taught by resident teacher Kelsang Kyobpa
Many Buddhist practitioners have a sincere wish to deepen their knowledge and experience of Dharma and to gain authentic spiritual realisations through a structured program of Dharma studies. The Foundation Programme is designed to fulfil this wish. It provides a systematic presentation of the basic subjects of Mahayana Buddhism and forms a perfect basis for a strong daily practice.
Geshe Kelsang says: “Our present understanding and experience of Dharma is quite superficial. There is a big gap between our mind and Dharma and we cannot apply Dharma in our daily lives. Our approach remains passive, like someone watching television, and our mind remains as uncontrolled as before. Why is this? It is because we are not studying systematically, according to a specially designed programme. If we just pick at Dharma randomly we shall never gain deep and stable experience. For this reason the foundation programme is very important.”
Currently studying: Joyful Path of Good Fortune.
Joyful Path of Good Fortune, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso offers us step-by-step guidance on the meditation practices that will lead us to lasting inner peace and profound happiness. We gain the ability to put all Buddha’s teachings 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.
the programme
Joining the Foundation Program involves enrolling for a section of a book and then trying to attend all the classes, one of which is an end-of-term exam. Studying in this way gives our lives a meaningful structure and helps us to gain fuller experience of the teachings. You can join the program me at any time.
the classes
Mondays : 7pm – 9pm : Comapassion Buddhist Centre
Each class consists of preliminary prayers, guided meditation and a reading from the book with commentary and discussion.
Class fee: $80 per month which also entitles you to attend all classes at Compassion Centre and its branches.
If you are interested in joining the Foundation Programme or would like to enrol, please contact:
education@meditateinauckland.org
ph.846 5829
You are welcome to try the programme for a week before enrolling. Cost $14.
the book
In this inspiring book, Joyful Path of Good Fortune, is a commentary to Atisha’s Lamrim text The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso offers us step-by-step guidance on the meditation practices that will lead us to lasting inner peace and profound happiness. With extraordinary clarity, he presents all Buddha’s teachings in the order in which they are to be practised, enriching his explanation with stories and illuminating analogies. Following theses practical instructions, we will come to experience for ourselves the joy that arises from making progress on a clear and structured path that leads to full enlightenment. This is a perfect guidebook to the Mahayana Buddhist path.
