of these programmes
quite adequately. By so doing, they become more established in
our minds and will take root within our institution. Over time,
we can apply our intelligence and resources to improving the quality
of teacher training.
Separate institutes Some devotees feel that independent institutions
should be used to meet ISKCON's training needs. Whilst I accept
that there are perhaps some specific types of courses which might
benefit from being facilitated by an independent institute, I feel
strongly that temples that carry out Deity worship and a range of
other activities, must also be centres of learning. If we are attracting
devotees, accommodating them and engaging them in service, we must
have training going on simultaneously. General training for the
devotees should not be something they go elsewhere for. It should
be the main function of the temple.
However, the VIHE and the VTE Communication seminars have proved
very popular in allowing devotees to receive high level training
in specific topics. I would not wish to undermine such endeavours,
but if they are combined with good general training in the temples
our devotees will have the best of all worlds.
The concept of an independent institute perhaps finds its best
case in training the trainers, since that is something that will
obviously be difficult to provide within the smaller temples. Vrindavan
offers this resource for teachers and preachers, but perhaps each
continent might have its own facility. I would suggest it be annexed
to a large temple. Such a facility would benefit from the resources
and programmes existing in the temple and certainly would be a reciprocal
asset to it.
Benefits of a training programme
1. Devotees will become more expert in their service, confident
in their ashram and attentive to their devotional practices.
2. Devotees will be enlivened by a sense of achievement and progress.
3. There is a strong possibility of attracting more highly qualified
devotees who are impressed with what the movement has to offer them.
4. Devotees will be able to make a smoother transition to the
grhastha ashram, having been assisted in career training, which
they may use either in service to the Society or as an eternal livelihood
to support their families. The more productive a householder can
be for the Society the more likely we are to maintain or employ
them. The more grateful devotees are for the training ISKCON gives
them, the more likely they are to support the Society even after
leaving the brahmacari ashram.
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