Basic Program Homestudy
Completion Certificate Requirements

It is the choice of every student whether to follow the Basic Program Homestudy Program for a completion certificate or not. To qualify for the FPMT Basic Program Homestudy Completion Certificate, homestudy students are required:

1. to have completed the 9 subjects of the BP core curriculum and their respective tests
2. to have completed the lamrim retreat*
3. to have passed the BP Final Exam
4. to have conduct that accords with Buddhist ethics, in particular, to develop the practice of abstention from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct (adultery), and intoxicants
   and
   to be practicing awareness of positive and negative states in one's mind and be developing the practice of patience and concern for others in particular
5. to have engaged in at least two half-hour lamrim meditation sessions a week during their BP studies

* The completion of a three month lamrim retreat, as advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is optional for homestudy students (who may find three months impossible to complete). The requirement for the Basic Program Homestudy Completion Certificate is a one month mandatory lamrim retreat.

The assessment of these requirements as outlined below applies to the FPMT Basic Program Homestudy packages and to center-based Basic Program homestudy modules. Basic Program Homestudy students can complete their BP subjects using either. Homestudy students who wish to qualify for the final exam and certificate can request a BP Homestudy Completion Card from the FPMT Education Department or the center.

The requirements are met and assessed in the following ways:

1. Test at Completion of Subjects:
   either: to use the tests included in the homestudy packages - honor system. Test and BP Homestudy Completion Card are sent to FPMT Basic Program homestudy assessor; the signed completion card is returned if the test is passed.
   or: to participate in the completion-of-subject test at/of the center; the BP Homestudy Completion Card is signed by the Center Director or BP teacher

2. (One/three) month lamrim retreat (ideally at the completion of the Basic Program studies):
   either: independently - honor system; the BP Homestudy Completion Card is signed by the student
   or: in a center; the BP Homestudy Completion Card is signed by the Center Director or BP teacher

3. Final Exam:
   either: independently - honor system. Exam and BP Homestudy Completion Card are sent to the FPMT BP Homestudy assessor; the signed completion card is returned if the exam is passed.
   or: to attend an FPMT BP Final Exam in a center - the BP Homestudy Completion Card is signed by the Center Director or BP teacher

4. Conduct & Practice:
   The Basic Program Conduct & Practice Info sheet explains how this element of the BP has developed, including Lama Zopa Rinpoche's comments on the need for this - honor system.

5. Meditation:
   either: independently - honor system (by keeping a weekly meditation record)
   or: by attending BP practice days/retreats per subject at BP centers - honor system (by keeping a record of attendance)

The FPMT Basic Program Homestudy Completion Certificate is awarded by the FPMT Education Department upon presentation of the signed Basic Program Homestudy Completion Card, indicating successful completion of all the components of the program.

Centers wishing to offer their BP homestudy students the option to qualify for the FPMT BP Homestudy Completion Certificate need to provide the following: a test and answer key, including the honor system statement, as part of each homestudy module; an assessor to mark these tests and sign the BP Homestudy completion cards; and the BP conduct & practice info sheet.

Centers do not issue Basic Program homestudy completion certificates.

Homestudy students are invited to participate as much as possible in Basic Program retreats and practice days offered at centers. Please check with your nearest center. You will find the centers offering the BP listed at http://www.fpmt.org/education/bpdescription.asp

Further support for FPMT BP Homestudy students is offered in the form of an online bulletin board for students to converse with each other as well as elders who can field questions on the various subjects. The FPMT BP homestudy packages include instructions to receive an invitation for joining the bulletin board.

For more information please contact the FPMT Education Department education@fpmt.org.