Study Programs
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has designed three study programs of Buddhist teachings: The General, Foundation, and Teacher Training Programs. These programs form the very core of the New Kadampa Tradition and are what distinguish it from other traditions.
General Program
General Program (GP) classes include evening drop-in meditations across metro Vancouver, and other day courses and retreats.
Foundation Program
A NEW Foundation Program
Introductory Class: September 12, 5pmIf you are interested in joining the Foundation Program, please drop by to this introductory class, or contact us (by phone 604.221.2271 or e-mail). We will begin studying Joyful Path of Good Fortune by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
We all have the potential for self-transformation, and a limitless capacity for the growth of good qualities, but to fulfill this potential we need to know what to do along every stage of our spiritual journey. With this book, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso offers us step-by-step guidance on the meditation practices that will lead us to lasting inner peace and happiness.
Class Times: Sundays 5-9pm
New Term Dates: Sept 12-Oct 17 (no class Oct 10), Nov 7-Dec 12, cont. in January
More about Foundation Program: FP provides a systematic presentation of Mahayana Buddhism to enable students to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism. The program comprises six subjects based on Buddha's Sutra teachings and the corresponding commentaries by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
What do we study?
Six subjects are studied, based on the following texts by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. These focus on Buddha’s Sutra teachings in an accessible and practical manner.
- Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lamrim), based on Joyful Path of Good Fortune.
- Training the Mind, based on Universal Compassion
- Training the Mind based on Eight Steps to Happiness
- The Heart Sutra, based on Heart of Wisdom
- Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on Meaningful to Behold
- Understanding the Mind, based on the book of the same name.
What is the structure?
The secret of the Foundation Program’s success lies in the manageable commitment and clear structure of study. The classes are divided into terms, with plenty of breaks between each term.- to attend every class
Students sign up for a year and undertake to keep the following commitments to the best of their ability:
- to memorize the relevant material
- to attend one puja (chanted prayers) each week
- to take a test at the end of the year
- to volunteer some help with running the CentreHow do I join?
If you wish to join FP you must first observe a class and have an interview with the Education program Coordinator. To arrange this, please contact Tilopa Centre at: info@tilopa.org or 604.221.2271How much does it cost?
$75 a month for a Foundation Program Centre Card which also includes free or discounted General Program classes (evening classes, day courses, and retreats).
Teacher Training Program
The Teacher Training Program (TTP) provides more extensive study and an opportunity to train as a qualified teacher of Kadampa Buddhism. It involves the study of seven more of Geshe Kelsang’s books, covering both Sutra and Tantra teachings. Students can transfer at any time from the FP to the TTP.
Class recordings 2009
Integrating Dharma into our Lives
(From a talk by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso)
Our present understanding and experience of Dharma is quite superficial. We are like someone who has entered a huge food store and seen many things but sampled only a few. We may have received many different teachings from many different Teachers, but we have taken in very little, just a few morsels. Therefore our actual experience remains superficial. There is a gap between us and the Dharma. It feels as if Dharma is there and we are here. Our mind is not mixed with Dharma and so we cannot apply it in our daily lives.
As a result our ordinary everyday problems remain. For example, we may have received many teachings on Lamrim and read many books. Intellectually we find it relatively easy to understand and we accept it all, but we find it difficult to integrate into our daily lives, and so we cannot use this Dharma to solve our daily problems. When we study Dharma our mind remains passive, like someone watching television. It does not engage in the subject and mix with it. Therefore our daily life and our Dharma remain completely separate and unrelated.
Why is this? It is because we are not studying systematically according to a specially-designed program. If we just pick at Dharma randomly we will never gain a deep and stable experience, and our wisdom will never become like a full moon.
The Foundation and Teacher Training Programs, therefore, are real wishfulfilling jewels for Dharma practitioners. By participating in them we can improve our wisdom and Dharma experience and use Dharma to solve our daily problems. We can become our own protector by protecting ourselves from danger and suffering, and our own doctor by curing our mental pain with Dharma medicine. We shall be able to set a good example for others to follow and help others by giving teachings and advice. In this way we will make both our own and others’ human lives extremely meaningful.