Foundation Programme

Foundation Programme: Structured In-Depth Study

Many people have a sincere wish to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddha’s teachings and to improve their spiritual insights through a structured study programme. The Foundation Programme is designed to fulfil this wish by providing a systematic presentation of the basic subjects of Mahayana Buddhism 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 traditional prayers to calm and prepare the mind as well as a guided meditation on a topic from 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 General Programme classes and wish to study Buddha’s teachings in a more systematic way, then feel free to try it out for 2 or 3 sessions. See for yourself how this study programme helps to improve the quality of your life by putting the teachings into practice.

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 were possible, however, it if is not feasable for you to join in person, you can join FP online, please use this link to access each class shortly before it is due to start:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82226981771?pwd=Z3JJWmpsd3BrSWczRWNVSDVXOXc4UT09

Foundation Programme Thursday evenings

The Thursday evening Foundation Programme has ended for the time being – this class has amalgamated with the Monday evening FP class with effect from 26 October 2020 (see below).

Foundation Programme Monday evenings

The Monday evening Foundation Programme is studying ‘How to Understand the Mind’.

It starts at 7pm and ends at 9.20pm with a short (5-minute) break between the 2 sessions.

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

To join this class online, please use this link to access each class shortly before it is due to start:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82226981771?pwd=Z3JJWmpsd3BrSWczRWNVSDVXOXc4UT09

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

Foundation Programme Friday mornings

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

It runs from 9.15am to 12.30pm, and there is a break in the middle.

We intend to start on the book ‘The New Eight Steps to Happiness‘ soon – date yet to be confirmed.
(this post last updated on 21 October 2021)

This study programme is taught by Kelsang Dra-ma, a student of the Teacher Training Programme at Buddha Land Kadampa Buddhist Centre, Keighley.

The classes are offered in person to provide the best environment in which the students can immerse themselves in the book; in excceptional circumstances we can offer a live stream or recording of the class. If you would be interested in attending this class, please get in touch – phone us or drop us an email.