Basic Program: Tenets

Basic Program

Kadampa Center is now offering FPMT's Basic Program, taught by our resident teacher, Geshe Gelek, and facilitated by Shankha Mitra. This five-year program was designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for students who have completed basic levels of study and have a regular Buddhist practice to gain a profound knowledge of the key aspects of the entire Buddhist path.

Pre-requisites and Pre-registration

Information about the pre-requisites and the form to register are available on the Basic Program page. Please pre-register by June 15th. The class will be recorded but not streamed since students need to attend in person to fully participate.

Tenets

Based on the idea that the Buddha taught different things to different people in line with their capacities, Tibetan scholars systemized the numerous trends in Indian Buddhist thought and taught the four schools of Tenets (Drubtha) as a means to approach the most profound philosophical teachings via more accessible levels. The text that is the basis for study of this subject gives a brief overview of the assertions on minds, objects, selflessness and the nature of attainment within each of the schools, culminating in the tenets of the most highly esteemed school, the Madhyamikas. 

Accoding to Geshe Gelek, the benefits of studying tenets includes increasing our understanding of emptiness and greatly increasing our understanding of the nature of all things. In other words, understanding Asanga’s point of view of emptiness means our view of our world and its reality will progress.  From a very practical point of view, it helps us to improve our understanding of conventional world – and mainly the conventional world is our “self” – so we better understand the empty nature of the self.

Geshe Gelek said strongly that a basis of lam-rim is usually taught first and is an important part of our practice, so this class should not take the place of or distract from Wednesday night's lam-rim course. 

Materials

The text for this class, Presentation of Tenets, and recordings will be made available for download on a private webpage in the Members section of the website. If you are not a member yet, please contact Sandy at membership@kadampa-center.org. The link will be sent to students when registration closes. There will also be an email list set up to send out weekly homework and assignments.