The Vedic tradition, that
continues to be followed to a certain extent up to this
day, envisages personal spiritual experience to be the foundation
of all education in every area of learning.
Such education can be imparted only under
the guidance of an acharya who him/herself has undergone
the disciplines and purifications necessary to qualify as
a guide.
This is the ideal of a guru-kulam,[1] literally,
the Guru’s Family. The ancient guru-kulams were forest
academies where the children were admitted from the age
of five and studied and practiced their disciplines in a
celibate state for as long as it took to master an area
of knowledge. Even now, the system is followed
(a) In modern gurukulams
where, however, the personal relationship with a guru’s
family is now missing even though some of the other disciplines
are still maintained, and
(b) In the homes of the keepers of certain
arts, such as music, where the student may reside under
a daily discipline for a period of time agreeable to both
the teacher and the taught. For example, all modern Masters
of Indian music fondly speak of their training in a guru’s
home.
In the tradition,
there are three kinds of graduates (snatakas):
Vidya-snataka:
those who have graduated with honors in an area of knowledge;
Vrata-snataka:
those who may not be brilliant in intellect
but may have excelled in disciplines;
Vidya-vrata-snataka:
those who have excelled both in learning and in disciplines.
Our goal will be to produce the third category
of not only the learned but also the wise.
Swami Rama Dhyana Gurukulam will follow
as much of the practice of (a) this ancient ideal of relationship,
and (b) the daily disciplines and methods of learning that
may be feasible under the constraints imposed by (a) limits
of the time periods available to students, (b) financial
situation, and (c) the fact that the students from the international
backgrounds have a capacity much more limited than those
who are born and brought up in the Traditions.
By and large the students will be expected
to follow the rules of
(1) Etiquettes of humility,
egolessness, self control, renunciation and love towards
teachers and towards each other,
(2) Daily time schedules
including the times for prayers and meditation,
(3) Dress codes,
(4) Celibacy and loyalty
to one marriage partner,
(5) Disciplines and methods
of learning as advised by the teachers and guides, and
(6) Any others that may
develop from time to time according to the capacity and
will of the students as determined by the acharya.
Swami Hariharanand Bharati has been requested
to be the supervisor of daily disciplines, with the assistance
of Bhagwandev Naik.
Goals of the Guru-kulam
The main goal of the Guru-kulam is to prepare
(a) Citizens who hold
a personal spiritual philosophy of life based on meditative
experience and traditions, and will translate it into all
areas of life in the world,
(b) Teachers and guides
(whether swamis or householders) who will give their lives
to creating the next generation of such citizens,
(c) A select few of whom
may establish or manage and advance the work of pre-established
centres for the next several generations, and
(d) Who in turn, will
train again the teachers and guides for the generations
that follow them.
Areas of Learning
1. Meditation, its philosophy,
practice and application for daily life in contemporary
context, as taught by the Himalayan Tradition and interpreted
by Swami Rama of the Himalayas.
2. An understanding of
the vast expanse of the meditation methods, their interconnectivity
and sequential procedures. This can by no means be completed
in one life time but a general understanding, including
the personal experience imparted to the student to the extent
of his/her capacity (adhikara) can be given.
3. The ancient texts,
such as the Vedas and the Upanishads that were revealed
in the meditative states of the rishis, serve also as guides
to meditation. (a) How they depict he meditation methods
and the meditative states will be taught in an experiential
context. (b) The keys to the interpretation of these texts
will be imparted to those with a sufficient background in
the language.
4. Sanskrit and related
languages such as Pali, at different levels according to
demand, for example Sanskrit (a) for international yoga
teachers and (b) for advanced students who wish to learn
the ways of interpreting the texts.
5. An introduction to
a limited number of sciences and arts that have developed
out of the meditative traditions, for example ayurveda,
phonetic astrology, vastu, Vedic recitation, fundamentals
of Indian music and dance – and so forth. Those who
desire to specialize in any area of their choice will be
given the necessary advice and any available opportunity
– after the fundamental courses have been completed.
6. Brief history of the
meditative and spiritual traditions of different cultures
in all parts of the world, together with selective readings
from their texts.
7. How meditation, its
practices, philosophy and psychology may be applied to such
contemporary concerns as (a) personal and interpersonal
emotional problems, (b) psychosomatic illness (c) questions
of war and peace (d) social justice (e) spirituality in
business, management and administration, and so forth.
(a) Contemporary scientific
investigations into meditation and related disciplines
(b) the areas of scientific
and medical concern where further research may be undertaken.
8. How to teach in different
cultures and for that purpose acquiring skills in intercultural
communication, establish centres, train teachers, and so
forth,
9. Training the minds
to bear that in an ever changing world the methods, languages
and terminologies of the teaching will need to be resilient
enough to alter these according to the needs of the times
but never changing the underlying principles and the purity
of the spiritual; experience.
Students
It is expected that there will be different
categories of students.
(1) Those who come for
a self-transformation programme of limited duration in
modules of one month each, for spiritual guidance and
study of the teachings of Swami Rama of the Himalayas.
(2) Young students who
come for a minimum two-year period, primarily for developing
and cultivating the foundations of a spiritual ideal for
life. They are invited to come after completing their
12 years of basic school education.
(3) Those who have already
progressed in life, in areas of family, education and
profession, and wish to add a spiritual dimension in depth
in order to serve others in their communities when they
return.
(4) Sanyasins and would-be
sanyasins who wish to give their entire life to the Supreme
Reality and to humanity.
Financial Commitments
The traditional philosophy of meditation
does not accept the current economic systems as spiritually
valid. It believes that the five elements, namely, earth,
water, fire, air and space, as well as knowledge, are universal
patrimony and all their products are for the benefit of
all living beings in a system of equitable distribution
within the context of spiritual and renunciatory personal
philosophies of life.
With this view, there cannot be a fixed
‘pricing’ system for knowledge. This philosophy
believes in the principles of diksha and dakshina, initiation
and an offering of service.
Because we are operating within the existing
economic systems, we are subject to the tyranny of the ‘pricing’
philosophy. So a balance has to develop between
What amounts can cover our operating expenses,
and
A student’s capacity and need according
to his/her background.
It is felt that the students in categories
(1) to (3) of from well-developed countries should be asked
to commit as obligatory
Euros five hundred as registration offering
(seven hundred and fifty for married couples), and
Three hundred euros or equivalent per month
(variable according to the level of the economy of various
areas of the world),
Plus, an offering recognizing their level
of resources, love and gratitude.
An offering can be made in several ways
(a) Monthly, (b) each year at Guru-purnima (c) upon departure
after a course of studies, (d) a life long commitment to
serve and support the acharya’s work throughout life,
following the eastern and western tradition of tithing,
giving ten per cent of one’s income (or as little
as one per cent – all depending on resources, love
and the level of gratitude felt).
The students from the same (1) to (3) categories
from weaker economies are not all from the weaker sections
of their communities. Their contribution depends on their
personal capacity as well as the level of the local economy.
In other words, those from stronger sections
of the weaker countries should treat themselves as being
at par with those of the strong economies. Similarly, (a)
those from weaker sections of strong economies, or (b) those
that have given considerable service to a spiritual cause
and have not created a personal income base for that reason
only, may contribute the maximum that they can within their
capacity. What constitutes ‘considerable service’
depends of the acharya alone.
In spiritual relationships, it is the sentiment
that counts. Even the ‘obligatory contribution’
should be seen as an offering given for the love of the
teaching: so the teaching may be facilitated and the guru-kulam
may flourish. A student’s duty is to help ensure that
the teaching continues, that the teacher(s) do not suffer.
A student should undertake tapas to generate material resources
to help support the guru-kulam; its continuity and success
should be his/her primary sentiment. Any financial relationship
is to be seen only in that context. No ‘amount’
is a ‘price’ paid for knowledge.
A sanyasin will not be asked for an obligatory
contribution. If, however, he has any resources, then the
tradition dictates that he lays these resources at the feet
of the acharya. The acharya, at his discretion, may, or
may not, accept a certain part of that offering.
A student will be admitted after being
examined for the right attitudes.
The tradition dictates that the acharya
will feed, clothe, nurture and teach a student from his
own resources if the student is an adhikarin. One who demands
is not an adhikarin.
Course Affiliations
The courses offered may be divided into
following categories as part of the over all programme of
Sadhaka Grama and Sadhana Mandir Trust (Swami Rama’s
Ashram).
1. The courses primarily
centred at Swami Rama’s Ashram whioch may be credited
towards the Gurukulam programme of studies.
2. Independent courses
offered by general invitation to temporary visiting students,
such as ayur-veda, vastu, Vedic recitation, Sanskrit for
Yoga teachers, study of the Zoroastrian spiritual traditions,
study of the Pali text on Mindfulness, and such, at present
being offered for 2003-2004, and so on into future years.
These will also form part of the Gurukulam offerings for
permanent students.
3. Courses specially designed
for the permanent students.
Faculty
The present faculty complement available
is as follows:
Full time:
Swami Veda Bharati
Anne Glazier
Dr. Prakash Dixit
Pandit Sundarlal Dabral
Pandit Ananta
Aravind Bahuguna,
Harshanand Uniyal
Bhagabandev Naik
Other faculty to be invited
Visiting Faculty:
Ma Tapasya Bharati
Dr. Hari Shankar Dabral
Wolfgang Bischoff
Dr. Stoma Parker
Dr. Vinod and Mrs.Upadhyaya
Margo Belog
Atem Ramsundersingh
Ingo Beardi
Yet to be asked:
Idriss Ouadraogo
Helen Choe and Dr. Mark Choe
Savitri Jugdeo
Manish Dixit
Nina Johnson
Dr. Paul Emerson
Wong Yoong Khiang
Dr. David Alkalay
Dr. Ron Valle
Leonard and Jenness Perlmutter
Charles Bates
Swami Jaidev Bharati
Lee Sun and Kwak
Dr. Renu Kapoor
Dr. Ganasan
Alata-shanti Ganasan
Audio-visual
Resources
(a) audio and videocassettes
of Swami Rama
(b) same of SVB and
other teachers will be widely utilised. Michael Smith
and Stephen Hodges will help provide the resources for
this part of the teaching.
Himalayan Hospitals faculty will be invited
Special lecturers to be invited from time
to time
Time availability
of the Faculty
The teaching programme will start on 5th
October 2003, depending on the presence of any students,
with the Self-transformation Programme which is primarily
the residential programme of the Sadhana Mandir Trust Ashram
but may be credited towards the Gurukulam studies as well.
Other courses will begin on November 16th
starting with the spiritual philosophy of Zoroastrianism.
Dr. Prakash Dixit will be the registrar
of the Gurukulam, available permanently.
Swami Veda Bharati is committed to teaching
at the Gurukulam November 6 – April 24th (with few
short absences within India) 2003-2004 and from 15th October
2004. As funding becomes available and SVB does not have
to depend on the income from his lectures to maintain the
institution, he will spend more time at the Gurukulam.
Anne Glazier thought the year, with a two
months summer break.
Pandit Ananta, will serve six months of
the year. As the Meditaiton Center in Minneapolis becomes
less dependent on his presence, he will spend more time
at the Gurukulam.
Pandit Sundarlal Dabral will be available
throughout the year to guide and supervise the work of the
teachers of Sanskrit language and texts.
Dana Marie Anderson will be available full
time.
Aravind Bahuguna, Harshanand Uniyal and
Bhagabandev Naik will be available permanently.
Sushil Naidoo is available at least six
months of the year, the exact dates to be checked with him.
The time availability of other (a) permanent
faculty (b) part time faculty (c) visiting faculty (d) Himalayan
Hospital faculty and (e) visiting lecturers is still being
determined. It will vary from two-three months to two-three
weeks per year.
Faculty areas of
teaching
Faculty training:
Swami Veda Bharati,
(1) as usual, will teach
Zero, which is the core of the teaching.
(2) All faculty will
remain in training with him especially in the areas to
be taught.
(3) Swami Veda Bharati
will also cover the areas of knowledge for which no other
faculty is available.
(4) He will be responsible
for each faculty member and student’s progress in
meditation.
Swami Hariharananda
Bharati will be the director of discipline with the
assistance of Bhagvandev Naik.
Prof. Dixit, together
with Anne Glazier, will train the faculty in planning
the curricula and maintaining the sequence and the content
of the courses to complete in allotted time.
Acharya Sundarlal
Dabral will guide the teachers of Sanskrit language
and texts. Anne Glazier will train the faculty in how to
teach the non-Indian students in the areas of Sanskrit language
and texts.
Atem Ramsundersingh
will guide the faculty in modern teaching tools of the electronic
age.
The above trainers (with the exception
of Acharya Dabral) will jointly guide the non-English-speaking
faculty to train in the English language.
Faculty Topics:
Traditional Sanskrit Grammar (for Indian
students and any other long term students who may be interested):
Acharya Dabral. This will be done only to show the “mind”
of the ancient Sanskrit grammarian and not for the mastery
of the total Paninian system. Anne Glazier will work on
helping select the areas of the philosophy and practice
of phonetics and grammar and its implications in moksha.
Spoken Sanskrit: Bhagabandev
and Harshanand, under the direction of Anne Glazier.
Selections from meditation texts (1) In
translation until the students have direct access to the
texts, and (b) original texts thereafter: SVB, Anne Glazier,
Dr. Stoma Parker.
Dr. and Mrs Upadhyaya : ayurvedic texts
selected with the help of Anne Glazier.
Philosophy of Hatha Yoga and mantra meditation,
japa, purashcharana, purifications: Pandit Ananta
How to guide a meditation: Pandit Ananta
Integrating meditative states with daily
life: Pandit Ananta
Psychology of meditation and Purification
of Emotion, its application in (a) personal philosophy of
life (b) setting the course of one’s life (c) success
in marital and other interpersonal relationships (d) counselling
in general life situations (e) in illness during hospitalization
and otherwise (f) conquest of physical and emotional pain,
and such related topics: Wolfgang Bischoff, Dr. Stoma Parker.
Stillness in movement; emotional disturbances
in observing personal disciplines; meditation and the martial
arts; relationship of the oriental martial arts with yoga:
Ingo Beardi
History of western spiritual philosophy:
Dana Marie Anderson
Further topics:
As the faculty to be invited accepts the
invitation, the following topics will be developed.
Ma Tapasya Bharati: Chinese meditative
and medicinal traditions and their interconnectivity with
yoga.
Dr. HS Dabral will be asked.
Idriss Ouadraogo with Stoma Parker: Philosophy
and history of spirituality in Indigenous Traditions and
its parallels in yoga.
Helen Choe (teaches only in Korean): philosophy
of hatha yoga in practice; teacher disciple relationship
in oriental traditions.
Dr. Mark Choe : Medical perspectives on
yoga; how to integrate daily Christian life with yoga in
an oriental society.
Wolfgang Bischoff, Margo Balog, Savitri
Jugdeo, and Pandit Ananta: How to be a teacher; how to train
teachers.
Margo Balog: yoga in therapy.
Manish Dixit, Wolfgang Bischoff, Atem,
Alata-shanti: Spirituality in Business, management and administration
Nina Johnson: How to teach yoga
Dr. Paul Emerson: contemporary scientific
and medical research in yoga and other meditation systems
Wong Yoong Khiang : how to teach yoga;
maintaining a personal balance in emotional situations
Dr. David Alkalay: Jewish meditative and
healing traditions
Dr. Ron Valle: history of western contemplative
philosophies
Leonard and Jenness Perlmutter : application
of yoga and meditation teaching and practice in modern problems
on individual, social and world scale; study of Bhagavad-gita
in that perspective.
Perlmutters and Atem R.: commentary on
SVB’s views on “What is right with the world”.
Lee Sun and Kwak: History of Korean spirituality,
a bridge between Chinese, Indian and Japanese spiritual
traditions.
Dr. Renu Kapoor: Philosophy of Self and
modern psychology, together with Dr. Stoma Parker on Vedantic
meditative methods.
Dr. ganasan: medical applications of yoga.
Local Faculty
Local faculty will be invited to teach
the topics such as (a) introduction to ayurveda, (b) vastu,
(c) Vedic recitation, (d) phonetic astrology, and such other
topics for special courses directed towards temporary visiting
students but available to the guru-kulam students also.
The Lamas from the Sakya Institute, Dehradun,
may be invited to lecture on Tibetan Buddhist meditation
and other spiritual traditions.
Curriculum Preparations
The first year’s curriculum in all
areas will be ready before November 15th 2003. The teaching
will have already begun by 5th October as the subject being
taught in Ocotber is well organised.
The first year’s curriculum will
include:
English for non-English speaking faculty
and students
Sanskrit alphabet and its phonetics, and
relationship with mantra science.
Daily prayers are to be memorised.
Basic works of Swami Rama, Swami Veda and
other faculty, on meditation and its practice.
Starting the spoken Sanskrit.
Recitations and memorising of select Vedic
hymns, first chapter of the Yoga-sutras, Shabdanushasana,
first and last mantras of each Veda, shanti-patha of each
Upanishad, first three sutras of each system of philosophy,
basic prayers and creeds of select religions (Hindu. Buddhist,
Zoroastrian, Christian, Muslim, Jaina, Sikh , and so forth.
and so forth – with translations and brief explanation.
How to memorise the texts and discover
sciences in yoga-nidra will be taught.
A general history of the cultural background
of yoga and meditation will be taught.
Overview of the Indian yoga literature,
selections from two texts to be studied in-depth (Yoga-sutras
and Visuddhi-magga)
Overview of world spiritual history selections
from one text to be studied in-depth (the Zoroastrian texts).
Internal dialogue and journal writing;
principles of self-purification; confession and apology;
Buddhist Vinaya principles; pashchattapa (acknowledging
one’s failure) and prayashchitta ( penitence).
Traditional and indigenous sports not commonly
known in the modern world will be examined.
Living as an art form.
The teachers and the students will be expected
to practice the ancient methods of teaching and learning
through concentration, and not merely note taking.
We may need to repeat the first year course
again starting from September 2004 as some students’
personal plans and finances may not permit them to join
during 2003.
Application should be made to Gurukulam01@rediffmail.com
or srsg@vsnl.com
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
|