The FPMT Basic Program is one of the most in-depth and comprehensive education programmes created by FPMT.

It provides a practice-oriented transmission of the Buddhadharma to committed students ready to progress to in-depth study and practice.

About your teacher Geshe Rinchen Wangyal:

Our second FPMT Basic Program will be taught by our resident teacher Geshe Rinchen Wangyal.

Geshe Rinchen studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monastery in India, then at the Institute of Buddhiust Dialectics. He gained his Geshe degree in 2015

Geshe Rinchen came to the UK and studied at the University of Winchester, gaining a BA (hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics in 2024

We have been honoured to have Geshe Rinchen as our resident teacher since 2025, firstly here in the UK and now currently online from India.

Geshe Rinchen’s teachings are known for their clarity, warmth, and practical applicability, making profound topics accessible to students of all backgrounds. He combines his deep knowledge with genuine compassion, inspiring students to cultivate inner peace and wisdom in their own lives.

Subjects you will study:

This FPMT Basic Program will cover 10 subjects over a 5 year period from March 2027 to November 2031, including the additonal subject Three Basic Bodies.

Some of Tibetan Buddhism’s most treasured texts form the heart of the program. Je Tsongkhapa’s Middle Length Lamrim; Shantideva’s Bodhisattvacharyavatara; the Heart Sutra; Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen’s Tenets; Maitreya’s Ornament for Clear Realization and Tathagata Essence; the Wheel of Sharp Weapons, and other texts guide the practitioner through a comprehensive study of sutra and tantra.

You can find out when each subject is scheduled in the calendar below.

• Mind and Cognition: the way the mind knows phenomena and the mental factors that constitute the basis of our daily experience

• Tenets: the philosophical systems, or tenets, of the four main schools of ancient Buddhist thought

• Stages of the Path: the stages of the path to enlightenment of beings of low, middling, and great capacity

• Heart Sutra: emptiness and the phenomena qualified by it

• Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds: the six perfections—generosity, morality, patience, joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom—and how to practice them in everyday life

• Mahayana Mind Training: Wheel of Sharp Weapons: the law of actions and results, or karma, and the states of mind that shape our future experiences

• Ornament for Clear Realization and Seventy Topics: the 173 aspects of the omniscient mind and the practices that enable to achieve them

• The Tathagata Essence: the buddha lineage or tathagata essence that exists within every sentient being

• Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra: the four classes of tantra with emphasis on the generation and completion stages of highest yoga tantra

• Three Basic Bodies – Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth

What to expect:

The FPMT Basic Program is taught by Tibetan geshes, in our case Geshe Rinchen and qualified Western teachers. Study of the standard texts and commentaries is supported by discussions, meditations, reading and homework assignments, short retreats, etc. each subject is completed with a test.

Students will benefit most from their FPMT Basic Program studies if they have some familiarity with preparatory study and practice as offered by FPMT foundational-level programs such as Discovering Buddhism or Exploring Buddhism.

Over the course of your engagement with the FPMT Basic Program students must follow the FPMT Basic Program Conduct and Practice Criteria: practicing to the best of your ability to refrain from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct (adultery), and intoxicants, while developing awareness of positive and negative states of mind, and, in particular, the practice of patience and concern for others. A Practice and Conduct information sheet explaining the expected level of engagement with this practice will be provided.

There are three different levels with which you can engage with the programme:

• Regular FPMT Basic Program Student - full commitment to the programme including weekly live zoom teachings with Geshe Rinchen on Saturday mornings during term time.

• Online FPMT Basic Program Student - suitable for students who can’t attend the teachings in real time and would like to listen by recordings each week.

• Listener - suitable if you wish to be able to attend teachings or listen to recordings at your own pace with no study requirements

Classes will be taught live on zoom by Geshe Rinchen on Saturday mornings weekly 9:30 am to 11:30 am during term time (March to May and July to November) Regular FPMT students must attend the majority of them live on zoom. Each two hour sessioin will include meditation, teachings and questions to consider in the week ahead

There will also be discussion groups twice monthly during term time on Wednesday evenings 7 pm to 8 pm, which must be attended online if you are a Regular or Online student

You can find out more about the study requirements for each level in the tab below.

Is this the right study programme for me?

This in-depth study programme is suitable for those with a good foundation of Buddhist knowledge. You may like to consider the following questions:

• Have you already studied FPMT foundational level programs such as Discovering Buddhism or Exploring Buddhism?

• Or perhaps you already regularly engage with in-depth teachings and feel comfortable with the subject matter such as our drop in class with Geshe Rinchen: Buddhism for Intermediate students or FPMT In-Depth Meditation Training with Venerable Gendun

• If you plan to join as a regular or online student how much time and commitment do you have to study. Realistically the classes are two hours each week, plus an hour discussion twice a month during term time. between lessons, it is good to study the texts for around 30 minutes a day and to meditate on the subject several times a week too.

The FPMT Basic Program’s comprehensive curriculum will greatly enhance your Dharma understanding, establishing a sound basis for ongoing study, practice, retreat, and service.

We have found that it also brings a real sense of community and joy, through being on this journey of learning and discovery with each other.

Perhaps you are wondering about whether you can commit for 5 years? It can be helpful to consider that the time will pass regardless, and no one ever regrets making the first step towards something they really want to do.

If you feel ready to make a start you can register here

If having had a think you are still unsure if this is the right study programme for you email Chrissie on bp@jamyangleeds.co.uk for a chat.

Donations:

Suggested Donation:

£55 per teaching month: March to May and July to November. This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and includes a donation to our teacher Geshe Rinchen. If you prefer you can donate £440 annually in March.

Alternatively you may wish to become a member of the Jamyang Leeds Membership Programme which is £35 per calendar month. Find out more about our Jamyang Leeds Membership Programme here

We never turn anyone away from the Dharma for financial reasons. If you cannot donate the suggested amount, please contact Chrissie on bp@jamyangleeds.co.uk to discuss what would be affordable for you.

It’s good to practice generosity where we can.

How to Donate:

You can make a donation by card using our Donation Portal here. Please put FPMT Basic Program as a reference in the comments box

Alternatively you can donate by Bank Transfer using the details below, please reference FPMT Basic Program

Account Name: Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds

Bank Name: Cooperative Bank Plc

Account number: 65178087 Sort-Code: 08-92-99 SWIFT: CPBK GB22 IBAN: GB76 CPBK 0892 9965 1780 87

Gift Aid: if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim back 25p for every £1 you donate. Please indicate when registering if you would like us to claim giftaid on your donations.