Discovering Buddhism – Foundation Course in Buddhist Philosophy course

This series of short, practical modules which gives you an opportunity to dive deeply into Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist philosophy and through this gain good foundational understanding of this path. It is possible to join the course module by module or the whole series depending on interest and need. There is no need to be Buddhist to join this course — just being curious and have an open heart is a good start.

Upcoming Modules and Sessions

About This Course

This course offers an introduction to the Buddhist philosophy, taking you step-by-step through the various topics essential to the Mahayana Buddhist path to enlightenment. By engaging in this program, participants will gain a thorough understanding of the Historical Buddha’s teachings and the skills they need to make their lives most meaningful. Also, by the end of this program, participants should have a solid foundation from which to make informed choices about their continued spiritual development.

You can join the course module by module or the complete course depending on need and where you are in your studies. All modules include possibility to join retreats on related topics and various opportunities for meditation and contemplation.

Class structure
The first thirteen modules of Discovering Buddhism are taught at over a period of about two years.

Each module consists of:
– Weekly talks and teachings by our registered teacher
– Guided meditations & Weekend practice retreat day
– Required and suggested readings
– Review questions in each class

What You will Learn? ​The course explores topics such as:
– Understanding the nature of the mind
– Why we experience stress and suffering—and how to transform it
– How to meditate and cultivate inner peace
– Karma, rebirth, and freedom from limiting habits
– Compassion, ethics, and wisdom in everyday life

Flexible & Modular Format
– The full course runs over 2 years
– Divided into 14 modules with clear structure
– Join physically at the center or online via Zoom from anywhere
– Participate in the whole journey or just drop in for a module or two
– No need to follow a strict order
– learn at your own pace
– Those who complete all 14 modules will receive a certificate of completion for the entire program.

Who is this for? This course is for you if you’re:
– New to Buddhism and looking for a welcoming entry point
– A long-time spiritual seeker wanting deeper insight
– Curious about the mind and personal transformation
– Interested in ancient teachings with modern relevance

Module 1: Mind and It’s Potential 

During this module we examine the meaning of “mind” according to Buddhism, its nature and function, and how it determines our experience of happiness and suffering. We explore the differentiation between mind and brain, how mind is the creator of our experiences, and the implications of possessing a mind that has no beginning and no end. You will learn methods to transform destructive thoughts and attitudes and develop a more positive and joyous mind. Most welcome to this enlightening course!

Suggested donation 750 kr per module or 175kr per session (each module is 5 weeks long)
Thursday January 29 – February 26th, 2026, 6 – 8pm (incl. fika)
Retreat day February 28

Module 2: How to Meditate 

Explore the definition and purpose of meditation, how to sit, how to set up a meditation session, different meditation techniques, and how to deal with obstacles to meditation.

Suggested donation 750 kr per module or 175kr per session (each module is 5 weeks long)
Thursday 5, 12, 19, 26 March & 2 April (March 5 & 12 Online only)
Retreat day March 21 in Gothenburg

Module 3: Presenting the Path 

Get an overview of the entire Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening. Study the life story of the Buddha and discover a unique system for putting Buddhist philosophy into practice – the lamrim, or graduated path to enlightenment.

Suggested donation 750 kr per module or 175kr per session (each module is 5 weeks long)
Thursday 16, 23 April, 7, 14, 28 May, 6 – 8pm
Retreat day April 25

Module 4: The Spiritual Teacher

Investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of teacher and student, and how to relate to a teacher.

Suggested donation 750 kr per module or 175kr per session (each module is 5 weeks long)
Thursday 3, 10, 17, 24 September & 1 October

Module 5: Death and Rebirth

Explore the process of death and rebirth and its impact on how we live our lives. Learn to fulfill your purpose in life, resolve conflicts, and develop the skills to help yourself and others at death.

Suggested donation 750 kr per module or 175kr per session (each module is 5 weeks long)
Thursday 8, 15, 22, 29 October & 5 November

Retreat Weekend October 31 – November 1

Module 6: All About Karma

Learn the essential facts about the law of actions and their results. Explore ways to deal with life more effectively and take control of your future.

Suggested donation 750 kr per module or 175kr per session (each module is 5 weeks long)
Thursday 12, 19, 26 November & 10, 17 December (December online only) 

Module 7: Refuge in the Three Jewels 

Find out what it means to take refuge in the Three Jewels – the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha – and the essential practices of refuge. Learn about the advantage of taking lay vows and their role in enhancing our spiritual growth.

Module 8: Establishing a Daily Practice 

Assemble the tools you need to develop a successful daily practice and find out the elements necessary to generate realizations. Get some tips for making every action you do meaningful.

Module 9: Samsara and Nirvana 

Investigate what “samsara” is and how we are stuck in it. Find out what “nirvana” is and how to achieve it. Learn how to be free from suffering and gain practical tools to deal with and eliminate disturbing emotions forever.

Module 10: How to Develop Bodhichitta 

Discover practices that develop our innate qualities of compassion. Learn to apply these techniques to generate bodhichitta, the mind of enlightenment, known as the very heart of Buddha’s teachings.

Module 11: Transforming Problems

Learn the disadvantages of selfishness and the advantages of cherishing others. Learn to employ the special techniques of mind training (lojong) to transform problems into happiness.

Module 12: Wisdom of Emptiness

Learn how to develop calm abiding (shamatha), the ability to remain focused in meditation for as long periods as you want without distraction. Try different ways of meditating on emptiness, the lack of true existence of the self and all phenomena, the realization of which is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment.

Module 13: Introduction to Tantra 

Learn what tantra is, how it works, and why it is a powerful form of practice. Get a broad overview of the four classes of tantra and learn to practice simple kriya tantric methods. Learn how to integrate tantra with lamrim meditation to obtain the best results.

Module 14: Special Integration 

Experiences Undertaking intensive practices of purification, a ten-day lamrim course/retreat, and three Nyung Nä retreats creates the inner conditions needed to gain the realizations of the path to enlightenment. The purification practices entail 100,000 prostrations to the Thirty-Five Buddhas and 100,000 long Vajrasattva mantras (two of the nine traditional preliminary practices). The ten-day lamrim course/retreat can be done on one’s own or at some FPMT centers, including Kopan Monastery in Nepal. A Nyung Nä is a two-day fasting practice related to the buddha of compassion. It can be done at many FPMT centers, especially during the month of Saka Dawa, which falls in May-June. This module can be started at any time in the program but is best started early on, such as after the module All About Karma, as it takes some time to complete.

Your Teacher

Venerable Khadro was born in Venezuela of European parents, raised in Argentina and after completing a degree in Business Administration, she emigrated to New Zealand in 2004, where she first encountered Tibetan Buddhism. She took ordination in 2014 with the Great Master Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Since then she has engaged in formal Buddhist studies, including the completion of the Master Programme in Buddhist Philosophy. She has also spent months in solitary retreat including at Lawudo, a remote hermitage in the Himalayas, Nepal. She has served the FPMT for the past 20 years in various roles, and is currently the Resident Teacher at Yeshin Norbu Center in Stockholm. She has led various courses & retreats in NZ, Australia, Sweden, Colombia, India, Nepal and Germany. Her “international” background allows her to have an open, friendly and warm manner. She is an FPMT registered teacher, a Buddhist Chaplain and an accredited Foundation for Developing Wisdom and Compassion facilitator-FDWC.