Going deeper into your experience of Kadampa Buddhism...
The Foundation Program
Thursdays 7-9pm
with Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Thekchen
FREE INTRO SESSION
PLEASE JOIN US - Friday April 10, 7-8:30pm for our “Intro to FP” Information Session.
Attend in-person, by live-stream, or we can send you a recording of the session.
You are welcome to try up to two complimentary "taster" classes before deciding to join - just email us at education@meditateinottawa.org to let us know you're planning to come.
The Foundation Program in Kadampa Buddhism is designed to deepen practitioners’ understanding of Buddhist teachings and enhance their meditation practice. It provides a structured approach to studying key texts and concepts in Mahayana Buddhism.
KEY BENEFITS:
- Personal Development: Enhance the power of your meditation practice.
- Community Support: Enjoy a sense of community with like-minded people and lively discussion.
- Structured Learning: Delve deeper into the Kadampa texts by studying a few pages each week.
- Regular Classes: By committing to attend each class, the group can go much deeper into the subject.
- Integration into Daily Life: Teachings are not only to be applied to meditation practice, but also to daily life situations, to help navigate life’s challenges.
ABOUT THE TEXT WE'RE STUDYING:
Beginning in April 2026 we’ll be studying a new book in Foundation Program, called The New Heart of Wisdom, by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
This book offers truly liberating insights and advice. It reveals the very heart of Buddha’s teachings, the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. This profound teaching reveals the ultimate nature of reality and how to develop the wisdom that realizes the truth of emptiness. Implicitly it teaches all the stages of the path to Enlightenment including a series of meditations that deepen our wisdom and compassion. The first part of this program will focus on understanding these practical meditations.
We have copies available in our bookshop for purchase and or you may purchase an ebook or audiobook at Tharpa Publications.
For those who live at a distance, we have options to help you to attend
If distance prevents you from being able to attend our study programs in person at KMC Ottawa, we have other options for you. You may choose to enroll by correspondence, which means you would receive the audio class recording of each class, or you can participate online with Zoom Livestream. Need more info? Want to try it out before deciding? Simply contact education@meditateinottawa.org for more information.
ABOUT THE
FOUNDATION PROGRAM
Foundation Program is a tried and tested program to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of Buddha’s teachings, establish and maintain a daily meditation practice that is both focused and powerful, and make genuine spiritual progress. If you have been attending and benefiting from our General Program classes and feel you're ready to go a bit deeper with your study and practice - trying the Foundation study program may be the perfect next step.
Structure of the Program
The study program includes guided meditation, teaching, student commitments, discussion, and teacher support. One of the main benefits is the building of a spiritual community which fosters meaningful class discussion and mutual support among the class members.
Students sign up to study a book or part of a book, agree to attend every class, learn the material, and to take a test at the conclusion of the study.
Structure of Each Class
In FP, the class meets each week. Prior to class, students study an assigned portion of the text, usually a few pages, and memorize the essential points. 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. The teacher and students conclude by deciding what to meditate on in the next class and how to practice during the coming week.
What are the Commitments?
- Agree to attend every class
- Take part in class discussions
- Try to attend at least one weekly chanted prayer (puja) - highly recommended
- Take the exam (at the conclusion the book or a section of the book)
The Teacher for this program -
our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Thekchen
Gen Kelsang Thekchen is an ordained Buddhist monk and has been the Resident Teacher of our Centre since 2023. He has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for over 30 years.
Before teaching at our Centre, Gen Thekchen taught extensively in Canada and in the UK. He is greatly admired and appreciated by his students because of his light, joyful and practical presentation of Buddhist teachings, & because of his great depth of knowledge and personal experience.
Membership fees for FP Program
If we just dabble superficially in a spiritual path we will never gain a deep and stable experience, and our wisdom will never develop to its full potential. This is why these spiritual programs are so important.