Chinmaya Mission is conducting the second Vedanta Sadhaka Course, a one-year residential course for the intensive study of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the other important Vedantic texts. The medium of teaching is English. The course is to begin on Kojagiri Purnima, 16 October 2024. The Mukhya Acharya of the course is Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, Global Head of Chinmaya Mission. The resident Acharya is Swami Sharadananda Sarasvati and Upa-acharya is Br. Ved Chaitanya. This course is a PG Diploma/Diploma in Advaita Vedanta, conferred by Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth. The venue of the course is Chinmaya International Foundation, Adi Sankara Nilayam, Ernakulam, Kerala, the maternal birth-home of Sri Adi Sankaracharya.
The main purpose of this one-year (two-semester) residential course is to help the seeker acquire complete clarity on the teachings of Advaita Vedanta and the various spiritual practices for living the life of a ‘sadhaka’, a spiritual seeker. Such in-depth study of Vedanta, in a Gurukula set-up, will bestow the seeker the right and holistic vision of life in the path to Self-realisation.
Eligibility
- Age 33 to 65 years
- Keen interest in Vedantic studies and to live the life of a sadhaka (spiritual seeker)
Course Objectives
- To gain an in-depth knowledge of Vedanta through the study of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and other essential Vedantic texts
- To acquire clarity about the spiritual path and the spiritual practices (sadhanas)
How to Apply?
The course will have a limited number of seats and the admission will be based on an interview. Interested participants can download and fill up the application form. Option 1 – Send the hardcopies with relevant documents to: Manager Chinmaya International Foundation Adi Sankara Nilayam, Veliyanad Ernakulam – 682313, Kerala, India Phone: +91 92077 11135 / Email: manager@chinfo.org Option 2 – Scan and send the soft copy of the filled application form to: vsc@chinfo.org Last date of sending in the completed Application Form is 31th July, 2024.Mukhya Acharya
Pujya Swami Swaroopananda
In an era rife with scepticism and confusion about matters spiritual, Swami Swaroopananda is a rare voice that blends authenticity with accessibility; theory with self-practice; logic with heart. As a child, he heard many religious stories from his grandmother, tales from the great Indian epics and the lives of saints, and verses from the Guru Granth Sahib. These stories suddenly came to life, acquiring new meaning and depth, when as an adolescent he encountered the preeminent Master of Vedanta, Swami Chinmayananda. His heart completely moved and inspired, in 1984 Swami Swaroopananda gave up his family's thriving business to undergo intensive training under Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda and Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai. He was initiated into the monastic order in 1992 by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. Since then, he has touched thousands of lives across the world, and his tremendous work in bringing out the essential wisdom and underlying unity of all religions has garnered him a place among the vanguards of self-development philosophy. He was formerly the Regional Head of Chinmaya Mission Australia, United Kingdom, Middle East, Africa and Far East, and presently Chancellor of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth Trust (University for Sanskrit and Indic Traditions) and Chairman of the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, South India. In January 2017, Swami Swaroopananda was bestowed by Swami Tejomayananda the privilege to serve as the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission.
Resident Acharya
Swami Sharadananda
Swami Sharadananda Sarasvati, is a polyglot with expertise in Sanskrit, Indian Philosophy (Yoga and Advaita Vedanta) with an in-depth understanding of ritualistic and cultural traditions. A post-graduate in Advaita Vedanta, he secured a first rank at the All India level, and was awarded a gold medal from the prestigious Sanskrit university, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi. He had assisted Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda as the Sanskrit Acharya in the 13th Batch of the Vedanta Course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai. A year after this batch, he became the Acharya for the Purohit Course (batch of 2010) at Chinmaya Gardens, Coimbatore. He was also appointed as Upa-acharya for the 15th Sandeepany Vedanta Course (Batch of 2013) where he gave the students an excellent grounding in Sanskrit and Vedic Chanting. He was also the Acharya of the two-year residential Vedanta Course in Malayalam (2018 – 2020) at Kerala Sandeepany, Adi Sankara Nilayam. He is also a member of the Academic Council of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth (CVV).
Upa-acharya
Br. Ved Chaitanya
Brahmachari Ved Chaitanya, presently serving at Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF), Kerala, is a skilled orator in English, Hindi, and Marathi. Hailing from a devoted Chinmaya Family deeply involved in the Chinmaya movement, he drew inspiration from revered Swamins like Pujya Swami Purushottamananda and Swami Siddheshananda. A distinguished scholar with an Engineering degree from Pune University, Vedji worked in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) before joining the two years' residential Vedanta Course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya under the guidance of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda and the tutelage of Swami Advayananda and Swami Sharadananda. On completion of the course, he received the Brahmacharya diksha on Ganesh Chaturthi in 2013. Holding a post-graduate degree in MA Sanskrit from Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth and presently pursuing his Ph.D., Vedji embodies youthful dynamism coupled with genuine wisdom. Personally, Vedji exudes cheerfulness and kindness, endearing himself to everyone, from youngsters to adults.
The Vedanta Sadhaka Course is conducted at Chinmaya International Foundation, Adi Sankara Nilayam, the hallowed maternal birth-home of Sri Adi Sankaracharya. The vicinity of the illom is surrounded with lush green vegetation, and the in-house sacred temple complex radiates a spiritual ambience that stands as a classic example of how utility meets art and work meets worship.
Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) is the Academia of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, established in 1989 by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, with a vision of it being “a bridge between the East and West, past and the present, science and spirituality, and pundit and public.”
The purpose of the residential Vedanta Sadhaka Course is to provide an ideal opportunity for all the sincere seekers to learn Vedanta.In this course spanning two semesters within a one-year duration, students withdraw fully from worldly life and follow a disciplined schedule of classes and activities in an ashram setting to promote learning, reflection and contemplation.
Through the entire duration of this intensive residential course, the Acharyas closely observe and monitor the progress and development of the sadhakas. Sadhakas are expected to live a life of discipline in the gurukula. The daily schedule includes the study of Vedanta and Sanskrit, Vedic chanting, Meditation, Bhajans, and Satsangs.
Sadhakas will be methodically guided through the wisdom of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Prakarana-granthas of Vedanta, authored by Adi Sankaracharya, Swami Vidyaranya and other saints. Texts unveiling the practice of Bhakti like Ramayana and Bhagavatam will also be studied. They will also learn to read and write in Devanagari and the basics of Sanskrit grammar.
The program will be structured into two semesters as follows:
Semester 1:- Duration: 16 October 2024 to 14 April 2025
- Certification: Certification in Advaita Vedanta
Semester Break: 15 April 2025 to 30 April 2025
Students have the option to either return home during the break or choose to stay at the campus facility by paying a nominal fee.
Semester 2:- Duration: 1 May 2025 to 20 September 2025
- Certification: PG Diploma/Diploma in Advaita Vedanta
- Single accomodation (option of non-AC and AC)
- Simple sattvic vegetarian food
- Textbooks
To be brought by the Sadhakas
- Sufficient clothes (suitable for ashram wear)
- Essential medicines (can be purchased as need be)
- Stationery (notebooks etc. can be purchased as required)
Ashram Discipline
Attending all classes is mandatory with no exceptions. Apart from classes, the sadhakas are expected to study, reflect and contemplate on the teachings. The sublime atmosphere of Adi Sankara Nilayam, the maternal birth-home of Sri Adi Sankaracharya, enables the seeker to turn inward effortlessly. All the sadhakas are expected to follow the instructions of the Acharyas and adhere to the ashram discipline.
Dress Code
Sadhakas are to attire themselves in clothing suitable for an ashram atmosphere. Women: Saree or Salwar Kameez Men: Pants or Dhoti and Kurta or shirts. No shorts or inappropriate western wear.
FAQs
Disclaimer: Please note the answers to the below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are provided as a tool for understanding what students can generally expect during their stay at Chinmaya International Foundation, Adi Sankara Nilayam. Authorities reserve the right to change the policies at any time without any notice.
Course Information
By Air:
Cochin International/Domestic Airport [Airport code (COK)] is the closest. CIF, Adi Sankara Nilayam is about 45 kms (around 90 minutes from the airport by taxi) away.
By Rail:
Alight at Ernakulam South (ERS) or Ernakulam North (ERN) stations and take a taxi to CIF, Adi Sankara Nilayam via Thripunithura-Mulanthuruthy-Arakkunnam-Peppathy route or take a bus from Ernakulam.