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Deepening your personal practice and developing the realizations of the path to enlightenment
Living in the Path
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.
Overview
Living in the Path is an FPMT program taught 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 ongoing teaching events and retreats with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, such as the Light of the Path retreat series held in North Carolina, USA.
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 recommended to have previously received teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition by, for example, having done some or all of the modules of Discovering Buddhism or the “Stages of the Path (Middle Length Lamrim)” module of the FPMT Basic Program.
Living in the Path on the FPMT Online Learning Center
The modules of Living in the Path are available through the FPMT Online Learning Center.
Living in the Path features standalone modules organized within the following topics:
- TAKING THE ESSENCE: Advice for making a perfect human life meaningful in every moment
- PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS: Why and how to do certain prayers and practices
- REALIZING THE LAMRIM: Explanations on the lamrim topics and lamrim texts
Each module consists of the following components:
- An introduction to the topic
- Lightly edited transcripts of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings
- Short video clips of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings that capture the key points
- 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 to keep in mind 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
Students who complete the study, meditation, and practice requirements for these modules qualify to receive a Certificate of Achievement.
An online forum provides an opportunity to post questions and comments to fellow students and a Living in the Path elder.
Enjoy a selection of video clips from Living in the Path here.
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 host Living in the Path. Although Living in the Path must be taught by FPMT registered teachers who are also registered to teach Living in the Path, in the absence of a qualified teacher the online materials can be used as the basis for study, discussion, meditation, and practice by a group of students led by a moderator.
For more information about hosting this program, please contact the Foundational Program Coordinator at fpc@fpmt.org.
