Study programmes
Teacher Training Programme
Extensive training for those wishing to become qualified teachers of Modern Kadampa Buddhism — study, meditation retreats and teaching skills.
What is the Teacher Training Programme?
The Teacher Training Programme exists to provide extensive training for those wishing to become qualified teachers of modern Kadampa Buddhism. It is centred on the study of Buddhist subjects as explained in the books of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
As well as completing the study of fourteen texts of Sutra and Tantra — including the six studied on the Foundation Programme — students observe certain commitments and complete a number of meditation retreats each year.
What a class is like
Before class, students study an assigned portion of the text, usually a few pages, and memorise the essential points. The class begins with chanted prayers and guided meditation. The teacher reads the assigned selection while giving commentary, and students then divide into pairs to discuss it. The class closes by deciding what to meditate on next and how to practise during the week, followed by dedication prayers.
Books studied
In the order the programme works through them. Each centre is on its own book — the class pages say which.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Bodhisattva Vow
A Practical Guide to Helping Others
Ocean of Nectar
The True Nature of All Things
Great Treasury of Merit
How to Rely upon a Spiritual Guide
Mahamudra Tantra
An Introduction to Meditation on Tantra
Clear Light of Bliss
Tantric Meditation Manual
Tantric Grounds and Paths
How to Enter, Progress on, and Complete the Vajrayana Path
Essence of Vajrayana
The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Heruka Body Mandala
The New Guide to Dakini Land
The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini
Vajrayogini is a female enlightened Deity of Highest Yoga Tantra, the manifestation of the wisdom of all the Buddhas. This guide gives a detailed, practical explanation of the two stages of Vajrayogini practice — generation stage and completion stage — and shows how to carry them into daily life.
Why people do it
TTP goes further and deeper than any other programme the centre runs, and the students on it become the teachers of tomorrow’s classes. The commitment is real, and so is what it builds.
Where and when
Kensington
Sundays, 3–7pm
City Meditation Space
with Kadam Lucy James
Next dates
- Sun 8 Nov
- Sun 15 Nov
- Sun 22 Nov
- Sun 29 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 epc@meditation.london. You will need membership for the duration of your study (membership also includes access to regular drop-in classes, branch classes, courses, events and retreats — see the membership page for current tiers). You will also need a copy of the book currently being studied, available from the centre shop.
See also the Foundation Programme and all study programmes.