General Program
General Program - Wednesdays 7-8:30pm
The General Program (GP) provides a basic introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation that is suitable for beginners. Through these classes we can learn how to meditate, use Buddha's advice in our daily lives to solve our problems, and find the peace and happiness we all seek.
Buddhism teaches that to find lasting happiness and meaning in our lives we need to follow a spiritual path. To follow this path it is important to have a close connection with a qualified Teacher who can give us personal advice and encouragement, to listen to pure Dharma teachings, and to belong to a strong spiritual community. These enableus to penetrate deeply into the meaning of Buddha's teachings, to maintain a daily meditation practice that is both focused and powerful, and to make genuine spiritual progress.
Gen Kelsang Tilopa is a fully ordained Buddhist monk in the New Kadampa Tradition, and a close disciple and student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Born and educated in Scotland, Gen Tilopa has developed Kadampa centers, given teachings, and led retreats in Scotland, GA, SC, NC, and TN. He is the principal New Kadampa teacher in North Carolina and resident teacher in both Vajradhara Center in Charlotte and Kosala Center in Chapel Hill. Gen Tilopa is well loved for his clear teachings and example that show how pure Kadampa Dharma teachings and practice can improve the quality of our everyday relationships and daily lives both at work and at home.
The General Program is a drop-in class; no need to preregister! Cost is $10/class, $7 for students and seniors. If you have difficulty paying, feel free to discuss your needs with a teacher.
2011-2012 General Program Schedule
Meditation and Mindfulness
Advice for everyday happiness 1
Advice for everyday happiness 2
Matters of Faith
The Basic Foundation
This Precious Life
What does my death mean?
Meditating on death.
What will my next life be like?
Who and what can help me?
What is Karma and what does it mean for me?
Karma and Buddhist ethics
Four essential truths about our existence: the essence of Buddhism
Suffering and Origins
Cessations and Paths
Solving my human problems: the example of anger
Freeing Yourself
Getting to understand our human suffering.
Three types of suffering.
Meditating on becoming free.
Three Trainings to free yourself: moral discipline, concentration, and wisdom
Making a Difference
Developing my affectionate and cherishing love
Changing my self interest into altruism
Training in wishing love
Training in the compassion of enlightened beings
Deciding to become a great person for the sake of others
Taking away others' suffering
Spreading happiness all around
Training in the special wisdom of great people
How wisdom of emptiness solves all my problems
What is emptiness?
Emptiness and my body: where is my body?
Emptiness and my mind: what is my mind?
Emptiness and my self: who am I really?
Emptiness and everything else: how do things really exist?
The two truths about everything: Where is my world, what is my world?
How to practice wisdom every day