In-depth study of Kadampa Buddhism – the ideal next step after attending drop-in classes
The Foundation Programme (FP) is designed to deepen our knowledge and, more importantly, our experience of the teachings.
The programme and students both employ a systematic approach to study; the classes go through one book in detail, page by page, and the students undertake to attend every class.
If you haven’t yet attended our drop-in classes you can find details of them here.
Day and Time:
Thursday evenings: 7:00-9:00pm
Venue:
Atisha Kadampa Meditation Centre
81 Victoria Road, Darlington DL1 5JQ Click here for a map
What happens at a class?
The class begins with beautiful prayers and a guided meditation. The teacher then reads from the book while explaining in detail how to apply the instructions to solve our everyday problems. Afterwards the students divide into pairs to discuss the section. The teacher and students then conclude by deciding together what to meditate on in the next class and how to practice what has been learnt during the week.
Every few classes we have a group discussion where students review the pages covered in the recent classes and discuss any questions that may have arisen.
How much will it cost?
Payment for FP is by becoming a Gold Monthly Member, a standing order of £35 per month is made.
Being a member means you can come to any weekly meditation classes for free. Retreats and guided retreat sessions, guided chanted meditations are all free to members, and your children can go to the children’s class for free. Plus it’s free for all the one-off special meditation courses, such as half-day courses (excluding empowerments).
You can try it out before committing by arranging a Tester Month and attending the FP classes that month.
To arrange a Tester Month you would pay £35 on 1st of the month either in cash or card payment at the centre, or by bank transfer. Then you’d have access to all the benefits of Gold Monthly Membership that month to see the benefits of being an FP student. (Unlimited weekly classes and half-day courses that month, including online, access plus the FP classes) That way you get to see the benefits of being a monthly member – please contact epc@meditationindarlington.org for more info or to arrange dates and payment.
The Teacher
This class is taught by our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Chogma
We’ll be starting a new book in September so, although you can join at any time, this is the perfect time to join the Foundation Programme. Get in touch if you’d like to arrange a month trial in September.
We’ll be studying Part One of How to Understand the Mind.
This book offers us deep insight into our mind, and shows how an understanding of its nature and functions can be used practically in every day experience to improve our lives.
Part One is a practical guide to developing and maintaining a light, positive mind – showing how to recognize and abandon states of mind that harm us, and to replace them with peaceful and beneficial ones.
Part Two describes different types of mind in detail, revealing the depth and profundity of the Buddhist understanding of the mind. It concludes with a detailed explanation of meditation, showing how by controlling and transforming our mind we can attain a lasting state of joy, independent of external conditions.
The Foundation Programme studies six books:
- Eight Steps to Happiness – a commentary to Bodhisattva Langri Tangpa’s Eight Verses of Training the Mind.
- Joyful Path of Good Fortune – a commentary to Atisha’s Lamrim instructions, the stages of the path to enlightenment.
- Meaningful to Behold – a commentary to Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life.
- Universal Compassion – a commentary to Bodhisattva Chekhawa’s Training the Mind in Seven Points.
- The New Heart of Wisdom – a commentary to the Heart Sutra. By studying this book we have the opportunity to gain a realization of the ultimate nature of reality. By gaining this realization we can eliminate the ignorance of self-grasping, which is the root of all our suffering.
- How to Understand the Mind – a detailed explanation of the mind based on the works of the Buddhist scholars Dharmakirti and Dignaga.