Emptiness
Meditations
With Venerable Utpala
Retreat I
Jan 17–Jan 26
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?
News Flash!
Special session
On Wednesday, January 22, at 7:30 a.m. Arizona time, there will be a special Prayers for the People prayer session led by our beloved Lama Sarahni! You are specially invited to attend and add your thoughts and prayers to help people who need you around the world.
upcoming
EVENTS & STUDY
YEAR ROUND
BRINGING
WISDOM TO LIFE
Join us! Improve your life and the lives of those around you, and make the world a better place for everyone.
conversations
with master
shantideva
This is more than just a series of sessions–it is an invitation to a journey of self-discovery and spiritual enrichment.Jan & Feb
The Heart Sutra Module
With
Sarahni Stumpf
Online Practice Module
Dec 13 - Jan 27
Meditation Retreat
With
Ven. Gyelse
New Year Retreat
Dec 29–Jan 3
Emptiness Meditations
With
Ven. Utpala (Bets Greer)
Retreat I
Jan 17–Jan 26
april
A NEW BEGINNING:
THE FIVE HOUSES
A Deep Retreat Experience
WITH
geshe michael roach
In person & Online
Diamond mountain
retreat center
April 17 - April 27
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
Taught by Word Smith
Jan 1 - Jul 28ACI COURSE 13: THE ART OF REASONING
Taught by Timothy Lowenhaupt
Jan 2 - Feb 4LIVING LAM RIM IV
Taught by Timothy Lowenhaupt
Jan 2 - Feb 4ACI COURSE 4: PROOF OF FUTURE LIVES
Taught by Rache Lim
Jan 16 - 23ACI COURSE 5: HOW KARMA WORKS
Taught by Inna Ivanina & Bill McMichael
Jan 17 - Feb 16ACI COURSE 13: THE ART OF REASONING
Taught by Ven. Sarahni Stumpf
Jan 17 - Feb 16LAM RIM STEPS ON THE PATH
Taught by Venerable Sumati Stumpf
Starting Jan 17thOPEN CLASS: HOW TO CREATE EVERYTHING FROM NOTHING
With Bill McMichael and Inna Ivanina
Jan 17ACI COURSE 7: THE BODHISATTVA VOWS
Taught by Venerable Sarahni Stumpf
Morning Group: Jan 19 - Feb 23
Evening Group: Feb 17 - Mar 24ACI COURSE 7: THE BODHISATTVA VOWS
Taught by Venerable Sumati Stumpf
Jan 20 - Mar 6PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
by Venerable Sarahni Stumpf
Jan 22 -
ACI COURSE 1: THE PRINCIPAL TEACHINGS OF BUDDHISM
Taught by Venerable Utpala
Feb 3 - Mar 6YSI BHAGAVAD GITA
Taught by Geshe Michael Roach
Feb 6 - Feb 9
Sedona, AZACI COURSE 16: THE GREAT IDEAS OF BUDDHISM, PART I
Taught by Earle Birney
Feb 18 - Mar 21PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
By Christina Knoff
Feb 12 -
ACI COURSE 16: THE GREAT IDEAS OF BUDDHISM, PART I
Taught by Silvia Engelhardt
Mar 6 - Mar 9PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
By Aldo Arzápalo
Mar 11ACI COURSE 8: DEATH AND THE REALMS OF EXISTANCE
Taught by Venerable Sarahni Stumpf
Schedule TBD -
FIVE HOUSES:
CLASSICS HOUSE
Foundation Level 4
Taught by Timothy Lowenhaupt
April 2 - April 7
Kyoto, JapanA NEW BEGINNING: THE FIVE HOUSES
A Deep Retreat Experience
Taught by Geshe Michael Roach
April 17 - April 27
Diamond Mountain Retreat CenterACI COURSE 3: APPLIED MEDITATION
Taught by Venerable Utpala
Apr 23 - May 23ACI COURSE 14: LOJONG, DEVELOPING THE GOOD HEART
Taught by Timothy Lowenhaupt
April 28 - June 2
LIVING LAM RIM V
Taught by Timothy Lowenhaupt
April 28 - June 2ACI COURSE 8: DEATH AND THE REALMS OF EXISTANCE
Taught by Venerable Sumati Stumpf
Schedule TBDPRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBD -
CLASSICS HOUSE:
TEACHER TRAINING LEVEL 8
Online
May 2 - June 12PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBDSIDDHARTHA SESSIONS
Taught by Timothy Lowenhaupt
Schedule TBD -
FIVE HOUSES:
CLASSICS HOUSE
Foundation Level 5
Taught by Timothy Lowenhaupt
June 11 - 15
Kyoto - JapanFIVE HOUSES LAUNCH TOUR
June 20 - July 14
EuropePRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBDACI COURSE 9: THE ETHICAL LIFE
Taught by Venerable Sarahni Stumpf
Schedule TBDACI COURSE 6: THE DIAMOND-CUTTER SUTRA
Taught by Inna Ivanina & Bill McMichael
Schedule TBD -
ACI COURSE 9: THE ETHICAL LIFE
Taught by Venerable Sumati Stumpf
Jul 7 - Sep 11FIVE HOUSES:
WISDOM IN THE TIMES OF CHAOS
Taught by Geshe Michael Roach
Jul 18 - 20
CDMX, MexicoPRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBD -
ACI COURSE 10: A GUIDE TO THE BODHISATTVA’S WAY OF LIFE, PART 1 by Venerable Sarahni Stumpf
Schedule TBDACI COURSE 6: THE DIAMOND-CUTTER SUTRA
Taught by Venerable Utpala
Aug 27 - Sept 26PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBD -
ACI COURSE 15: WHAT THE BUDDHA REALLY MEANT
Taught by Timothy Lowenhaupt
Sept 4 - Oct 2LIVING LAM RIM VI
Taught by Timothy Lowenhaupt
Sept 4 - Oct 2CLASSICS HOUSE:
TEACHER TRAINING LEVEL 9
Online
Sept 6 - Oct 17YSI BHAGAVAD GITA
Taught by Geshe Michael Roach
Sept 10 - 15
Sedona, AZPRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBD -
FIVE HOUSES:
INTENSIVE + PERSONAL RETREAT
Taught by Geshe Michael Roach
Oct 24 - Nov 2
Phoenix, AZACI COURSE 7: THE BODHISATTVA VOWS
Taught by Inna Ivanina & Bill McMichael
Schedule TBDACI COURSE 7: THE BODHISATTVA VOWS
Taught by Venerable Utpala
Oct 29 - Nov 28PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBD -
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
Schedule & Teacher TBD -
FIVE HOUSES:
A DIAMOND IN KYOTO
Dec 11 - 16
Kyoto, JapanACI COURSE 15: WHAT THE BUDDHA REALLY MEANT
Taught by Venerable Utpala
Dec 31 - Jan 30PRAYERS 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.
