Foundation Program (FP)

If you have been coming to our General Program (GP) classes regularly and are interested in pursuing a formalized and committed study program, enrollment in the Foundation Program (FP) may be the right next step for you. Attendance is by enrollment only, and participating students agree to apply effort to maintain certain commitments. See below for descriptions of the six books studied in FP.

Foundation Program students are studying How to Understand the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind. This book offers us deep insight into our mind and shows how an understanding of its nature and functions can be used practically in everyday experience to improve our lives.

Part 1 is a practical guide to developing and maintaining a happy and controlled mind – showing how to recognize and abandon states of mind that harm us, and to replace them with peaceful and beneficial ones.

Part 2 describes different types of mind in detail, revealing the depth and profundity of the Buddhist understanding of the mind. It concludes with a detailed explanation of meditation, showing how by controlling and transforming our mind we can attain a lasting state of peace and joy, regardless of external conditions.

Prior to class, students study an assigned portion of the text, usually a few pages long, and try to memorize the essential points. Class begins with chanted prayers and guided meditation. The teacher then reads the assigned section from the book while giving commentary to the text. The students then discuss the material. The teacher and students conclude by deciding what to meditate on in the next class and how to practice during the coming week.

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The FP class meets MONDAY evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Schedule of class for 2023: Monday evenings from 6-8pm.

FP students may attend classes either in person or via live streaming. While not a substitute for class attendance, audio recordings are available for students after each class.

There are approximately 20 students enrolled in FP at KMC The Hamptons. Warm and supportive friendships develop as students inspire each other, sharing insights and experiences of the spiritual path.

Further information & enrollment
Please contact Victoria Lustbader, Education Program Coordinator, at: epc@hamptonsmeditation.org for more information and to schedule an interview.

Books studied in the Foundation Program

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The purpose of the Foundation Program is to provide a systematic presentation of particular subjects of Mahayana Buddhism to enable practitioners to deepen their knowledge and experience of Buddhism.

1. The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, based on the commentary Joyful Path of Good Fortune

2. Training the Mind, based on the commentaries Universal Compassion and The New Eight  Steps to Happiness

3. The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary The New Heart of Wisdom

4. Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, based on the commentary Meaningful to Behold

5. Types of Mind, based on the commentary How to Understand the Mind