FPMT Basic Program at Tse Chen Ling
The FPMT Basic Program is a twelve-subject course of study designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It provides a practice-oriented transmission of the Buddhadharma to committed students ready to progress to in-depth study and practice.
2023 BP Schedule
Seventy Topics
from Maitreya's Ornament for Clear Realization
with Ven. Sangye Khadro
Thursdays, September 9 - November 30, 2023
6:00pm - 8:00pm (Pacific Time)
(No class on Thanksgiving week)
Via Zoom / Registration required
The FPMT Discovering Buddhism and Exploring Buddhism programs are highly recommended as preparatory studies and practices for the FPMT Basic Program for those without sufficient familiarity with the principles of Buddhist thought and practice as taught in the Tibetan tradition. Without such preparation, students may find some of the FPMT Basic Program subjects difficult to follow. Having this kind of preparation will make your FPMT Basic Program study and practice more effective and enjoyable.
2023 BP Schedule
Seventy Topics
from Maitreya's Ornament for Clear Realization
with Ven. Sangye Khadro
Thursdays, September 9 - November 30, 2023
6:00pm - 8:00pm (Pacific Time)
(No class on Thanksgiving week)
Via Zoom / Registration required
The FPMT Discovering Buddhism and Exploring Buddhism programs are highly recommended as preparatory studies and practices for the FPMT Basic Program for those without sufficient familiarity with the principles of Buddhist thought and practice as taught in the Tibetan tradition. Without such preparation, students may find some of the FPMT Basic Program subjects difficult to follow. Having this kind of preparation will make your FPMT Basic Program study and practice more effective and enjoyable.
FPMT BASIC PROGRAM SUBJECTS
The FPMT Basic Program curriculum was designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to ensure that students who want to study beyond the foundational level will gain a profound knowledge of the key aspects of the entire Buddhist path.
FPMT Basic Program study includes:
In addition to the academic, meditation and retreat requirements, the FPMT Basic Program includes a standard of conduct and practice.
The FPMT Basic Program curriculum was designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to ensure that students who want to study beyond the foundational level will gain a profound knowledge of the key aspects of the entire Buddhist path.
FPMT Basic Program study includes:
- Stages of the Path: the stages of the path to enlightenment of beings of low, middling, and great capacity
- Heart Sutra: emptiness and the phenomena qualified by it
- Mahayana Mind Training: Wheel of Sharp Weapons: the law of actions and results, or karma, and the states of mind that shape our future experiences
- Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds: the six perfections—generosity, morality, patience, joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom—and how to practice them in everyday life
- Mind and Cognition: the way the mind knows phenomena and the mental factors that constitute the basis of our daily experience
- Tenets: the philosophical systems, or tenets, of the four main schools of ancient Buddhist thought
- Ornament for Clear Realization and Seventy Topics: the 173 aspects of the omniscient mind and the practices that enable to achieve them
- The Tathagata Essence: the buddha lineage or tathagata essence that exists within every sentient being
- Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra; Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth; and a Highest Yoga Tantra Commentary: the four classes of tantra with emphasis on the generation and completion stages of highest yoga tantra
In addition to the academic, meditation and retreat requirements, the FPMT Basic Program includes a standard of conduct and practice.
“Learning Dharma means less ignorance and more wisdom. It means more light in your life, no darkness in your mind. It means you have more freedom in your life to achieve liberation from samsara and great enlightenment. The more you understand Dharma, the more you can benefit others.” –Lama Zopa Rinpoche