Formal Study: The Basic Program

Kurukulla Center offers a formal study program, known as the Basic Program, designed for students wanting to explore Buddhist teachings beyond an introductory level. Inspired by our spiritual director, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, the Basic Program consists of a multi-year curriculum of traditional Buddhist texts presented in a contemporary setting.

The goal of the program is for participants to acquire a strong understanding of the complete path to enlightenment as presented in the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition and to experience the benefits of serious, practice-oriented 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 month-long Lamrim retreat. They also have to satisfy the Basic Program criteria for behavior and conduct: practicing to refrain 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.

In 2008, resident teacher Geshe Tsulga teaches Tathagata Essence or Buddha Nature. This is the first chapter of Great Vehicle Treatise on the Sublime Continuum by Maitreya. This highly influential text explains why high states of understanding and even enlightenment are possible for every sentient being. It serves as a bridge between the sutrayana or shared teachings and the more esoteric and restricted vajrayana teachings. The topic is of great consequence for all Buddhist practitioners regardless of one’s background. When we understand that all of us without exception possess buddha-nature, the inherent purity of the mind free from defiled mental states, we gain the confidence that with effort we can evolve to a state of enlightenment. This insight prevents us from either the arrogance that we are superior to others or the self-loathing that doubts our own abilities.

The class meets Wednesdays from 7 to 9 pm. All are welcome to attend whether enrolled in the Basic Program or not.

Click Here for the 2008 schedule

The Basic Program covers nine core subjects and three supplemental or optional ones.

Core Curriculum:

• Stages of the Path
• Heart Sutra
• Mahayana Mind Training
• Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds
• Mind and Cognition
• Tenets
• Ornament of Clear Realizations (Fourth Chapter)
• Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana
• Grounds and Paths of Tantra

Supplemental Curriculum:

• Seventy Topics
• Presentation of the Three Basic Bodies: Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth
• A highest yoga tantra commentary

Click Here for the multi-year calendar of courses.

For information about the texts used in the Basic Program, go to www.fpmt.org/education/pdfs/bpcurriculumandtexts.pdf

Components of the Basic Program

Each module consists of a weekly teaching taught by Geshe Tsulga. For Basic Program students, the weekly classes are supplemented by some of the following:

• Homework
• Reading assignments
• Short daily meditation assignments
• Memorization of verses from root texts
• Exam at conclusion of module and subject
• Day-long lamrim meditation workshop or retreats

Basic Program students commit to attending all classes in the subject being taught. Since the teachings are taped, students can make up a missed class, by duplicating a tape.

Costs

For members of Kurukulla Center, there is no additional cost for participating in the Basic Program other than the costs of course materials such as photocopied texts or the purchase of supplemental texts.

If you are not a member of the center, there is a requested donation of $10 per class. If you are unable to afford this, alternate arrangements can be made.

Join the Basic Program

The Basic Program is recommended for students with prior background in the Lamrim or path to enlightenment teachings. We offer regular introductory level classes that provide a foundation for newcomers so that they can successfully transition to the Basic Program.

See Introductory Classes and Discovering Buddhism for more information about our introductory classes.

If you are interested in joining the Basic Program at Kurukulla Center, please email Debra at program@kurukulla.org.

Everyone is invited to participate in these and all of our classes at Kurukulla Center whether enrolled as a Basic Program student or not.