Study Classes

The Foundation Programme

Taught by Kelsang Kyobpa

Sundays 9.30am - 1.15pm (starts 29th Aug)
Mary Thomas Centre, 3 Gibbons Rd, Takapuna

The Foundation Programme will begin the study of ‘Eight Steps to Happiness ’ by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in August 2010. You can try the programme for a couple of weeks before enrolling.

The first class is on 29th August, if you would like to attend this pleased email admin@meditateinauckland.org to confirm your attendance. To Register your interest and receive updates about FP, please complete the details in the box to the right:

The Foundation Programme (FP) is a study programme that provides a systematic presentation of Mahayana Buddhism to enable students to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddha’s teachings. Through regular teachings and meditation, systematic study and group discussion, Foundation Programme offers support and structure to our spiritual life. It forms a perfect basis for a strong daily practice.

We will study the text ‘Eight Steps to Happiness’, by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. This inspiring book reveals essential methods for developing universal love and compassion, the source of true happiness for both self and others. It gives a detailed and practical commentary to eight beautiful verses that comprise one of Buddhism’s best-loved and most enduring teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind. Composed by the great Tibetan Bodhisattva, Langri Tangpa, this short poem shows how we can transform all life’s difficulties into valuable spiritual insights.

Many Buddhist practitioners have a sincere wish to deepen their knowledge and experience of Dharma and to gain authentic spiritual realisations through a structured programme of Dharma studies. The Foundation Programme is designed to fulfil this wish. It provides a systematic presentation of the basic subjects of Mahayana Buddhism and forms a perfect basis for a strong daily practice.

Geshe Kelsang says: "Our present understanding and experience of Dharma is quite superficial. There is a big gap between our mind and Dharma and we cannot apply Dharma in our daily lives. Our approach remains passive, like someone watching television, and our mind remains as uncontrolled as before. Why is this? It is because we are not studying systematically, according to a specially designed programme. If we just pick at Dharma randomly we shall never gain deep and stable experience. For this reason the foundation programme is very important."

 

The Programme
When joining the Foundation Programme you undertake to come to all classes in the term unless there is a good reason not to attend. There are plenty of term breaks so there is time for holidays and other activities. You enrol for one book at a time and are asked to study and memorise the essential points of that book and to take an exam at the end. Studying in this way gives our lives a meaningful structure and helps us to gain fuller experience of the teachings.

The Classes
Sundays 9.30am - 1.15pm Venue TBA
Each class consists of preliminary prayers, guided meditation and a reading from the book with commentary and discussion.

Class Fee: $85 per month which also entitles ysou to attend all classes at Compassion Buddhist Centre and its branches.

If you are interested in joining the Foundation Programme please email: education@meditateinauckland.org or call Compassion Buddhist Centre (09) 846 5829.