The General Program (GP)

The General Program introduces basic Buddhist view, meditation and action, along with various other teachings and practices, all within the Mahayana Buddhist tradition of Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa, to help practitioners deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism.

All the teachings are based on commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

The General Program is taught at every Kadampa Buddhist Center and is an ideal starting point for those interested to find out more about Buddhism and meditation.

The program consists of drop-in classes (evening and lunchtimes), usually supplemented by optional day courses, weekend courses, and meditation retreats.

All classes are open to everyone.

Some centers also provide special classes for children.

Subjects covered by the program

• Who was Buddha?
• Understanding the mind
• Past and future lives
• What is karma?
• Our precious human life
• What is meditation
• Death
• The Buddhist way of life
• What is liberation?
• Developing renunciation
• The three higher trainings
• Becoming a Bodhisattva
• The Bodhisattva’s way of life
• Ultimate truth
• Enlightenment

To find out more about General Program classes near you, contact your local center.