Teacher training programme on monday Evenings

WHAT IS THE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME? 

The Teacher Training Programme exists to provide extensive training for those wishing to become qualified teachers of Modern Kadampa Buddhism.

The programme is centered around the study of various Buddhist subjects as explained in the collection of books written by founder of the New Kadampa Tradition, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

In addition to completing the study of fourteen texts of Sutra and Tantra, including the six texts studied on the Foundation Programme, students are required to observe certain commitments, and to complete a number of meditation retreats each year.

IN-PERSON – By far the best mode of studying on the Teacher Training is to attend the Centre in person each week to receive the teachings directly from our Resident Teacher Gen Tubchen and to enjoy the lively discussions.  We will always recommend you try and attend the programme in this way as this is the best method for making spiritual progress.  

LIVESTREAM  – For those for whom it is not possible to attend the Centre in-person, there is the option to register to attend the classes and engage in the discussions via Livestream at the live class time. 

CORRESPONDENCE – For those who cannot attend in-person or via Livestream at the class time, it is possible to be on the programme as a Correspondence Student. This mode of attendance depends on students personally committing time each week to keep up with the audio recordings from the live class.  

WHAT TO EXPECT – Prior to class, students study an assigned portion of the text, usually a few pages long, and memorise the essential points. The class begins with chanted prayers and guided meditation. The teacher then reads the assigned portion from the book while giving commentary to the text. Afterwards, the students divide into pairs to discuss the section. The teacher and students then conclude with suggestions for the meditation for the next class and how to put it into practice.

From Sept 2026 the Teacher Training Programme teachings will be a Commentary to the book ‘How to Understand the Mind‘ by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

This 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.

Part 1 is a practical guide to developing and maintaining a light, positive mind – showing how to recognise and abandon states of mind that harm us, and to replace them with peaceful and beneficial ones.

Part 2 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.

‘Problems arise only if we respond to difficult external situations with negative state of mind. Therefore, if we really want to be free from problems we must learn to control our mind by controlling our desire.’

How to Understand the Mind is available in our shop or direct from Tharpa Publications. 

FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION & FEE INFO 

You are invited to a free introductory session on Monday 14 September, 6-9pm. You are then welcome to sign up for our one-month membership to trial the programme for the next three sessions.

If you wish to continue after that, you will need to set up a recurring membership to become a Centre Member and also complete and return the relevant TTP enrolment form available from the Education Programme Coordinator.

Study Dates