Join our new course with Geshe Tenzin Namdak
Discovering Buddhism
Have you ever wondered where modern practices like mindfulness and meditation come from? They have their roots in the timeless teachings of the Buddha, developed over centuries to help people cultivate peace, resilience, and wisdom in their lives. Discovering Buddhism is your opportunity to explore these ancient insights and discover how they remain profoundly relevant today.
Buddhist teachings may seem vast and complex at first glance, encompassing philosophy, psychology, and practical tools for living a meaningful life. Fortunately, great masters distilled these teachings into clear, structured paths to guide students step by step. This course introduces you to these practical frameworks, helping you make sense of the Buddhist path and its transformative potential.
Through Discovering Buddhism, you’ll explore essential topics like the mind, karma, meditation, and the art of living a compassionate life. Whether you’re looking to deepen your meditation practice, understand the workings of the mind, or simply find a greater sense of purpose, this course will give you the tools and understanding to start—or deepen—your journey.
The course is accessible to everyone, whether you’re completely new to Buddhism or already familiar with mindfulness and mental wellbeing. Taught by the highly respected Geshe Tenzin Namdak, and offered both in-person and online, it provides a supportive and welcoming environment to learn and grow.
Ready to take the next step on your path? Join us for Discovering Buddhism, and uncover the timeless wisdom that has inspired and transformed lives for thousands of years.
Join the mailing list to be notified when registration opens
Starting May 2025
Starting in May 2025, Discovering Buddhism will run every Monday evening at 6:30 pm, with options for both in-person and online study. This hybrid format ensures you can join wherever you are, whether you prefer the atmosphere of a classroom or the convenience of learning from home. Recording of each class will be made available for students in time-zones further afield so everyone can access these teachings.
The course will be led by two inspiring teachers: Geshe Tenzin Namdak, a renowned scholar and teacher of Buddhist philosophy, and Ven. Gendun, a dedicated monk from Nalanda Monastery with a wealth of experience in Buddhist study and practice. Together, they’ll provide clear guidance, relatable insights, and the opportunity to engage with centuries-old teachings in a way that feels relevant and accessible today.
About the Teachers
Get to know Geshe Namdak and Ven. Gendun, your expert guides to Discovering Buddhism
Geshe Tenzin Namdak
Resident Teacher at Jamyang
Our courses and classes on Buddhist philosophy and practice rely on a skilled teacher to bring them to life. We’re extremely fortunate to have a supremely qualified Resident Teacher to do just that.
Geshe Tenzin Namdak brings a unique blend of academic rigor, scientific expertise, and deep spiritual practice to his teachings. After completing his university studies in Hydrology, he worked as an environmental researcher in the Netherlands. He began studying Buddhism at Maitreya Institute, eventually ordaining as a monk under His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He went on to complete the prestigious 20-year Geshe degree—the equivalent of a PhD in Buddhist philosophy—at Sera Jey Monastic University in India, followed by the traditional one-year Vajrayana study program at Gyume Tantric College.
A Geshe is a highly trained scholar-practitioner, qualified to teach Buddhist philosophy, psychology, and meditation. Geshe Namdak is one of the rare few who combine this extensive training with a background in science. His teaching style is incisive, clear, warm, and humorous, making complex topics accessible to all.
In addition to his role at Jamyang, Geshe Namdak teaches at Oxford University, gives public talks on emotional wellbeing and accessible Buddhist teachings to leading organizations such as Google, and facilitates dialogues for Science and Wisdom LIVE, exploring the intersection of science, philosophy, and spirituality.
Venerable Gendun
Monk at Nalanda Monastery
Born in Sri Lanka and growing up in England, Ven. Tenzin Gendun studied at art school and finished a degree in illustration. After completing his tertiary studies, he traveled to India and met Tibetan Buddhism in 1991 through the kindness of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He was ordained in 1992, and then worked in FPMT centers in New Zealand.
Ven. Gendun moved to Nalanda Monastery in France in 2000 to deepen his studies. Since then, he has completed the FPMT Basic Program and Masters Program.
After finishing retreat, Ven. Gendun returned to teaching and leading retreats at Nalanda Monastery and in FPMT centers in Europe and around the world.
The Course Outline
This course follows a clear and practical learning plan designed to guide you step by step through key Buddhist teachings. Each session explores topics such as the nature of the mind, karma, meditation, and living a compassionate life, offering you insights and tools you can apply to your everyday experience.
Explore the limitless potential of your mind and discover how to cultivate positive states of awareness.
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.
Learn the essential techniques to calm the mind, enhance focus, and develop inner peace.
Understand the important role of a mentor, teacher, guru and spiritual friend on the path and how to cultivate a meaningful and healthy teacher-student relationship.
Examine the Buddhist perspective on life’s impermanence, death, and the continuity of consciousness.
Discover how actions of body, speech and mind shape your experiences and how to create positive change in your life through mindful choices.
Learn what it means to take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha as sources of guidance and inspiration.
Build a sustainable daily practice that supports your growth and connects you with the teachings, encompassing study, contemplation and meditation.
Explore the cycles of dissatisfaction and suffering (samsara) and how to break free into liberating, lasting peace (nirvana).
Cultivate the mind of compassion and altruism, aiming to benefit all beings on your path to enlightenment.
Learn practical methods to transform life’s challenges into opportunities for growth and wisdom.
Delve into the profound teachings on emptiness and begin to gain insights into the true nature of reality.
Discover the transformative practices of Tantra, what Tantra means in relation to Sutra and why it is practiced and their potential for rapid spiritual development.
Put your learning into practice with guided experiences designed to deepen your understanding and insight.
Your community of peers, friends and study buddies…
Joining the Discovering Buddhism WhatsApp group is an excellent way to stay connected and make the most of your learning journey. Whether you’re attending in person or online, the group creates a vibrant space for connection, collaboration, and support, ensuring everyone feels part of the Jamyang community.
By joining the group you’ll be able to:
- Stay informed: Receive weekly course updates, Zoom links, and reminders directly from the education team.
- Share inspiration: Post books, articles, podcasts, or insights that have deepened your understanding of the teachings.
- Connect with peers: Meet like-minded individuals, whether you’re attending in person or online, and build friendships along the way.
- Ask questions: Get clarity on topics discussed in class by asking questions in a supportive environment.
- Organise study sessions: Arrange independent study groups to dive deeper into the material with new friends.
- Find out what’s happening: Stay in the loop about other events, teachings, and opportunities at Jamyang.
- Create community: Be part of an ongoing conversation that supports your growth and keeps you inspired between classes.
Frequently asked questions
Here you find the answers to some of the most common questions we’re asked by students, if you need advice or guidance beyond the FAQs simply reach out via the contact details below.
Registration for Discovering Buddhism opens in April. Sign up to our newsletter, join the ‘Discovering Buddhism’ Whatsapp group, or follow our social channels for more info soon.
Discovering Buddhism is perfect for anyone curious about exploring Buddhist teachings and practices in a structured and accessible way. Whether you’re completely new to Buddhism, already familiar with mindfulness or meditation, or looking to deepen your understanding, this course meets you where you are. We also find the students who have previously studied DB or attended other classes and courses get great benefit from revisiting foundational topics with a new depth of understanding.
Dhana is a Sanskrit word meaning generosity or giving. In Buddhism, it’s a foundational practice that cultivates an open heart and a sense of interconnectedness. The teachings of the Buddha are considered priceless, and offering them on the basis of dana reflects this principle.
At Jamyang, we follow a generosity-based model for our courses and events. This means we rely on your contributions to sustain the center and make these teachings accessible to everyone. Instead of a fixed fee, we invite you to offer what you feel is appropriate and within your means. Your dana directly supports the teachers, the running of the center, and the continuation of the Dharma for future generations.
No, you don’t need to sign up for every module! While the Discovering Buddhism course is designed as a complete program, with each module building on the last, you’re welcome to join for the topics that interest you most.
That said, committing to the full course provides a comprehensive understanding of the Buddhist path, and you’ll benefit from the continuity of learning with the same group of students. If you’re unsure, feel free to start with a single module and see how it resonates—there’s no obligation to continue beyond that.
At Jamyang, we teach Buddhism in the tradition of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasizes compassion, wisdom, and the path to enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. This approach is rooted in the teachings of the great Indian masters like Nagarjuna and Atisha, passed down through Tibetan lineage masters such as Lama Tsongkhapa.
While grounded in these ancient traditions, our teachings are presented in a way that’s accessible and relevant to modern life. Whether you’re exploring meditation, Buddhist philosophy, or practical tools for living with more peace and purpose, our programs are designed to meet you wherever you are on your spiritual journey.
Our centre is affiliated with the global organisation ‘The Foundation for the preservation of the Mahayana Tradition’ founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Our Spiritual Director is His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
We provide a range of resources to help you get the most out of the Discovering Buddhism course:
- Weekly Recordings: All classes are recorded, so you can revisit teachings at your own pace or catch up if you miss a session.
- Course Materials: You’ll receive comprehensive handouts, readings, and worksheets for each module to deepen your understanding.
- Facilitator and Teaching Assistant Support: Regular review sessions and assessments are led by experienced facilitators to help clarify and reinforce key concepts.
- Discovering Buddhism WhatsApp Group: A dedicated space to connect with fellow students, share resources, and ask questions.
- Recommended Readings: Curated book and article lists to expand your study of each topic.
- Online Resources: Access to additional materials and suggested meditations to support independent practice.
These resources are designed to ensure you feel supported throughout the course, whether you’re joining in person or online.
We’re here to help
Contact
If you need any further information or assistance, simply reach out to Freddie, our Assistant Spiritual Program Coordinator, and he’ll be happy to help.
