Discovering Buddhism

“Buddhism is not at all a tactful religion, always trying to avoid giving offense. Buddhism addresses precisely what you are and what your mind is doing in the here and now. That’s what makes it so interesting.” —Lama Thubten Yeshe

Discovering Buddhism explores the long oral and textual tradition of spiritual teachings and practices of Mahayana Buddhism that continues to transform and enrich lives.

Students come with a variety of backgrounds, knowledge, and experiences of Buddhism, and from other religious and meditation traditions. Whatever brings you to this course—perhaps you have tried meditating or studying on your own, or maybe you’re in a stage in your life ready for a new outlook, or you might re-enroll to refresh and deepen your knowledge and practice—Discovering Buddhism offers a welcoming opportunity for learning in small groups with a highly regarded teacher. As a program of study, Discovering Buddhism is time-tested and continually refreshed.

Students in Discovering Buddhism often come eager to explore questions like these: 

• Can Buddhist meditation help me work with my problems and offer healing?
• How exactly does meditation work?
• What does Buddhism say about the mind?
• How does Buddhism understand suffering?
• What is the Buddhist view of love and compassion?
• How does Buddhism help us to relate more meaningfully with ourselves and others?
• What is the role of the teacher in Buddhism and of spiritual communities like Shantideva Center?
• Is karma what I think it is?
• What do Buddhists mean by “emptiness”?
• What is “buddha nature”?
• How can a 2,500 year old tradition speak to my life? 

Shantideva Center offers Discovering Buddhism under the guidelines provided by The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an international organization devoted to the teaching of Tibetan Buddhism. The course consists of fourteen six-week modules, with readings in Buddhist philosophy and instructions in its practices, based on the “graduated path” to awakening. Each section of the course includes small-group weekly lecture/discussion sessions, training in the meditations that provide direct experience of the teachings, a daylong retreat for an immersion in the materials and practices, and an optional review and assessment session. Course topics are offered sequentially but may be taken in any order according to a student’s interest. Topics in order are: Mind and Its Potential; How to Meditate; Presenting the Path; The Spiritual Teacher; Death and Rebirth; All About Karma; Refuge in the Three Jewels; Establishing a Daily Practice; Samsara and Nirvana; How to Develop Bodhichitta; Transforming Problems; Wisdom of Emptiness; and Introduction to Tantra.

FPMT certification is available for those who complete all the components of the course with a satisfactory assessment. If you are interested in receiving credit for completing each module, please indicate your commitment to completing all of the modules’ requirements by printing, completing, and signing the first page of this document. You can bring it to the first session of the module or email it to gus@shantidevanyc.org.

The 14th “module” of Discovering Buddhism, is a Special Integration Experience. It requires undertaking intensive practices of purification, a ten-day lamrim course/retreat, and three Nyung Nä retreats. If you are interested, please contact Gus directly at gus@shantidevanyc.org for more information.