Introduction

"There is a great necessity of qualified preachers."
-Srila Prabhupada, letter of 23 May 1970

     The Congregational Development Ministry and the Mayapur Institute for Higher Education (MIHE) (www.mayapur.org/mihe) have established the ISKCON Pastoral School to facilitate the creation of qualified spiritual guides for the Vaisnava communities worldwide. We assist potential and existing congregational preachers to become competent in three areas:

1. Philosophical and Personal Development - To be an effective spiritual guide you require a firm grasp of Srila Prabhupada's teachings, for your own purification and clarity of consciousness, and for properly instructing and advising those who look up to you. To be able to take care of others you need to model qualities such as purity, integrity, honesty, proper behavior and introspection.
2. Pastoral Skills & Culture - Besides knowing and living the philosophy, as a qualified ISKCON pastor you should be able to effectively listen, counsel, teach, lecture, resolve conflicts, delegate responsibility, empower and inspire others. You should also become familiar with different models and techniques of congregational development.
3. Hands-on Experience - Only experience makes one expert. The ISKCON Pastoral School requires participants to gain first-hand experience through direct involvement in the field, either by themselves or under the tutelage of an accomplished preacher.

     Whether man or woman, initiated devotee or not, temple-resident or home-based, anyone seriously interested in pastoral life can apply for admission. Students don't necessarily have to move to Mayapur; they can pursue their studies wherever they live by taking recognized courses and by carrying out the recommended training.

Credit System

     Credits are the units of valuation of the training. For receiving your certification as ISKCON Pastor you need-among other requisites-a total of 200 credits subdivided as:

• Philosophical and Personal Development - 80 credits
• Pastoral Skills & Culture - 80 credits
• Hands-on Experience - 40 credits

     You can build up credits by taking the various relevant MIHE courses or by taking courses offered by other educational institutes. You can also get credits from previous educational and life experiences. However, the following degrees/courses/areas of learning are necessary requirements (without completing them your training would not be considered concluded, regardless of the number of credits you accumulate):

• Bhakti-sastri Degree
• Vaisnava Counseling and Life Skills Course
• Self-Transformation Course
• Teaching/Facilitation Skills Course (VTE, CDM or equivalent)
• Congregational Development Training

Earn Credits from Your Curriculum Vitae

     Outline your educational, professional and service history. You may earn credits for courses and degrees you have taken, from your professional experience, your preaching, your readings and writings, and your cultural pursuits. Describe what you know and how your learnt it (you might want to enclose evidence of your learning such as photocopies of certificates, etc.). The curriculum vitae is your forum for persuading us that you have enough proficiency in a subject to warrant credit for it.

     Particularly qualified and needy candidates can apply for sponsorship.

Enrolment

     When you submit your application a representative of the ISKCON Pastoral School will review your curriculum vitae (assessing how many credits you earn from your previous educational and life experience) and will advise you on the most relevant courses and assignments for you to complete your degree requirements. You might be asked to take an attitudinal test, to provide references, and to give evidence of your proficiency through examinations.

     To apply for admission fill the on-line application form or the printable version.

     For more information on the relevant MIHE courses: www.mayapur.org/mihe

     MIHE ( www.mayapur.org/mihe)- Mayapur Institute for Higher Education

Mission Statement

      To provide an ideal facility and atmosphere in Mayapur that will help devotees:

1. increase their abilities to associate lovingly with Vaisnavas;
2. develop a higher taste for studying Srila Prabhupada's books;
3. systematically strengthen their sadhana and sastric knowledge;
4. develop practical skills in preaching, worshiping, and living;
5. enhance their appreciation of Sri Mayapur Dhama;
6. deepen their Krishna conscious realizations;
7. deepen their faith in Srila Prabhupada's movement;
8. become spiritually enlivened and empowered to preach; and
9. develop a deeper appreciation for Srila Prabhupada's gifts

     For more information on the MIHE courses, schedules, and facilities: www.mayapur.org/mihe