Foundation Program

 

The Foundation Program (FP) gives you the opportunity to engage in a structured study and meditation program on the essential teachings of the Buddhist spiritual path. FP is a practical method to improve our good heart, wisdom, and inner peace within a supportive community of fellow students.

Everyone can join and experience great benefits from being a part of this regular study program. The program is based on the study of six Kadampa Buddhist texts written by the Founder of the New Kadampa Tradition, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.


All the study programs are based on a clear structure that includes guided meditation, teaching, student commitments, discussion, and teacher support. One of the main benefits for everyone is the building of a spiritual community within the class, which in turn fosters meaningful class discussion as well as mutual support among the class members.

Prior to each class, students study an assigned portion of the text, usually a few pages. The class begins with chanted prayers and a guided meditation. The teacher then reads the assigned section from the book while giving commentary to the text. The students then divide into pairs to discuss the material, followed by group Q&A. The teacher and students conclude by deciding what to meditate on in the next class and how to practice during the coming week.

Pre-registration is required. For more info or to apply, email: epc@meditateinsanfrancisco 

Schedule: 

Thursdays | 9:15 am – 11:15 am | with Judith Sweet

or

Wednesdays |  6:30 pm – 8:30 pm | with Eva Brzeski

SEMESTERS: February – June | September – December

(Attendance online via ZOOM is available for students who live far from KMC SF)

Audit any two classes for free before enrolling!

 

CLASSES INCLUDE:

  • Guided meditations and prayers
  • Commentary to the text by the teacher
  • Paired and group discussion
  • Question & answer opportunities
  • The community of fellow students

COMMITMENTS INCLUDE:

  • Study of assigned portion of the text(usually a few pages)
  • Attending all classes and taking part in class discussions.
  • If you have to miss a class, listening to class recording and completing a study summary
  • Taking an exam at the conclusion of a section
  • Attending one group prayer session weekly

COST: 

Foundation Program Membership | $80 per month

Includes all General Program benefits, plus additional discounts on select events. See membership page for more details and to enroll.

 

Current Book

 UNIVERSAL COMPASSION

The heart of Buddha’s teachings is unconditional love and compassion. In this inspiring explanation of the popular Buddhist poem Training the Mind in Seven Points, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso reveals powerful and far-reaching methods for us to develop these altruistic states. Ancient meditative techniques that have been tried and tested for centuries are brought alive and made relevant to our everyday experiences.

Also included, is a practical explanation of how we can transform our day-to-day problems—even the most demanding and difficult conditions—into opportunities for personal and spiritual development. By pointing the way to an unchanging freedom and happiness, this immensely readable book challenges us to grow, and will have a remarkable impact on our life.

 

"Beginning the Foundation Program at a center presents us with a great opportunity because this program fulfills both our own and others’ wishes.

How does the Foundation Program fulfill our own wishes? By increasing our wisdom and our experience of Dharma. With wisdom and Dharma experience we can solve all the problems we encounter in daily life and we can protect ourselves from danger in the future. Since beginningless time we have had strong, bad habits that arise from our self-grasping and self-cherishing."

— Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

 

—Learn more about study programs