Teacher Training Programme

The purpose of the Teacher Training Programme (TTP) is to provide an extensive presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism, and to train as qualified Teachers of Modern Buddhism.

Saturdays 14:00 – 17:30 with the Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Mila

Book: Tantric Grounds and Paths by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

A definitive manual for completing the spiritual path through the practice of Highest Yoga Tantra. Actual Tantra, also known as ‘Secret Mantra’; or ‘Vajrayana’ is a special method taught by Buddha to purify our world, our self, our enjoyments and our activities.

TWELVE SUBJECTS

The program comprises the following twelve subjects, based on Buddha’s Sutra and Tantra teachings and the corresponding commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:

1. The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, based on the commentary Joyful Path of Good Fortune
2. Training the Mind, based on the commentaries Universal Compassion and The New Eight  Steps to Happiness
3. The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary The New Heart of Wisdom
4. Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on the commentary Meaningful to Behold
5. Types of Mind, based on the commentary How to Understand the Mind
6. Guide to the Middle Way, based on the commentary Ocean of Nectar
7. Vajrayana Mahamudra, based on the commentary Clear Light of Bliss
8. The Bodhisattva’s Moral Discipline, based on the commentary The Bodhisattva Vow
9. Offering to the Spiritual Guide, based on the commentaries Great Treasury of Merit and Mahamudra Tantra
10. Vajrayogini Tantra, based on the commentary The New Guide to Dakini Land
11. Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra, based on the commentary Tantric Grounds and Paths
12. The Practice of Heruka Body Mandala, based on the commentary Essence of Vajrayana

The Teacher Training Program takes approximately twelve years to complete and requires an enrollment procedure

This class requires an enrollment: contact Sue on epc@meditation.org.za

The Teacher Training Programme has three main purposes:

1 to enable participants to deepen their knowledge and experience of Dharma.

2  to enable participants to train as qualified Dharma Teachers.

3 to benefit all living beings through the flourishing of pure Buddhadharma.

*Commitments*

 To ensure the success of the Programme, participants are required to undertake the following:

1 – to be personally motivated by the three purposes outlined above.

2 – to attend every class.

3 – to study thoroughly the relevant part of the particular book, or section of book, being studied that year and memorise to the best of their ability its essential points, especially the root text and/or condensed meaning.

4 – to sit an examination at the end of the course.

In addition, participants are required to observe the basic moral discipline of abandoning killing, abandoning stealing, abandoning sexual misconduct, abandoning lying and abandoning taking intoxicants.