Shastra

For those who wish to deepen their knowledge of scripture we offer formal, structured, online courses of spiritual study in Vaishnava Shastra.

Bhagavad-gita As It Is

Bhagavad-gita course

May 13 - July 7, 2013
 
Bhagavad-gita is the most famous spiritual book in India. The text was spoken by Lord Krishna on the the Battlefield of Kuruksetra 5,000 years ago, but its message remains timeless and appropriate in today's modern world.

Click to see quotes by well-known people.

This ancient Sanskrit text was translated into English with elaborate commentaries by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Our 2 month eCourse covers the entire 18 chapters. Required Time: 15-30 minutes daily.

Included are:

  • Audio of the text in both Sanskrit and English
  • Audio and Video clips on specific topics
  • Graphic art which illustrates various concepts
  • Practical Exercises to help participants better understand Bhagavad-gita's teachings
  • Open Forums for discussions among participants and/or questions to teachers
  • Weekly Review of the week's topics via chat sessions
  • Personal guidance from teachers who have been studying the text for over 40 years

Following this proven method of studying in the association of other sincere seekers via the internet, with senior practitioners and guides, is a sure method to enhance one's understanding of the text.

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Upadesamrta - Nectar of Instruction

Next Semester: July 9 - August 5, 2012

Lord Caitanya advented 500 years ago to bestow upon mankind the most intimate love of God known as prema-bhakti. He especially empowered Rupa Gosvami to write books instructing devotees how to develop this type of love, and thus Rupa Gosvami's The Nectar of Instruction (Upadesamrta) is a compilation of 11 verses outlining spiritual steps one must apply to cultivate such love.

This one month eCourse covers the complete text with commentaries by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Included are:

  • audiobook of the text
  • audio and video clips of Srila Prabhupada's lectures on specific topics in the text
  • graphic art to help illustrate various concepts
  • audio chanting of the mantras in both Sanskrit and English
  • practical exercises which help participants learn and understand Lord Krishna's teachings
  • open forums for discussions or questions
  • Interactive Weekly Review
  • personal guidance from teachers.

Following this proven method of studying in the association of devotees via the internet, with senior devotee facilitators and guides, is a sure method to enhance one's understanding of the text. See Right Panel for additional themes included in the eCourse.

The teachers for the course are Dhruva Maharaja dasa and Samapriya dasi, both initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada who have been practicing bhakti-yoga for almost 40 years.

    Cost for this eCourse $79
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Introduction to Spiritual Wisdom from India

Next Semester

Dates to Be Announced - Four Points Covered in this eCourse

#1 - Matter & Spirit - The first step in spiritual life is to realize one's identity as an eternal spirit soul, and not the temporary material body. The material body is made of matter and is temporary. One day it will die. All matter is temporary. It is created, manifests for some time, dwindles, and then dissipates.

Spirit, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. It never grows old, decays, or dies. Spirit animates the material body — making it appear alive — but when the spirit soul leaves the body, that is called death. Without a soul, the material body is just a lump of matter.

Thus, the difference between matter and spirit is the first topic explained in our eCourse.

#2 - Reincarnation - Each individual spirit soul is an eternal being, and according to one's actions in life various results occur. The science of how the soul transmigrates from one body to another is a great mystery to common men, but Vedic texts explain very clearly and easily how this natural process works.

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Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2 - Divinity & Divine Service

Next Semester: 2013 Dates to be Announced

This four week eCourse covers one of the most important chapters in Srimad Bhagavatam, spoken by Suta Gosvami in the beginning of the book as he sets a foundation for all subsequent instructions.

Included are:

  • complete text and commentaries by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
  • audiobook including both Sanskrit and English
  • audio and video clips of Srila Prabhupada's lectures on specific topics in the text
  • graphic art to help illustrate various concepts
  • practical exercises that help participants learn and understand the text
  • open forums for discussions or questions
  • interactive weekly review
  • personal guidance from teachers.

Following this proven method of studying in the association of devotees via the internet, with senior devotee facilitators and guides, is a sure method to enhance one's understanding of the text. See Right Panel for additional themes included in the eCourse.

The teachers for the course are Dhruva Maharaja dasa and Samapriya dasi, both initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada who have been practicing bhakti-yoga for almost 40 years.

    Cost for this eCourse $108
Click Here for Full Details
Sri Isopanisad

Next Semester: January 7 - February 10, 2013
 
 
The title Sri Isopanisad  means "knowledge which brings one closer to the Supreme." This book of 19 mantras describes the Complete Whole, the position of the living entities as parts and parcels of that Complete Whole, and their relationship with the Supreme.
 
Our five week eCourse creates a foundation of knowledge and understanding based on spiritual teachings that help loosen the tight knot of material attachments. Sri Isopanisad explains how we can live and work in this material world without binding ourselves to a network of anxiety and frustrations created through laws of karma.
 
The eCourse covers the complete text with commentaries by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Included are:
Included are:

  • audiobook of the text
  • audio and video clips of Srila Prabhupada's lectures on specific topics in the text
  • graphic art to help illustrate various concepts
  • audio chanting of the mantras in both Sanskrit and English
  • practical exercises to help participants learn and understand the texts
  • open forums for discussions and/or questions
  • a Live Weekly Review of the week's topics
  • personal guidance from teachers.

Following this proven systematic method of studying in the association of devotees via the internet, with senior devotee facilitators and guides, is a sure method to enhance one's understanding of the text. See Right Panel for additional themes included in the eCourse.

Click Here for Full Details
A Word About Online Education at BhaktiLife

A Word About Online Education at BhaktiLife

Internet technology allows us to teach people from all over the world without the need for a physical classroom. People with different schedules, living in various time zones, folks who have varied interests, and who live thousands of miles from each other can all be part of the same virtual classroom created online.

It doesn't matter where you are or what your schedule is, you can take part and learn Vedic philosophy from the comfort of your own home, on your own schedule, using the tools we provide.

We utilize educational tools that almost anyone can use. If you can surf the internet and navigate various sites, you'll be able to participate in our eCourses. They are not filled with fancy configurations or hard-to-understand computer tricks, and it is not necessary for users to be present all at the same time because of the virtual classroom.

Online education is also known as distance learning. When all students are present at the same time it's called synchronous learning, but when they are not this is known as non-synchronous learning, or distance learning. Our teachers and instructors are actively involved in using and developing these non-synchronous learning techniques in our development of eCourses so that students from all over the world, regardless of their circumstances, can benefit from this technology.

Our purpose is to assist people in understanding the goal of human life, which is different from animalism. Human life is meant for developing love for God, and all our eCourses are based on exploring literature which pursues that goal. Our instructors are all dedicated and knowledgeable in their field, and competent to assist you in learning whatever eCourse you enroll in.

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