The Foundation Program (FP) is an opportunity for people to engage in systematic study and meditation on the essential subjects of Kadampa Buddhism based on six books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. FP is a tried and tested way to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of Buddha’s teachings, gain practical experience of applying the teachings to daily life, maintain a daily meditation practice that is both focused and powerful, and make genuine spiritual progress.

If you have been coming to classes regularly and feel you want to go deeper with your study and practice, FP may be a perfect next step for you. Joining the program involves studying an entire book (or section of a book) and attending all classes, each of which include meditation, teachings, discussion and prayers.

Classes take place weekly on Thursday evenings from 6.30-8.45pm. Once every month or so, an optional community dinner is provided from 6-6.30pm which is included in your enrolment. You are welcome to BYO dinner on other evenings. There are scheduled breaks throughout the year.

The Foundation Program is currently studying Meaningful to Behold by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Meaningful to Behold is a highly acclaimed commentary to the great Indian Buddhist Master Shantideva’s famous spiritual poem Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, one of the best loved and most important Mahayana Buddhist texts. It reveals with poetic beauty and deep spiritual insight how to enter, make progress on, and complete the Buddhist path to enlightenment.

If you’ve never attended FP before you can trial up to three consecutive classes before deciding to enrol. You can trial at any time. For more information or to arrange a trial, please email the Education Program Coordinator at education@meditateinperth.org.

As the Foundation Program is an enrolled study program, we suggest that you join in with the General Program weekly classes or workshops on a regular basis first before considering trialling FP.

The Teacher Training Program (TTP) designed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche provides an extensive presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism. It offers practitioners of modern Kadampa Buddhism the opportunity to study deeply, gain practical experience of both Sutra and Tantra and to train to become qualified Teachers. This experience is gained through the study and practice of fourteen books written by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. The programme is a dynamic combination of teachings, meditations, discussion and teaching skills classes providing a multi-faceted approach to the development of authentic spiritual experience. 

There are 3 components to the programme:

    • The Study component enables students to gain an understanding of the deeper meaning held in  Buddha’s teachings and learn how to apply them practically amidst a busy modern life.
    • The meditation component enables students to gain practical experience of the meaning of the teachings.
    • The Teaching Skills component enables students to learn and gain confidence in how to deliver practical, relevant and effective teachings to others.

In this program participants commit to the full course of study, including memorisation, participation in discussion and teaching skills classes, attendance at retreats, ethical commitments, and examinations.

The class is currently studying Essence of Vajrayana by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

Admission to the Teacher Training Program is by application and interview. TTP is currently accepting applications from people who meet either of the below criteria:

    • Existing KMC Perth teachers seeking to transfer to TTP from another study program
    • Current Foundation Program students with a minimum two years consistent experience of this program and a sincere wish to become a teacher in the future

To find out more about TTP, please e-mail the Education Program Coordinator at: education@meditateinperth.org.