FOUNDATIONS
Course Page
“The Divine Mother’s magic is ancient as life itself. She existed before gods and mortals and She will exist even after the great dissolution. Mother is pure energy in subtle form, but in times of need or just out of a desire to play, She manifests.”
~ Elizabeth Usha Harding
A required course for the Certificate in Hindu Studies and Diploma in Applied Theology programs.
Course Description
This course explores Ramakrishna Seminary's spiritual foundations. We will examine the entwined histories of Kali Mandir in Laguna Beach and the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata, and the devotional, ritualistic, and theological traditions that ground, guide, and shape our practice and study.
Topics we will discuss include:
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The founding of Kali Mandir
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The story of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple
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The importance of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, & Swami Vivekananda
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The development of the Bhakti movements
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Shaktism and Hindu Goddess worship
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Bhakti in the Mother-Child Relationship
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Traditions and standards
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Lineages and Influences
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Ritual as the Language of Devotion
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Tradition beyond sectarianism
Our approach to these subjects will be traditional, yet informed by contemporary scholarship and responsive to modern challenges. Our focus is always the practical applications of religious thought and philosophies to the active spiritual lives of our students. Emphasis is given to personal spiritual development, cultural authenticity, and the service of God in the world
Class Structure
This course consists of six modules (see below), one module per week and employs both asynchronous and synchronous learning. Materials for this course will be a combination of original content (recordings, writings, and Zoom meeting by the instructor) and curated content (PDFs of articles, essays and selections from books and journals, readings from textbooks, and links to online videos and articles).
Each Saturday students will gain access to the new module’s study material. This will include a 90+ minute video-lectures by Swami Bhajanananda, per-recorded at the ashram dhuni (fire altar), as well readings from saints and scholars, Sanskrit verses to learn, visual aids and graphics, as well as other study material.
Every Thursday evening from 7pm – 8:30pm (PST) there will be a live Zoom meeting for questions and discussion with the instructor and fellow students. Recordings of these Zoom meetings will be posted within a few hours of the live meetings for those who could not attend the live broadcast. See Course Calendar>>
Students will also have access to a course-specific Facebook private group for discussions with fellow students and faculty and for announcements, handouts, and study questions. There will also be online office hours with the instructor.
Students will continues to be able to access and review all course material, including lectures, readings, and Zoom recordings, for twelve months after the end of the course.
Class Size
To preserve the atmosphere of a gurukulam, we aim to keep classes small, personal, and intimate.
Tuition
Tuition for this course (originally $400) has been reduced to $250 in an attempt to reduce any financial strain on our students. Students requesting financial assistance may be considered for discounted tuition or a full scholarship, supported by donations from fellow students and seminary patrons. If you are able, please consider contributing to the RKS Scholarship Fund so that no sincere student is denied spiritual education due to limited finances.
Registration
If you are an enrolled RKS student and wish to register for this course, please email the Registrar at RamakrishnaSeminary@KaliMandir.org and they will contact you with details on tuition and accessing class-meetings and material. If you have not yet been admitted as an RKS student, please fill out the application form to begin the process.
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By participating in any program or course given by Ramakrishna Seminary, students consent to our Terms and Conditions Agreement.
Rev. Dr. Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati is a Hindu monk, priest, educator, and Dean of the Seminary with more than twenty-eight years of experience in presenting the teachings and practices of Sanatana Dharma, Indian philosophy, Tantric rituals, and the Hindu devotional schools.
Textbook
Kali, the Black Goddess of Dakshineswar
Elizabeth U. Harding, Nicolas-Hays, York Beach 1993
The story of Kali Mandir is intimately connected with the publication this book. Our foundational understanding of the Divine Mother Kali is rooted in the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and the devotional and ritual tradition of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple discussed in the book. Available directly from Kali Mandir.org and other online vendors. A free PDF will also be available to students.
Course Reader
The instructor has created a 320-page spiral-bound Course Reader containing the course’s supplementary readings. This Course Reader is optional, as all materials will also be accessible and downloadable on the module pages. The reader is available for a donation of $40, to help cover the cost of printing and shipping.
Course Modules
Click on the module links below to access online meetings, supportive materials, and assignments.
(Access restricted to enrolled students)
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 0f Copyright Act in 1976, allowance is made for “Fair Use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research or scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citations or incorporation of copyrighted material in anther author’s world under a four-factor balancing test. All opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Kali Mandir or Ramakrishna Seminary.
October 12 - October 18
MODULE 1
BEGINNINGS
Founding and History of Kali Mandir
Available Oct. 12th
Access Module 1
November 2 - November 8
DIVINE MOTHER
Bhakti & the Mother-Child Relationship
Available Nov. 2nd
October 19 - October 25
MODULE 2
THE STAGE
The Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Available Oct. 19th
Access Module 2
November 9 - November 15
LINEAGES AND INFLUENCES
at Kali Mandir and RKS Seminary
Available Nov. 9th
October 26 - November 1
Available Oct. 26th
Access Module 3
November 16 - November 22
RITUAL
and the Language of Devotion
Available Nov. 16
Access Module 6
Attendance/Participation 50%
Class assignments 50%
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Passing grade for Seminary Credit 70% and above
Evaluation of Student Performance
This 3-unit course is worth 3 Seminary Credits, and can be taken for either Credit or No Credit. Students not taking the course to earn Seminary Credits are not required to turn in written assignments or a final paper, but are expected to participate in online lectures and discussions and keep up with assigned readings and other materials. Students who are taking this course for Seminary Credits are expected to attend weekly online discussions. If students must miss a live Zoom meeting, they are expected to watch the recording of the session and to participate in the discussion forum.