If you wish to deepen your experience of Buddha’s teachings, and find greater meaning and lasting happiness in life, you will enjoy the Foundation Program (FP).
Joining FP involves enrolling in the study of a book, trying to attend all the classes, and taking an exam at the end of each section approximately once a year.
By committing to a regular study program and studying in a group with like-minded people, you will benefit from the support of a spiritual community to energize and sustain your spiritual life.
Each class consists of short chanted prayers, a guided meditation, the oral transmission of the book with commentary and discussion. The classes are systematic and interactive and students find that their knowledge and wisdom grows week by week as a result.
This special way of learning increases our mindfulness of the teachings and in this way we gain great ability to apply them practically in daily life. Finally you will be able to turn your initial spiritual insights into stable and long lasting spiritual transformation.
The classes are similar in format and depth to college-level classes and the program is based on a systematic study of six Kadampa Buddhist texts.
Class will meet each Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm, with breaks over the summer and holidays. It is possible to join this program in person or online.
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 light, positive 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 joy, independent of external conditions.
There are weekly reading assignments of a few pages from the text, and the class includes discussions and meditations on the week’s readings.
Cost: Foundation Program Membership is $100/month (12 months/year) and includes FP classes, unlimited GP classes, and half off special classes and retreats.
Note: FP is not a drop-in class and enrollment is required. People are generally required to have attended GP (drop-in) classes for at least of 6-months to enroll.
If you are interested in joining, please email Michael, our Education Program Coordinator: info@meditateinthesouthbay.org
"Our present understanding and experience of Dharma is quite superficial. We are like someone who has entered a huge food store and seen many things but sampled only a few. We may have received many different teachings from many different Teachers, but we have taken in very little, just a few morsels. Therefore, our actual experience remains superficial.
Why is this? It is because we are not studying systematically according to a specially-designed program. If we just pick at Dharma randomly we will never gain a deep and stable experience, and our wisdom will never become like a full moon." Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
This comprehensive guide provides a detailed and practical explanation of the two stages of Vajrayogini practice - generation stage and completion stage - and shows how we can integrate these practices into our daily life, thereby transforming every moment of our life into the path to enlightenment. It is a unique guide to becoming a Tantric enlightened being in the modern world.
Vajrayogini is a female enlightened Deity of Highest Yoga Tantra—the very essence of all Buddha's teachings—who is the manifestation of the wisdom of all Buddhas. By engaging in the Tantric practice of Vajrayogini under the guidance of a qualified Spiritual Guide, we can completely purify our body, speech, and mind and attain a state of full enlightenment, the ultimate goal of human life.
"To practice the instructions explained in this book, we require special inner conditions. First we should train in the common spiritual paths, the practice of Kadam Lamrim, and then receive the empowerments of Heruka and Vajrayogini. Having received these empowerments, we should strive to maintain our vows and commitments purely."
Cost: Teacher Training Program is $125/month (12 months/year) and includes TTP classes, unlimited GP classes, and Saturday Workshops and Mini Retreats.
Note: TTP is not a drop-in class and enrollment is required. People are generally required to have attended GP (drop-in) classes for at least of 6-months to enroll.
If you are interested in joining, please email Michael, our Education Program Director: info@meditateinthesouthbay.org
Kadam Gerry has been practicing under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche since 2006. He has studied for many years in the Foundation and Teacher Training Programs and completed the six month intensive teacher training program at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in England. Kadam Gerry has served as Admin Director and taught for many years in New Bedford, MA and Providence, RI.
He has personally felt the great benefit of dharma practice in his own life and gives accessible teachings in a lighthearted way.
Kadam Gerry teaches Sunday Morning, Tuesday Evening, Wednesday Mid-Day, Saturday mini-retreats as well as our more in-depth study classes; Foundation Program and Teacher Training Program. He also guides FP and TTP Retreats and Special Events throughout the year.
500 6th St Hermosa Beach, CA
info@meditateinthesouthbay.org
310-848-9680
© 2026 Mahamudra KMC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
