FPMT Discovering Buddhism
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About the FPMT Discovering Buddhism Program
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 our Discovering Buddhism classes. This is the entry point for anyone interested in finding out more about this particular style of Buddhism. Starting at the beginning of a new topic is best, but don't worry about the module number or the order in the series.
All are welcome to join in our Discovering Buddhism classes. This is the entry point for anyone interested in finding out more about this particular style of Buddhism. Starting at the beginning of a new topic is best, but don't worry about the module number or the order in the series.
The 14 Discovering Buddhism Modules
- Mind and Its Potential Examine the mind and how it creates happiness and suffering. Learn to transform destructive thoughts and attitudes to create a positive and joyous mind!
- 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 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, 3-month Vajrasattva retreat, and Nyung Nä. This is a great way to seal the blessings of this program!
Discovering Buddhism Teachers
About Gen Don Handrick
Gen Don Handrick is a touring teacher for the FPMT, sharing the Dharma with centers and study groups in North America and other parts of the world, both in-person and online. From 2006 through 2020, he served as the resident teacher at Thubten Norbu Ling, in Santa Fe, NM. During that time, he also taught regularly at Ksitigarbha Tibetan Buddhist Center in Taos, NM, and volunteered for the Liberation Prison Project, teaching Buddhism once a month at a prison in nearby Santa Rosa. Beginning in 2016, Don became a touring teacher for half of each year, visiting and teaching at other centers around the world. Since 2012 he has been an active member of the Interfaith Leadership Alliance of Santa Fe.
Don has received teachings from many esteemed lamas in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ribur Rinpoche, Choden Rinpoche, and Khensur Jampa Tegchok. In 1998 he attended the FPMT's Masters Program of Buddhist Studies in Sutra and Tantra, a seven-year residential study program conducted at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Tuscany, Italy. He successfully completed all five subjects of this program in 2004, receiving an FPMT final certificate with high honors. In 2015, he had the honor of being selected to lead the renowned November Course, a one month teaching and meditation retreat held annually at Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Gen Don Handrick is a touring teacher for the FPMT, sharing the Dharma with centers and study groups in North America and other parts of the world, both in-person and online. From 2006 through 2020, he served as the resident teacher at Thubten Norbu Ling, in Santa Fe, NM. During that time, he also taught regularly at Ksitigarbha Tibetan Buddhist Center in Taos, NM, and volunteered for the Liberation Prison Project, teaching Buddhism once a month at a prison in nearby Santa Rosa. Beginning in 2016, Don became a touring teacher for half of each year, visiting and teaching at other centers around the world. Since 2012 he has been an active member of the Interfaith Leadership Alliance of Santa Fe.
Don has received teachings from many esteemed lamas in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ribur Rinpoche, Choden Rinpoche, and Khensur Jampa Tegchok. In 1998 he attended the FPMT's Masters Program of Buddhist Studies in Sutra and Tantra, a seven-year residential study program conducted at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Tuscany, Italy. He successfully completed all five subjects of this program in 2004, receiving an FPMT final certificate with high honors. In 2015, he had the honor of being selected to lead the renowned November Course, a one month teaching and meditation retreat held annually at Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.
About Ven. Lozang Yönten
Venerable Lozang Yönten has been a nun since 2003 and a Buddhist since her teenage years. She moved to Australia and studied extensively under Gyurmé Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering at Chenrezig Institute from 2002 to 2009 before moving to India to study at Thosamling Institute from 2010 to 2011. In 2012, she became a teacher with FPMT and has taught at many places around the world. She moved back to the USA in 2021. Since then she has been teaching at Maitripa College, as well as offering retreats and courses at Vajrapani Institute and Land of Medicine Buddha. She also has experience in hospice work, as well as a deep commitment to social justice and a love of animals.
Venerable Lozang Yönten has been a nun since 2003 and a Buddhist since her teenage years. She moved to Australia and studied extensively under Gyurmé Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering at Chenrezig Institute from 2002 to 2009 before moving to India to study at Thosamling Institute from 2010 to 2011. In 2012, she became a teacher with FPMT and has taught at many places around the world. She moved back to the USA in 2021. Since then she has been teaching at Maitripa College, as well as offering retreats and courses at Vajrapani Institute and Land of Medicine Buddha. She also has experience in hospice work, as well as a deep commitment to social justice and a love of animals.
About Ven. Amy Miller
Venerable Amy Miller was ordained as a Buddhist nun in June 2000 by the great Tibetan master, Ven. Choden Rinpoche, and has been teaching extensively since 1992. Her teaching style emphasizes a practical approach to integrating Buddhist philosophy into everyday life. She is happy to help people connect with meditation and mindfulness in an effort to gain a refreshing perspective on normally stressful living. Amy’s courses and retreats focus on establishing and maintaining a meditation and mindfulness practice, death and dying, overcoming anxiety and depression, battling addiction, dealing with self-esteem issues, and cultivating compassion and loving kindness. She is also often involved in leading a variety of retreats.
From 1992-1995, Ven. Amy managed Tse Chen Ling Center. She then served as Director of Vajrapani Institute, also in California, from 1995-2004. From 1998-2002, she was also the Manager of the Lawudo Retreat Fund (which supports the center in which the sacred cave of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche is located) in the Mt. Everest region of Nepal. In 2004, after resigning as Director, Ven. Amy completed a seven-month solitary retreat at Vajrapani. For most of 2005 and 2006, she organized international teaching tours for and traveled with the esteemed Tibetan Buddhist master, Ven. Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche until Rinpoche’s death in 2006. Ven. Amy then became a touring teacher for the FPMT (the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition). From 2008-2014, Ven. Amy was Director of Milarepa Center in Barnet, Vermont.
Ven. Amy is the co-author of Buddhism in a Nutshell – and a contributor to Living in the Path, a series of online courses produced by FPMT. Her teaching schedule and other information can be found at www.AmyMiller.com.
Venerable Amy Miller was ordained as a Buddhist nun in June 2000 by the great Tibetan master, Ven. Choden Rinpoche, and has been teaching extensively since 1992. Her teaching style emphasizes a practical approach to integrating Buddhist philosophy into everyday life. She is happy to help people connect with meditation and mindfulness in an effort to gain a refreshing perspective on normally stressful living. Amy’s courses and retreats focus on establishing and maintaining a meditation and mindfulness practice, death and dying, overcoming anxiety and depression, battling addiction, dealing with self-esteem issues, and cultivating compassion and loving kindness. She is also often involved in leading a variety of retreats.
From 1992-1995, Ven. Amy managed Tse Chen Ling Center. She then served as Director of Vajrapani Institute, also in California, from 1995-2004. From 1998-2002, she was also the Manager of the Lawudo Retreat Fund (which supports the center in which the sacred cave of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche is located) in the Mt. Everest region of Nepal. In 2004, after resigning as Director, Ven. Amy completed a seven-month solitary retreat at Vajrapani. For most of 2005 and 2006, she organized international teaching tours for and traveled with the esteemed Tibetan Buddhist master, Ven. Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche until Rinpoche’s death in 2006. Ven. Amy then became a touring teacher for the FPMT (the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition). From 2008-2014, Ven. Amy was Director of Milarepa Center in Barnet, Vermont.
Ven. Amy is the co-author of Buddhism in a Nutshell – and a contributor to Living in the Path, a series of online courses produced by FPMT. Her teaching schedule and other information can be found at www.AmyMiller.com.
About Venerable Robina
Since being ordained as a Buddhist nun in the late 1970s, Ven. Robina has worked full-time for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche's FPMT. Over the years she has served as editorial director of Wisdom Publications, editor of Mandala Magazine, executive director of Liberation Prison Project, and as a touring teacher of Buddhism. Her life and work with prisoners have been featured in the documentary films Chasing Buddha and Key to Freedom.
For more information on the activities and teachings of Ven. Robina Courtin, please visit: www.robinacourtin.com
Since being ordained as a Buddhist nun in the late 1970s, Ven. Robina has worked full-time for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche's FPMT. Over the years she has served as editorial director of Wisdom Publications, editor of Mandala Magazine, executive director of Liberation Prison Project, and as a touring teacher of Buddhism. Her life and work with prisoners have been featured in the documentary films Chasing Buddha and Key to Freedom.
For more information on the activities and teachings of Ven. Robina Courtin, please visit: www.robinacourtin.com