Foundation Program: In-Depth Study Program in Modern Buddhism

Program Information

Classes held:
Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

In-Depth Study Program
with Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Tashi

This is not a drop-in class. Enrollment is required. 

Cost: $65 per month
(Standard Membership required – includes these weekly study classes and access to all our drop-in meditation classes)

Location:
Kadampa Meditation Center Miami
316 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134

The Foundation Program (FP) is designed for anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding and experience of Kadampa Buddhism through a systematic study of essential Buddhist texts and their commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

Anyone can join and experience the great benefits of being part of this regular study program. Through this we can improve our good heart, our wisdom, and our cherishing of others by going deeper into our study and meditation practice.

About the Program

Meaningful to Behold: Commentary to Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life

The current book being studied is Meaningful to Behold by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

The way of life of a Bodhisattva was exquisitely explained in the beloved poem Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, by the 8th century Buddhist master Shantideva. With his commentary, Meaningful to Behold, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso fully reveals the great meaning and practical application of this wonderful poem in a way that is accessible and relevant to our modern times. This handbook is essential for those wishing to follow a way of life characterized by greater empathy and compassion for others.

What happens at each class?

Before each class, students study an assigned portion of the text, usually a few pages long, and try to memorize the essential points. Each class begins with short prayers and a guided meditation. The teacher then reads the assigned section from the book while giving commentary to the text. The students then discuss the material in pairs. The teacher and students conclude by deciding what to meditate on in the next class and how to practice during the coming days before the next class.

What are the program commitments?

Students may enroll to study either a whole book or a part of a book. 

When students join the Foundation Program, they make the following commitments:

  1. To attend every class, unless there is a valid health, family or work-related reason for missing.
  2. To apply effort to memorize The Condensed Meaning of the Text for each part of the book studied.
  3. To take a written examination at the end of each part of the book studied.
  4. To attend at least one drop-in meditation class or prayer session at the Center each week in addition to these classes.

How to Enroll

Please note that formal enrollment is required to participate in this program on an ongoing basis.

Prospective students may attend a trial class before deciding whether to enroll.

To enroll or to schedule a trial class, please email epc@meditationinmiami.org.

Class Schedule

Meaningful to Behold (Part Two) 

Chapter 5: Guarding the Mind with Alertness

Jan 7 – The method of guarding the practice is to guard the mind, p.185-191 (v1-8)
Jan 14 – The method of guarding the practice is to guard the mind, p.191-194 (v9-17)
Jan 21 – The method of guarding the practice is to guard the mind, p.194-196 (v18-22)
Jan 28 – The method of guarding the mind is to practice mindfulness and alertness, p.196-201 (v23-33)
Feb 4 – Practicing the moral discipline of restraint, p.201-206 (v34-44)
Feb 11 – Practicing the moral discipline of restraint, p.206-210 (v45-58)
Feb 18 – Practicing the moral discipline of restraint, p210-215
Feb 25 – Practicing the moral discipline of gathering virtue, p.215-218 (v59-70)
Mar 4 – Practicing the moral discipline of gathering virtue, p.218-223 (v71-84ab)
Mar 11 – Practicing the moral discipline of benefiting sentient beings, p.224-230 (v84cd-97)
Mar 18 – How to prevent our practice from degenerating, p.230-232 (v98-109)
Mar 25 – Group Discussion, p.185-232

Chapter 6: Patience

Apr 1 – The method of meditating on patience, p.233-239 (v1-6)
Apr 8 – Preventing the cause of anger, p.240-243 (v7-11)
Apr 15 – The patience of voluntarily enduring suffering, p.243-247 (v12-21)
Apr 22 – The patience of definitely thinking about Dharma, p.247-253 (v22-34)
Apr 29 – No class today (US Festival)
May 6 – The patience of not retaliating, p.254-257 (v35-41)
May 13 – The patience of not retaliating, p.257-261 (v42-49)
May 20 – The patience of not retaliating, p.261-265 (v50-69)
May 27 – The patience of not retaliating, p.265-269 (v61-89)
Jun 3 – The patience of not retaliating, p.270-273 (v90-113)
Jun 10 – The patience of not retaliating, p.273-277 (v114-125)
Jun 17 – Extensive explanation of the benefits of patience, p.277-279 (v127-134)
Jun 24 – Group Discussion, p.233-279