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FPMT’s Essential Lamrim Program
Light of the Path, 2020
The next retreat is planned for August 23 – September 20, 2020, near Asheville, North Carolina, USA. This retreat is organized by
Kadampa Center.
About This Program
Living in the Path is an FPMT program taught exclusively by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, spiritual director of the FPMT. However, the long-term goal is to also draw from the teachings of Lama Yeshe so as to offer a program that preserves the entire FPMT lineage.
Living in the Path is a continually evolving program with new modules being created from current teaching events and retreats with Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
This program is ideal for anyone who wishes to deepen their personal practice and develop the realizations of the path to enlightenment by relying on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s heart advice and teachings. As the teachings often assume familiarity with the lamrim (the stages of the path), participants are however recommended to have previously received teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Living in the Path on the FPMT Online Learning Center
The modules of Living in the Path are available on the FPMT Online Center.
Living in the Path features standalone modules organized within the following topics:
- TAKING THE ESSENCE: Essential advice for making a perfect human life meaningful in every moment
- PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS: Why and how to do certain prayers and practices
- REALIZING THE LAM-RIM: Teachings on the lamrim topics and explanations of lam-rim texts
Modules are organized around transcripts and short video clips of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings. Each module includes the following components:
- An introduction to the module consisting of an overview of the material to be covered
- Lightly edited transcripts of the teachings
- Video excerpts that capture key relevant points from the teachings
- Helpful resources such as a suggested reading list and other references
Modules included in “Realizing the Lamrim” and some modules included in “Practice Instructions” also provide:
- Questions for contemplation while reading the transcripts
- Guidelines for meditation based on quotes from Rinpoche’s teachings
- Mindfulness practices for daily life based on quotes from Rinpoche’s teachings
- A service component based on the teachings
Having completed the study, meditation, and practice requirements for these modules, students qualify to receive a Certificate of Achievement.
An online forum provides a place to post questions and comments to fellow students and a Living in the Path facilitator.
Living in the Path for FPMT Centers and Study Groups
All materials developed for the Living in the Path online program can also be utilized by FPMT centers and study groups to facilitate similar courses in person. Living in the Path facilitators must be FPMT registered teachers who have attended teachings and retreats with Lama Zopa Rinpoche and are registered to facilitate Living in the Path courses.
For more information about hosting this program, please contact the Foundation Program Coordinator at fpc@fpmt.org
