Discovering Buddhism

Awakening the limitless potential of your mind, achieving all peace and happiness — An FPMT Program

Introduction

The Discovering Buddhism program is the result of the combined efforts of a number of FPMT teachers and spiritual program coordinators, under the guidance and advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It is an estimated 2-year course for which students may receive a certificate of completion upon fulfillment of all requirements.

The aim of the Discovering Buddhism program is to give participants a solid footing in the practice of Mahayana Buddhism. By engaging in this program, participants will gain an experiential taste of the Buddha's teachings, some retreat experience, and the skills they need to make their lives most meaningful.

Within Buddhism, the determining factor of whether a teaching lineage is intact or not is the existence of a direct oral transmission from teacher to disciple from today's living teachers all the way back to the historical Buddha. It is the FPMT's mission to preserve this unbroken lineage and assure that the blessings of the Buddha's words survive for future generations.

All are welcome to participate in this program regardless of certification interest.

Background — FPMT Wisdom Culture

The Discovering Buddhism program is presented within a context that reflects our FPMT Wisdom Culture. These are the qualities that have inspired students to become part of the FPMT network. The key elements of our wisdom culture are listed below:

Openness and breadth in presenting the Dharma as exemplified in Lama Thubten Yeshe's teaching style. Using non-traditional yet pure methods. Making the Dharma accessible according to the culture and needs of students.

Detail and depth of instruction as exemplified by Lama Zopa Rinpoche's teaching style. Placing emphasis on how to practice and the meaning of practice. Stressing the importance of motivation and dedication.

Constant practice of accumulation of merit and purification as essential to bring temporal happiness and prepare the mind for realizations.

Experiential lam-rim teaching methods and Kopan-style courses
(Kopan Monastery, Nepal is the first center of FPMT where annual one-month courses are offered teaching the entire graduated path to enlightenment (lam-rim) together with guided meditations and discussion. Courses are usually team-taught by a Tibetan lama or geshe and a Western teacher.)

Respect and support for ordained Sangha

Regular retreat and meditation practice

Use of standard FPMT practices recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Reliance on tantric methods; encouraging students to have spiritual confidence.

Cultivation of a close family feeling. FPMT is a family of practitioners.

Service. Cultivating the attitude and wish to be of service to others. Think big.

Cherishing others. Imparting a universal love for all beings. Big love.

The Program

There are a total of 14 subject areas within the Discovering Buddhism program. Within each subject area students are expected to attend lectures covering required topics of understanding, engage in meditation practices relevant to those topics, read texts and teaching transcripts, and do short retreats. The final subject area "Special Integration Experiences" includes a list of longer retreats and other experiences required in order to "graduate" from the program.

This program is not designed as an academic study of Buddhism but is intended to change your life.

Discovering Buddhism subject areas:

Mind and Its Potential

Examine what is "mind," its nature and function, and how it affects our experience of happiness and suffering. Come explore the differentiation between mind and brain, mind as the creator of our experiences, and the implications of possessing a mind that has no beginning and no end. In addition, learn methods to transform destructive thoughts and attitudes and create a positive and joyous mind.
How to Meditate

Basic meditation techniques. Learn the definition and purpose of meditation, how to sit properly, how to set up a meditation session, the different types of meditation techniques one may employ, and how to recognize and deal with obstacles to meditation.
Presenting the Path

Get an overview of the entire Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening. Hear about the life story of the Buddha and study the basic teachings of Buddhism. Discover the unique system for putting Buddhist philosophy into practice contained in the lam-rim, or "graduated path to enlightenment."
The Spiritual Teacher

Take the time to investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher, the qualities of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in one's spiritual life. Consider the challenges we face when thinking of entering into a "guru-disciple" relationship and learn how to overcome these skillfully.
Death and Rebirth

Explore the process of death and rebirth and its impact on how we live our lives. Be guided in skillful reflection on the meaning of death and what to expect at the death-time. In this way, fulfill your purpose in life, resolve conflicts, and develop the skills to help both yourself and others at the time of death. Eventually, through Buddhist practice, one can overcome death altogether.
All About Karma

Learn the essential facts about the law of cause and effect and generate a clear understanding about how karma works. Discover effective tools to accumulate merit — the cause of happiness and success — and purify mistaken actions done in the past. In addition, explore ways to become adept at dealing with life most effectively and thereby take control of your future.
Refuge in the Three Jewels

Get informed about what it means to take refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), and the essential practices of refuge. Find out more 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. Using Lama Zopa Rinpoche's A Daily Meditation Practice as a guide, become familiar with the elements necessary to generate realizations in the mind. Also, receive some tips for making every action of the day 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. Develop the determination to be free from suffering and empower yourself with practical tools to deal with and eliminate disturbing emotions forever.
How to Develop Bodhichitta

Come discover the clear meditation instruction available in Tibetan Buddhism that enables us to develop our innate qualities of loving kindness and compassion. Become skilled at applying these techniques to generate the mind of bodhichitta, the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of others, known to be the heart of Buddha's teachings.
Transforming Problems

Consider well the disadvantages of self-cherishing and the advantages of cherishing others more than ourselves. Get inspired to "exchange yourself with others," and then be guided in how to employ the special techniques of mind training or "lo-jong" as a means to transform problems into happiness and learn to like problems as much as ice cream!
Wisdom of Emptiness

The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Take this opportunity to enhance your ability to bring about this realization. Learn how to develop calm abiding and different methods to use in meditation on emptiness. Practice accumulation of merit and purification of obstacles — indispensable for generating realizations within the mind.
Introduction to Tantra

Learn the definition of tantra, how tantra works and why it is a powerful form of practice. Get a broad overview of the four classes of tantra and learn how to practice simple Kriya tantric methods. In addition, find out how to integrate the practices of tantra with lam-rim meditation for optimal results.
Special Integration Experiences

By undertaking intensive practices of purification and a minimum two-week lam-rim residential retreat, prepare your mind in the best possible way to gain realizations on the path to enlightenment. Purification practices include: 100,000 prostrations, 3-month Vajrasattva retreat, and Nyung Ne. This is a great way to seal the blessings of this program.

Discovering Buddhism is an entry-level program in Buddhist philosophy and practice. It is one of a number of FPMT standard education programs available. Upon completion of this program, students may wish to engage in more demanding study and practice programs such as the Basic Program or the Masters Program.

Basic Program. An advanced program of study and practice covering some of the classic Buddhist texts. This is a 5-year certificate program taught by FPMT geshes and, in the future, will be taught by Masters Program graduates.
Masters Program. 7-year FPMT teacher's training program. Offers in-depth teaching on five of the great Buddhist treatises traditionally included in geshe studies. This is a rigorous residential program requiring a one-year retreat commitment at its conclusion for those wishing to obtain a Masters Program certificate.

Regardless of the choices you make for your spiritual development, may your experience of Discovering Buddhism serve to awaken the limitless potential of your mind and may you achieve all peace and happiness.