Foundation Programme

Foundation Programme: Explore Buddha’s Teachings in Greater Depth

If you wish to deepen your knowledge and experience of Buddha’s teachings and meditation then the Foundation Programme is ideal for you. The Foundation Programme or FP is intended to give a more systematic presentation of the basic subjects of Mahayana Buddhism and does so through the study of six of Geshe Kelsang’s books:

• Joyful Path of Good Fortune
• New Eight Steps to Happiness
• Universal Compassion
• Meaningful to Behold
• The New Heart of Wisdom
• How to Understand the Mind

What happens in a FP class?

We begin with short chanted prayers to calm and prepare the mind followed by a guided meditation on the topic of the previous class. The teacher then covers a section from the book clarifying the important points and illustrating ways in which the ideas can be put into practice. Anyone can ask questions that they may have at any time. We then split up into pairs to explore the main points of the teaching, help each other to learn them, overcome doubts or misunderstandings, and to arrive at a clear understanding of how to apply them in our daily life.

Who can join?

If you have been coming to our weekly classes or weekend courses and wish to study Buddha’s teachings in a more systematic way, then feel free to join for 2 or 3 sessions to try it out. If you find it works for you, you are then welcome to join in on a regular basis. Classes more or less follow school terms.

To Find out More

Please contact the centre and we can explain more about the progamme and trying it out.

We are resuming our study programmes in person where possible; however, FP will continue online with the option of catch up if you cannot make a particular week due to other commitments. We have switched to using Microsoft Teams for this and can email you a link for the meeting.

Foundation Programme Monday Evenings

The Monday evening Foundation Programme will be studying ‘Universal Compassion’ from 15 September. The first class on the 15th will be an introduction to study on the Foundation Programme and ideal to attend if you are interested in studying on FP either now or in the future.

The Monday evening Foundation Programme is held at Buddha Land Kadampa Meditation Centre in Keighley.

It runs from 7pm and ends at 9.20pm with a a short break mid class.

This study programme is taught by Gen Kelsang Päljin, the Resident Teacher of Buddha Land Kadampa Meditation Centre, Keighley.

The classes are offered in person to provide the best environment in which the students can immerse themselves in the book, but are also still available online.

If you are interested in attending in person or online, please drop us an email.

Foundation Programme Thursday Evenings

The Thursday Evening Foundation Programme is held at Burnley Kadampa Buddhist Centre. Please see their website for details.