THE FIVE HOUSES
A DIAMOND
IN KYOTO
Door to the Diamond Way 4
ASIAN CLASSICS INSTITUTE MAKES THE FOUNDATIONAL, PROFOUND, AND TRANSFORMATIONAL TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA AVAILABLE TO THE WORLD IN AN ACCURATE, ACCESSIBLE AND RELEVANT WAY
Stewards of classical Asian traditions in the lineage of Je Tsongkapa, we train teachers; produce teaching events; archive original works; and translate and distribute these materials worldwide
Geshe Michael
has a dream for 2030.
If you want to know more…
Join the 30/30/30 Ambassador Program
Prayers for the People
Do you ever have a crisis or experience the death of a loved one and feel absolutely helpless? Do you ever have a joyful special event in your life and want to do something extra to celebrate?
We offer regular weekly sessions (English only) with our volunteer prayer team, and monthly sessions in five languages led by an ACI teacher or advanced practitioner.
On Tuesday, November 19, at 7:30 a.m. Arizona time, our monthly Prayers for the People prayer session will be led by Silvia Engelhardt, a certified ACI teacher. You are invited to attend and add your thoughts and prayers to help people who need you around the world.
upcoming
EVENTS & STUDY
November
ACI 10: A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, Part I
with
Venerable Sumati
Online Course
November 6 – December 18
The Diamond Revolution
with Timothy Lowenhaupt & Hector Marcel
Live Webinar
November 4, 2025
🕖 7:00 AM AZ | 9:00 AM NYC
A quiet revolution is unfolding, one that begins inside the mind. Join Hector Marcel and Timothy Lowenhaupt for an electrifying conversation about how Diamond Wisdom is reshaping the way we lead, create, and connect. This webinar is an invitation to step into a new kind of leadership rooted in timeless principles and designed for a rapidly changing world.
Next event with Geshe Michael Roach
THE FIVE HOUSES
A DIAMOND
IN KYOTO
DOOR TO THE DIAMOND WAY 4
In-person & Online
DECember 11-15, 2025
KYOTO, JAPAN
THE POWER OF A
GOOD HEART
18 Powerful Meditations to Develop a Good Heart
Want to develop a good heart?
Join our meditation program!
ACI Schedule 2025
-
DAILY STUDY GROUPS
with Word Smith
Jan 1 – Jul 28ACI 13: THE ART OF REASONING
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
Jan 2 – Feb 4LIVING LAM RIM IV
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
Jan 2 – Feb 4ACI 4: PROOF OF FUTURE LIVES
with Rache Lim
Jan 16 – Apr 23ACI 5: HOW KARMA WORKS
with Inna Ivanina & Bill McMichael
Jan 17 – Feb 16ACI 13: THE ART OF REASONING
with Ven. Sarahni Stumpf
Jan 17 – Feb 16LAM RIM STEPS ON THE PATH
with Venerable Sumati Stumpf
Starting Jan 17thOPEN CLASS: HOW TO CREATE EVERYTHING FROM NOTHING
with Bill McMichael and Inna Ivanina
Jan 17ACI 7: THE BODHISATTVA VOWS
with Venerable Sarahni Stumpf
Morning Group: Jan 19 – Feb 23
Evening Group: Feb 17 – Mar 24ACI 7: THE BODHISATTVA VOWS
with Venerable Sumati Stumpf
Jan 20 – Mar 6PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
with Venerable Sarahni Stumpf
Jan 22 -
ACI 1: THE PRINCIPAL TEACHINGS OF BUDDHISM
with Venerable Utpala
February 3 – March 6YSI BHAGAVAD GITA
with Geshe Michael Roach
February 6 – February 9
Sedona, AZACI 16: THE GREAT IDEAS OF BUDDHISM, PART I
with Earle Birney
February 18 – March 21PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
with Christina Knopf
February 12 -
ACI 14: LOJONG, DEVELOPING THE GOOD HEART
with Venerable Gyelse
March 4 – April 3ACI 16: THE GREAT IDEAS OF BUDDHISM, PART I
with Silvia Engelhardt
March 6 – March 9PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
with Aldo Arzápalo
March 12ACI 8: DEATH AND THE REALMS OF EXISTENCE
with Sarahni Stumpf
March 23 - May 12ACI 5: CÓMO FUNCIONA EL KARMA (SPANISH)
with LucÃa Pichardo & SofÃa Arellano
March 10 - May 26 -
FIVE HOUSES:
CLASSICS HOUSE
Foundation Level 4
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
April 3 – April 7
TaiwanA NEW BEGINNING: THE FIVE HOUSES
A Deep Retreat Experience
with Geshe Michael Roach and others
April 17 – April 27
Diamond Mountain Retreat CenterACI COURSE 8: DEATH AND THE REALMS OF EXISTENCE
with Sarahni Stumpf
March 23 – May 12ACI 3: APPLIED MEDITATION
with Venerable Utpala
April 30 – May 30ACI 14: LOJONG, DEVELOPING THE GOOD HEART
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
April 28 – June 2
LIVING LAM RIM V
Your Own Personal Emptiness: The Quick Path to Wisdom
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
April 28 – June 2ACI 8: DEATH AND THE REALMS OF EXISTENCE
with Venerable Sumati Stumpf
April 7 – June 9, 2025PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
with Alejandra Jasso
April 2ACI’S CLASSICS HOUSE: TEACHER ASSISTANT TRAINING 8
Online
April 12 - April 13 -
ACI’S CLASSICS HOUSE: TEACHER TRAINING 8
Online
May 2 – June 27ACI 3: APPLIED MEDITATION
with Venerable Utpala
Apr 30 – May 30PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
with Alix Rowland
May 21ACI 6: EL SUTRA DEL CORTADOR DE DIAMANTES (SPANISH)
with LucÃa Pichardo & SofÃa Arellano
May 26 – Aug 11ACI 14: LOJONG, DEVELOPING THE GOOD HEART
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
April 28 – June 2
LIVING LAM RIM V
Your Own Personal Emptiness: The Quick Path to Wisdom
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
April 28 – June 2 -
FIVE HOUSES:
CLASSICS HOUSE
Foundation Level 5
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
June 11 – 15
Kyoto, JapanFIVE HOUSES LAUNCH TOUR
June 20 – July 14
EuropePRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
with Venerable Sunam
June 18ACI 17: THE GREAT IDEAS OF BUDDHISM, PART 2
with Venerable Gyelse
June 5 – July 8ACI 9: THE ETHICAL LIFE
with Venerable Sumati Stumpf
July 7 – September 11ACI 6: THE DIAMOND-CUTTER SUTRA
with Inna Ivanina & Bill McMichael
June 28 – August 3ACI 5: HOW KARMA WORKS
with Venerable Utpala
June 25 – July 25ACI 13: THE ART OF REASONING
with Markus Zahrl, Eva Balzer, Christina Knopf, Peter Mörtl
June 6 – June 8 live, plus online weekend June 20 – June 22
Vienna, Austria -
ACI 9: THE ETHICAL LIFE
with Venerable Sumati Stumpf
July 7 – September 11ACI 6: THE DIAMOND-CUTTER SUTRA
with Inna Ivanina & Bill McMichael
June 28 – August 3FIVE HOUSES:
WISDOM IN THE TIMES OF CHAOS
with Geshe Michael Roach and others
July 18 – 21
Mexico City, MexicoACI 5: HOW KARMA WORKS
with Venerable Utpala
June 25 – July 25PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
with Earle Birney
July 16DIAMOND WAY CATCH UP COURSE 1
July 11 – 13 -
ACI 6: THE DIAMOND-CUTTER SUTRA
with Venerable Utpala
August 27 - September 26ACI 5: HOW KARMA WORKS
with Rache Lim
August 14 – November 13PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBDACI 7: LOS VOTOS DE BODHISATTVA (SPANISH)
with LucÃa Pichardo & SofÃa Arellano
August 18 - October 20 -
ACI 15: WHAT THE BUDDHA REALLY MEANT
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
September 4 – October 9LIVING LAM RIM VI
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
September 4 – October 9YSI BHAGAVAD GITA
with Geshe Michael Roach
September 10 – 15
Sedona, AZMAHAMUDRA
with Venerable Gyelse
September 18 – October 2ACI 5: HOW KARMA WORKS
with Rache Lim
August 14 – November 13PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
with Alex Rivas
September 24, at 7:30 a.m. Arizona time -
THE ESSENCE OF A MAGICAL LIFE / DOOR TO THE DIAMOND WAY 3
with Geshe Michael Roach and others
Oct 24 - Nov 2
Phoenix, AZACI 5: HOW KARMA WORKS
with Rache Lim
August 14 – November 13ACI 15: WHAT THE BUDDHA REALLY MEANT
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
September 4 – October 9LIVING LAM RIM VI
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
September 4 – October 9PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBDACI 14: LOJONG, DEVELOPING THE GOOD HEART
with Markus Zahrl, Eva Balzer, Christina Knopf
Oct 3 - Oct 5 live, plus 5 weekly online classes
Vienna, AustriaACI 8: LA MUERTE Y LOS REINOS DE LA EXISTENCIA (SPANISH)
with LucÃa Pichardo & SofÃa Arellano
Oct 27 - Dec 15 -
ACI 5: HOW KARMA WORKS
with Rache Lim
August 14 – November 13ACI 7: THE BODHISATTVA VOWS
with Venerable Utpala
November 5 – December 5ACI 10: A GUIDE TO THE BODHISATTVA’S WAY OF LIFE, PART 1with Venerable Sarahni Stumpf
November 6 – December 18ACI 16: THE GREAT IDEAS OF BUDDHISM, PART 1
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
November 9 – March 8PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
with Silvia Engelhardt
November 19, at 7:30 a.m. Arizona time -
THE FIVE HOUSES:
A DIAMOND IN KYOTO
with Geshe Michael Roach and others
December 11 – 15
Kyoto, JapanACI 7: THE BODHISATTVA VOWS
with Venerable Utpala
November 5 – December 5ACI 16: THE GREAT IDEAS OF BUDDHISM, PART 1
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
November 9 – March 8ACI 15: WHAT THE BUDDHA REALLY MEANT
with Venerable Utpala
Dec 31 - Jan 30ACI 10: A GUIDE TO THE BODHISATTVA’S WAY OF LIFE, PART 1with Venerable Sarahni Stumpf
November 6 – December 18PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBD
ACI ONLINE STUDENT PLATFORM
We have finally achieved the goal of creating our own multilingual Online Student Platform. From now on, any student will be able to take our ACI Foundational Courses from certified ACI teachers in their own language, and from their own homes.
So far, and with the generous help of translators, we are bringing you many courses in English, Spanish, Romanian, German, Russian, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Ukrainian, as well as Mandarin and Cantonese.
In this online platform, students will have access to class videos, readings, homeworks, and exams. They will also be able to find extra material that complements the study of these courses.
PROGRAMS
TEACHER TRAINING AND ACCREDITATION
The ACI Teacher Accreditation Program commenced in 2019, and will help to expand our offerings for trainings in ACI content, in our upcoming practice studios, and on how to run a retreat program around the world.
TRANSLATION
More than 200,000 pages of brilliant commentary have been composed by masters and scholars in ancient scriptural languages. The aim of this program is to create and guide a team of students to translate these great classics into English, and from there into other modern languages such as modern Chinese, Spanish, German, and Russian. Translation into other languages will follow.
FOREIGN STUDY
Since 2004, the Foreign Study Program, started by Geshe Michael Roach, has sent over 50 students to a number of institutions abroad to study ancient languages and culture. Previous program participants are now active in translating and teaching this material. Students who cannot afford to go on their own receive scholarships for airfare as well as for room and board.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
ACI's mission includes putting the teachings into practice and taking them out into our communities to directly serve others. In Arizona, there are many immigrants who struggle to make a living and to gain access to education. ACI supports programs to help the children of immigrants with language instruction, funding for higher education initiatives, and other support programs in underserved communities.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Our goal is to make the teachings accessible to everyone, regardless of financial capacity. Each year, we support many students on full and partial scholarships. Up to 25% of the participants in our programs benefit from the many types of grants we offer.
DIGITAL ARCHIVES
The digital archives are an active collection of audio and video recordings of teachings by Geshe Michael Roach and his teachers, along with his translations of and commentaries on scriptures created by the great masters. All of this material is freely available for download on this website and on our sister site, The Knowledge Base.
