Living in the Path

Living in the Path is an FPMT education program taught by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, spiritual director of the FPMT. However, the long-term goal is to also draw from the teachings of Lama Yeshe so as to offer a program that preserves the entire FPMT lineage.

This program is ideal for anyone who wishes to deepen their personal practice and develop the realizations of the path to enlightenment by relying on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s heart advice and teachings. However, as the teachings often assume familiarity with the lamrim (the stages of the path), participants are recommended to have previously received teachings in this Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Individual modules of this online program can be obtained from The Foundation Store. You can also enjoy complimentary access to full FPMT online study programs by becoming a Friend of FPMT supporter. Instructions for creating a new user account and using this FPMT Online Learning Center site can be found in the Getting Started Guide. 

Living in the Path features standalone modules organized within the following topics:

TAKING THE ESSENCE: Essential advice for making a perfect human life meaningful in every moment (all these modules are complimentary)

• • Transforming a Suffering Life into Happiness (includes The Method to Transform a Suffering Life into Happiness, Blessing the Speech and Daily Mantras)
  • Bodhichitta Mindfulness
    
  • The Eight Mahayana Precepts
  • Making Offerings
  • Offering Food and Drink

PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS: Why and how to do certain prayers and practices (all these modules are complimentary)

• • The Refuge and Bodhichitta Verse
  • The Seven-Limb Prayer

REALIZING THE LAMRIM: Teachings on the lamrim topics and explanations of lamrim texts

• • All Topics
    • Advice for Realizing the Lamrim (complimentary module)
      
    • Atisha's Light of the Path to Enlightenment (complimentary module)
  • Guru Devotion
    • Guru is Buddha (to obtain this module)
  • Perfect Human Rebirth
    • The Happiness of Dharma (to obtain this module)
      
  • Death-Impermanence
    • Cutting the Concept of Permanence (complimentary module)
    • This is Going to Happen to You (complimentary module)
  • Karma
    • Everything Comes From the Mind (to obtain this module)
      
    • The Secret of the Mind (to obtain this module)
  • Nature of Samsara
    
    • Abandon Stretching the Legs (complimentary module)
  • Lojong - Mind Training
    • Transforming Kaka into Gold (complimentary module)
  • Emptiness
    • Bringing Emptiness to Life (to obtain this module)
      
    • Are You Sitting on Your I? (to obtain this module)
    • Smashing the Delusions (complimentary module)

All modules consist of video excerpts and lightly edited transcripts of teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche together with many additional resources.

Modules included in "Realizing the Lamrim" and some modules of "Practice Instructions" also provide points for reflection and guidelines for meditations, mindfulness practices, and a service practice, to help students gain a deeper understanding of and insight into the topics. Having completed the requirements for these modules, students qualify to receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Some of the "Realizing the Lamrim" modules require enrollment keys which are available for free as a benefit of becoming a Friend of FPMT at the Dharma Supporter level or higher. Alternatively, individual enrollment keys can be obtained from the Foundation Store.

An online forum provides a place to post questions and comments to fellow students and a Living in the Path facilitator.

Instructions for creating a user account and using the site can be found in the Getting Started Guide. Please contact the Site Administrator with any questions or comments.

Centers wishing to implement Living in the Path as a center-based program are asked to contact the Foundational Program Coordinator at fpc@fpmt.org.