THE FOUNDATION of BUDDHIST THOUGHT

Course Outline

The Foundation of Buddhist Thought is a two-year course which most students study by correspondence. Its special quality is that Geshe Tashi draws upon the depth of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy to show how Buddhism can make a real difference to the way we live our lives today. For this reason the course is structured into six four-month modules:

• The Four Noble Truths
• The Two Truths
• Buddhist Psychology and Epistemology
• The Mind of Enlightenment (Bodhicitta)
• Emptiness According to Prasangika Madhyamaka
• An Overview of Tantric Paths and Grounds

A more detailed view of the subjects studied in each module is given in
Course Contents

Methods & Materials

	Course Books and CDs

For each module there is a course book of about 100 pages written especially by Geshe Tashi and about 15 hours of audio teachings on either CD, Mp3 or audio tape, taken from Geshe Tashi's 2001-2003 London course. As a student you use these and the meditations given to you to explore each topic. You are part of a tutor group with a tutor who sends discussion questions every two weeks, bringing the topics to life by active discussion with the other members of your group. There are also essays and exams. This mixture of reading, listening, discussing and writing means that you can really come to understand these profound and important concepts.

Relevance to Everyday Life
A vital aspect of the course is Geshe Tashi's emphasis on how these topics affect our everyday life. Even a philosophical topic like the Two Truths is studied from the perspective of the choices we are constantly making and how we can start to develop a more realistic approach to living.

Cost and Attendance
Most people study by correspondence, though the course can also be studied on campus in London. Candidates are selected based on their motivation stated in the application form. All students are asked to make a commitment to complete the two years.

Course fees

Candidates accepted onto this two year course are required to pay each year in advance.

GBP £430* per year  (£390 if you choose the reduced MP3 Format option) and download MP3 £350.

*If you calculate it per month its only £35 monthly

Over 500 students in Europe the US and all over the world have already benefited from this course. See also course dates and availability.

Sangha sponsorship
We aim to give some free places to ordained Sangha in every new group of students. But covering the cost of free place relies on the generosity of others. If you would like to sponsor a monk or nun to enable them to participate on the course please contact us or say so on your application form.

What is it like to study the course?
To get a an idea of what is involved take a closer look at the Study Experience.

FPMT Education
The course is designed as an intermediate course, fitting in to the FPMT education programme between Discovering Buddhism at Home, designed for beginners, and the more advanced Basic Programme. For details of the other FPMT courses see FPMT Education