Foundation Program
The New Heart of Wisdom by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

Sundays, 1 - 3 pm with Resident Teacher Kadam Amy Peng

The Foundation Program (FP) provides an opportunity to participate in a structured study program of meditation and Buddhism.  Through this program, we will systematically study the essential subjects of Kadampa Buddhism based on six books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and gain a deep understanding of the meaning of Buddha’s teachings.  

The New Heart of Wisdom is an extraordinary book. It reveals the direct and hidden meanings of Buddha's Perfection of Wisdom Sutras in a way that we can apply them to our modern life.

Venerable Geshe-la's commentary to the Sutra clearly reveals its profound meaning and how it can be applied to solve the problems of modern life and to transform our daily life into the path to liberation and enlightenment.

By learning how to apply the meaning of the Sutra to Tantric practice and experience the union of profundity and clarity, we see how it is possible to complete this journey swiftly through practicing the union of Sutra and Tantra.

Fees
$100/mo
No one is turned away for lack of funds.

For more information, please contact the Education Program Coordinator by email, epc@meditateinoc.org.

The New Heart of Wisdom

This special presentation of Buddha's teachings offers truly liberating insights and advice for the contemporary reader. It reveals the profound meaning of the very heart of Buddha’s teachings - the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras. The author shows how all our problems and suffering come from our ignorance of the ultimate nature of things, and how we can abandon this ignorance and come to enjoy pure, lasting happiness by developing a special wisdom associated with compassion for all living beings.

By revealing the profound meaning of the very heart of Buddha’s teachings – the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras – this book shows how we can attain pure, lasting happiness through developing special wisdom and universal compassion.

Cost & how to sign up

Cost: $100/month (12 months/year) includes these FP classes and unlimited meditation classes.  (For more membership info click here)

Note: FP is not a drop-in class and enrollment is required.  People are generally required to have attended meditation (drop-in) classes for a minimum of 6-months before joining the program.

If you are interested in joining, please email the Education Program Coordinator, epc@meditateinoc.org.

Commitments of Joining the Study Programs

When you join either the Foundation Program you must make the following commitments:

• To attend every teaching class, discussion class and review classes
• To memorize the Condensed Meaning or Root Text of the books and to sit a written examination at the end of each book or section of a book
• To attend an additional meditation class or puja each week organized by the Center
• To prepare well for each class so discussion partners’ efforts are respected
• To attend the group discussions

In addition, you will be expected to practically help the Center in various ways – such as by occasionally putting up daily water offerings, cleaning the meditation room and other areas as needed; also helping in assisting at short courses where possible and assisting or teaching meditation classes from time to time.  This aspect is as important as the study part of the program as it allows you to put the teachings into practice supported by other practitioners.

“We should study correctly and purely; our understanding should be qualified. If our understanding is qualified then our teachings will be very qualified and because we will be giving teachings from our heart students will receive powerful benefits.” 
-Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

Prioritizing the Study Program in your personal schedule

Making your Study Program a high priority is essential for your studies and meditations to be successful. The Program term dates will available in advance every six months; therefore, for any personal meetings/holidays etc. you should have time to reschedule if necessary, in the light of your Study Program attendance commitment. 

Please note:  valid reasons for non-attendance should not include avoidable appointments or holidays.