At the very heart of modern Kadampa Buddhism are the three core study programs developed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche:
The General Programme (GP) is our main set of weekly classes and courses—perfect if you’re curious about meditation or want to learn how Buddhist ideas can actually help in everyday life.
We run everything from beginner-friendly sessions to in-depth retreats and even empowerments for those who’ve been around a bit longer. All the teachings are based on the books of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, a highly respected meditation master.
You don’t need to be Buddhist to come along—everyone’s welcome. We cover everyday topics like dealing with stress, letting go of anger, and finding a bit more peace in your busy life. It’s all very practical and down-to-earth—no need to sit in weird positions or chant anything (unless you want to!).
Many centres also run family-friendly classes for kids and parents who want to try it out together.
These are our weekly meditation classes. You can book beforehand or just drop-in. Meditation can be useful regardless of any faith. Everyone is welcome.
The purpose of the Foundation Program (FP) is to provide a systematic presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism.
The program comprises the following five subjects, based on Buddha’s Sutra teachings and the corresponding commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche:
1. The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, based on the commentary Joyful Path of Good Fortune
2. Training the Mind, based on the commentaries Universal Compassion and The New Eight Steps to Happiness
3. The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary The New Heart of Wisdom
4. Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on the commentary Meaningful to Behold
5. Types of Mind, based on the commentary How to Understand the Mind
The benefits of studying and practicing these texts are as follows:
Joyful Path of Good Fortune – we gain the ability to put all Buddha’s teachings of both Sutra and Tantra into practice. We can easily make progress on and complete the stages of the path to the supreme happiness of enlightenment. From a practical point of view, the Stages of the Path, or Lamrim, is the main body of Buddha’s teachings, and the other teachings are like its limbs.
Universal Compassion and The New Eight Steps to Happiness – we gain the ability to integrate Buddha’s teachings into our daily life and solve all our human problems.
The New Heart of Wisdom – we gain a realization of the ultimate nature of reality. By gaining this realization we can eliminate the ignorance of self-grasping that is the root of all our suffering.
Meaningful to Behold – we transform our daily activities into the Bodhisattva’s way of life, thereby making every moment of our human life meaningful.
How to Understand the Mind – we understand the relationship between our mind and its external objects. If we understand that objects depend upon the subjective mind we can change the way objects appear to us by changing our own mind. Gradually we shall gain the ability to control our mind and in this way solve all our problems.
We are currently studying The New Eight Steps to Happiness on Monday evenings, 7-9:20pm, with Resident Teacher Kelsang Sama
The Foundation programme requires commitment to regularly attend. If you would like to trial a couple of classes, please email us at info@kmcmanchester.org
The purpose of the Teacher Training Program (TTP) is to provide an extensive presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism, and to train as qualified Teachers of Modern Buddhism.
The program comprises the following twelve subjects, based on Buddha’s Sutra and Tantra teachings and the corresponding commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:
1. The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, based on the commentary Joyful Path of Good Fortune
2. Training the Mind, based on the commentaries Universal Compassion and The New Eight Steps to Happiness
3. The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary The New Heart of Wisdom
4. Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on the commentary Meaningful to Behold
5. Types of Mind, based on the commentary How to Understand the Mind
6. Guide to the Middle Way, based on the commentary Ocean of Nectar
7. Vajrayana Mahamudra, based on the commentary Clear Light of Bliss
8. The Bodhisattva’s Moral Discipline, based on the commentary The Bodhisattva Vow
9. Offering to the Spiritual Guide, based on the commentaries Great Treasury of Merit and Mahamudra Tantra
10. Vajrayogini Tantra, based on the commentary The New Guide to Dakini Land
11. Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra, based on the commentary Tantric Grounds and Paths
12. The Practice of Heruka Body Mandala, based on the commentary Essence of Vajrayana
The whole Teacher Training Program takes approximately 12 years to complete and requires an enrollment procedure – each book takes an average of 1-2 years though. You can enroll to each book separetely.
To find out more about this Program, take a look at the video below or contact us through the email.
Foundation program requires some low level of commitment, therefore please let us know of your wish to enroll at kmcmanchester.info@gmail.com
“The time to practise renunciation is now, before our death. We need to reduce our attachment to worldly pleasures by realizing that they are deceptive and cannot give real satisfaction.”
GESHE KELSANG GYATSO
Becoming a supporting member is the most economical way to enjoy all our classes, workshops and retreats. Your membership is also a wonderful way to support the Centre’s activities throughout the year. As a registered charity and non-profit organization, all of our activities are dedicated to world peace and all profits go towards the International Temples Project Fund.
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