The purpose of the Teacher Training Program is 1) to provide an extensive presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism; 2) to train as qualified New Kadampa Tradition Teachers; and 3) to benefit living beings through the flourishing of Kadam Dharma.
The program comprises of the following eight subjects, in addition to the six texts that are also included on the Foundation Program.
1. Ocean of Nectar – The True Nature of All Thing
a commentary to Guide to the Middle Way
2. Clear Light of Bliss – Tantric Meditation Manual
a commentary on the Vajrayana Mahamudra
3. The Bodhisattva Vow – A Practical Guide to Helping Others
a commentary on The Bodhisattva’s Moral Discipline
4. Great Treasury of Merit – How to Rely Upon a Spiritual Guide
a commentary to Offering to the Spiritual Guide
5. Mahamudra Tantra – The Supreme Heart Jewel Nectar
a commentary to Heart Jewel and Mahamudra Tantra
6. The New Guide to Dakini Land – The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Vajrayogini a commentary to Vajrayogini Tantra
7. Tantric Grounds and Paths – How to begin, make progress on, and complete the Vajrayana Path a commentary to the Ground and Paths of Secret Mantra
8. New Essence of Vajrayana – The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Heruka Body Mandala the Commentary to The Practice of Heruka Body Mandala
The result of the program is to gain a practical understanding of the meaning of all of Buddha's essential Sutra and Tantra teachings and to deepen our understanding and experience of the meaning through meditation. You can find a teaching by Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso on the benefit of this program here.
TTP Commitments
1. To be personally motivated by the three purposes that are outlined.
2. To complete the study of all the subjects without interruption.
3. To attend every class unless work, family commitments or health issues prevent it.
4. To study and memorize the essential points of each subject.
5. To take the examination at the end of each course.
6. To engage to the best of your ability in the TTP retreats.
7. To attend a group puja at the Temple or to attend a General Program class each week.
8. To maintain the moral discipline of the five lay precepts on the premises.
"Buddhadharma is beneficial to others only if there are qualified Teachers. Without Teachers, Dharma texts alone are of little benefit. To become a qualified Dharma Teacher requires special preparation and training. A Teacher needs an inexhaustible reservoir of Dharma knowledge and experience to teach from, otherwise he or she will dry up after one or two years. Also, without proper training and preparation there is a danger of Teachers mixing worldly, samsaric activities with their teaching activities. Therefore, we definitely need to train well if we wish to be a genuine benefit to others." - Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
This class is currently held on Sundays from 6:15-8:30pm. To apply to this program please mail: education@meditationinboston.org
Cost | $100 per month membership; includes the cost of TTP as well as all weekly drop-in classes and weekend retreats. (does not include empowerments and special events)
If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact the Education Program Coordinator – education@meditationinboston.org.
Resident Teacher
Gen Kelsang Khedrub is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center Boston. He has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism under the guidance of Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for almost 30 years. Gen Khedrub has served as a Resident Teacher in Chicago and in Seattle, and over the years he has taught special events and led meditation retreats around the country. His heartfelt teachings are presented with clarity and humor that make them accessible to everyone. Through his humility and deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings, Gen Khedrub provides an inspiring example of a contemporary Buddhist practitioner we can follow.
Kadampa Meditation Center Boston is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-led, non-profit organization.
KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTER BOSTON
2298 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 237-0511