Teacher Training Programme

Our new Teacher Training Programme (TTP) is studying the book; The New Heart of Wisdom. This book reveals the profound meaning of the very heart of Buddha’s teachings – the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras. It shows how we can attain pure, lasting happiness through developing special wisdom and universal compassion.

The TTP program is designed for practitioners wishing to benefit others through becoming qualified teachers of Kadampa Buddhism or wishing to deepen their sincere study and practice of Buddhism.  It includes guided meditation, teachings and structured study and discussion, as well as regular teaching skills classes.

Joining TTP involves enrolling for the book, trying to attend all the classes, and taking an exam at the end of the book.

Committing to a regular study programme studying in a group with like-minded people you can benefit from the support of a spiritual community to energise and sustain your spiritual life.

Each class consists of preliminary prayers, a guided meditation, the oral transmission of the book with commentary and discussion. The classes are systematic and interactive. TTP students will find that their knowledge, wisdom and ability to benefit others grows week by week as a result.

The teacher training programme is an advanced program based on a systematic study of twelve Kadampa Buddhist texts.

It is possible to join this programme in person or online.

About the book

This special text of Buddha’s teachings, by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, 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. It also explores three main areas –

  • Understanding the relationship between our mind and our world
  • A special method for overcoming difficulties in daily life
  • Removing obstacles to realising our full potential

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso shows how all our problems and suffering come from our ignorance of the ultimate nature of things, and how we can abandon this ignorance and come to enjoy pure, lasting happiness by developing a special wisdom associated with compassion for all living beings.

Who is it for?

Our Teacher Training programme is an advanced programme for anyone wishing to become a qualified Kadampa teacher or to deepen their meditation practice.

Attend in person or online

Due to the discussion element of the course we recommend that people make an effort to join each class in person or online via zoom at the same time as the actual class.  If you do need to miss a class then arrangements can be made to listen on catch up.

There is also an option to receive all the classes as a correspondence student to listen in your own time if this is the only option that works for you.**

Overview – 3 ways to participate according to your circumstances:

  • Join in person for those who are within travelling distance of Belfast 
  • Join online live via zoom
  • Join as a correspondence student and watch the class at a time of your choosing each week.**

**It is highly recommended to join live online rather than correspondence as you can participate in discussions and the interactive elements of the programme. Correspondence is however available for those with exceptional personal circumstances that require it.

Class Structure

Thursday’s & Sunday’s 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Group Discussion Sessions

  • Preliminary Prayers – Prayers for Meditation
  • Group Discussion with 2 people leading the discussion
  • Dedication Prayers

Teaching Skills Sessions

  • Preliminary Prayers – Teaching Skills Booklet
  • Recitation of the commitments of teaching
  • 2 people give short teachings
  • Discussion on Teaching Skills
  • Dedication Prayers

Exam

Exams are given on completion of each section of the book. These are marked anonymously & the purpose is to internalise the material and self assess our understanding.

Enrollment Fee
Price: £28 per month

In order to join, enrolment is required (please note Teacher Training Programme is not a drop-in class). The class fee is incorporated within the monthly membership which includes all the classes, courses and retreats run by the centre with the exception of residential retreats.  

How to Join TTP

Contact us at info@meditateNI.org

Dates:

Sun 8 Jun – Teaching Class

Thur 19 Jun – Discussion

Course Materials

All material can be purchased in the shop at KMC Belfast or online from Tharpa Publications using the links below.

Members can attend our centre classes and retreats online or in person. Details on how to join at Membership.

Our weekly general classes can be found at Classes By Location with special events at Events and Retreats.

If you need help feel free to phone or whatsapp us on +44 (0) 7848 175 415 or email at info@meditateni.org.

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