BUDDHIST STUDIES PROGRAMME - AN FPMT BASIC PROGRAMME
Advanced full-time Buddhist study for serious students
This
programme of advanced teachings is based on the Basic Programme
designed by Ven Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, spiritual head of the FPMT,
the international organisation of which Chenrezig Institute is part. It
was created as an opportunity for students with some previous
experience of Buddhist philosophy to deepen their understanding through
in-depth study of various subjects within both the sutra and tantra
paths to enlightenment. The courses comprise teachings from our very learned resident teacher, Lharampa Geshe Tashi Tsering, tutorials with Geshe Lobsang Jamyang,
a second highly qualified Geshe from Sera Monastery, discussions and
debating amongst all students and analytical meditation on the material
being studied. Students are required to attend full-time, are expected
to commit to extra hours of study and to sit for regular tests and
complete assignments. Graded certificates are conferred at the end of
each subject. In
addition to providing high quality education for lay students, this
programme offers a wonderful opportunity to western sangha who receive
the teachings completely free of charge. We are happy to be supporting
the education of our precious sangha in this way, and creating teachers
of the future for our growing number of centres throughout the world. The
FPMT Basic Programme has 9 required subjects plus 3 supplementary ones.
The Chenrezig Institute Buddhist Studies Programme covers all of these
12 subjects plus 2 more, highly recommended by Ven Geshe Tashi Tsering.
These subjects are: Basic Programme Required Subjects
The Bodhisattva's Way of Life
Mind and Cognition
Buddhist Tenets
Mahayana Mind Training
The Ornament of Clear Realisation
The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim)
The Sublime Continuum
The Heart Sutra
The Tantric Grounds and Paths
Basic Programme Supplementary Subjects
Seventy Topics
Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth
A Highest Yoga Tantra Commentary
Extra Chenrezig Buddhist Studies Programme Subjects
Thus
the entire Chenrezig Institute Buddhist Studies programme comprises 14
subjects taught over a 4-5 year period (depending on the length of
individual modules). Subjects are taught during modules that vary from
4 - 8 weeks in length and students attend full-time from 9.00am to
4.00pm four days per week.
This programme is
an advanced level of study and it is assumed that students are prepared
to learn some of the terminology and concepts taught in previous
semesters. There are no firm pre-requisites for the courses (except in
the case of tantric teachings) but in order to gain benefit from the
teachings and in order not to disturb the progress of the class, a
certain level of understanding is very beneficial Many homestudy packages
have been prepared from previous modules and are now made available and
students are encouraged to prepare through following some of these
packages and through extra recommended reading.
Costs:
a moderate course fee (at the current rate of approx. $60 pw) is
charged to help cover the costs of providing the teachings (there is no
course fee charged to ordained sangha)
Accommodation is available at the centre at various rates, discounted for full time study programme students.
Meals are also available from the centre's dining room and some accommodation has cooking facilities for students.
If you have any inquiries or special needs regarding your study, accommodation costs and payment, please
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.
Chenrezig Institute Buddhist Studies Programme will offer extensive teachings on the entire Lam Rim Chen Mo, The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment over four, six to eight week modules from February to December 2009 at Chenrezig Institute.
They will be taught by Geshe Tashi Tsering, a highly qualified and well respected Lharumpa Geshe with over 18 years experience teaching western students in Australia and New Zealand, joined by Lharumpa Geshe Lobsang Jamyang as assistant teacher in this, the most extensive of our Buddhist Study Programme Subjects.
This text by Je Tsong Khapa is the basis of all our study, the foundation upon which the Gelug path followed by the students of FPMT rests. To study it in its entirety in this way is an opportunity that is rare and precious. Even amongst Tibetans, the entire text is rarely taught, and even more rarely understood.
Study programme modules consist of daily teachings from Geshe Tashi Tsering and tutorials with Geshe Lobsang Jamyang, on four days per week (Tues – Fri). graduates of the FPMT Basic Programme are also available to assist with discussions and meditations. Regular testing encourages disciplined study and graded certificates are presented at the end of each complete subject.
Lam Rim Chen Mo is part of the ongoing Buddhist Studies Programme at Chenrezig Institute, based on the FPMT Basic Programme. The third round of this programme started in 2006, but it is also quite permissible for new students to enter the programme with this subject.
It is highly recommended that all newer students prepare themselves beforehand with study and meditation. Reading lists and recommendations for preparation are available from the course coordinator, and those who have not attended previous BSP subjects are seriously advised to consider working through some of the previous BSP modules by correspondence. We offer homestudy materials based on previous modules of all the Buddhist Study Programme subjects including the Lam Rim Chen Mo teachings given in 2004 and a complete 10 day Lam Rim Retreat course taught by Geshe Tashi Tsering in 2007.
All those with interest to attend these very auspicious teachings should register their interest now. An email contact list will be set up and further announcements sent to those people. Please send all inquiries about these teachings, or the recommended homestudy materials for previous courses, to the BSP Coordinator, Kathy Vichta.
Very special rates for accommodation and food packages are being offered for full-time students (click here for details). Please contact the centre manager for more details about these (
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Schedule for Lam Rim Chen Mo 2009
Module 1 – 8 weeks – 3rd Feb – 28th Mar (8 weeks)
Module 2 - 8 weeks – 30th June – 21st August (8 weeks)
Module 3 – 6 weeks – 1st Sept – 9th Oct (6 weeks)
Module 4 – 7 weeks – 20th Oct – 27th November (6 weeks)
There will be thus a total of 28 weeks of study on this precious text.
The longer break between Easter (10th – 13th April) and the start of July (during which time both of our Geshes will be away) will be a time of practice and retreat at the centre for those who choose to stay through this period, with the annual Mani Retreat, Nyung Nays for Saka Dawa and time for private retreat. Work exchange options will also be available for students during this break time.
COSTS
Course fees will be offered at cheaper rates for those attending more of the course:
· Weekly rate for those attending the entire year of study = $50.
· Weekly rate for those attending an entire module (6 – 8 weeks) = $60
· Weekly rate for those attending part of a module = $75
Therefore the course fee for 28 weeks of study will be $1400 (and for a two week subject will be $150). Members will receive a 10% discount on any of these rates.
Of course we also encourage people to apply for financial assistance where necessary and will assist all serious students to attend the course by arranging a) time payments, b) a percentage (up to 50%) paid with work for courses credits and c) reduced rates in cases of hardship and need.
IMPORTANT NEWS:
· A big difference in the structure of this course (cf previous BSP modules) is that we shall offer shorter subject packages for those unable to stay for the entire year, or even for an entire module of 6-8 weeks.
· Each of the first three modules will be divided into shorter subject units. An example of how these subject breakdowns will work is below.
· Students will thus be able to choose a specific subject and come for the period of time this will be taught.
· Students will also be permitted to attend on a casual basis (casual rate applies) or for individual weeks as they are able.
Here’s how we plan that it will work: division of subjects in Modules 1-3 of Lam Rim Chen Mo. Although our teachers will attempt to keep the subjects to this plan, if they do go over the weeks allotted, students will be provided with audio files and written materials for any teachings they miss.
To develop genuine devotion, you must know the meaning of teachings. The main emphasis in Buddhism is to transform the mind, and this transformation depends upon meditation. In order to meditate correctly, you must have knowledge. :: HH Dalai Lama