I S K C O N S Y D N E Y

 
 
ISKCON Sydney SHIKSHA PROGRAM

karpanya-dosopahata-svabhavah
prcchami tvam dharma-sammudha-cetah
yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me
sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam

"Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me clearly what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me."
[Bhagavad Gita As It Is - Chapter 2 Text 7]

KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS AT HOME

Srila Prabhupada writes in the introduction to the Bhagavad Gita:


tasmat sarvesu kalesu
mam anusmara yudhya ca
mayy arpita mano buddhi
mam evaisyasy asamsayah

"Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krsna and at the same time continue your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt." (Bg. 8.7)

He (Krishna) does not advise Arjuna simply to remember Him and give up his occupation. No, the Lord never suggests anything impractical. In this material world, in order to maintain the body one has to work. Human society is divided, according to work, into fourdivisions of social order - brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and sudra. The brahmana class or intelligent class is working in one way, the kshatriya or administrative class is working in another way, and the mercantile class and the labourers are all tending to their specific duties. In the human society, whether one is a labourer, merchant,administrator or farmer, or even if one belongs to the highest class and is a literary man, a scientist or a theologian, he has to work in order to maintain his existence. The Lord therefore tells Arjuna that he need not give up his occupation, but while he is engaged in his occupation he should remember Krishna (mam anusmara). If he doesn't practice remembering Krishna while he is struggling for existence, then it will not be possible forhim to remember Krishna at the time of death. Lord Chaitanya also advises this..... Therefore we have to practice remembering the Lord always, twenty four hours a day, by chanting His names and moulding our life's activities in such a way that we can remember Him always.

Undoubtedly it is important for everyone to practice
Krishna consciousness, devotional service to Lord Krishna
in their life. Of course, living in the association of the
Krishna's devotees in a temple or ashrama makes it easier
to practice devotional service. But if you are determined,
you can follow at home the teachings of Krishna
consciousness and thus convert your home into a temple.

The beauty of Krishna consciousness is that you can take
up the practices of devotional service to the Lord as much
as you are ready for. Krishna Himself promises in the
Bhagavad Gita: "There is no loss or diminution in this
endeavour, and even a little advancement on this path
protects one from the most fearful type of danger." So
bring Krishna into your daily life, and soon you will feel
the benefit yourself.

The following are the different levels of commitment and
standards of devotional service that you can practice at
home while carrying out your normal activities of life.
You can choose the level and standard that you can most
comfortably practice and ISKCON shall offer you guidance
and inspiration at that level of your practice of Krishna
consciousness. And help you to gradually reach a higher
and higher standard.

 

SHRADDAVAN: A devotee who fulfils the following standards
of devotional service shall be blessed by Sri Sri Radha
Gopinath to practice Krishna consciousness as a

SHRADDAVAN:

1. He/she is an active devotee in the temple's
congregation, that is he/she visits the temple as often as
possible, does some service in the temple participates and
associates with Krishna conscious programs in the temple.
2. He/she chants at least one round of the Hare Krishna
maha mantra every day.
3. He/she reads the teachings of Sri Krishna as given in
the books of Srila Prabhupada.

KRISHNA SEVAK: A devotee who in addition to fulfilling the
above mentioned commitments of Shraddhavan, fulfils the
following additional standards of devotional service shall
be blessed by Sri Sri Radha Gopinath to practice Krishna
consciousness as a

KRISHNA SEVAK:

1. He/she is dedicated to personal improvement in
devotional practice and purity by gradually applying the
teachings of Srila Prabhupada under the guidance of his
representatives.
2. He/she accepts that Sri Krishna is the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.
3. He/she shall voluntarily engage in practical devotional
service to Lord Krishna.
4. He/she chants a minimum of four rounds of the Hare
Krishna maha mantra every day.
5. He/she refrains from eating non-vegetarian food (meat,
fish and eggs) and tries to lead a moral life.

KRISHNA SADHAK: A devotee who in addition to fulfilling
the above mentioned commitments of Krishna sevak, fulfils
the following additional standards of devotional service
shall be blessed by Sri Sri Radha Gopinath to practice
Krishna consciousness as a

KRISHNA SADHAK:

1. He/she is dedicated to leading a devotional way of life
by gradually learning and practicing Bhakti-yoga according
to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada under his
representatives.
2. He/she is studying the books of Srila Prabhupada and
attend the classes in ISKCON.
3. He/she worships Sri Krishna, as far as practical, in
the ISKCON temples, and in the home by setting up an
altar, offering arati and foodstuffs, worshipping the
sacred Tulasi plant and following basic sadhana like
rising early in the morning.
4. He/she chants eight to sixteen rounds of the Hare
Krishna maha mantra every day.
5. He/she leads a pure holy life by avoiding intoxication
(alcoholic drinks), meat-eating, gambling, and extra-
marital sex.
6. He/she observes fasting on the ekadashi and
festival days, as indicated in the vaishnava calendar.

SRILA PRABHUPADA ASHRAYA: A devotee who in addition to
fulfilling the above mentioned commitments of Krishna
sadhak, fulfils the following additional standards of
devotional service shall be blessed by Sri Sri Radha
Gopinath to practice Krishna consciousness under

SRILA PRABHUPADA ASHRAYA:

1. He/she is dedicated to taking divine shelter of Srila
Prabhupada by following the principles of Krishna
consciousness.
2. He/she practices Krishna consciousness with strong
conviction.
3. He/she chants a minimum of sixteen rounds of the Hare
Krishna maha mantra every day.
4. He/she strictly avoids intoxication including coffee
and tea, meat-eating including onion and garlic, gambling,
cinema, sports, and illicit sex.
5. He/she is well versed in the basics of Krishna
conscious philosophy by reading the books of Srila
Prabhupada systematically and is actively engaged in
preaching (according to his/her capacity) to others about
Krishna consciousness.
6. He/she is doing some responsible service (however
simple it may be) in the temple.
7. He/she follows a strict sadhana programme at home by
rising early in the morning and following a program
similar to the temple as far as possible. He/she shall
also attend at least one Bhagavatam class per week in the
temple.

SRI GURU CHARANA ASHRAYA: A devotee who in addition to
fulfilling the above mentioned commitments of Srila
Prabhupada Ashraya, fulfils the following additional
standards of devotional service shall be blessed by Sri
Sri Radha Gopinath to practice Krishna consciousness under

SRI GURU CHARANA ASHRAYA:

1. He/she has developed additional faith in and surrender
to an authorised spiritual master of ISKCON.
2. He/she has been practicing Srila Prabhupada Ashraya
standards for a minimum of six months and receive a
recommendation from the temple president/vice president.
3. He/she shall pass the written test provided for this
ashraya as per ISKCON law.

 

SHIKSHA CEREMONY: On special festival days of the year,
the SHIKSHA CEREMONY shall be conducted where the devotees
shall receive the blessings of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath
formally from the President/Vice President, ISKCON, Sydney (except for
Sri Guru Charana Ashraya, which will be given by the
spiritual master himself).

HOW CAN YOU TAKE PART IN THE SHIKSHA CEREMONY:
Please fill out the online application form and submit to us, or alternatively fill out the printed form at the temple and drop it in the box at the ISKCON temple reception. Please indicate the level of your practice of Krishna consciousness. You shall be called for an interview with the congregation development department, ISKCON, Sydney on a date to be notified on the temple notice board and via e-mail. Those fortunate devotees who qualify in all respects shall take part in the Shiksha ceremony.

For more information, please contact:
ISKCON Congregation Services,
ISKCON Sydney
180 Falcon St
North Sydney NSW 2060

Tel: 02 9959 4558
Email: iskcon_sydney@yahoo.com.au
 
 
 
 
 

ONLINE FORM

Please complete all sections of this form and click submit. We will contact you shortly for an interview. Thank you.

Name:
Gender: Male Female
E-Mail:
Address Line 1:
Address Line 2:
City:
State & Postcode:
Date of Birth:
Phone:
Mobile:
Occupation:
Name of devotee you are in touch with:
Dear Prabhu, I am aware of the standards,
commitments and responsibilities of the
different stages of Shiksha.
I hereby agree to practice the standards of:

 


Further Comments