Foundation Program
What is the Foundation Program?
Where is it held?
What books are studied?
Our Teacher
What is the Foundation Program?
The Foundation Program (FP) is a uniquely structured study program for those who wish to deepen their understanding and experience of Buddhist teachings and meditation practice.
It is ideal for those who have an introductory understanding of Buddhism and who wish to learn more.
Students are requested to enroll for a section of the text and commit to attend all the classes. It is possible to audit a few classes before officially enrolling.
Where is it held?
Foundation Program classes are available at Saraha Center and Mahakaruna Center. Please contact the Center nearest you if you are interested in enrolling or simply finding out more.
In San Francisco, we meet twice a week during term times and have regular term breaks and a longer break in the summer. Classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-9pm. We are currently studying Joyful Path of Good Fortune in San Francisco. See below for more information.
Foundation Program Location in San Francisco:
The Kadampa Buddhist Temple of San Francisco, Saraha Center 3324 17th Street, San Franciso, CA 94110
We have begun the second main section of Joyful Path of Good Fortune in San Francisco. This is a good time to consider joining FP and you are welcome to audit two or three classes. Copies of the book are available in our bookstore. For more information, call (415) 503-1187 or e-mail epc@kadampas.org
What books are studied?
The Foundation Program (FP) offers the opportunity to deepen our understanding and experience of Buddhism through studying six of Geshe Kelsang's books in depth. The books are commentaries to Je Tsongkhapa's writings and contain the very essence of Buddha's teachings
(1) Joyful Path of Good Fortune - A commentary to Atisha's Lamrim instructions, The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment. By studying Joyful Path, we gain the ability to put all Buddha's teachings of both Sutra and Tantra into practice. We can easily make progress and complete the stages of the path to the supreme happiness of enlightenment. From a practical point of view, Lamrim is the main body of Buddha's teachings, and the other teachings are like the limbs.
(2) Universal Compassion - A commentary to Bodhisattva Chekhawa's Training the Mind in Seven Points. By studying Universal Compassion, we gain the ability to integrate Buddha's teachings into our daily lives and solve all our human problems.
(3) Heart of Wisdom - A commentary to the Heart Sutra. Through studying 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 which is the root of all our suffering.
(4) Meaningful to Behold - A commentary to Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. When we study Meaningful to Behold, we learn how to transform our daily activities into the Bodhisattva's way of life, thereby making every moment of our human life meaningful.
(5) Understanding the Mind - A detailed explanation of the mind, based on the works of the Buddhist scholars Dharmakirti and Dignaga. By studying Understanding 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.
(6) Eight Steps to Happiness - A commentary to eight beautiful verses that comprise one of Buddhism's best-loved and most enduring teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind. Composed by the great Tibetan Bodhisattva, Langri Tangpa, this short poem shows how we can transform all life's difficulties into valuable spiritual insights.
Our Teacher
Tessa Logan:
Resident Teacher of San Francisco
Tessa Logan is a senior Buddhist meditation teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT). Shortly after graduating from Cambridge University, she became one of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's first disciples. She moved to Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center (the Mother Center of the NKT) in 1977, just when Venerable Geshe Kelsang himself moved there from India. Manjushri KMC in the UK is the largest Kadampa Center in the world, with over one hundred residents and thousands of annual visitors.
Over the last thirty years, Tessa has studied the entire Teacher Training Program, engaged in many meditative retreats, and developed a vast depth of Buddhist knowledge and experience. She has taught extensively at Manjushri Center itself, as well as at Chenrezig Buddhist Center in Lancaster, England (for fifteen years), Keajra Buddhist Center in Blackpool, and Vajravarahi Center in Preston (both for several years.)
For more information about joining the Foundation Program, please contact us. 
