Study & Meditation

At the very heart of modern Kadampa Buddhism are the three core study programmes developed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. All the classes at Vajrapani Centre are included in these three programmes.

Person peacefully studying Buddhist teachings and the works of Ven Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

General Programme

The General Programme (GP) is an ideal starting point for those interested to find out more about the practical application of Buddhism and meditation to modern life.

General Programme includes weekly meditation classes, weekend courses, meditation retreats, and other special events.

Read more about the General Programme...

It consists of a wide range of events from regular weekly classes and entry level courses to Tantric empowerments and long retreats. All of the teachings are based on books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

All GP classes are open to everyone. Anyone, even non-Buddhists, can benefit from these classes, which include practical subjects such as how to use meditation to solve our anger problem, which lies at the root of many family problems. This activity is completely peaceful and joyful and is very important as protection against future suffering.

 

Buddhist nun Kelsang Varahi in traditional robes teaching a Buddhist meditation class

Foundation Programme

The Foundation Programme (FP) provides a more systematic presentation of Kadampa Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism.

See what we are currently studying on the FP classes at Vajrapani Centre.

Five subjects ...

The program comprises the following five subjects, based on Buddha’s Sutra teachings and the corresponding commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche:

1. The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, based on the commentary Joyful Path of Good Fortune

2. Training the Mind, based on the commentaries Universal Compassion and The New Eight  Steps to Happiness

3. The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary The New Heart of Wisdom

4. Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on the commentary Meaningful to Behold

5. Types of Mind, based on the commentary How to Understand the Mind

Books studied on FP ...
Benefits of the programme ...
The benefits of studying and practicing these texts are as follows:

Joyful Path of Good Fortune – we gain the ability to put all Buddha’s teachings of both Sutra and Tantra into practice. We can easily make progress on and complete the stages of the path to the supreme happiness of enlightenment. From a practical point of view, the Stages of the Path, or Lamrim, is the main body of Buddha’s teachings, and the other teachings are like its limbs.

Universal Compassion and The New Eight Steps to Happiness – we gain the ability to integrate Buddha’s teachings into our daily life and solve all our human problems.

The New Heart of Wisdom – we gain a realization of the ultimate nature of reality. By gaining this realization we can eliminate the ignorance of self-grasping that is the root of all our suffering.

Meaningful to Behold – we transform our daily activities into the Bodhisattva’s way of life, thereby making every moment of our human life meaningful.

How to Understand the Mind – we understand the relationship between our mind and its external objects. If we understand that objects depend upon the subjective mind we can change the way objects appear to us by changing our own mind. Gradually we shall gain the ability to control our mind and in this way solve all our problems.

hands holding a Buddhist book written by Ven Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Teacher Training Programme

The Teacher Training Programme (TTP) provides a more extensive presentation of Mahayana Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience, and to train as qualified Teachers of Modern Buddhism.

12 subjects ...

The program comprises the following twelve subjects, based on Buddha’s Sutra and Tantra teachings and the corresponding commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:

1. The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, based on the commentary Joyful Path of Good Fortune

2. Training the Mind, based on the commentaries Universal Compassion and The New Eight  Steps to Happiness

3. The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary The New Heart of Wisdom

4. Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on the commentary Meaningful to Behold

5. Types of Mind, based on the commentary How to Understand the Mind

6. Guide to the Middle Way, based on the commentary Ocean of Nectar

7. Vajrayana Mahamudra, based on the commentary Clear Light of Bliss

8. The Bodhisattva’s Moral Discipline, based on the commentary The Bodhisattva Vow

9. Offering to the Spiritual Guide, based on the commentaries Great Treasury of Merit and Mahamudra Tantra

10. Vajrayogini Tantra, based on the commentary The New Guide to Dakini Land

11. Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra, based on the commentary Tantric Grounds and Paths

12. The Practice of Heruka Body Mandala, based on the commentary Essence of Vajrayana

Books studied on TTP ...

Studying Modern Buddhism

There are three reasons why we need to study and practice the teachings of Buddha - to develop our wisdom, to cultivate a good heart and to maintain a peaceful state of mind:

  • Develop wisdom

    Without developing our wisdom we will always remain ignorant of ultimate truth – the true nature of reality. Although we wish for happiness, our ignorance leads us to engage in non-virtuous actions, the main cause of all our suffering.

  • Cultivate a good heart

    If we do not cultivate a good heart, our selfish motivation destroys harmony and good relationships with others. We have no peace, and no chance to gain pure happiness. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible.

  • Maintain peace of mind

    Without a peaceful state of mind we are not happy even if we have ideal conditions. On the other hand, when our mind is peaceful we are happy even if our external conditions are unpleasant.