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 (Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds), 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 essential purpose of the Basic Program is to encourage and develop the practice of altruistic transformation of one's own mind. Because moral discipline is an indispensible part of authentic dharma practice, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the other teachers involved in the program have stressed the need for a minimum standard of conduct to be observed by all students.
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.
Current Topic
Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana - Chapter One: The Tathagata Essence.
Text: Maitreya's Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana using the
commentary "The Tathagata Essence: Commentary to the First Chapter of
the Uttaratantra" by Gyaltsap Darma Rinchen [1364-1432].
Rich in poetic imagery and metaphor, Maitreya's Sublime Continuum relates a profound and refined vision of the Mahayana. 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. Text will be provided by the centerfor the cost of printing to students. If you plan to attend, please email Ven. Tendron.
Class Structure
6:30pm: Moderated discussion and guided meditation. The
discussion is structured and is led by Ven. Tendron. We review the
previous week's teaching, discuss certain passages in greater detail,
and formulate questions to pose to Geshe-la at that night's teaching.
Quizzes are also taken during this period. Everyone, and especially
those seeking certification, is encouraged to come for this
pre-teaching.
7:15pm: Geshe-la arrives and teaches until 8:30.
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