THE FOUNDATION of BUDDHIST THOUGHT

Study Experience

Eligibility
It is good to have an elementary understanding of Buddhism prior to starting the course. Whilst considering everyday concerns, Geshe Tashi soon takes us much deeper, drawing on his vast knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism, and his understanding of the Western mind, to develop a really profound view according to Buddhist philosophical traditions. When you apply we therefore ask you to write a little about yourself to see if the course is suitable for you. For people with no prior knowledge of Buddhism, the FPMT's Discovering Buddhism is a good introduction.

Having said that there are people who, with no prior knowledge of Buddhism, have excelled on the course. And the course, although based on Tibetan Buddhism, embraces all Buddhist philosophies.

Location
The correspondence course is taught to students living all over the world. A campus course is taught in London.

Language
Currently the correspondence course is taught in English. Students should have a reasonable level of spoken and written English. Course books are also available in French and Spanish.

The Elements of a Module

Timetable
For each module you follow a timetable divided into blocks of two weeks, with one or two topics covered within that period. For example, in weeks nine and ten of the first module on the Four Noble Truths, your timetable is:

Review Questions
You have studied the first two Noble Truths, the Truth of Suffering and the Truth of the Origin of Suffering. Your tutor sends you review questions about the previous chapter. These are 'close-ended' questions with right/wrong answers and are purely a way for you to see that you have understood the content or meaning of the chapter. A week later your tutor sends the answers.

Listening and Reading

	"The exam is really important to help us articulate our Dharma ideas." - Graduate Student

For weeks nine and ten you read pages 59 to 74 of the course books (as well as some supplementary reading) and listen to 14 tracks of Geshe Tashi's teachings (about 150 minutes).

Discussion
Your tutor sends one or two discussion questions early on in this period to your email tutor-group. Here you can discuss the questions via group email with other members of your tutor-group. These are for you to explore as you are studying the topic. For instance, the questions might be:

1. Using reason to back up your answer, do you think the cessation of suffering as described in the third Noble Truth is possible?
2. "... neither obscuration is completely one with our mind... the nature of our mind is never integrated with the delusions. The nature of the mind is pure." What is mind according to your understanding? What connotations does the word "mind" have for you, and generally in the West?

Perhaps you don't have a clear understanding on first reading, but one or two of your tutor group have already replied. You get some ideas from them but have some of your own, so you reply, and they respond to your message. And so, together you build up an understanding of the topic. Once or twice a module there is also a 'live' chatroom discussion.

Written work
At the end of months one and two of the module there is a very short "essaylette" which is a chance of you to précis your ideas. This goes directly to your tutor and is not seen by your fellow students.

Revision and Essay
The active part of the module lasts twelve weeks, followed by a month where there is no group contact. This is for revision and for your long essay (1,500 words) and the two-hour written exam.

In Summary: Elements of a Four-month Module

• reading (course book and supplementary reading)
• listening (approximately 15 hours)
• meditation (20 minutes a day)
• review questions at the end of each chapter (with answers a week later)
• discussion questions every two weeks for three months of the module
• chatroom discussion live, once or twice a module
• written essaylettes - two very short essays
• the long essay - 1,500 words in the fourth (non-contact) month
• the exam - two hours in the fourth (non-contact) month.

It is not necessary to do all of these elements to have completed a module, but it is by participating in the more active elements such as the discussion questions that the course really comes alive.

Commitment

The six modules form a whole, the first three (The Four Noble Truths, The Two Truths and Buddhist Psychology) being like the base and the second three (Bodhicitta, Emptiness and Tantra) being like the practice. We therefore ask that you can commit to doing the entire two years. Of course, life can interfere and sometimes you might have to postpone the course or do a module at a later time. We will do everything we can to ensure you get the most out of the course.

Successful Completion
You will be counted as having completed a module when you send your long essay and exam into your tutor and you will receive the certificate of completion when you have completed all six modules.

	"There is nothing that cannot be overcome with some effort." - Graduate Student

The course is a commitment and how much time is needed for it varies greatly. Many students have said they spend an evening a week, or maybe a couple of nights for a couple of hours, but it really depends on how committed you are and how much time you have. It is possible to get a lot out of the course without doing everything but as you know, the more you put into it the more you get out of it.
See also Is this course right for me?

Support
Many students find the support of Tutors and their fellow students invaluable as the course unfolds. See Students & Tutors