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

The New Heart of Wisdom: Profound Teachings from Buddha’s Heart

The current book being studied is The New Heart of Wisdom, by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

This special presentation of Buddha’s teachings offers truly liberating insights and advice. 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.

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 both The Root Text and 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

Those who are interested in learning more about the program may join the first class on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. During this first session the teacher will provide an introduction and overview of the study program, and can answer any questions you may have about the program.

Please note that formal enrollment is required to participate in this program on an ongoing basis. New students may attend the first class for free as a trial before deciding whether to enroll. To ensure the success of the program, those who enroll in the program commit to studying the entire book and attending every class to the best of their ability. 

It will take approximately one year to study this book. The class meets once a week on Wednesdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm with some breaks for holidays and special events. 

New students who wish to formally enroll can do so in person at the Center by completing an enrollment form, which will be provided at the end of the first class on January 17th.

Class Schedule

The New Heart of Wisdom (2024)

Part Two – Commentary to The Heart Sutra: The Explanation of the Hidden Meaning of the Sutra

Aug 14 – Preliminary Explanation (p.107-117)
Aug 21 – The preciousness of our human life (p.119-124)
Aug 28 – What does our death mean? (p.124-127)
Sep 4 – The dangers of lower rebirth (p.128-130)
Sep 11 – Going for refuge (p.131-135)
Sep 18 – What is karma? (p.135-137)
Sep 25 – No Class (US Festival)
Oct 2 – Group Discussion (p.107-137)
Oct 9 – No class
Oct 16 – What we should know (p.139-154)
Oct 23 – What we should abandon (p.155-156)
Oct 30 – What we should practice (p.156-158)
Nov 6 – What we should attain (p.159-161)
Nov 13 – Group Discussion (p.139-161)
Nov 20 – Training in affectionate love (p.165-170)
Nov 27 – Training in cherishing love (p.170-177)
Dec 4 – Training in wishing love (p.178-180)
Dec 11 – Training in universal compassion & bodhichitta (p.180-183)
Dec 18 – Training in the six perfections (p.185-189)
Dec 25 – No Class (Holiday)
Jan 1 – No Class (Holiday)
Jan 8 – Training in taking in conjunction with the six perfections (p.189-194)
Jan 15 – Training in giving and dedication (p.194-201)
Jan 22 – Group Discussion (p.165-201)
Jan 29 – Part Two Exam