Thursday Foundation Program
In-person and Live-stream
FOUNDATION PROGRAM
Buddhism teaches that to find lasting happiness and meaning in our lives we need to follow a spiritual path. To follow this path, it is important to have a close connection with a qualified Teacher who can give us personal advice and encouragement, to listen to pure Dharma teachings and to be a part of a strong spiritual community. In this way, we are able to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of Buddha’s teachings, maintain a daily meditation practice that is both focused and powerful, and make genuine spiritual progress.
A unique Study Program
The purpose of the Foundation Program (FP) is to provide a systematic presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism. Through regular teachings and meditation, systematic study, and group discussion, the Foundation Program offers the same training followed by spiritual practitioners in an unbroken lineage dating back to Buddha Shakyamuni. In this way, we can gain authentic experience of the Dharma while still maintaining our contemporary lifestyle. By studying on this program, we shall gain great confidence in meditation – from basic techniques for overcoming our everyday problems to practices leading to unsurpassed happiness and permanent inner peace. Warm friendships develop as students inspire each other, sharing insights and experiences of the spiritual path.
What is the Structure?
The secret of the Foundation Program’s success lies in the manageable commitment made by the student and in the clear structure of study. Students sign up to study a book or part of a book, agree to attend class regularly, learn the material, and participate in a personal evaluation of what they have learned at the conclusion of the study. Class meets every Thursday from 6:45pm to 9:00 pm. If, for a suitable reason, a student is not able to attend, he or she agrees to catch up by listening to a recording of the class and completing a short summary.
The Book – HOW to understand the mind
This remarkable 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 first part is a practical guide to developing and maintaining a light, positive mind – showing 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. It concludes with a detailed explanation of meditation, showing how by controlling and transforming our mind we can attain a lasting state of joy, independent of external conditions.
‘We often say, “My mind, my mind”, but if someone were to ask us, “What is your mind”, we would have no correct answer. This is because we do not understand the nature and function of the mind correctly.’ Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
The Teacher - Kadam Donna Campanelli
Kadam Donna is the Resident Teacher at Vajra Light. She has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism for over 25 years and is a close disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. As a wife and mother of three, Kadam delights in applying Dharma wisdom to her own challenges as a suburban mom. She is a wonderful example of Modern Buddhism – Dharma integrated into daily life. With skill and enthusiasm, humor and kindness, Kadam Donna shows her students how to transform day-to-day difficulties into a meaningful life.
Program fee
Once on the Foundation Program you are entitled to attend all Foundation Program classes and all General Program classes held at Vajra Light. The monthly fee for our Foundation Program is $75.
How to Join the Foundation Program
If you have a wish to deepen your understanding of the meaning of Buddha’s teaching, creating and maintaining a focused and powerful daily meditation practice and making genuine spiritual progress, please email Debbie Serra, Education Program Coordinator by clicking the button below. There is a four-week trial period for all new students.