Foundation Program (FP)
Sundays, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM. It is recommended that new students begin their studies in one of our GP classes for a period of one year before engaging in this program.
Purpose
The purpose of the Foundation Program is to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism. It provides a systematic course of study in the teachings of Kadampa Buddhism.
Through regular teachings and meditation, systematic study, and group discussion, the Foundation Program (FP) offers the same training followed by spiritual practitioners in an unbroken lineage dating back to Buddha Shakyamuni. In this way we can gain authentic experience of the Dharma while still maintaining our contemporary lifestyle. By studying on this program we shall gain great confidence in meditation – from basic techniques for overcoming our everyday problems to practices leading to unsurpassed happiness and permanent inner peace.
Please Note: This is not a drop-in class and requires certain commitments. Prospective participants must obtain prior approval from the Resident Teacher to join. Before enrolling in the Foundation Program, students are expected to have a basic understanding of Buddhism. The drop-in General Program (GP) classes are designed to provide a foundational knowledge of Buddhism, and it is recommended that students attend GP classes regularly for at least one year before joining FP.
Five Subjects
The program comprises the following five subjects, based on Buddha’s Sutras (publicly accessible teachings) and their commentaries, as presented in the books of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:
The stages of the path to enlightenment, based on the commentary Joyful Path of Good Fortune
Training the mind, based on the commentaries Universal Compassion and Eight Steps to Happiness
The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary Heart of Wisdom
Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on the commentary Meaningful to Behold
Buddhist understanding of the mind, based on the commentary Understanding the Mind