FROM HERE TO ENLIGHTENMENT: EDUCATING SENTIENT BEINGS

By Peter Kedge

The four days of meeting were very inspiring. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to see how far FPMT Dharma education has already come. Nevertheless, it was clear how much more might be accomplished with a more formal structure in place. This became more evident through the work of the group in which I participated.

What impressed me was the common sincere wish to create a structured program for the FPMT. The input was wide and varied. Suggestions clearly came from a wealth of experience, not mere wishing.

To date, each center and each of us trying to teach has been finding our own way – our own way of expressing the concepts, our own examples, our own teaching environment.

We are not using the same prayers, translations, tunes, reference books. One would expect it to be the educational system that would bind the organization together and be the thread that makes our centers into the FPMT.

The truth is, right now we do not have that thread of structure and consistency. Right now, it is the person of Lama Zopa Rinpoche who binds the organization together. A formalized, documented education system with certification for students and teachers at al levels could really provide the service we profess.

Our working group was charged with the task of strategizing how to attract people to our centers. We looked at what happens now – advertising, newsletters, visiting teachers tours, adult education courses – in all, 21 ways in which centers let people know of their activities. The main part of the task was to consider how the current outreach could be done better.

As happened throughout the conference it seemed natural to think in business terms of a “market,” of “customers” to be served, of a “product” and “services” that we are offering.

These concepts were helpful. As our discussion became clearer, some key words emerged and became the outline of our recommendations to the meeting. We focused on city centers as those that were mostly likely to provide the initial contact for most people.

Service The basis of FPMT is service. This was our starting point. It is obvious, yet necessary to re-state because it can be easy for centers to become Dharma clubs in which the founders and residents assume the role of beneficiary.

The overriding reason for the existence of a center is to serve the needs of those who, consciously or unconsciously, seek a way onto the path.

Confidence We felt it essential that we as an organization instill confidence in those who have contact with us. This has broad implications. It means everything we do must be of the highest standard. One of the ways to instill confidence is to present a structured teaching, study and practice program so people can see a map and perceive immediately there is substance in what we offer.

Quality We know that the teachings, methods and experience of Lama Tsong Khapa’s lineage are faultless. It is vital that the programs and services we provide reflect that quality.

Within the framework of these key words, we then set out to develop a strategy that would serve to help us improve the way in which we outreach to people and attract them to our centers. Again, some key words became the outline for our thinking.

Differentiation We reflected that as an organization, we should clearly identify what it is about our particular presentation of the path to enlightenment that is unique. By consciously doing this we differentiate ourselves from other presentations and services. We should then focus on continuing to develop our own unique presentation.

We concluded that our differentiation is the unique approach of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa, developed at Kopan Monastery in Nepal in the ’70s– the integration of explanation, meditation, discussion, and experimenting with the discipline of living in precepts.

Training We concluded that in the short term, we could train more introductory teachers by letting them assist teachers at selected centers.

Quality control We noted that there is a great deal of “competition” for people’s attention. People have a choice how they spend their limited free time and people expect and demand a high standard from whoever provides a service. We tried to step back and see how we as an organization – our centers, publicity materials, teaching presentations and center environment – appear to others.

We proposed that we enact Quality Circles at various levels in the organization. A quality circle for a center would be made up of center members, teachers, new students and complete outsiders.

Our group had concluded that the first thing to do when a person visits the center is to smile. In a short talk, Rinpoche explained that it is the way we act – our whole conduct and behavior and the feeling that a person has when they come into contact with us – that is the real marketing. If someone really feels the results of our practice in the way they are treated, that is the best form of marketing. It is therefore our own practice which markets for us.

Our group developed a list that we called 108 Good Ideas that may help us to enact our strategy. There may not be exactly 108 but this list will be circulated as part of the conference follow-up.

It is easy to think that the FPMT International Office and the education department “should” develop a proper plan for education. The task is great. Tubten Pende, Ven. Connie Miller and others will be able to achieve what we all want only if we all help.

Despite the very inspiring proceedings we fell into the usual trap and failed to address finance. How will the great plans be accomplished? There already are and will be increased real costs – rents, salaries, travel, phone, printing, publishing, translation and so on.

Having endorsed the plan, the developmental costs are something we will also all have to share in. There will be appeals for participation in this in various ways and I very much hope and trust there is the same level of accord when it comes to what is often the hard part.