Bhaktivedanta College
Bhaktivedanta College, at Radhadesh, Belgium, is a Krishna conscious seminary offering college-level programmes. The College aims to educate students in Vaishnavism and to propagate its traditional theology, principles, practices, and culture. Striving to become a centre of excellence for the practice and teaching of Vaishnavism and a centre for academic research, Bhaktivedanta College hopes to facilitate ISKCON's development and long-term sustainability. The students, by attending a range of accredited courses, develop their spiritual potential with a confidence that enables them to serve in ISKCON and to build bridges of understanding and cooperation with members of society at large.
Radhadesh: the home of Bhaktivedanta College
Radhadesh is set in the idyllic rural Ardennes region of Belgium, Founded in 1980, the Radhadesh community is almost unequalled for peace and quiet, yet it is a vital devotional centre that annually receives tens of thousands of visitors. The community includes a nineteenth-century castle (beautifully renovated by the current inhabitants), a bakery, a boutique, a new cafeteria and guesthouse, extensive gardens, and a fifty-acre wood. Around one hundred devotees live in Radhadesh.
Educational Vision
Bhaktivedanta College is part of the educational vision for ISKCON developed by the Ministry of Educational Development. The Ministry's aims are to create Vaishnava theological seminaries that facilitate exchanges of thought and experience, and to help ensure efficiency and competence on all levels of education needed in ISKCON communities. The Ministry hopes over the next ten years to start branches of Bhaktivedanta College in other parts of the world, starting with Mayapura (ISKCON's world headquarters in India ) and the USA.
In addition to the current programme in Vaishnava theology, Bhaktivedanta College plans to establish another faculty in Vaishnava Leadership and Management, teaching management of non-profit organisations, allowing the College to attract new students and expand on the core set of courses to facilitate proficient and professional management within ISKCON.
Programmes
As part of the Ministerial Program, which runs for nine months, Bhaktivedanta College offers a wide range of vocational courses. These equip students with practical skills for teaching, leading temples and congregations, mentoring, and communicating Vaishnavism to diverse audiences. These courses are open to non-College students. In addition, the College offers a four-month Bhakti Shastri course. This course encourages students not only to study Srila Prabhupada's books but to understand the philosophy and practically apply it according to the aims of systematic scriptural study presented by the Vaishnava Training and Education office in the UK,
Accreditation
Bhaktivedanta College 's partnership (since 2003) with the University of Wales, Lampeter, an acknowledged centre for theology and religious studies in the UK, allows Bhaktivedanta College to offer an academically accredited Ministerial Programme. The first two years of study are recognised by a certificate and a diploma, respectively, from Lampeter, and students in the three-year programme will earn a Bachelor's degree in Vaishnava Theology, Thus for the first time an undergraduate programme of Vaishnava Theology is receiving official academic recognition.
Educational Ethos
Bhaktivedanta College combines formal academic study and ministerial training with devotional nurturing. The curriculum includes three strands: theology and philosophy; introspection and devotion; and ministerial and vocational skills. These are taught in a caring mood in small classes. This enables students to grow, deepen their knowledge, and develop a range of skills for serving as preachers, teachers, scholars, leaders, and managers.
The New Bhaktivedanta College Building
Bhaktivedanta College currently utilises facilities of the Radhadesh community, However, a new building is required to properly accommodate the growing numbers of students. This will cost approximately 1.7 million Euros. The proposed new college building is includes:
- 5 classrooms
- 21 students' rooms (with 2–3 beds each)
- 4 rooms for teachers
- 3 rooms for staff members
- common rooms for ladies and men
- sauna and gym
Students
During the first two years, fourteen students came from eleven countries in Europe and North America, They ranged in age from 18 to 49. Both first- and second-generation devotees enrolled. In the third year, we had twelve students from eleven countries.
‘Now I want that we shall concentrate on making our devotees Krishna conscious and ourselves becoming Krishna conscious, and not be so much concerned with expanding ourselves widely but without any spiritual content. Just like boiling milk, it becomes thicker and sweeter. Now do like that, boil the milk.
Letter from Srila Prabhupada dated May 5, 1972
Your idea for the scholastic institution is a very good idea. Now we have so many books – almost 50 books of 400 pages – so this institution can be affiliated with some nearby university. Then the students will get their Bachelors and post-graduate degrees, Ph.D.
Letter from Srila Prabhupada dated November 9, 1975