Discovering Buddhism

Two-Year FPMT foundational-level program taught by Geshe Tenzin Legtsok and Venerable Angie Muir

Introduction

The Discovering Buddhism program is the result of the combined efforts of a number of FPMT teachers and spiritual program coordinators, under the guidance and advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It is an estimated 2-year course for which students may receive a certificate of completion upon fulfillment of all requirements.

The aim of the Discovering Buddhism program is to give participants a solid footing in the practice of Mahayana Buddhism. By engaging in this program, participants will gain an experiential taste of the Buddha's teachings, some retreat experience, and the skills they need to make their lives most meaningful.

Within Buddhism, the determining factor of whether a teaching lineage is intact or not is the existence of a direct oral transmission from teacher to disciple from today's living teachers all the way back to the historical Buddha. It is the FPMT's mission to preserve this unbroken lineage and assure that the blessings of the Buddha's words survive for future generations.

What will I learn?

There are a total of 14 subject areas within the Discovering Buddhism program. Within each subject area students are expected to attend lectures covering required topics of understanding, engage in meditation practices relevant to those topics, read texts and teaching transcripts, and do short retreats. The final subject area "Special Integration Experiences" includes a list of longer retreats and other experiences required in order to "graduate" from the program.

This program is not designed as an academic study of Buddhism but is intended to change your life.

Discovering Buddhism subject areas:

Mind and Its Potential

Examine what is "mind," its nature and function, and how it affects our experience of happiness and suffering. Come explore the differentiation between mind and brain, mind as the creator of our experiences, and the implications of possessing a mind that has no beginning and no end. In addition, learn methods to transform destructive thoughts and attitudes and create a positive and joyous mind.
How to Meditate

Basic meditation techniques. Learn the definition and purpose of meditation, how to sit properly, how to set up a meditation session, the different types of meditation techniques one may employ, and how to recognize and deal with obstacles to meditation.
Presenting the Path

Get an overview of the entire Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening. Hear about the life story of the Buddha and study the basic teachings of Buddhism. Discover the unique system for putting Buddhist philosophy into practice contained in the lam-rim, or "graduated path to enlightenment."
The Spiritual Teacher

Take the time to investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher, the qualities of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in one's spiritual life. Consider the challenges we face when thinking of entering into a "guru-disciple" relationship and learn how to overcome these skillfully.
Death and Rebirth

Explore the process of death and rebirth and its impact on how we live our lives. Be guided in skillful reflection on the meaning of death and what to expect at the death-time. In this way, fulfill your purpose in life, resolve conflicts, and develop the skills to help both yourself and others at the time of death. Eventually, through Buddhist practice, one can overcome death altogether.
All About Karma

Learn the essential facts about the law of cause and effect and generate a clear understanding about how karma works. Discover effective tools to accumulate merit — the cause of happiness and success — and purify mistaken actions done in the past. In addition, explore ways to become adept at dealing with life most effectively and thereby take control of your future.
Refuge in the Three Jewels

Get informed about what it means to take refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), and the essential practices of refuge. Find out more about the advantage of taking lay vows and their role in enhancing our spiritual growth.
Establishing a Daily Practice

Assemble the tools you need to develop a successful daily practice. Using Lama Zopa Rinpoche's A Daily Meditation Practice as a guide, become familiar with the elements necessary to generate realizations in the mind. Also, receive some tips for making every action of the day meaningful.
Samsara and Nirvana

Investigate what "samsara" is and how we are stuck in it. Find out what "nirvana" is and how to achieve it. Develop the determination to be free from suffering and empower yourself with practical tools to deal with and eliminate disturbing emotions forever.
How to Develop Bodhichitta

Come discover the clear meditation instruction available in Tibetan Buddhism that enables us to develop our innate qualities of loving kindness and compassion. Become skilled at applying these techniques to generate the mind of bodhichitta, the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of others, known to be the heart of Buddha's teachings.
Transforming Problems

Consider well the disadvantages of self-cherishing and the advantages of cherishing others more than ourselves. Get inspired to "exchange yourself with others," and then be guided in how to employ the special techniques of mind training or "lo-jong" as a means to transform problems into happiness and learn to like problems as much as ice cream!
Wisdom of Emptiness

The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Take this opportunity to enhance your ability to bring about this realization. Learn how to develop calm abiding and different methods to use in meditation on emptiness. Practice accumulation of merit and purification of obstacles — indispensable for generating realizations within the mind.
Introduction to Tantra

Learn the definition of tantra, how tantra works and why it is a powerful form of practice. Get a broad overview of the four classes of tantra and learn how to practice simple Kriya tantric methods. In addition, find out how to integrate the practices of tantra with lam-rim meditation for optimal results.
Special Integration Experiences

By undertaking intensive practices of purification and a minimum two-week lam-rim residential retreat, prepare your mind in the best possible way to gain realizations on the path to enlightenment. Purification practices include: 100,000 prostrations, 3-month Vajrasattva retreat, and Nyung Ne. This is a great way to seal the blessings of this program.

Among all FPMT education programs, Discovering Buddhism, in particular, is presented in the context of the FPMT Wisdom Culture. Find out more about the FPMT Discovering Buddhism program here.

Two-Year Curriculum: July 2026 – June 2028

Teaching Sessions: Tuesday evenings, 6:30pm–8:30pm Pacific Time (hybrid)
Practice Session: Sunday (or Saturday) afternoons, 2:00pm–5:00pm Pacific Time (hybrid)

Year 1: July 2026 – June 2027 (subject to change)

Module

Dates

Teacher, Host

2026

Module 1
Mind and Its Potential

Five Teaching Sessions:
Tuesdays, July 7 – August 4
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Practice Session:
Sunday, August 9
2:00pm – 5:00pm

Geshe Tenzin Legtsok
at OCBC

Module 2
How to Meditate

Four Teaching Sessions:
Tuesdays, August 11 – September 1
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Practice Session:
Sunday, September 6
2:00pm – 5:00pm
at OCBC

Geshe Tenzin Legtsok
at LMB

Module 3
Presenting the Path

Six Teaching Sessions:
Tuesdays, September 8 – October 13
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Practice Session:
Sunday, October 18
2:00pm – 5:00pm

Geshe Tenzin Legtsok
at OCBC

Module 5
Death and Rebirth

Six Teaching Sessions:
Tuesdays, October 20 – December 1
no class on November 24 (Thanksgiving)
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Practice Session:
Saturday, December 12
2:00pm – 5:00pm

Geshe Tenzin Legtsok
at LMB

2027

Module 6
All About Karma

Five Teaching Sessions:
Tuesdays, January 5 – February 2
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Practice Session:
Sunday, February 7
2:00pm – 5:00pm

Ven. Angie Muir
at OCBC

Module 7
Refuge in the Three Jewels

Five Teaching Sessions:
Tuesdays, February 16 – March 16
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Practice Session:
Sunday, March 21
2:00pm – 5:00pm

Ven. Angie Muir
at LMB

Module 8
Establishing a Daily Practice

Five Teaching Sessions:
Tuesdays, May 18 – June 15
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Practice Session:
Sunday, June 20
2:00pm – 5:00pm

Ven. Angie Muir
at OCBC

Year 2: July 2027 – June 2028

Modules 4, 9–13, and an introduction to Module 14

How do I learn?

The program is offered collaboratively by Ocean of Compassion (OCBC) and Land of Medicine Buddha (LMB), with the two centers alternating as hosts for each module.

All teaching sessions and practice sessions are offered in-person at the host center (with a few exceptions), and online via Zoom. Local students are encouraged to attend in person at the host center for a rich, collaborative learning experience.

Recordings of classes and materials will be made available to registered students.

Learning includes teachings, practice sessions, individual study and contemplation, end-of-module assessments, and optional study groups, and online discussions. Students become part of a supportive community of fellow practitioners.

Upon completing the requirements for a module, students may request a digital acknowledgment of completion from the host center. After completing all 14 modules, students may request a Discovering Buddhism Certificate of Completion from the FPMT International Office.

All are welcome to participate in this program, regardless of certification interest.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for attending this program.

Although the modules do not need to be completed in any specific order and may be taken at multiple FPMT-affiliated centers or through FPMT online, each module builds progressively following Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice.

Discovering Buddhism is an entry-level program in Buddhist philosophy and practice. Geshe Legtsok has shared his intention to begin teaching the FPMT Basic Program in June 2028. Discovering Buddhism is highly recommended as a preparation for the Basic Program.

Teachers

Geshe Tenzin Legtsok has been ordained as a Buddhist monk since 2001 and is the first American to complete the twenty-year Geshe Studies Program in classic Indian Buddhist treatises and their Tibetan commentaries at Sera Jey Monastic University in South India, following the tradition of ancient Nalanda University. In 2025, he completed the traditional study of tantra at Gyudmed Tantric Monastery.

With over two decades of study and practice under the guidance of great masters, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Geshe Legtsok brings profound insights into the application of Buddhist teachings. Born in Virginia, USA in 1973, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College in 1995. His quest to answer the question, “What makes for the most happy and meaningful life,” led him to major in philosophy, eventually guiding him to study meditation and philosophy with teachers among the exiled Tibetan communities in India and Nepal since 1999.

Dedicated to studying and teaching Buddhist philosophy, Geshe Legtsok seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with modern-day relevance. His teachings emphasize understanding and transforming the mind through practice, and he is committed to helping others navigate the spiritual path with clarity and patience.

Venerable Angie Muir was born in Scotland, in 1970. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in 1992. Feeling disillusioned with her prospective career path and life ahead of her, she left Scotland and combined traveling with work in Asia for 3 years until 1995, when she felt a calling to go to India to explore meditation and find her life path.

Within a few months, she “had the incredible fortune due to some previous karma” to discover Tibetan Buddhism, meet her main spiritual teacher, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche (of almost 30 years), and become ordained. Since that time, she felt the most important thing to do was follow the wishes and advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. This involved serving at Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s personal residences in the US for over 13 years. Interspersed with that was working at FPMT centers such as Vajrapani Institute and Thubten Norbu Ling as well as doing various personal retreats. Ven. Angie also returned to Scotland for a few years, teaching and leading meditation retreats there.

In 2023, when Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away, she was invited to Vajrapani Institute in California where she supports the programs as a teacher in residence. She is currently teaching the FPMT program Discovering Buddhism as well as starting to tour and offer other classes, meditations, and retreats at other centers in North America.

She also has love of ritual and enjoys to help students integrate key components of mantra and ritual into their daily practice. This includes offering pujas regularly online which enhance positive energy and clear obstacles. She has also helped lead a pilgrimage to Lawudo Retreat Center in the Himalayas in Nepal where her teacher meditated in his previous life. She plans to lead more pilgrimages in the future to help others experience the power of sacred places and the joy and benefit they bring to the heart and mind.

For more information visit www.angiemuir.com.