Expand Your Understanding. Deepen Your Practice.

A Unique Study Program

For those who wish to delve more deeply into the teachings, we offer the Foundation Program (FP) on Thursday Evenings.

On the FP, we engage in the systematic study of key Buddhist texts in order to gain a deep and lasting understanding and experience of the spiritual path, as well as an authentic confidence as a meditator and practitioner. These study classes also help us to become part of a community of practitioners who are sincerely putting the teachings into practice. With weekly reading assignments from the text, as well as commentary, discussions and meditations on the week's readings, these study classes create the conditions for us to develop deep inner experience of the teachings.

Through regular teachings and meditation, systematic study, and group discussion, the Foundation Program offers the same training followed by spiritual practitioners in an unbroken lineage dating back to Buddha Shakayamuni. In this way we can gain authentic experience of the Dharma while still maintaining our contemporary lifestyle. By studying on this program we shall gain great confidence in meditation — from basic techniques for overcoming our everyday problems to practices leading to unsurpassed happiness and permanent inner peace. Warm friendships develop as students inspire each other, sharing insights and experiences of the spiritual path.

How Does It Work?

The secret of the Foundation Program's success lies in the manageable commitment made by the student and in the clear structure of study. Students sign up to study a book or part of a book, agree to attend every class, learn the material, and to take a test at the conclusion of the study. The class meets once a week for two and a half hours.

If for a suitable reason a student is not able to attend the class, he or she agrees to catch up by listening to a recording of the class. There is also a commitment to participate in at least one chanted prayer session at the Center per month. Generally, when the class meets in person, the students take turns putting up the shrine offerings and setting up the meditation room. In this way, they learn about the rituals associated with Buddhist practice.

What Happens In Class?

Prior to class, students study an assigned portion of the text, usually a few pages long, and memorize the essential points. The class begins with chanted prayers and guided meditation. The teacher then reads the assigned selection from the book while giving commentary to the text. The students then divide into pairs to discuss the material. The teacher and students conclude by deciding what to meditate on in the next class and how to practice during the coming week.

When Is The Class?

Class meets once a week on Thursday evenings from 7 pm to 9:15 pm.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost is $75 a month to become a Foundation Member. At this membership level, all general program classes are also included.

"We often say, “My mind, my mind”, but if someone were to ask us, “What is your mind?”, we would have no correct answer. This is because we do not understand the nature and function of the mind correctly.”
– Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Thursdays FP: “How To Understand The Mind”

This remarkable book offers us deep insight into our mind, and shows how an understanding of its nature and functions can be used practically in everyday experience to improve our lives.

The first part is a practical guide to developing and maintaining a light, positive mind – showing how to recognize and abandon states of mind that harm us, and to replace them with peaceful and beneficial ones.

The second part describes different types of mind in detail, revealing the depth and profundity of the Buddhist understanding of the mind. It concludes with a detailed explanation of meditation, showing how by controlling and transforming our mind we can attain a lasting state of joy, independent of external conditions.