Foundation Program

Foundation Program offered at Kadampa Meditation Centre Houston consists of systematic study and practice of Kadampa Buddhism suited to the modern world.

Got the wish to dive more deeply into the teachings? We are offering a three class open enrollment period for anyone interested in trying out the program. These classes will help you decide whether or not to join the ongoing study class.

If you are interested in joining please get in touch with us at info@meditationinhouston.org.
Our Next Class is Sunday, Sep 24 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

About the book we are studying

MEANINGFUL TO BEHOLD

Becoming a Friend of the World

by GESHE KELSANG GYATSO

Many people have the compassionate wish to benefit others, but few understand how to accomplish this successfully in daily life.

Bodhisattvas are friends of the world, who have such strong compassion that they are able to transform all their daily activities into ways of benefiting others.

The path of the Bodhisattva was exquisitely explained in the universally loved poem Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, by the 8th century master Shantideva.

With this commentary, the full effectiveness and profundity of this wonderful poem are revealed in full and made applicable for our time.

This practical handbook is essential for those wishing to follow a way of life characterised by greater empathy and compassion for others.

WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR

Nowadays, with the world in turmoil, there is a particular need for Westerners to cultivate bodhichitta. If we are to make it through these perilous times, true Bodhisattvas must appear in the West as well as in the East.

~ VENERABLE GESHE KELSANG GYATSO RINPOCHE

Questions About the Program

The secret of the Foundation Program’s success lies in the manageable commitment made by the student and in the clear structure of study. Students sign up to study a book or part of a book, agree to attend each class, learn the material, and take a test at the conclusion of the study. Class meets once a week for two hours.

If, for a suitable reason, a student is not able to attend the class in person, he or she agrees to catch up by listening to a recording of the class. Generally, the students take turns putting up the shrine offerings and setting up the meditation room on the day of their class. In this way they learn about the rituals associated with Buddhist practice.

Prior to class, students study an assigned portion of the text, usually a few pages long, and memorize the essential points. The class begins with chanted prayers and guided meditation. The teacher then reads the assigned selection from the book while giving commentary to the text. The students then divide into pairs to discuss the material. The teacher and students conclude by deciding what to meditate on in the next class and how to practice during the coming week.

Class meets once a week. Sundays from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. There are breaks in the summer and for holidays.

Foundation Program students support the Center at the Foundation Member level, at $75/month. As an added benefit to this membership level, all General Program classes are included. Your membership also helps to ensure that the center remains financially strong so that the classes can continue.

The purpose of the Foundation Program is to provide a systematic presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism. When joining an FP class, the student commits to complete the study of one of these books.

FIVE SUBJECTS: The program 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, New 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

MORE QUESTIONS? Email us at fp@meditationinhouston.org