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Basic Buddhist Studies Program

The places on this earth where you can receive education in Lama Tsong Khapa's pure teaching are very few.  Therefore, this is considered extremely precious.  – Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Our Basic Buddhist Studies Program offers students an opportunity to study classical Buddhist texts and commentaries in great depth and detail which is very rare in the west.

In spite of its name, the Basic Buddhist Studies Program is the intermediate to advanced level program at Tse Chen Ling, being more rigorous and intensive than the Discovering Buddhism program. It assumes that the students have some previous background in Buddhism.

Our teaching staff includes Emily Hsu, graduate of the FPMT Masters Program, and renowned scholar and resident teacher, Geshe Ngawang Dakpa. A support program of meditation, discussions, and study tools such as homework, reading assignments and exams ensures that participants develop an accurate understanding of the Dharma as a basis for daily practice, further study and contemplative retreat.  Classes last the length of the text (anywhere from 6 months to 2 years), with terms lasting approximately 2 months.  Students can enter with instructor permission.

Our current Basic Program offering is Buddhism from A to Z on Friday nights studying the Middle Length Lam Rim by Je Tsong Khapa.  For information about this program or to join current class, contact office@tsechenling.org.

Course Listing

Sorry, there are no listings at this time. Please check back soon!

Information on Certificate
The Basic Buddhist Studies Program is a five year program with 12 subject areas. An FPMT Basic Program Certificate will be awarded by FPMT to students who successfully complete the final comprehensive exam. Candidates for this exam must have completed all of the subjects of the core curriculum and a monlth-long Lam.rim retreat at the conclusion of the program. They also have to satisfy the Basic Program criteria for behavior and conduct—practicing to refrain from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct (adultery) and intoxicants, while developing their concern for others and awareness of positive and negative states of mind; and developing the practice of patience and the bodhicitta motivation over the course of their Basic Program studies.

Fees
Course fees help cover facilities, materials, administration and other expenses. Offerings to the teachers are made separately. To assist those who cannot afford our fees, a flexible work exchange program is available. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.


Audit

Students are welcome to audit our classes. While students are welcome to attend individual sessions, a $15/session audit fee is requested after the first session.


Registration

To assist our staff in the planning and preparation of materials, we ask that students register in advance of each course. Simply call the Center at (415) 621-4215 or email office@tsechenling.org and provide your name, contact information and class information.


Texts

Outside reading materials, including texts, commentaries and study aids, are included with course materials. For some courses, additional texts may be suggested for the study of the material.


Contact

For further information about the Basic Buddhist Studies Program, please email office@tsechenling.org or call (415) 621-4215.

   
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