“Everyone, whether religious or non-religious, is looking for happiness all the time and wants to be free from problems and suffering permanently. We can fulfil these wishes through understanding and practicing the instructions given in this book”  

Foundation Programme – Mondays 7pm -9pm

If you wish to deepen your experience of Buddha’s teachings and find meaning and lasting happiness in your modern life, you will enjoy the Foundation Program (FP). Joining FP involves enrolling for a section of the book, trying to attend all the classes, and to take an exam for self evaluation at the end of each section.

Each class consists of short chanted prayers, a guided meditation, teaching and discussion. The classes are systematic and interactive and students will find that their knowledge and wisdom grows week by week as a result.

The oral transmission of the book, combined with teachings, guided meditations and discussion, deepens our understanding as well as our confidence to apply Dharma in daily life. By doing this consistently, we will be able to turn our initial insights into actual realisations of Dharma.

The classes are similar in format and depth to college-level classes and the program is based on a systematic study of six Kadampa Buddhist texts.

Committing to a regular study program studying in a group with like-minded people you can benefit from the support of a spiritual community to energise and sustain your spiritual life.

There are 3 ways to participate according to your circumstances.

  • Join in person
  • Join online live via zoom**
  • Join as a correspondence student and watch the class at a time of your choosing each week.

** to attend online you must live within the catchment area of the Centre 

The New Eight Steps to Happiness by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The heart of Buddha’s teachings is unconditional love and compassion and this inspiring book explains how to meditate on eight beautiful verses written over 1000 years ago, that comprise one of Buddhism’s most cherished teachings.

The Eight Steps to Happiness reveal powerful methods for developing our love, our compassion and our wisdom. They include special practical methods for transforming all of life’s difficulties into valuable spiritual insights, bringing meaning and lasting happiness into our complex modern lives.

The New Eight Steps to Happiness (paperback £9.95) is available for purchase from our shop or online.

Who is it for? 

Our Foundation program is for anyone living in Aberdeen or anywhere in the North of Scotland.  For study programs in other areas please contact your closest Kadampa centre.

Attend in person or online

Due to the discussion element of the course we recommend that people make an effort to join in person or on-line at the same time as the actual class.  Exceptions can be made for you to listen on catch up in exceptional circumstances.

There is also an option to receive recordings as a correspondence student to listen in your own time if this is the only option that works for you.

Price: £35 per month 

In order to join, enrolment is required (please note Foundation Programme is not a drop-in class). The class fee is incorporated into the monthly membership which includes most classes, courses and retreats run by the centre.

How to Join FP

Please come along to the introduction or contact us to discuss trying out a taster class.  When you are ready to enrol you will also need to fill out an enrolment form and become a member.  You can join the program at any time.

Term Dates (all classes from 19:00 – 21:00)

3 Apr – Discussion Class

10 Apr – Easter Break

17 – Teaching Class

24 Apr – Teaching Class
1 May – Teaching Class
8 May – Discussion Class
15 May – Teaching Class

22 May – Teaching Class

29 May Break for Spring Festival

5 Jun – Teaching Class
12 Jun – Discussion
19 Jun – Study Session
26 Jun – Study Session
3 July – Final Exam

Gen Kelsang Tubchen is the Resident Teacher at KMC Aberdeen. An inspiring and gifted teacher, she is loved for her clear, powerful and practical teachings.   She has 20 years of experience of engaging in, teaching and guiding retreats and has taught in both the Nordic region and the UK.

"Very much enjoyed today’s course. I am definitely finding what you said about regular meditation to be true for me. That we can develop more space between perception and reaction. I feel like I take more time and don’t rush to react the same and this allows me to mostly react in a better way.  Also really enjoyed the meditation on trying to accept things as they are right now. 💕 Thankyou 🙏"

Monthly subscriber 8th June 2020

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