The Basic Program

We start the new round of the Basic Program with Lama Tsong Khapa's 'Middling Lam Rim'. This work stems from the Kadampa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Its main structure is based on the division of the three levels of spiritual practitioners. Lam Rim means "The Graduated Path to Enlightenment" and its subjects are arranged in the correct sequence to attain the goal of enlightenment, from guru devotion up to wisdom-realizing-emptiness.

The Lam Rim is the real opponent to the delusions. When practised continuously it removes sufferings and dissatisfaction, and you become relaxed, peaceful and happy. By means of the Lam Rim you can understand what is right and wrong in both thought and action and you can develop your wisdom and compassion quickly.

According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, to practise Lam Rim is the most important thing we can do in our life.  He says:

{xtypo_quote}Your Lam Rim practice should be based upon devoting yourself correctly to your virtuous friend, who is the most important person in your life. Proper guru devotion is more important than anything else. On the basis of this you can receive all the realizations of the path and complete enlightenment; without guru devotion or practising it incorrectly you will create only obstacles and suffering.{/xtypo_quote}

He compares training the mind step-by-step in the three principles of the Lam Rim with building an inner stupa, or an inner Buddha statue.

Besides listening to the teachings, reflecting and meditating on the different subjects are a must in order to get a good understan-ding and to develop the realizations in our own mind.
Experienced western teachers will give you guidance in all these areas so that studying these teachings can become a new experience of life.

Per night: $17; $15 (Conc); $14 (Members)
Per module: (10 nights): $150; $130 (Conc); $120 (Members)
A commitment to attending a module is highly recommended.