The Foundation Program
Wednesdays · 6:40 pm - 8:40 pm
This in-depth study and meditation program is perfect for those who have attended our weekly meditation classes for a while and now want to go deeper. By studying in this program you will …
gain a deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings that make a huge difference to the way you negotiate daily life - family, work, good times and bad times.
gain great confidence in meditation – from basic techniques for overcoming everyday problems to practices leading to unsurpassed happiness and permanent inner peace.
enjoy warm friendships that develop as students inspire each other, sharing insights and experiences of the spiritual path.
What are we Studying?
Joyful Path of Good Fortune: The Path to the Supreme Happiness of Enlightenment
We all have the potential for self-transformation, and a limitless capacity for the growth of good qualities, but to fulfil this potential we need to know what to do at every stage of our spiritual journey.
With this book, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche offers us step-by-step guidance on the meditation practices that will lead us to lasting inner peace and happiness. With extraordinary clarity, he presents Buddha’s teachings in the order in which they are to be practiced, enriching his explanation with stories and analogies. A perfect guidebook to the Buddhist Path.
What we need is not displays of miracle powers but a clear example of how to enter an unmistaken spiritual path, how to practice that path comfortably and smoothly, and how to complete it successfully. This is the actual method for solving our daily problems.
In particular, in 2026 we will study how to become a Bodhisattva
We will go step-by-step through all the stages of becoming a Bodhisattva, a friend of the world, such as developing equanimity, loving kindness and compassion.
You are welcome to attend two classes at no charge if you are interested in joining the program. Please let Josh, the Program Coordinator, know if you plan to do this, or if you have any questions. You can contact him at epc@meditateinvancouver.org.
Pricing
$80.00/month for a study program membership.
This membership includes the following benefits:
Study on the Foundation Program (FP) in person or by correspondence. (This membership activates once you have enrolled in the FP.)
Unlimited livestream and in-person drop-in classes and half-day courses
Discounts on weekend courses and special events
Contribute to the development of KMC Vancouver and Temples worldwide
About the Teacher
Gen Kelsang Delek is the Resident Teacher of KMC Vancouver, is a senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). She has been a Kadampa Buddhist nun and Teacher under the guidance of her Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, for almost 30 years and has been the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Centres in Canada, Japan and the UK, including currently also being Resident Teacher at KMC Fraser Valley
Gen Delek’s extensive experience and excellent example are well appreciated by her students. With her practical approach and clear explanations of even the most profound of Buddha’s teachings, Gen Delek inspires us to put Dharma into practice in our daily lives. We are very fortunate to be able to study and meditate with such an experienced Teacher.
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Geshe Kelsang has designed three special spiritual programs for the systematic study and practice of Kadampa Buddhism that are especially suited to the modern world – the General Program (GP), the Foundation Program (FP), and the Teacher Training Program (TTP).
The General Program provides a basic introduction to Buddhist view, meditation and practice. Most of the classes and retreats at KMCFV are part of this program.
The Foundation Program gives 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.
The Teacher Training Program provides an opportunity to study a further 6 texts and to train as a Teacher of Kadampa Buddhism. Students can transfer from the FP to the TTP at any time.
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The Foundation Program is based on the study of six texts:
Joyful Path of Good Fortune – the path to the supreme happiness of enlightenment. A commentary to Atisha’s Lamrim instructions, the stages of the path to enlightenment. Step-by-step guidance on the meditation practices that will lead us to lasting peace and happiness.
Universal Compassion – inspiring solutions for difficult times. A commentary to Training the Mind in Seven Points by Bodhisattva Chekhawa. This book reveals powerful and far-reaching methods for us to develop universal love and compassion.
The New Eight Steps to Happiness – the Buddhist way of loving kindness. A commentary to Eight Verses of Training the Mind by Bodhisattva Langri Tangpa. Clear methods are simply presented for transforming all life’s difficulties into valuable spiritual insights, for improving our relationships, and for bringing greater patience, empathy, and compassion into our daily life.
The New Heart of Wisdom – profound teachings from Buddha’s heart. An explanation of the Heart Sutra. This book reveals the profound meaning of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras. Geshe Kelsang shows how all our problems and suffering come from our ignorance of the ultimate nature of things, and how we can abandon this ignorance and come to enjoy pure, lasting happiness by developing a special wisdom associated with compassion for all living beings.
Meaningful to Behold – becoming a friend to the world. A commentary to the Indian Buddhist Master
Shantideva’s famous spiritual poem Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. It explains with poetic beauty and deep spiritual insight how to train to become a Bodhisattva in this modern world.How to Understand the Mind – the nature and power of the mind. This 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.
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The secret of the Foundation Program’s success lies in the manageable commitment and clear structure of study. The classes are divided into terms, with plenty of breaks between each term. Students sign up for a year and undertake to keep the following commitments to the best of their ability:
to attend every class
to memorize the relevant material
to attend chanted prayers
to take a test at the end of the year
Taking the Foundation Program by Correspondence
If you live far from the Centre, it is possible to study on the Foundation or Teaching Training Program by correspondence.
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There are three reasons why we need to study and practise the teachings of Buddha:
to develop our wisdom
to cultivate a good heart, and
to maintain a peaceful state of mind
If we do not strive to develop our wisdom, we will always remain ignorant of ultimate truth – the true nature of reality. Although we wish for happiness, our ignorance leads us to engage in non-virtuous actions, which are the main cause of all our suffering.
If we do not cultivate a good heart, our selfish motivation destroys harmony and good relationships with others. We have no peace, and no chance to gain pure happiness. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible.
If we do not maintain a peaceful state of mind, we are not happy even if we have ideal conditions. On the other hand, when our mind is peaceful, we are happy, even if our external conditions are unpleasant.
Therefore, the development of these qualities is of the utmost importance for our daily happiness.