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 along with other study programme commitments.
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).
How do I join the FP?
The FP is a systematic study programme that has attendance commitments so you need to arrange a Tester Month in order to attend the FP classes.
To arrange a Tester Month
- Contact epc@meditationindarlington.org letting us know which of our classes you have been attending, your full name and mobile phone number
- We will send you an info sheet detailing the FP and arrange with you the date you can begin a tester month and how to arrange the £35 fee.
- During the tester month you then 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
- After attending all the FP classes in your tester month we will arrange an informal interview with either the Education Programme Co-ordinator or the Resident Teacher to go through the FP commitments.
- If you wish to enrol you can then sign the enrolment form, set up a standing order for your monthly membership and continue to attend the FP classes.
The Teacher
This class is taught by our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Chogma
We are currently 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.