Study Programmes
Mahabodhi Kadampa Buddhist Centre offers a range of study programmes, day courses and retreats suitable for everybody from those new to meditation through to advanced Buddhist practitioners.
The General Programme
The General Programme (GP) provides an introduction to core Buddhist concepts, focusing on simple proven methods for increasing our inner peace and solving our human problems. These classes are suitable for everyone including beginners, non-Buddhists, practicing Buddhists and advanced practitioners.
There is never a time when the profound methods for cultivating inner peace taught in the GP classes becomes redundant, and similarly the techniques we learn in these classes are simple to put into practice in our everyday lives, meaning that everyone can benefit from the wisdom of Buddha’s teachings.
The Foundation Programme
The Foundation Programme (FP) provides a further opportunity to deepen our understanding and experience of Buddhism. The FP group meets weekly and together they study and progress through Geshe Kelsang’s books.
Many Buddhist practitioners have a sincere wish to deepen their knowledge and experience of Dharma and to gain authentic spiritual realisations through a structured program of Dharma studies. The Foundation Program is designed to fulfill this wish. It provides a systematic presentation of the basic subjects of Mahayana Buddhism and forms a perfect basis for a strong daily practice.
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso says:
“Our present understanding and experience of Dharma is quite superficial. There is a big gap between our mind and Dharma and we cannot apply Dharma in our daily lives. Our approach remains passive, like someone watching television, and our mind remains as uncontrolled as before. Why is this? It is because we are not studying systematically, according to a specially designed program. If we just pick at Dharma randomly we shall never gain deep and experience. For this reason the Foundation Program is very important”
The Programme
When joining the Foundation Program you undertake to come to all classes in the term unless there is a good reason not to attend. There are plenty of term breaks so there is time for holidays and other activities. You enrol for one book at a time and are asked to study and memorise the essential points of that book and to take an exam at the end. Studying in this way gives our lives a meaningful structure and helps us gain fuller experience of the teachings.
The classes
The classes are taught and guided by the FP teacher (Paul Ashton in Edinburgh and The Borders) and include chanted prayers, meditation and regular discussions with space for questions and contemplation.
In Edinburgh we are currently studying ‘Joyful Path of Good Fortune’ on Thursday evenings between 6-9.30pm at Mahabodhi Centre in Polwarth.
In The Borders we are also studying ‘Joyful Path of Good Fortune’ on Tuesday evenings between 6-9.30pm in Bowden Village Hall.
Anyone is welcome to experience these classes on a trial basis before enrolling.
There are currently seven FP classes being held around Scotland; in Ayr, Dundee, East Kilbride, Edinburgh, Glasgow , The Borders and
Tharpaland Kadampa Retreat Centre.
To find out more about Geshe-La’s books and how to order them, visit Tharpa – books and audio on Buddhism and Meditation.