The Foundation Program is based on the study of six texts:

1 Joyful Path of Good Fortune – the path to the supreme happiness of enlightenment. A commentary to Atisha’s Lamrim instructions, the stages of the path to enlightenment. Step-by-step guidance on the meditation practices that will lead us to lasting peace and happiness.

2 Universal Compassion – inspiring solutions for difficult times. A commentary to  Training the Mind in Seven Points by Bodhisattva Chekhawa. This book reveals powerful and far-reaching methods for us to develop universal love and compassion.

3 The New Eight Steps to Happiness – the Buddhist way of loving kindness. A commentary to Eight Verses of Training the Mind by 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.

4 The New Heart of Wisdom – profound teachings from Buddha’s heart. An explanation of the Heart Sutra. This book reveals the profound meaning of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras. Geshe Kelsang shows how all our problems and suffering come from our ignorance of the ultimate nature of things, and how we can abandon this ignorance and come to enjoy pure, lasting happiness by developing a special wisdom associated with compassion for all living beings.

5 Meaningful to Behold – becoming a friend to the world. A commentary to the Indian Buddhist Master
Shantideva’s famous spiritual poem Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. It explains with poetic beauty and deep spiritual insight how to train to become a Bodhisattva in this modern world.

6 How to Understand the Mind – the nature and power of the mind. This book offers us deep insight into our mind, and shows how an understanding of its nature and functions can be used practically in everyday experience to improve our lives.

The secret of the Foundation Program’s success lies in the manageable commitment and clear structure of study. The classes are divided into terms, with plenty of breaks between each term. Students sign up for a year and undertake to keep the following commitments to the best of their ability:

• to attend every class
• to memorize the relevant material
• to attend chanted prayers
• to take a test at the end of the year

Taking the Foundation Program by Correspondence

If you live far from the Centre, it is possible to study on the Foundation or Teaching Training Program by correspondence.

There are three reasons why we need to study and practise the teachings of Buddha:

• to develop our wisdom
• to cultivate a good heart, and
• to maintain a peaceful state of mind

If we do not strive to develop our wisdom, we will always remain ignorant of ultimate truth – the true nature of reality. Although we wish for happiness, our ignorance leads us to engage in non-virtuous actions, which are the main cause of all our suffering.

If we do not cultivate a good heart, our selfish motivation destroys harmony and good relationships with others. We have no peace, and no chance to gain pure happiness. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible.

If we do not maintain a peaceful state of mind, we are not happy even if we have ideal conditions. On the other hand, when our mind is peaceful, we are happy, even if our external conditions are unpleasant.

Therefore, the development of these qualities is of the utmost importance for our daily happiness.