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 One – Commentary to The Heart Sutra: The Explanation of the Direct Meaning of the Sutra

Jan 17 – Introduction, Title and Homage (p. 1-10) – New students welcome!
Jan 24 – Commentary to the Practice of The Great Mother – Appendix VI (p.259-272)
Jan 31 – Common explanation of the background to the Sutra (p.11-22)
Feb 7 – Uncommon explanation of the background to the Sutra & The question of Shariputra (p.22-27)
Feb 14 – The answers by Avalokiteshvara (p.29-33)
Feb 21 – A brief explanation of how to train in the perfection of wisdom on the paths of accumulation and preparation (p.33-40)
Feb 28 – Group Discussion #1 (p.1-40)

Mar 6 – Explanation of the profundity of the ultimate (p.40-46)
Mar 13 – Explanation of the profundity of the ultimate (p.46-50)
Mar 20 – Explanation of the profundity of the ultimate (p.50-54)
Mar 27 – Explanation of the profundity of the ultimate (p. 54-59)
Apr 3 – Explanation of the profundity of the ultimate (p.59-63)
Apr 10 – Group Discussion #2 (p.40-63)

Apr 17 – Explanation of the profundity of the conventional (p.65-69)
Apr 24 – Explanation of the profundity of the conventional (p.69-73)
Apr 24 – Explanation of the profundity of the conventional (p.73-77)
May 1 – Explanation of the profundity of the union of the two truths (p.77-79)
May 8 – Explanation of the profundity of the nominal distinction of the two truths (p.79-81)
May 15 – Group Discussion #3 (p.65-81)

May 22  Training in dependent-related phenomena (p.81-84)
May 29 – Explanation of the four profundities of the other aggregates and how to train in the perfection of wisdom on the path of seeing (p.84-89)
Jun 5 – Explanation of how to train in the perfection of wisdom on the paths of meditation & no more learning (p.91-94)
Jun 12 – Explanation of Sources, Elements and Links – Appendix IV (p.231-243)
Jun 19 – Liberation, Conclusion & Buddha’s Approval (p.94-103)
Jun 26 – Group Discussion #4 (p.81-103)

July 3 – Part One Review & Study Activity
July 10 – Part One Exam