Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm are oriented towards those students who are interested in furthering their Dharma knowledge within a more in-depth framework. The Center is currently offering the FPMT's Basic Program, taught by our resident teacher, Geshe Gelek.
Devised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Basic Program is an intermediate-level exposition of nine main texts in the Tibetan tradition, meant to be taught over a period of approximately five years. The Program includes classics such as Shantideva's Bodhisattvacharyavatara ("A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life"), as well as stages of the path (lam-rim) and mind training (lojong) texts. Additionally, it includes philosophical subjects such as tenets (drub tha) and mind and cognition (lo rig), and an introductory presentation of tantra. It is designed for students who have a prior background in Buddhist study, such as Discovering Buddhism or the equivalent, and who wish to progress beyond the introductory level. Lama Zopa Rinpoche designed the Basic Program with the help of the FPMT geshes. It is designed for students regularly attending centers, in particular those who are ready to commit themselves to long-term study and meditation. The program can be followed part-time as well as full-time.
The Basic Program integrates several elements, including moderated discussion, guided meditation, and periodic meditation/study retreats. FPMT offers a Basic Program Certificate for those who fully participate in and successfully complete the certificate requirements, which include regular attendance, undertaking the Program's conduct requirements, completing all quizzes and tests as well as the final exam, and participating in a three-month lam rim retreat offered at an FPMT center. For more information, contact Ven. Tendron.
**Winter 2009/2010 Update**
The Basic Program will be on hiatus through March, 2010. During this
time other classes may be held instead on Wednesday evenings, so be
sure to check the calendar. In April,
Geshe-la will begin teaching on Maitreya's
Uttaratantra using the commentary "The Tathagata Essence:
Commentary to the First Chapter of the Uttaratantra" by Gyaltsap Darma
Rinchen [1364-1432]. "The Tathagata Essence" clarifies the meaning of our
buddha potential, in particular, the emptiness of the mind that allows
evolution to a state of complete enlightenment.
Kadampa Center, Raleigh, NC, USA
Affiliated with the Foundation for
the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama