The third week of our new course Discovering Buddhism course, which recently launched on May 5th, is now underway. Available both in-person and online, the classes are every Monday at 6:30–8:30 pm (UK time); we have welcomed over 210 new students to Jamyang to study the fundamentals of Buddhism, and there is still time for you to join in and experience these classes under the careful guidance of Jamyang’s resident teacher, Geshe Tenzin Namdak.
Which topics have been discussed so far?
The first three weeks have seen the explorations of ‘Mind and its Potential’, ‘How to Meditate’, and ‘Presenting the Path’. Mind and its Potential helps us to first understand the nature of our minds and its transformative potential for establishing happiness. How to Meditate then brings this knowledge into practice, teaching us essential techniques for calming our minds, refining focus and cultivating peace. Presenting the Path is the culmination of this practical wisdom, and how we can bring calmness, focus and peace into our day-to-day lives. All these classes have been recorded and are available to catch up online.
What’s coming next?
This week is ‘The Spiritual Teacher’ module, exploring the importance of teachers as our guides in walking the Buddhist path to awakening. Here is a full breakdown of the thirteen topics:
- Mind and its Potential – Explore the limitless potential of your mind and discover how to cultivate positive states of awareness.
- How to Meditate – Learn the essential techniques to calm the mind, enhance focus, and develop inner peace.
- Presenting the Path – Gain a clear understanding of the step-by-step journey to awakening, known in the Tibetan tradition as the Lam Rim Chenmo, rooted in timeless Buddhist wisdom.
- The Spiritual Teacher – Understand the role of a spiritual teacher in the Buddhist tradition and how to cultivate a healthy relationship with one.
- Death and Rebirth – Examine the process of dying, the nature of death, and how the mind transitions into future lives.
- All About Karma – Discover how actions of body, speech and mind shape your experiences and how to create positive change in your life through mindful choices.
- Refuge in the Three Jewels – Learn what it means to take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha as sources of guidance.
- Establishing a Daily Practice – Build a sustainable daily practice that supports your growth and connects you with the teachings.
- Samsara and Nirvana – Explore the cycles of dissatisfaction and suffering and how to break free into liberating peace.
- How to develop Bodhichitta – Cultivate the mind of compassion and altruism, aiming to benefit all beings on your path to enlightenment.
- Transforming Problems – Discover methods to turn challenges into opportunities for spiritual growth.
- The wisdom of Emptiness – Delve into the profound teachings on emptiness and gain insights into the true nature of reality.
- Introduction to Tantra – Discover the transformative practices of Tantra and their potential for rapid spiritual development.
If you’re curious, you can sign up here or find out more on the Discovering Buddhism course page.
For a gentle introduction to the course’s themes, please visit our blog for an overview of many of its topics, including: Mind and its Potential, All About Karma, Refuge in the Three Jewels, Establishing a Daily Practice, Samsara and Nirvana, How to develop Bodhichitta, and The wisdom of Emptiness.
