Foundation Programme

FREE TRIAL IN JANUARY 2026

Deepen your understanding of

Buddha’s teachings.

Meet and discuss with others.

Starting 18th January 2026.

Ask for more details:

epc@meditateincarlisle.org

Sundays 4 – 6pm

Studying The New Eight Steps to Happiness

Would you like to go deeper with your study of Kadampa Buddhism?  Ever thought about Foundation Programme?

If you have been attending classes for a while you may want to think about joining the Foundation Programme (FP).

FP is a tried and tested way to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of Buddha’s teachings, maintain a daily meditation practice that is both focused and powerful, and make genuine spiritual progress. If you have been coming to classes regularly and have been getting a lot out of our drop-in classes but feel you want to go a bit deeper with your study and practice – the systematic study of this essential Buddhist text on FP may be a perfect next step for you.

Since February 2025 we have been studying The New Eight Steps to Happiness: Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s inspiring commentary to one of Buddhism’s best-loved teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind. It shows how we can transform all life’s difficulties into valuable spiritual insights, by revealing practical ways we can use this timeless wisdom to find meaning and lasting happiness in our busy modern life.  Class is on Sunday afternoon 4 – 6 pm.

It is possible to join FP in-person, livestream or by correspondence, you can join part-way through the study book.

To apply to join foundation programme please email epc@meditateincarlisle.org for more info. Membership required, fee: £40 per month. This fee also includes all GP classes and weekend half day courses and day retreats.  Special events are not included.

You can also attend two free taster sessions before enrolling, to see if the programme is for you.

Benefits of the Programme

  • Deepen your personal insights into Dharma (Buddha’s teachings)
  • Give structure to your meditation practice and study of Buddhism
  • Learn from practical and profound teachings
  • Enjoy the help and support of like-minded spiritual friends
  • Cultivate a state of mind that is calm, clear and positive all the time
  • Develop and realise the true limitless potential of your own mind

The Teacher

The programme is taught by Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Lhachog.

She has been practicing and teaching Kadampa Buddhism for over 20 years.

She is well loved for her gentle and kind approach as well as her clear and practical teachings.

What happens in a class?

We start each class with some chanted prayers followed by a guided meditation based on the previous weeks’ teachings.

The teacher then gives commentary to several pages from the text we are studying.

We engage in some paired discussion to share understanding and any questions.

We end the class with some short dedication prayers.

There is time to chat and have a cup of tea.

Books and subjects studied on the programme

The Foundation Programme systematically studies six texts by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. These are:

  • Joyful Path of Good Fortune, an explanation of the stages of the path to enlightenment (lamrim)
  • The New Eight Steps to Happiness, a commentary to the poem Eight Verses of Training the Mind. an explanation of the practices of Training the Mind (Lojong)
  • The New Heart of Wisdom, a commentary to the Heart Sutra
  • How to Understand the Mind, an explanation of the types of mind
  • Universal Compassion an explanation of the practices of Training the Mind (Lojong)
  • Meaningful to Behold, the commentary to Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life