Atisha Centre Foundation Program Winter/Spring 2012
Buddhism teaches that to find lasting happiness and meaning in our lives we need to follow a spiritual path. To follow this path it is important to have a close connection with a qualified Teacher who can give us personal advice and encouragement, to listen to pure Dharma teachings and to be a part of a strong spiritual community. In this way we are able to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of Buddha’s teachings, maintain a daily meditation practice that is both focused and powerful, and make genuine spiritual progress.
The Teacher: The Foundation Program is taught by Kadam Deborah Corrigan, Resident Teacher of Atisha Buddhist Centre.
Time and Location: Class is on Wednesday evenings from 7-10 pm, and is held at Atisha Buddhist Centre.
A Unique Study Program
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.
Current Book for the Program
Eight Steps to Happiness by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
This inspiring book reveals essential methods for developing universal love and compassion, the source of true happiness for both self and others.
It gives a detailed and practical commentary to eight beautiful verses that comprise one of Buddhism's best-loved and most enduring teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind. Composed by the great Tibetan Bodhisattva, Langri Tangpa, this short poem, accompanied by the commentary of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, shows how we can transform all life's difficulties into valuable spiritual insights.
Commitment: The secret of the Foundation Program's success lies in the manageable commitment which participants undertake. Students commit themselves to attend every class, to learn the material, to attend a puja once a week, and to take a test.
Cost: Fees are $75 per month to attend the Foundation Program (this also enables you to attend all General Program classes free).
Readings:
| Feb. 1 | 90-95 |
| Feb. 8 | 95-100 |
| Feb. 15 | 100-105 |
| Feb. 22 | 106-110 |
| Feb. 29 | 110-113 |
| March 7 | 133-116 |
| March 14 | Discussion |
| March 21 | 117-120 |
| March 28 | 120-124 |
| April 4 | 124-129 |
| April 11 | Discussion |
| April 18 | 131-135 |
| April 25 | Offering to the Spiritual Guide |
| May 2 | 135- top of 138 |
| May 9 | 138 - 142 |
| May 16 | 143-147 |
| May 23 | UK Spring Festival |