Committed Practitioners Programme

The course

The Buddha envisaged a path that led directly to its culmination in a deeply ‘embodied’ understanding of the Four Ennobling Truths (ariya sacca) and the freedom entailed in such a realisation. Such a path addressed every dimension of a human being’s existence by pulling together the various facets of their personality – emotions, intellect, reason, passion and energy – and directed them at the consummation of the goal. 

The 2016-17 CPP Sangha

The Committed Practitioners Programme (CPP) is an integrated approach to the study and practice of the Dharma that is rooted in the Buddha’s teaching of the path to liberation. The opportunity to 1) study the texts (pariyatti), 2) develop and cultivate our experiential understanding of the teaching (patipatti) and investigate how they apply to our meditation practice and daily life, 3) understand what is meant by realisation (pativedha), and 4) learn and practice together with like-minded people, developing community over an extended period of time, orients the programme.  

CPP offers a number of different, yet interwoven strands within its framework – teaching, discussion, community, reflection and investigations applied in our daily lives. All participants will have previous experience with Dharma practice and a working knowledge of core Buddhist concepts. The programme is an opportunity for students to learn and practice together. One of the intentions of this two year programme is to encourage participants to embed the teaching in every area of their lives. 

Modules 

The six modules are held at  ITC Naarden in Holland,  and offer an in-depth exploration of the teachings of the Buddha. These modules include sustained blocks of teachings and discussion, delivered in English. Times for questions and several sittings each day are scheduled. There are periods of silence during two of the meals each day. Modules begin with dinner on the first evening and after lunch on the final day. The modules offer plenty of opportunity for the programme participants to interact and are intended to foster community as well as peer relationships. 

Retreats 

The two retreats are held at  Beatenberg retreat centre in Switzerland. Both week-long retreats have a study practice format, and are held in silence apart from the teaching sessions. 

Continuing investigations 

There is a regular assignment of Dharma themes to investigate and apply in the periods between modules. Selected reading is encouraged, but the most significant step is to reflect upon the reading and explore and apply it in your own life. 

Mentors 

Part of the CPP program is a mentoring relationship with a faculty member or an associated teacher familiar to the CPP program and its style of teaching and suggested practices. While you may already have a previously existing mentoring relationship with a Dharma teacher, you will for the duration of the CPP programme be paired with a mentor provided by the teaching faculty; this will be a teacher from the CPP faculty or someone affiliated with Bodhi College and its trainings. You are encouraged to have contact with your mentor every 6 weeks, focusing on the current course material and its practical application. We anticipate these check-ins to be half an hour in length and it is important to keep the arranged dates. 

The mentors have access to the source book, and the sessions need not be face to face. The conversations between mentor and student are to be held in confidence by both parties unless there is agreement or need to share the discussion with others. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange the mentoring sessions, and the mentoring relationship is a dāna relationship: your mentor does not receive any payment and may well be living on dāna. 

Commitment 

Fees

• Applications are only accepted upon enrolling for the full course (1.5 years).
• The course teachers will review all applications.
• Successful applicants will be notified after the deadline of 30th September at the latest.
• Due to the coronavirus outbreak, we are now offering this course at a regular rate and a supported rate; the latter is intended for those whose income has been adversely affected by the pandemic. The regular rate for the entire programme is €5300, and the supported rate is €4990. This includes accommodation, meals and a contribution towards the livelihoods of our teachers for the 6 modules. Please pay which is appropriate for your circumstance.
• NB: The two retreats at Beatenberg and the mentoring received between sessions are offered on a Dāna-basis, and there will be the opportunity to make a contribution for these offerings following each session/retreat.
• Applicants are invited to apply for our bursary fund should they need it, once their applications has been accepted. Please see the Bursary guidance on the website.
• The fee can be paid in instalments during year 1 and 2 , a schedule of payments will be sent with your confirmation of enrolment.
• Deposit due when your place is confirmed will be 30% of the overall rate.

Our pricing system  

Bodhi College offers this programme on a fixed fee basis – meaning that the fee paid covers all costs, including the venues, our overheads, travel costs and contribution towards the livelihood of our teachers. The only exceptions are the retreats at Beatenberg, which operates on a dāna structure, and the individual mentoring provided by our teachers. These are offered on a dāna basis, meaning our teachers receive no compensation other than that which is offered by the students. There will be opportunity to make your contribution at the end of each retreat and individually for your mentoring sessions.

For the rest of the course, unlike previous years, a contribution toward the living costs of the teachers is included in the price. The cost breaks down to roughly €4540 per person for course costs and a €750 teacher fee (for the 6 modules only).

If you’d like more information about our course pricing structure, please visit our website. You can also read a letter from college co-founder Stephen Batchelor, explaining the change from dāna to fee based pricing here.  

Booking and  Eligibility 

CPP requires participants to have approximately 50 days silent retreat experience. When you register, you will be asked to fill in an online application form detailing this experience and a personal statement. When you submit the application online, a place will be held for you until the application has been verified by the teachers. At this point, you will be asked to pay your deposit and this will secure your place on the course. It helps us greatly if you can complete the application online, but should you be unable, please contact the bookings administrator who will help you book onto the programme. 

Please read the Booking Conditions before booking 

Dates 

2021

• Module 1: 5–10 December – Stephen Batchelor and Akincano Weber; ITC Naarden 

2022

• Module 2: 12–17 March – Christina Feldman and Jaya Rudgard, ITC Naarden 
• Retreat 1: 7-14 May –  John Peacock and  Akincano Weber; Beatenberg 
• Module 3: 19-24 August –  Yuka Nakamura and  Akincano Weber; ITC Naarden 
• Module 4: 14-19 October – Martine Batchelor and other teacher tbc ; ITC Naarden   

2023

• Module 5: 3-8 March – Christina Feldman and Christoph Köck, ITC Naarden 
• Retreat 2: 17-24 June – Christina Feldman, Yuka Nakamura and Jaya Rudgard, Beatenberg
• Module 6: 18-23 August – Christina Feldman and Christoph Köck; ITC Naarden 

Accommodation

There are limited single rooms at our venues and, if available, they are reserved for people with the greatest medical needs. Participants must therefore enrol with the expectation to share a room or state clearly the need for a single room in the application.