Foundation Programme (FP)

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Foundation Programme

Foundation Programme (FP) provides an opportunity to engage in systematic study and meditation on the essential subjects of Kadampa Buddhism based on six books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. The emphasis in the classes is on gaining practical experience of Buddha’s teachings that you can apply to your daily life. In 1990, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso gave a talk about the Foundation Program and its purpose. Read the transcript of this talk below:

Venerable Geshe-las talk

The Benefits of the Programme

  • Deepen your personal insights into Buddha’s teachings

  • Give structure to your meditation practice & study of Buddhism

  • Learn from Kelsang Dorsem’s practical experience

  • Enjoy the help and support of like-minded spiritual friends

  • Cultivate a state of mind that is calm, clear and positive all the time

  • Develop and realise the true limitless potential of your mind

About the Study Book

Many people have the compassion wish to benefit others, but very few understand how to accomplish this effectively in daily life. Through our compassion we will develop a special mind that wishes to attain enlightenment  for the benefit of others, known as bodhichitta. with bodhichitta we become a Bodhisattva, a friend of the world, and are able to transform all our daily activities into skilful methods that benefit others.

The programme is currently studying part two of this text however you do not need to wait to enrol for these classes. You can trial a class and enrol at any time.

Further Information

Mondays 7.00 – 9.00 pm

Amoghasiddhi Kadampa Buddhist Centre, Cyprus House, Queens Square, Attleborough, NR17 2AE

See below for programme dates.

February 02, 09, 16
23 Discussion Class

March 02, 09, 23

April
13 Discussion Class
20, 27

May 04
11 Discussion Class
18

June 01, 08
15 Discussion Class
22, 29

July 06
13 Discussion Class

FP Commitments

  • To attend every class for the book/section
  • To prepare for each class by studying the appropriate section and memorising the essential points beforehand
  • To memorise the condensed meaning and/or root text for the book/section
  • To sit an examination at the end of the course

FP Fees

£35 per month payable by direct debit or standing order and includes access to all other weekly classes, courses and retreats. You can set up a regular payment through the membership page here.

How to enrol

Students can join Foundation Programme for one book, or section of a book, at any time. You can request to enrol by emailing epc@meditateinnorfolk.org. To be accepted you must first sign up as a In-depth Centre member to pay the fees for FP – details above.

For all new students, once you have signed up as an In-depth member,  you can study the first 4 classes as a trial. Any time during these four weeks you can then enrol for the study of the remainder of the section of the book.

Foundation Programme Teacher

Kelsang Dorsem is a Buddhist monk and the Resident Teacher at Amoghasiddhi Kadampa Buddhist Centre. Kelsang Dorsem has been a student of the renowned Buddhist scholar Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and Kadam Bridget Heyes for 25 years. Dorsem has been teaching Kadampa Buddhism since 2004 and has had teaching roles in Canada, Vienna and Nagarjuna KMC in Northamptonshire.