The Teacher Training Program is designed for those who want to train as a qualified Kadampa Teacher. In addition to completing the study of fourteen texts of Sutra and Tantra, including the six texts studied on the Foundation Program, students are required to observe certain commitments with regard to behavior and way of life, and to complete a number of meditation retreats each year.
*Teacher Training Program is not a drop-in program and enrollment is required. Students must have received Highest Yoga Tantra empowerments within the New Kadampa Tradition for studying a number of the books on the program.
Teacher: Kadam Trina Gunther
Book: The New Eight Steps to Happiness
Days: Sundays & Tuesdays
Time: 2pm – 4pm (Sunday), 7:00 – 9:00pm (Tuesday)
Cost: Enrollment as a Level 3 Monthly Supporter ($95)
Kadam Trina Gunther is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center Washington. She has been a dedicated practitioner of modern Kadampa Buddhism since 2004.
Kadam Trina is an inspiring example of a lay practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism, and brings with her a wealth of experience of integrating Buddha's teachings with busy daily life. She offers a practical perspective to spiritual practice to help anyone apply Buddha's profound insights and meditations to their busy working and family lives with clarity and joy.
This is a study program for those who wish to give back to their community and world, repaying the great kindness of others, by becoming a qualified teacher of Kadampa Buddhism.
In Teacher Training Program we gain the confidence and skills to guide ourselves and others to a happy and meaningful life. We train in the Bodhisattva's way of life, learning how to live a life of meaning and service to all living beings, as demonstrated by our Spiritual Guide and Founder, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
Systematic study of 12 topics (14 texts), including receiving the oral transmission of that text, guided meditation and group discussion.
Dedicated class time to learning and improving our skills for teaching Dharma for the purpose of benefiting others.
Special advanced retreats are included in the program. These are held throughout the year, offering TTP students the opportunity to make deep inner spiritual progress, year-in and year-out.
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, renowned Kadampa Buddhist Master and our Founder, explained the importance of training as a qualified Dharma teacher in this modern world:
"Buddhadharma is beneficial to others only if there are qualified Teachers. Without Teachers, Dharma texts alone are of little benefit. To become a qualified Dharma Teacher requires special preparation and training.
It is not easy to become a Dharma Teacher because special qualities are needed: wisdom, correct view, faith, conviction, and pure conduct as an example to others. Also a Teacher needs an inexhaustible reservoir of Dharma knowledge and experience to teach from, otherwise he or she will dry up after one or two years.
If a Teacher lacks qualities such as wisdom, experience, faith, and pure motivation, it will be difficult for others to develop faith in them or their teachings, and there will be little benefit. Also, without proper training and preparation there is a danger of Teachers mixing worldly, samsaric activities with their teaching activities. Therefore we definitely need to train well if we wish to be a genuine benefit to others.
If we complete the Teacher Training Program we can begin to teach immediately. Alternatively, if we wish to lead a meditative life, we will find that the program has prepared us well. At the very least we will be great Buddhist scholars with a deep and stable experience of Dharma.
These programs, therefore, are real wishfulfilling jewels for Dharma practitioners. By participating in them we can improve our wisdom and Dharma experience and use Dharma to solve our daily problems. We can become our own protector by protecting ourselves from danger and suffering, and our own doctor by curing our mental pain with Dharma medicine.
We shall be able to set a good example for others to follow and help others by giving teachings and advice. Eventually we will be able to give extensive teachings and benefit others in many ways by organizing special programs and so forth. In this way we will make both our own and others’ human lives extremely meaningful."
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
Many people from all walks of life are training in or have completed the Teacher Training Program in NKT Centers all around the globe. These teachers now offer great inspiration and guidance to those interested in following the unbroken lineage of pure Kadampa Buddhism in this modern world.
This program gives us the precious opportunity to repay the kindness of all mother beings as well as that of our Venerable Spiritual Guide, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. It provides us with the best support and training for following the Bodhisattva's way of life in these modern times.
This special arrangement of annual advanced meditation retreats is designed to help TTP students make more effective spiritual progress and improve their abilities to teach others.
Vajrayana Mahamudra Preliminary Guide Retreat
Engaging in this retreat deepens our experience of Mahayana Buddhist refuge in the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, which is the foundation of all spiritual realizations.
Vajrayana Mahamudra Preliminary Guide Retreat
The purpose of this retreat is to purify our negative karma and obstacles to our spiritual development through the recitation and meditation of Buddha Vajrasattva practice.
Vajrayana Mahamudra Preliminary Guide Retreat
In this retreat, we focus on the preliminary practices of accumulating merit and receiving blessings by making mandala offerings and engaging in Guru Yoga. This is a special practice that brings us closer to our Spiritual Guide.
This retreat helps us deepen our understanding and experience of Lamrim, Atisha's priceless condensed presentation of all Buddha's teachings at the core of Kadam Dharma. Through this we will enjoy a special experience of peace and fulfillment that comes from a spiritually meaningful life. Ultimately, Lamrim meditations will give rise to a compete transformation of our mind through the power of wisdom and compassion.
This retreat focuses on the generation and completion stages of Highest Yoga Tantra for those with the empowerments of Heruka and Vajrayogini, offered within the New Kadampa Tradition.
Kadampa Meditation Center Washington is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Member of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union.
