MEDITATION AND BUDDHISM STUDY PROGRAMS
By training in meditation we create an inner space and
clarity that enables us to control our mind regardless of the
external circumstances. Gradually we develop mental equilibrium,
a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an
unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of
excitement and despondency…In this way we shall come to
experience permanent inner peace.
- From Transform Your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
The General Program
(Open to all)
The General Program (GP) provides a basic
introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation that is
suitable for beginners. Through these classes we can learn how
to use Buddha's advice in our daily lives to solve our problems
and find the peace and happiness we seek. General Program also
includes advanced teachings and practices from both Sutra and
Tantra.
The Foundation Program
(For the more serious student)
SUNDAY CLASS
The Foundation Program (FP)
is a unique structured study program that enables us to gain
deeper understanding and experience of Buddhist teachings and to
develop a regular meditation practice. It is ideal for those who
have a general understanding of Buddhism but who wish to learn
more. We meet once a week during term times and have regular
term breaks and a longer break in the summer. Students are
requested to enroll for a section of the text and commit to
attend all the classes.
Through regular teachings and meditation, systematic study and
group discussion the Foundation Program offers deep support for
your spiritual life. In essence it is the same training followed
by spiritual practitioners in an unbroken lineage dating back to
Buddha Shakyamuni. Its special quality is that we can gain
authentic experience without abandoning our modern lifestyle. By
studying on this program we will gain great confidence in
meditation - from basic techniques for overcoming our everyday
problems, to practices leading to unsurpassed happiness and
permanent inner peace.
THE TEXTS
The Foundation Program (FP) offers the opportunity to engage in a systematic
study of five of Geshe Kelsang's books in great depth. The books
are commentaries to Je Tsongkhapa's writings and contain the
very essence of Buddha's teachings. A student on FP can study
one or all of the five books, with the entire program taking
four years to complete.
- Joyful Path of Good Fortune, a commentary to Atisha's
Lamrim text The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment.
By studying Joyful Path. we gain the ability to put all
Buddha's teachings of both Sutra and Tantra into practice. We
can easily make progress and complete the stages of the path
to the supreme happiness of enlightenment. From a practical
point of view Lamrim is the main body of Buddha's teachings,
and the other teachings are like the limbs.
- Universal Compassion, a commentary to Bodhisattva
Chekhawa's Training the Mind in Seven Points.
By studying Universal Compassion we gain the ability to
integrate Buddha's teachings into our daily lives and solve
all our human problems.
- Heart of Wisdom, a commentary to the Heart Sutra.
Through studying the Heart of Wisdom we 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.
- Meaningful to Behold, a commentary to Venerable
Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life.
When we study Meaningful to Behold we learn how to transform
our daily activities into the Bodhisattva's way of life,
thereby making every moment of our human life meaningful.
- Understanding the Mind, a detailed explanation of the mind
based on the works of Buddhist scholars Dharmakirti and
Dignaga.
By studying Understanding the Mind we understand the
relationship between our mind and its external objects. If we
understand that objects depend upon the subjective mind, we can
change the way objects appear to us by changing our own mind.
Gradually we shall gain the ability to control our mind and in
this way solve all our problems.
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