General information

• Year at a glance
• Weekly Calendar
• Monthly Calendar
• Daily Prayers and Meditations
• 3 Study Programs

Classes & courses

• Monday Night General Program
• Daytime Meditation Classes at the Temple
• Prayers for World Peace
• Dharma for Kids
• Parents and Tots Time
• Special Events
• Public Talks

Retreats

• Annual Retreats
• Post Festival Retreats
• Preliminary Guide Retreats

Study programs

• The Foundation Program
• The Teacher Training Program

Special courses

• International Kadampa Festivals
• NKT US National Festival

The Foundation Program

Special Introduction to Foundation Program Class: 

Wednesday, February 3rd 7:00pm-9:00pm at KMC Washington. 

Do you have an interest in joining the Foundation Program at Kadampa Meditation Center Washington? If so, please join us for a special Introduction to Foundation Program class. 

What to bring: If you are just checking in to see what FP is like, just bring yourself. If you are considering joining, you may find a copy of the text, Understanding the Mind, a pen, and paper to be helpful. 

What to expect:  This will be the first class of the term for those who are already on the Foundation Program. The intro class will run according to the normal FP format.

Preparatory prayers using the sadhana, Prayers for Meditation. 

1. A guided meditation.
2. A teaching on the benefits of the Foundation Program as well as the first few pages of the text, Understanding the Mind.
3. Paired discussion.
4. The group shares ideas on what the object of meditate could be in the next class as well as ways of applying the teachings in everyday life.
5. The group dedicates all of the merit accumulated through studying Dharma to the benefit of others with the concluding prayers from the sadhana, Essence of Good Fortune.

The Purpose of Foundation Program:

The Foundation Program is for those who wish to deepen their understanding and experience of Buddhism through systematic study and practice. FP students make a commitment to attend classes and one group meditation per week.

The Text:

Understanding the Mind

Fundamental to the entire Buddhist way of life is the teaching that everything depends upon the mind.

The world we experience is the result of our karma, or actions, and all our actions of body, speech, and mind originate in the mind.

To change our world we have to start by changing our mind, and this depends upon first gaining an thorough understanding of the mind and how it works.

In Understanding the Mind, Geshe Kelsang provides a comprehensive explanation of the different types of mind and functions of mind.

Though dealing with a profound and complex subject, this book is immensely practical, at every turn offering clear advice on how we can use our understanding of the mind to improve the quality of our lives and eventually to attain the true mental freedom of enlightenment.

The Teacher:

The Teacher of the Foundation Program at KMC Washington is Gen Kelsang Khedrub. Gen Kelsang Khedrub has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism under Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s guidance for over 15 years. His heartfelt teachings are presented with clarity and humor that make them accessible to everyone. Through his kindness, humility and deep understanding of Buddhist teachings, Gen Khedrub provides an inspiring example of a contemporary Buddhist practitioner that we can follow.

 

Joining the Foundation Program: 

The cost of FP is a monthly membership of $85. If you have the wish to join Foundation Program or would like to learn more, please contact the Education Program Coordinator at KMC Washington, (206) 526-9565 or email epc@meditateinseattle.org.

About the Program

The purpose of the Foundation Program is to provide a systematic presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism.

The Program comprises the following five subjects based on Buddha's Sutra 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 Eight Steps To Happiness

3. The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary 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 Understanding the Mind