The Foundation Program

About this event

The Foundation Study Program - Sundays, 12pm - 2pm with Resident Teacher Kadam Michelle Current Book: How to Understand the Mind by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The Foundation Program (FP) at Kadampa Meditation Center DC provides an opportunity for students to engage in systematic study and meditation on the essential subjects of Kadampa Buddhism based on six books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. The emphasis in the classes, which consist of teachings, meditation, and discussion, is on gaining practical experience of Buddha’s teachings that can be applied in daily life. If you have been coming to classes regularly and have been getting a lot out of weekly drop-in classes but feel you want to go a bit deeper with your study and practice - then systematic study of the essential Buddhist texts may be a perfect next step for you.

About the Current Book We are currently studying How to Understand the Mind by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso—a clear, practical, and deeply transformative guide to understanding the nature and function of our mind. Everything we experience—happiness and suffering, peace and stress, confidence and fear—arises from the mind. By learning how the mind works, we gain the ability to respond to life with greater wisdom, stability, and joy. Rather than being controlled by difficult emotions or external circumstances, we can begin to create the inner causes of true happiness.

• Part One: A practical guide to developing and maintaining a light, positive mind.

• Part Two: Describes different types of mind in detail and how to use these in meditation and daily life.

• Part Three: Presents a series of meditations that form the stages of the Buddhist meditative path to enlightenment also known as Lamrim in Tibetan.

About the Teacher

Kadam Michelle Gauthier is the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Center Washington DC and has been a disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso since 1996. Before coming to Washington DC she served as the Second Teacher, Education Program Coordinator at the IKRC Grand Canyon in Williams, AZ and as Resident Teacher at KMC Tampa Bay, KMC South Carolina, KMC Phoenix, and Dharmachakra Center in Palm Springs, CA. She is an inspiring example of Modern Buddhism in practice. She presents Buddha’s teachings with beautiful clarity, warmth and sincerity, skillfully guiding people from all walks of life to find inner peace and lasting happiness.