Foundation
Program (FP)
is a wonderful way in which to broaden our understanding of Dharma and
enhance our spiritual life. FP was designed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang
Gyatso as means to facilitate the spiritual needs and wishes of people
around the world. Classes begin with prayers that prepare the mind for
meditation. The prayers are followed by a meditation based on material
studied in the previous class. This is followed by the teacher reading
the text and giving some commentary, answering questions, and
facilitating group discussion. Finally,
students divide into partners to try and recall from memory the
essential points of the text that was covered in the class.
WHO CAN JOIN FOUNDATION PROGRAM?
Anyone
may join Foundation
Program. However, it is very helpful if you first attend General
Program classes and then graduate to FP. The reason for this is to
become acquainted with basic Buddhist concepts and meditation, and
to provide the opportunity to resolve any doubts or misunderstandings
concerning these teachings. If you feel that you have already reached
this point, then you are very
welcome to join.
A COMMITMENT TO STUDY AND PRACTICE
Unlike General
Program which is casual and operates on a drop-in basis, Foundation
Program requires a deeper spiritual maturity and commitment. Students
who enroll in the program are the very heart of Samudra Buddhist
Centre. The main commitments of the program are: make every effort to
attend each class; to promise to study and memorize to the best of your
ability the material being studied; to write an exam; to pay a monthly
fee; to cherish the Centre, fellow students, and to maintain harmony; and to attend the tsog offering pujas held each month.
