Practicing the Four Foundations of Mindfulness
March 24 – April 1, 2026
9-Day Intermediate-Level Course Led by Venerable Tenzin Thegchog
The purpose of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (satipaṭṭhāna) is to gain direct insight into the nature of our body and mind and to use this wisdom to eliminate the afflictions that bind us to saṃsāra.
H.H. the Dalai Lama encourages us to engage sincerely in this practice, which allows us to better comprehend who we are, and our daily experiences. By cultivating mindfulness, introspective awareness, and wisdom based on our body, feelings, mind, and phenomena we become closely acquainted with our situation as samsaric beings. By developing this wisdom, we can free ourselves from the afflictions that perpetuate our existence in samsara, opening the path to genuine happiness.
In the Mahāyāna tradition the Four Establishments of Mindfulness are practiced not only as a method for personal insight but also as a support for the Bodhisattva path, cultivating the altruistic wish for enlightenment and insight into emptiness.
Teacher
Born in Germany, Venerable Tenzin Thegchog studied literature, psychology and philosophy in Berlin. After working in geriatric care and as a caregiver for homeless people, he became a high school teacher of German literature and philosophy.
He became acquainted with Buddhism in 1993 and practiced Vietnamese and Japanese Zen for ten years. In addition he translated books by Thich Nhat Hanh and H.H. the Dalai Lama for various publishers.
In 2015, he began studying the FPMT Masters Program in Buddhist Studies of Sutra and Tantra at Instituto Lama Tsongkhapa in Italy, and was ordained as a novice monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in the same year. He later received full ordination by H.H. the Dalai Lama.
From 2019 to 2024, Venerable Thegchog lived at Nalanda Monastery, France where he continued his studies of the Masters Program, worked as teaching assistant during a 2-year Lamrim course and helped coordinating several courses taking place at Nalanda.
Since June 2025 Venerable Thegchog is our resident teacher.
Course Details
For more information about Intermediate Courses, including a typical schedule and how to register, please see our Intermediate Course Page.