The General Program (GP)

The General Program (GP) provides a basic introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation that is suitable for beginners. Through these classes we can learn how to use Buddha’s advice in our daily lives to solve our problems and find the peace and happiness we seek.

General Program also includes advanced teachings and practices from both Buddha’s Sutra (publicly accessible) and Tantra (esoteric) teachings.

By training in meditation we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances. Gradually we develop mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of excitement and despondency…In this way we shall come to experience permanent inner peace.

– Transform Your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Foundation Program (FP)

Sundays, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Generally, it is recommended that new students begin their studies in one of our GP classes for a period of time before engaging in this program.

Purpose 

The purpose of the Foundation Program is to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism.  It provides a systematic course of study in the teachings of Kadampa Buddhism.

Through regular teachings and meditation, systematic study, and group discussion, the Foundation Program (FP) 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.

Please contact the resident teacher, Gen Kelsang Chogyop via email at contact@meditatenj.org if you are interested in joining this study program.

Five Subjects

The program comprises the following five subjects, based on Buddha’s Sutras (publicly accessible teachings) and their commentaries, as presented in the books of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:

  • The stages of the path to enlightenment, based on the commentary Joyful Path of Good Fortune

  • Training the mind, based on the commentaries Universal Compassion and Eight Steps to Happiness

  • The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary Heart of Wisdom

  • Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on the commentary Meaningful to Behold

  • Buddhist understanding of the mind, based on the commentary Understanding the Mind