08/04/98 - 1962

Vrindas Vaisnava Academy

USA (VNN) - by Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti

Following the tradition of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to establish projects for Vedic education, the Vrindavan Institute for Vaisnava Culture and Studies has started to open local branches of the Vaisnava Academy in many cities. Initial reaction of the Vaisnavas and those interested in Vedic Culture was very positive.

Currently the study programs are increased. Full courses in Vedic Culture as well as specialization are being introduced. Also the Academy offers great variety of short seminars and curses which can build up gradually to graduate programs. The Academy should be available to all interested people even if they have little time to spare for their studies.

Further teachers are getting training in Vrindas Vaisnava Academy in Vrindavan and Mayapur to be able to teach courses in the respective Academies. In coordination with the World Vaisnava Association -VVRS and the Florida Vedic College, as well with a large staff of professional teachers and translators, the Academy is currently translating didactic Material into German, Spanish and Hungarian.

Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaj requested to establish Vaisnava Academies in order to foster the learning of the Vaisnava Culture. The amount of Vaisnava literature which is being made available today is very big. It could be called a spiritual revolution considering that these books were previously only available to Brahmanas and scholars in secret shrines and libraries.Even right after the manifested pastimes of Sri Cheitanya Mahaprabhu did his followers spend great effort to handcopy the holy manuscripts and have them distributed to the holy centers of learning.

The body of Vedic knowledge was greatly enhanced and expanded by the scriptures of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan and their students. Due to the special situation of spirituality in the age of Quarrel and the special grace given by the Yuga Avatar Sri Cheitanya Mahaprabhu, these scriptures have a very important position in the world of now and the future. Religious institutions have many frailties and tend to be threatened from the inside as well as from the outside. But transcendental books and spiritual learning (Sadhu Sanga) in the association of true devotees is free of such difficulties and is almost unrestrictable. Thus a spiritual revolution was brought about by the printingpress manifesting as the Brihat Mridrunga to take the message of divine love to every corner of the world. They even penetrated through iron curtains and protective sectarianism. Reincarnation, karma and vegetarianism have convinced millions of people and grows in popularity. Now the history has brought us the Internet which is quickly becoming the Maha Brihat mridrunga. Through the Internet the message can reach every home and also the VAISNAVA ACADEMY will offer curses through it. Thus we will be able to teach students even in remote areas.

Now we have started the Vrindas Vaisnava Academy in Miami, Hawaii, Santa Fe de Bogota, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Budapest, Berlin, Vrindavan and Mayapur. Miami is the place to coordinate the Internet department of the Academy. We are also training students in the science of Ayur Veda to be able to give this important branch of Vedic knowledge to the students all over the world. Undoubtedly it is only a humble beginning. We invite all devotees who feel inclined to organize courses in their local areas to start seminars on different topics either by their own qualified teachers or in coordination with the Academies in different places.

The Vaisnava Academy also organizes research into organic living and agriculture. Currently we are researching in two farms the result of the impact of astrology on the days of watering the plants. This promises to be a great help to reduce waterwaste, to increase organic defenses of the plants and to reach better crops.

The Vaisnava Academy is also working on the original Yoga Course published in South America and translated to English, German and Hungarian. Now this course will be expanded into the Vedic Culture course to supply students a basic introduction into all branches of Vedic culture. This will serve as a base of specializing later without loosing sight of the other fields so valuable to understand the comprehensive picture of the Vedic wisdom.

We shall not forget the importance these branches of knowledge have for the world and the growing Vaisnava community. Even though knowledge is not enough to reach spiritual perfection the engagement of these branches of Vedic teachings supply us with many valuable opportunities to meet the world and serve. Our new generations can be engaged and perfect these sciences in coordination with modern experiences and developments. The spiritual masters and brahmanas have always served in the field of teaching, healing and counseling. It is only due to the pains of the initial phase of Vedic culture in the west that our students have to simultaneously finance their school and missionary activities. The world will have increasing respect for Vedic culture as much as pure teachers become known for their substantial solutions and contributions given to others. Specially considering the lack of values in our modern society and the detrimental influence of that can show us how important the instruction of our spiritual masters is to establish Vedic education. The Bhaktivedanta Institute has done remarkable research in the subjects of the studies on the origin of life.This can also be taught in the different Academies.

It is also important to mention here that in particular this type of learning will help us to cross over the limitations of sectarian missionary concerns. In the age where the monopoly on information is practically disappearing it will be very helpful for every Vaisnava mission to organize similar Academies of their own. The Vrinda Vaisnava Academy looks forward to cooperate with all these educational effort of other Vaishanava missions as well as with the Peace University existing in many countries.

We have to strengthen our united front against exploitation and indifference. As soon as people accept the same basic truths they are united in spirit and that is the only unity that counts. In your service.

In your service
Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti
Founder of the Vrinda Vaisnava Academy