Study programmes

Foundation Programme

Go deeper — step-by-step study and practice of the essential teachings and meditations of the Buddhist path, with a qualified teacher and a supportive community.

What is the Foundation Programme?

The Foundation Programme is a global study programme offered in hundreds of Buddhist centres around the world. It gives you the chance to study and practise the essential teachings of the Buddhist path here at KMC London, with a highly qualified teacher.

To make consistent progress it helps enormously to have a close connection with a teacher who can give personal advice and encouragement, to hear qualified teachings, and to be part of a strong spiritual community. Through regular teachings and meditation, in-depth study, contemplative prayers and group discussion, FP follows the same training used by practitioners in an unbroken lineage dating back to Buddha Shakyamuni.

What a class is like

Before class, students read a portion of the text — usually a few pages — and take the essential points to heart.

Most classes are contemplative prayers, guided meditation, and a reading and explanation of the text. Students then divide into pairs to discuss it. Once the teacher has answered any questions, the class closes by deciding how to carry the week’s insight into daily life. Some classes are group discussions instead, which are enjoyable and just as useful.

Books studied

In the order the programme works through them. Each centre is on its own book — the class pages say which.

  1. Joyful Path of Good Fortune

    The Path to the Supreme Happiness of Enlightenment

    A complete explanation of the entire path to enlightenment, arranged as a series of meditations that take us step by step from where we are now to the final goal.

  2. Universal Compassion

    Inspiring Solutions for Difficult Times

    A commentary on Training the Mind in Seven Points, showing how to keep a peaceful and compassionate mind in the middle of difficulty rather than only when life is easy.

  3. The New Eight Steps to Happiness

    The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness

    A commentary on the much-loved Buddhist poem Eight Verses of Training the Mind. It sets out step-by-step methods for developing universal love, compassion and wisdom, leading to real happiness for ourself and others, and shows how to transform life’s difficulties into valuable spiritual insight.

  4. The New Heart of Wisdom

    Profound Teachings from Buddha’s Heart

    A commentary on the Heart Sutra, Buddha’s teaching on the ultimate nature of things, and how understanding it frees us from the confusion at the root of our problems.

  5. Meaningful to Behold

    Becoming a Friend of the World

    A commentary on Shantideva’s classic poem, a practical guide to developing the compassion and wisdom of a Bodhisattva in ordinary modern life.

  6. How to Understand the Mind

    The Nature and Power of the Mind

    The first part is a practical guide to developing and keeping a light, positive mind. We learn to recognise and abandon the states of mind that harm us, and to replace them with peaceful and beneficial ones. The second describes the types of mind in detail, revealing the depth of the Buddhist understanding of the mind.

Why people do it

The Foundation Programme is based on study programmes that have run in Buddhist monasteries and centres since the time of Buddha. It has been tried and tested for decades, and has enabled people all over the world to gain real experience of Buddha’s teachings while keeping a modern life.

Because the programme is by enrolment, students come to know each other well — warm friendships, shared insight, and people who notice when you are not there.

Where and when

Kensington

Mondays, 7–9pm

City Meditation Space

with Kadam Lucy James

Next dates

  • Mon 9 Nov
  • Mon 16 Nov
  • Mon 23 Nov
  • Mon 30 Nov

Morden

Thursdays, 7–9pm

London World Peace Temple

with Thomas Tozer

Next dates

  • Thu 5 Nov
  • Thu 12 Nov
  • Thu 19 Nov
  • Thu 26 Nov

These classes are not bookable online and are for members. To sit in on one before you enrol, ask the Education Programme Coordinator for a trial class.

How to join

Email the Education Programme Coordinator at epc@meditation.london to enrol, to ask questions, or to arrange a trial class before you commit. You will need membership before joining, and a copy of the text currently being studied.