Discovering Buddhism at Home: Statements of Appreciation

Thank you to everyone on this DB@H group for helping each other and all Sentient Beings to learn and grow in the Dharma, and for seeking Enlightenment to Benefit all Sentient Beings. And finally I thank all Sentient Beings for all the kindness I've been shown through countless lives. I'm forever in all of your debt!

As for the benefit I am receiving from the program: I wish I could express it in words. I keep asking myself what can I do to express my appreciation and gratitude. For now, all I can do is keep practicing and hope one day I will Honor the foundation the way Lama Thubten Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and everyone else at the foundation have Honored Lord Buddha.

I've been following along the DBAH discussion board for the past months and trying to practice as best I can informally, BUT I'm just re-commiting myself to formal study of the course, beginning with refreshing my study of modules 3-6.  I hope to be passing along assessments promptly for those modules, and I'm very excited that TY is still available to mentor those of us who started back in the beginning stages. The main reason I wanted to write today, though, is because I've just received Modules 7 and 8 in the mail.  Wow, am I impressed with the new 2006 format!  It's really wonderful.  I was just delighted.  The course has always been wonderful; now it is even more portable.

finding the program of great benefit.  It took me a while with the assessment as initially I put it in the too hard basket.  Finally went over the module more thoroughly to gain a deeper understanding.   Plus of course it takes time to think about and apply what is learnt.  Doing the assessment questions takes the learning to another level doesn't it?

One of the good features of  DB@H is that it "keeps my feet to the fire" with regard to my developing study and practice.  I have read plenty over the last 40 years but DB@H is helping me bring the dharma together in a very real way in my life versus assuming I understand.

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my deep appreciation for having made this course available to students in a distance-learning format.  Discovering Buddhism is well laid out and very easy to follow, which makes it a real joy to study!  Thank you!

I am not sure how else to show my appreciation for everything you have done for me.  This is an incredibly wonderful gift----your organization, the Buddhist teachings, and the teachers who transmit the wisdom.

I am truly enjoying the second module and I look forward to immersing myself in the others. This course is a wonderful mix of structure and freedom. Often I tend to feel the need to perfect my understanding before I am willing to move on. I recently made the determination to discipline myself, accept that I will make mistakes (which is what discussion and guidance are there to remedy) and actually work through the modules.

Oh yes, I am definately benefitting from my studies. These teachings are just too amazing. The one benefit, which I think I can already at this point mention, is a certain change of my general outlook towards life and my position in it. And I am curious to find out what more may happen .... But I will keep it as they say in South Africa: 
Slowly, slowly catch the monkey.

The reason I am writing is simply to convey to you that I have never regretted for one second finding FPMT and joining in this wonderful community and course of study, reflection, and now dialogue vis a vis the message list.

The FPMT also provides things like lectures and talks, even mantras and other recordings, available on the Internet at the main web sites which really help me out ... since we live in a very isolated forest up on a mountainside with very few people, and no other dharma sangha resources that I could find anway.

There is a fantastic, wonderful, and incredible introduction in the form of the Discovering Buddhism at home CD course and then there is the Homestudy course itself, which is a separate program.

All that said ... how wonderful to discover people from all over the world here, on this relatively new elist and in this engaging, helpful, and insightful e-sangha.

What a joy to be part of this fantastic study group. Ted and I have only just commenced the FPMT BP Homestudy and must admit it was a few months ago that our folder arrived prompting our attention, however, the feeling of isolation and the old excuse of "I'll do it later, too busy now", plagued us both. Amazingly, just this little bit of e-contact has given us so much inspiration.

Isolated and wanting to continue our Buddhist studies, I found the FPMT website, another step forward in our quest to realization.

I'm rather new to Buddhism and obtained a copy of the FPMT Basic Program Homestudy on the Heart Sutra. I selected this since I understand it is one of the most fundamental concepts of Buddhism.

I know that it would be best to receive teachings directly from a master in person but that is not practical in my situation. I'm hoping this group will close some of the gaps (perhaps open new ones to be traversed) in my search. If all goes well, I'd like to expand my training into more formal instruction.

I began studying the BP Homestudy program (BPHP) approximately 18 months ago. I.see it as an essential vehicle, especially now that I have no immediate Sangha.

I look forward to being part of this sangha and I am deeply grateful to everyone, especially the teacher, for being here and making available the wisdom of the sangha and the teachings.

This course continues to amaze me!