Study Programs
Geshe Kelsang has designed three special spiritual programs for the systematic study and practice of Kadampa Buddhism that are especially suited to the modern world:
The General Program (GP)
The General Program (GP) provides a basic introduction to Buddhist views and meditation practices that are suitable for beginners. Through these classes we can learn how to use meditation and Buddha's advice in our daily lives to solve daily problems and find the peace and happiness we seek. General Program also includes advanced teachings and practices from both Sutra and Tantra. Everyone is welcome to attend these classes - no experience of meditation is necessary.
The Foundation Program is a structured study program designed to enable the student to gain a deeper understanding and experience of Buddha's teachings. With weekly reading assignments from the text and a commitment to attend classes, as well discussions and meditations based on the reading, the FP creates the opportunity for us to gain deeper inner experience of the Dharma, which is the actual protection for our mind.
We are currently studying the book Universal Compassion by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso on Sunday evenings. If you are interested in joining this program, please speak to our Resident Teacher or email the Center at info@meditationinsantabarbara.org.
The following is an extract from a talk given by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso on the occasion of the inauguration of the Foundation Programme at Tara Centre, October 1990.
“Beginning Foundation Program presents us with a great opportunity to fulfil both our own and others’ wishes. This program is very meaningful and the best method for increasing wisdom and Dharma experience.
With wisdom and Dharma experience we can bring our deluded minds under control. We can reduce our attachment, anger, jealousy, and so forth, and subdue our self-grasping and self-cherishing. By controlling our deluded minds we will come to experience permanent peace day and night. We will bring about a permanent cessation of human problems. In this way we will become our own protectors. By increasing our wisdom and Dharma experience we will gradually solve all our problems and eventually we will achieve the ultimate happiness of full enlightenment, the bliss of Buddhahood. This is how the Foundation Program can fulfil our own wishes. If we increase our wisdom and Dharma experience we can give teachings and spiritual advice to others and set a good example for them to follow. In this way we can lead others into spiritual paths.
At present our wisdom is like a young child, or a new moon. We may have developed some wisdom from listening to teachings and reading and studying books, but this wisdom needs to be developed much further. By relying on the Foundation Program we can gradually increase our wisdom until it is completely mature, like a full moon.
When you have completed the Foundation Program you will really be able to help your Center, as well as all the people in your area. In this way you can fulfill your own wishes at the same time as benefiting others. This is no small job; it is a great achievement.
If we practise steadily every day without giving up, gradually we will reach our goal. If we start today, tomorrow we shall already be a bit closer to completing!
So I would like to say thank you to all of you and encourage you to complete your studies happily.”
The Teacher Training Program (TTP)
The Teacher Training Program (TTP) is designed for people who wish to engage Buddha's teachings in the deepest possible manner in order to benefit others by training as authentic Dharma Teachers. TTP Students are required to observe a number of commitments and to complete several meditation retreats throughout the year. Through a deep and continuous commitment to the program of study, meditation, discussion, and retreat, we can gain deep experience of Buddha's teachings and become a qualified Dharma Teacher.
For a more detailed explanation of the subjects and texts studied on FP and TTP, please continue reading below:
The Foundation Program (FP) 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 Understanding the Mind
The Teacher Training Program (TTP) comprises twelve subjects, based on Buddha’s Sutra and Tantra teachings and the corresponding commentaries by Geshe Kelsang.
The first five subjects of the Program are the same as for the Foundation Program, and the additional subjects are:
6. Guide to the Middle Way, based on the commentary Ocean of Nectar
7. Vajrayana Mahamudra, based on the commentary Clear Light of Bliss
8. The Bodhisattva’s Moral Discipline, based on the commentary The Bodhisattva Vow
9. Offering to the Spiritual Guide, based on the commentaries Great Treasury of Merit and Mahamudra Tantra
10. Vajrayogini Tantra, based on the commentary Guide to Dakini Land
11. Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra, based on the commentary Tantric Grounds and Paths
12. The Practice of Heruka Body Mandala, based on the commentary Essence of Vajrayana
For a more detailed explanation of the precious texts studied on FP and TTP, please continue reading below:
The Bodhisattva Vow, a commentary to the Bodhisattva's vow of moral discipline, explaining how to help others through the practice of giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom.
Clear Light of Bliss, a detailed explanation of the special methods in Tantric Buddhism which enable us to discover infinite bliss and compassion for others. With this blissful awareness we can uncover our true nature, destroy ignorance and suffering at its root, and swiftly become a source of inspiration and benefit for others.
Eight Steps to Happiness, a 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.
Essence of Vajrayana, a detailed explanation of the practice of Heruka body mandala. Buddha Heruka is a manifestation of all the Buddhas’ enlightened compassion, and by relying upon him we can swiftly attain a pure selfless joy and bring true happiness to others.
Great Treasury of Merit, provides clear instructions on relying on a Spiritual Guide, the foundation of all spiritual attainment. A guide to the meditation practice “Offering to the Spiritual Guide or Lama Chopa – one of the most important practices of Kadampa Buddhism.
Guide to Dakini Land, a detailed explanation of the Tantric practice of Vajrayogini, the female Buddha of wisdom.
Heart of Wisdom, a commentary to the Heart Sutra. Through studying the Heart of Wisdom we gain a realization of the ultimate nature of reality. By gaining this realization we can eliminate the ignorance of self-grasping which is the root of all our suffering.
Joyful Path of Good Fortune, a commentary to Atisha's Lamrim text The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment. By studying Joyful Path we gain the ability to put all Buddha's teachings of both Sutra and Tantra into practice. We can easily make progress and complete the stages of the path to the supreme happiness of enlightenment. From a practical point of view Lamrim is the main body of Buddha's teachings, and the other teachings are like the limbs.
Mahamudra Tantra, an introduction to Tantric meditation and how to use our imagination to discover the peace and happiness that lies within each of us.
Meaningful to Behold, a commentary to Venerable Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. When we study Meaningful to Behold we learn how to transform our daily activities into the Bodhisattva's way of life, thereby making every moment of our human life meaningful.
Ocean of Nectar, a commentary to Chandrakirti's Guide to the Middle Way, a classic Mahayana scripture, which is regarded as the principal presentation of Buddha’s profound view of emptiness, the ultimate nature of reality.
Tantric Grounds and Paths, a detailed explanation of all the stages of the four classes of Tantra, including the generation and completion stages. Tantra is revealed as the gateway to a blissful new world.
Understanding the Mind, a detailed explanation of the mind based on the works of Buddhist scholars Dharmakirti and Dignaga. By studying Understanding the Mind we understand the relationship between our mind and its external objects. If we understand that objects depend upon the subjective mind, we can change the way objects appear to us by changing our own mind. Gradually we shall gain the ability to control our mind and in this way solve all our problems.
Universal Compassion, a commentary to Bodhisattva Chekhawa's Training the Mind in Seven Points. By studying Universal Compassion we gain the ability to integrate Buddha's teachings into our daily lives and solve all our human problems.
Why We Need to Study:
There are three reasons why we need to study and practice the teachings of Buddha:
- To develop our wisdom
- To cultivate a good heart
- To maintain a peaceful state of mind
If we do not strive to develop our wisdom, we shall always remain ignorant of ultimate truth – the true nature of reality. Although we wish for happiness, our ignorance leads us to engage in non-virtuous actions, which are the main cause of all our suffering.
If we do not cultivate a good heart, our selfish motivation destroys harmony and good relationships with others. We have no peace, and no chance to gain pure happiness. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible.
If we do not maintain a peaceful state of mind we are not happy even if we have ideal conditions. On the other hand, when our mind is peaceful we are happy even if our external conditions are unpleasant.
Therefore, the development of these qualities is of utmost importance for our daily happiness!
