Join The Foundation Program
Sunday & Thursday 7- 9 pm
with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa
The Foundation Program is a unique in-depth study program including guided meditation, teachings, and discussion. It is a perfect option for those wishing to go deeper into their practice in a structured way.
​
The Foundation Program is a structured weekly study program by enrollment that involves a number of commitments that help support our practice including attending every class twice a week (Sundays &Thursdays 7 - 9 pm) with breaks for holidays and events, and studying small sections of the text in advance.
About the current text, How to Understand the Mind
​​
How to Understand the Mind by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is an extraordinary book - at once practical and profound. Wherever you are on your spiritual path, this book is indispensable.
​
It offers a 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 first part is a practical guide to developing and maintaining a light, positive mind. We learn how to recognize and abandon states of mind that harm us and to replace them with peaceful and beneficial ones.
​
The second part describes different types of mind in detail, revealing the depth and profundity of the Buddhist understanding of the mind. In particular, it reveals the process we go through in abandoning wrong and mistaken minds and eventually attaining qualified spiritual realizations.
​
MEDITATION
The book concludes with a practical explanation of fourteen meditations that comprise the Buddhist path to enlightenment.
For each meditation, there is an explanation of:
1. The purpose of the meditation
2. The object of the meditation
3. The actual meditation
Class Format: Each class includes prayers, meditation, teaching, and paired discussion.
As an FP Student, you will be able to attend all General Program Classes at the center, Branch Classes, Introductory Workshops, and weekend retreats free of charge. You will also be able to receive other discounts for Weekend Day Courses, Visiting Teacher Public Talks, and Empowerments.
About the Teacher
​
Gen-la Kelsang Jampa
Deputy Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition
and Resident Teacher at IKRC Grand Canyon
Gen-la Jampa is an internationally renowned, ordained Buddhist teacher and the Deputy Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).
​
As a senior NKT teacher, Gen-la Jampa has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years, and under Geshe-la's guidance has taught at many centers and events around the world.
​
Gen-la is well-loved for his clear and inspiring teachings and his ability to touch people’s hearts through his sincerity and loving-kindness.
Benefits of the Foundation Program​
Click here to read about the benefits of the program by contemporary Buddhist master Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
Through regular teachings, meditation, systematic study and group discussion, the Foundation Program offers deep support for your spiritual life. In essence, it is the same training followed by spiritual practitioners in an unbroken lineage dating back to Buddha Shakyamuni. Its special quality is that we can gain authentic experience without abandoning our modern lifestyle. By studying on this program we will gain great confidence in meditation – from basic techniques for overcoming our everyday problems, to practices leading to unsurpassed happiness and permanent inner peace.
How to join the Foundation Program
​
The fee for Foundation Program is $60 per month, which includes membership for all Foundation classes, general program classes at the temple and our branch locations, and a discounted rate for workshops, retreats and some special events.
​
Who can join FP at the IKRC Grand Canyon
-
Anyone living in Northern Arizona, Utah, Nevada
-
Anyone attending classes at the IKRC for any length of time