Foundation Programme
"The practice of Lamrim is very important because everyone needs to cultivate peaceful states of mind... By controlling our mind we can solve all our daily problems, and by progressing further we can become a fully enlightened being. This is the essential meaning of our human life."
- Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
The New Heart of Wisdom
with Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Dema
Monday evenings 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Try it FREE for the first two weeks!
Starting the new section, Part 2 of the book, on Monday 7th September
The Foundation Programme is a structured study group open to anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding, meditation, and daily practice of modern Buddhism. If you have a regular meditation practice and want to explore authentic Buddhist teachings in depth, we invite you to join us as we start a brand-new section of The New Heart of Wisdom.
"This special presentation of Buddha's teachings offers truly liberating insights and advice for the contemporary reader. It reveals the profound meaning of the very heart of Buddha’s teachings—The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras. The author shows how all our problems and suffering come from our ignorance of the ultimate nature of things, and how we can abandon this ignorance to enjoy pure, lasting happiness."
- Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
Why Join the Foundation Programme?
Designed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, this systematic study format helps us quickly deepen our understanding and experience of Buddhist wisdom and compassion—giving us the practical tools needed to solve all daily problems.
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Expert Guidance: All classes are taught by our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Dema, who brings many years of dedicated study and practice to convey Buddha's teachings with immense clarity, warmth, and compassion.
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Supportive Community: Study alongside a close-knit group of dedicated practitioners who share your wish for inner peace.
"For me, the Foundation Programme has been something that I have been looking for, for a long, long time. It has been the path of search for peace, and now I have found the path, my life has been transformed."
~ Current FP Student
What Each Class Involves
Classes run approximately 36 weeks a year (following local school term dates). Every session combines:
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Traditional chanted prayers
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Guided meditations
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Clear teachings on the text
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Group discussion (every fourth class is dedicated entirely to whole-group discussion)
Note: Enrolled students study each book or section in sequence and take a light open-book exam at the end of each text section.
3 Ways To Participate
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In-Person: Attend scheduled Monday evening classes at Samudra Centre in Buxton.
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Live-Streamed: Available for those unable to attend in person due to health conditions, disability, or specific circumstances.
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Correspondence: Receive audio recordings of each class to listen to at a time convenient for you if you cannot make Monday evenings.
Membership & Enrolment
Cost: £35 per month (Study Membership).
What’s Included: Full enrolment on the Foundation Programme plus free access to all regular drop-in classes, weekend day courses, and local retreats.
How to Apply:
Because Foundation Programme involves a commitment to regular attendance, please speak with our Education Program Coordinator before signing up.
Get in Touch: Email epc@samudracentre.org to express your interest and ask any questions.
Core Foundation Programme Curriculum
Over time, FP systematically covers six essential texts by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:
