There are three reasons why we need to study and practice the teachings of Buddha: to develop our wisdom, to cultivate a good heart, and to maintain a peaceful state of mind. The development of these qualities is of utmost importance for our daily happiness.

Special spiritual programs

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, or 'Geshe-la' as he is affectionately called by his students, has designed three special spiritual programs for the systematic study and practice of Kadampa Buddhism that are especially suited to the modern world: the General Program (GP), the Foundation Program (FP), and the Teacher Training Program(TTP)

General Program provides a basic introduction to Buddhist view, meditation, and practice that is suitable for beginners. It also includes advanced teachings and practices from both Sutra and Tantra. In Vajradhara Center the theme of the program this year is "Peaceful Mind Peaceful World"

Foundation Program provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding and experience of Buddhism through a systematic study of five texts:

Foundation Program students of Vajradhara are studying Universal Compassion in one evening class per week. If you are interested in this program, please contact Gen Tilopa.

Six Texts are studied in the Foundation Program

Joyful Path of Good Fortune - a commentary to Atisha's Lamrim instructions, the stages of the path to enlightenment. By studying this text we gain the ability to put all Buddha's teachings of both Sutra and Tantra into practice. We can easily make progress on and complete the stages of the path to the supreme happiness of enlightenment. From a practical point of view, Lamrim is the main body of Buddha's teachings, and the other teachings are like its limbs. This is the text we are currently studying.

Universal Compassion - a commentary to Bodhisattva Chekhawa's Training the Mind in Seven Points. We gain the ability to integrate Buddha's teachings into our daily lives and solve all our human problems.

Eight Steps to Happiness - a commentary on the famous mahayana text by Geshe Langri Tangpa,

Heart of Wisdom - a commentary to the Heart Sutra. We gain a realization of the ultimate nature of reality. By gaining this realization we can eliminate the ignorance of self-grasping, which is the root of all our suffering.

Meaningful to Behold - a commentary to Venerable Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. With this text we transform our daily activities into the Bodhisattva's way of life, thereby making every moment of our human life meaningful.

Understanding the Mind - a detailed explanation of the mind based on the works of the Buddhist scholars Dharmakirti and Dignaga.

We come to understand the relationship between our mind and its external objects. If we understand that objects depend upon the subjective mind, we can change the way objects appear to us by changing our own mind. Gradually we shall gain the ability to control our mind and in this way solve all our problems.

Teacher Training Program is designed for people with experience of study on the foundation program who wish to train as authentic Dharma Teachers. In addition to completing the study of twelve texts of Sutra and Tantra, which include the six texts mentioned above, the student is required to observe certain commitments with regard to behavior and way of life, and to complete a number of meditation retreats. This in-depth program of study and practice is available at all Kadampa Buddhist Centers where there is sufficient interest.