“Everyone, whether religious or non-religious, is looking for happiness all the time and wants to be free from problems and suffering permanently. We can fulfill these wishes through understanding and practicing the instructions given in this book.”

– Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

What is Foundation Program?

The Foundation Program provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding and experience of Buddhism through systematic study. If you are thinking about joining, or are curious to see what these classes are like, please feel free to sit in on the first class and check it out. Each class will cover an assigned number of pages from the book, with an emphasis on practical application.

Who is Foundation Program for?

If you have been coming to classes regularly and have been getting a lot out of your General Program drop-in classes and feel you’re ready to go a bit deeper with your study and practice, then the systematic study of this essential Buddhist text on FP may be a perfect next step for you.

About the Book, The New Eight Steps to Happiness,

A detailed and practical explanation of one of Buddhism’s best-loved teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind, by the great Tibetan Bodhisattva, Langri Tangpa.  Clear methods are simply presented for transforming all life’s difficulties into valuable spiritual insights, for improving our relationships, and for bringing greater patience, empathy and compassion into our daily life.

Now, with this book, the author Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche re-introduces us to the essential practices of Training the Mind. He not only challenges our entire understanding of the world, but also challenges us to transform ourself into the greatest being we can possibly become!  With this revised presentation, The New Eight Steps to Happiness, 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.

Anyone may enroll in this program for the study of this book. Topics include reincarnation, karma, and meditation, as well as loving kindness, compassion and wisdom. If you enroll, then you should have the intention to complete the book for which you have joined. This book, The New Eight Steps to Happiness, will take about a year and a half to complete.

What are the Commitments?

Our General Program classes are offered on a drop-in basis and there are no requirements for attending. As a more structured program of study, the FP does require students to make some basic commitments:

• To attend every class, unless there is a valid health, family, or work-related reason for missing.
• To read ahead and apply effort to memorize the Root Text and condensed meaning of the book.
• Students are encouraged to attend at least one General Program class (Sunday morning or Wednesday night) or puja (such as Heart Jewel) at the center each week.
• To prepare for and take the exam at the end of each part of the book. This book is in two parts.
• Students fee is $60 per month (including the months when FP is not in session)