Foundation Study Program - Kadampa Meditation Centre Durban
 

Foundation Study Program

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A unique study programme

The Foundation Program (FP) is designed for those who wish to deepen their understanding and experience of Kadampa Buddhism through a systematic study of six texts by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

When you join you will experience the great benefits of being part of this systematic study program. Through this you can improve your good heart, your wisdom, and your cherishing of others by going deeper into your study and meditation practice.

What is the structure

The secret of the Foundation Program’s success lies in the commitment made by the student and in the clear structure of study. Students sign up to study a book or part of a book; agree to attend every class; learn the material and to take a test at the conclusion of the study. If for a suitable reason a student is not able to attend the class in person, he or she agrees to catch up by listening to a recording of the class.

 

*This is not a walk-in program and enrollment is required. Students should be familiar with weekly classes and show interest in further study. A trial class can be requested. It is suggested that students should have some experience of General Programme Classes before joining.

Email: epc@meditateindurban.org for more information.

What happens in a class

Prior to class, students study an assigned portion of the text, usually a few pages long, and memorise the essential points. The class begins with chanted prayers and guided meditation. The teacher then reads the assigned selection from the book while giving commentary to the text. The students then divide into pairs to discuss the material. The teacher and students conclude by deciding what to meditate on in the next class and how to practice during the coming week.The students participate in preparation of the meditation room on the day of their class.

Which books are studied

The program comprises the following five subjects based on Buddha’s Sutra teachings and the corresponding commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:

  1. The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, based on the commentary, Joyful Path of Good Fortune
  2. Training the Mind, based on the commentaries, Universal Compassion and Eight Steps to Happiness
  3. The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary, Heart of Wisdom
  4. Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on the commentary, Meaningful to Behold
  5. Types of Mind, based on the commentary, How to Understanding the Mind

What is the Cost?

The cost is R360 a month to become a member which includes the Foundation Study Programme, free admission to General Program Classes at the Centre and branches, discount on certain events and retreats at the Centre.

To find out more about the Foundation Program and how you can join Click the button below

Membership link

Foundation Program

A unique study programme to fulfill our highest potential

 

If you have been coming to meditation classes for a while and want to take your practice to the next level, the Foundation Program (FP) is for you. The systematic and comprehensive study of five essential subjects is an ideal option for further development.

 

Buddha’s teachings are precious wisdom insights that can open the door to a profoundly rich and meaningful life and lead us to lasting happiness. To extract their full meaning, we need to systematically familiarise our minds with these insights until we have penetrated so deeply into their meaning that they become our own.

The method for taking these teachings deep into our hearts is centred around three key activities: listening, contemplating and meditating. In Joyful Path of Good Fortune,

 

Geshe Kelsang says:
“To increase our wisdom arisen from listening we need to listen to correct instructions from fully qualified Spiritual Guides, read authentic Dharma books and discuss what we have heard. Wisdom arisen from contemplation arises from reflecting again and again upon what we have heard and understood, and wisdom arisen from meditation arises from meditating on what we have heard and contemplated. We need to keep increasing these three wisdoms continuously until we attain enlightenment.
Our study programs are structured to support the development of these three wisdoms.”

How to Understand the Mind

 

This book offers us deep insight into our mind, and shows how an understanding of its nature and functions can be used practically in every day experience to improve our lives.

 

Part 1 is a practical guide to developing and maintaining a light, positive mind – showing how to recognize and abandon states of mind that harms us, and to replace them with peaceful and beneficial ones.

 

Part 2 describes different types of mind in detail, revealing the depth and profundity of the Buddhist understanding of the mind. It concludes with a detailed explanation of meditation, showing how by controlling and transforming our mind we can attain a lasting state of joy, independent of external conditions.

Person Reading How to understand the mind

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    26 Menston Road

    Sunday 16:00 - 18:00

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