Intensive 3-months Buddhist Study Course

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The Second Year of the Basic Program at Kopan
Requirements
Recommended reading as preparation for the BP

Details of Content

Designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Basic Program provides a comprehensive, practice oriented transmission of the Buddha’s teaching as exemplified by the tradition of the great Tibetan master, Je Tsong Khapa.

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The basic program consists of nine core subjects and three supplementary topics.

The nine core subjects are:

Middle Lam-rim by Lama Tsong Khapa
Awareness and Cognition: Awareness and Knowers by Purchog Ngawang Jampa and Mind and Mental Factors
Heart Sutra
Introduction to the Bodhisattva Deeds by Shantideva
Tenets by Jetzuen Cho-gi-Gyaltsen
Mahayana Mind Training
The fourth chapter of the Ornament of Clear Realisation
The first chapter of the Sublime Continuum
Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra

The three supplementary subjects are:

Seventy Topics
The three basic bodies: Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth
Highest Yoga Tantra.

These 12 subjects have been spaced over five years and are complemented by a three month Lam-rim retreat in the sixth year. Only those who have passed the exams relating to the nine core subjects and the three month Lam-rim retreat will be eligible to participate in the final exam and obtain a FPMT Basic program teacher's certificate.

Year One
Lam Rim
Awareness and Cognition
Year Two
Heart Sutra
Introduction to the Bodhisattva Deeds
Tenets
Year Three
Ornament of Clear Realisation, Fourth Chapter
Seventy Topics
Year Four
Sublime Continuum
Mahayana Mind-training
The Three Basic Bodies
Year Five
The Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra
Highest Yoga Tantra
Year Six
Three month Lam-rim retreat

For more detailed description of each subject and regarding the basic program in general please see www.fpmt.org/education/bpdescription.asp

The Second Year of the Kopan Basic Program

The first year of the Basic Program at Kopan covered the subjects Stages of the Path and Awareness and Cognition. Lama Tsong Khapa's Middle Lam-rim outlined the stages on the path to enlightenment with the emphasis on how to generate bodhicitta. The subject 'Stages of the Path' (Lam-rim) provides the basis for all following studies because it gives a framework of reference for all the other topics, e.g. one can easily understand their intent and place in the path. Awareness and Cognition provides the basis for a Buddhist study of greater depth because consciousness is the central topic of Buddhism. Both subjects will be taught concurrently, providing the opportunity to see how they complement each other and how a philosophical subject is integrated in the lam-rim.

The Basic Program is not a purely intellectual program and will be complemented by daily meditation classes to deepen ones understanding of the topics. To hold it in Kopan provides a rare opportunity to study and practice traditional Buddhist texts in a traditional Buddhist environment, which greatly supports the generation of insights and understanding.

The Topics of year 2

Heart Sutra
The Heart Sutra contains the essence of the Perfection of Wisdom teachings. One needs to generate Wisdom in order to cut though the unrealistic mental projections on reality and free the consciousness from the control of the delusions.

Bodhisattvacharyavatara - Introduction to the Bodhisattva Deeds
The Introduction to the Bodhisattva Deeds, composed by Shantideva, is a summary of how to practice the six perfections on the basis of generating bodhicitta. The six perfections are the perfection of generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, meditative stabilization and wisdom. Shantideva's has inspired generations of practitioners with his earthy and direct style and advice.

The presentation of tenets by Jetzun Cho-gi-gyaltsen
This is a short text containing the essential points of the four basic buddhist tenets. These are important to understand as the development of the view of selflessness from the lower tenets to the higher tenets represents a graduated path of emptiness.

Teaching schedule:
The days will be divided into teachings, meditation sessions and discussion/debate sessions. The study week will be six days similar to the monastery schedule but the morning and evening meditations session will be daily to provide an uninterrupted continuum of practice.

There will be an exam at the end of the three months to test the knowledge of the students, but it will also take into consideration other factors such as attendance and behaviour. Having completed exams on the nine core subjects is the prerequisite to attend the final exam that qualifies as Basic Program teacher.

Requirements

Designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Basic Program is especially suitable for students wishing to progress beyond introductory level courses, who are ready to commit themselves to more in-depth study and practice. Consisting of nine subjects plus three optional supplements, the curriculum uses standard root texts and commentaries. A support program of meditation, discussions, retreats and study tools such as exams, homework and reading assignments ensures that participants develop an accurate understanding of the Dharma as a basis for daily practice, contemplative retreat and further study.

An FPMT Basic Program Certificate will be awarded by the FPMT to students who successfully complete the final, comprehensive exam. Candidates for this exam must have completed all the subjects of the core curriculum and a three month Lam rim retreat as part of the program. They also have to satisfy the Basic Program criteria for behavior and conduct: to sincerely engage in the practice of refraining from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct (adultery) and intoxicants, while developing their concern for others and awareness of positive and negative states of mind, and developing the practice of patience and the bodhichitta motivation over the course of their Basic Program studies.

The program offers students an opportunity to become qualified teachers certified by the FPMT, based on their academic understanding, meditation experience, and exemplary behavior. This is part of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision for the Basic Program.