Discovering the Heart of Buddhism is designed so that you can determine for yourself where and when you study and practice. As a distance learning course, it is flexible, convenient and accessible.

The core of the training is meditation and reflection on the course materials. It is possible to complete the course entirely from your home, making contact with Lama Shenpen and a senior student by email, phone, or letter.

For many busy people, fitting half an hour into odd spaces during a hectic week is much more attractive than attending frequent day courses. Moreover, small 'bites' of frequent and regular study, reflection and meditation are important for getting to grips with the ideas in Buddhism and realising their full meaning in everyday life. This is made easier by having training materials, like those on Discovering the Heart of Buddhism, specifically designed for this approach.

You will set the pace at which you progress through the materials.
The course materials are laid out to give some guidance on the rate of progress, but you can vary this according to your own preferences and responses to the material. Perhaps you will find that you move more quickly through some sections and more slowly through others. However, it is normally recommended that you spend at least one year on the course.

What are the course materials?