Discovering Buddhism Series: Developed by FPMT
Over 2,500 years ago, the Indian prince Shakyamuni, the Great Shakya, achieved Buddhahood – rid his mind of all delusions and perfected all goodness – then during the next fifty years revealed his methods to his disciples. Everyone, he said, possesses the potential to achieve what he did.
In the eleventh century, the Indian master Atisha Dipamkara, a product of the great Nalanda Monastic University who spent the last years of his life in Tibet, took the essence of the vast body of the Buddhist worldview and organized it experientially, in the form of a graduated path to enlightenment.
This lamrim tradition was further systematized and elaborated upon by many holy beings of Tibet, including our Gelug lineage lama, Je Tsongkhapa, and these teachings have continued to be passed from teacher to student up to this present day.
Thus, when Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche began to transmit these teachings to their first Western disciples in the 1970s, they came from a deeply experiential tradition of study and practice.
This tradition is the core of Discovering Buddhism, a fourteen-module course that gives students a solid foundation in the teachings and practice of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism.
Popular in many FPMT centers worldwide, the first thirteen modules are usually studied over a period of two years. When the course is taught in its entirety, each module consists of several talks by an FPMT registered teacher, guided meditations and practice days, required and suggested readings, several quizzes to review the material, a final exam, and two days of practice.
Students may do some or all of these components, as they wish. Those who complete all the components receive a completion card for that module.
Module 14, Special Integration Experiences, can be started at any time in the program but is best started early on, such as after the module All About Karma, as it takes some time to complete. When all fourteen modules have been completed, students receive a certificate of completion issued by FPMT Education Services and become qualified to teach Discovering Buddhism.
Duration: four to six classes for each module.
The FPMT Discovering Buddhism program is a fourteen-module program that gives students a solid foundation in the teachings and practice of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism.
All are welcome to join in on any of our Discovering Buddhism classes, register for one module at a time, or complete the 2 years program. Those who complete the 14 modules will receive a certificate. Starting at the beginning of a new topic is best, but don't worry about the module number or the order in the series.
Please check our introductory classes page to see the current Discovering Buddhism class!
The 14 Discovering Buddhism Modules
Mind and Its Potential Examine what is the mind, its nature, and its function. This series will explore the differences between mind and brain, the mind as the creator of our experiences, and the implications of a mind without beginning or end.
How to Meditate Learn the definition and purpose of meditation, how to sit, how to set up a meditation session, different meditation techniques, and how to deal with obstacles to meditation.
Presenting the Path Get an overview of the entire Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening. Study the life story of the Buddha and discover a unique system for putting Buddhist philosophy into practice – the lam-rim, or “graduated path to enlightenment.”
The Spiritual Teacher Investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of teacher and student, and how to relate to a teacher for the greatest benefit.
Death and Rebirth Explore the process of death and rebirth and its impact on how we live our lives. Learn to fulfill your purpose in life, resolve conflicts, and develop the skills to help yourself and others at death.
All About Karma Learn the essential facts about the law of cause and effect. Explore ways to deal with life most effectively and take control of your future!
Refuge in the Three Jewels Find out what it means to take refuge in the Three Jewels and the essential practices of refuge. Learn about the advantage of taking lay vows and their role in enhancing our spiritual growth.
Establishing a Daily Practice Assemble the tools you need to develop a successful daily practice and find out the elements necessary to generate realizations. Get some tips for making every action meaningful.
Samsara and Nirvana Investigate what “samsara” is and how we are stuck in it. Find out what “nirvana” is and how to achieve it. Learn how to be free from suffering and empower yourself with practical tools to deal with and eliminate disturbing emotions forever.
How to Develop Bodhichitta Discover practices that develop our innate qualities of compassion. Learn to apply these techniques to generate the mind of bodhichitta, known as the very heart of Buddha’s teachings.
Transforming Problems Learn the disadvantages of self-cherishing and the advantages of cherishing others. Learn to employ the special techniques of mind training (lojong) to transform problems into happiness.
Wisdom of Emptiness The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Learn to develop calm abiding and different methods of meditation on emptiness.
Introduction to Tantra Learn what tantra is, how it works, and why it is a powerful form of practice. Get a broad overview of the four classes of tantra and learn to practice simple Kriya tantric methods. Learn to integrate tantra with lam-rim meditation for optimal results.
Special Integration Experiences The FPMT Education Department explains:
By undertaking intensive practices of purification and a two-week lam-rim retreat, you prepare your mind in the best way to realize the path to enlightenment. Purification practices include 100,000 prostrations, a 3-month Vajrasattva retreat, and Nyung Nä. This is a great way to seal the blessings of this program!