Deepen Your Practice:
The Three Kadampa Study Programs
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has designed three study programs of Buddhist teachings. These programs — the General, Foundation and Teacher Training Programs — form the very core of the NKT-IKBU, and are what distinguishes the New Kadampa Tradition from other traditions. After attending General Program classes for some time, you may wish to go deeper in your practice and study of Kadampa Buddhism.
The General Program (GP) is taught at every center for Modern Kadampa Buddhism and is an ideal starting point for those interested to find out more about the practical application of Buddhism and meditation to modern life. At KMC New York, GP includes Sunday mornings, Tuesday evenings, Wednesday evenings, and our branch classes.
The Foundation Program (FP) is an opportunity to engage in systematic study and meditation on the essential subjects of Kadampa Buddhism, based on six books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Classes consist of teachings, meditation, and discussion with an emphasis on gaining practical experience of Buddha’s teachings that you can apply to daily life.
FP is a tried and tested way to gain deeper understanding of Buddha’s teachings, maintain a focused and powerful daily meditation practice and make genuine spiritual progress. If you’ve been coming to GP classes regularly and want to go a deeper with your practice, the systematic study of essential Buddhist texts on FP can be a perfect next step.
FP is taught by Gen Samten Kelsang on Sundays 4 – 6pm and 7 – 9pm, in person at the temple, online or via correspondence. We are currently studying The New Eight Steps to Happiness.
Teacher Training Program (TTP) offers Kadampa Buddhist practitioners the opportunity to study deeply, gain practical experience of both Sutra and Tantra and train to become qualified Dharma teachers.
Each class consists of preliminary prayers, guided meditation, reading from the book with commentary and discussion. This dynamic combination enables us to go deep into the layers of meaning within each book to make real progress along our spiritual path.
All qualified Kadampa teachers follow this in-depth program of study and practice of twelve texts. Students are required to observe certain commitments and an intention to engage in regular meditation retreats at KMC New York.
TTP is taught by Gen Samten Kelsang on Mondays and Thursdays, 4 – 6pm and 7 – 9pm, in person at the temple or via correspondence. We are currently studying Great Treasury of Merit.
“At present our wisdom is like a young child, or a new moon. We may have developed some wisdom from listening to teachings and reading and studying books, but this wisdom needs to be developed much further.
By relying on the Three Study Programs we can gradually increase our wisdom until it is completely mature, like a full moon. With this kind of wisdom we will have a firm, stable confidence when teaching Dharma to others.” — Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Read the full transcript of this talk given by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche on the occasion of the inauguration of the Foundation Program at Tara Centre, England, in October 1990.