Sundays | 3:00 - 6:15 pm
with Buddhist Teacher, Erich Schader

Are you ready to deepen your practice and experience?

The Foundation Program (FP) is designed for those who wish to deepen their understanding and experience of Kadampa Buddhism through a systematic study of six texts by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

When you join, you will experience the great benefits of being part of this systematic study program. Through this you can improve your good heart, your wisdom, and your cherishing of others by going deeper into your study and meditation practice.

Students commit to completing the text that is being studied (or a section of the text if it is one of the longer ones). The New Eight Steps to Happiness will likely take about 3 nine-month terms to complete. Students make a commitment to complete one term.

FP classes are similar in format and depth to college-level classes.  There are weekly reading assignments from the text and the class includes discussions and meditations on the week’s readings.  Students are required to memorize the condensed meaning of the text.  As a class we analyze the text word by word, paragraph by paragraph in order to gain a deep inner experience of the teachings.

Foundation Program Currently Studying...

The New Eight Steps to Happiness

The New Eight Steps to Happiness is an immensely popular book in which the author, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, reveals powerful methods for developing universal love and compassion, the source of true happiness for both ourself and others.

Based on the famous Eight Verses of Training the Mind by the great Bodhisattva, Langri Tangpa, this inspiring book shows with extraordinary clarity how to transform all life's difficulties into valuable spiritual insights that help us improve our relationships and develop greater patience, empathy and compassion in our daily life.

These methods have inspired generations of Buddhist practitioners for almost a thousand years and have brought lasting peace and inspiration to countless people. Now, with this book, Venerable Geshe Kelsang shares the immeasurably rich insight of this ancient wisdom to help us find greater happiness and meaning in our busy, modern lives.

Cost & how to sign up

Cost: $100/month (12 months/year) includes these FP classes and unlimited meditation classes.  (For more membership info click here)

Note: FP is not a drop-in class and enrollment is required.  People are generally required to have attended meditation (drop-in) classes for a minimum of 6-months before joining the program.

If you are interested in joining, please email Kelsang Lekso the Resident Teacher at rt@meditationinorangecounty.org

Commitments of Joining the Study Programs

When you join either the Foundation Program you must make the following commitments:

• To attend every teaching class, discussion class and review classes
• To memorize the Condensed Meaning or Root Text of the books and to sit a written examination at the end of each book or section of a book
• To attend an additional meditation class or puja each week organized by the Center
• To prepare well for each class so discussion partners’ efforts are respected
• To attend the group discussions

In addition, you will be expected to practically help the Center in various ways – such as by occasionally putting up daily water offerings, cleaning the meditation room and other areas as needed; also helping in assisting at short courses where possible and assisting or teaching meditation classes from time to time.  This aspect is as important as the study part of the program as it allows you to put the teachings into practice supported by other practitioners.

“We should study correctly and purely; our understanding should be qualified. If our understanding is qualified then our teachings will be very qualified and because we will be giving teachings from our heart students will receive powerful benefits.”  Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

Prioritizing the Study Program in your personal schedule

Making your Study Program a high priority is essential for your studies and meditations to be successful. The Program term dates will available in advance every six months; therefore, for any personal meetings/holidays etc. you should have time to reschedule if necessary, in the light of your Study Program attendance commitment. 

Please note:  valid reasons for non-attendance should not include avoidable appointments or holidays.