The Spark
of Joy
Geshe Michael Roach
Kyoto, Japan
December 1-7, 2024
IN-PERSON & ONLINE RETREAT
The Spark of Joy
A celebration of 14 years on the Steps on the Path
Come celebrate with us in Kyoto, Japan, as we conclude fourteen years of study of the Steps on the Path, "Liberation Thrust into the Palm of Your Hand," led by Geshe Michael Roach. This special event in Kyoto will highlight all of our hard work, with seven days of profound teachings, special classes & workshops, and joyous celebrations.
On December 1-7, 2024, allow us to take you on an adventure unlike any other as we offer you more than just a teaching event. It is an experience that will change your life. Experience the blissful tranquility of Kyoto, Japan, through meditation and daily classes with Geshe Michael Roach and other ACI teachers. We extend this invitation to you in person or online.
Having just finished a deep explanation of the Perfection of Giving, this final chapter of Pabongka Rinpoche’s Steps on the Path will explore the Perfections of Ethics, Patience and Joyful Effort. It is fitting for us to end here, as we will learn all the qualities that a Bodhisattva must undertake in all their activities in the world: how to bring joy to their efforts to care for all living beings. It is through making efforts in understanding the depths of karma and its consequences that a surge of insatiable energy will emerge that only seeks to do activities that have the highest of benefits.
Importantly too, we will learn how to plant the seeds for this spontaneous joy to rise around us and help us lead others in projects of compassion for those in need. Our goal at ACI is not only to teach this foundational wisdom, but to also inspire us all to be living examples of care and service in our communities.
What’s Included
in Your In Person package
Ultimate Retreat Package:
(Hotel included)
7- Day retreat with 6 nights of accommodation
Breakfast
Geshe Michael Classes
Friendships and lifelong connections
Wisdom For Daily Life
ACI Master Series / Meditations
Special talk on the last day with Geshe Michael Roach
SPECIAL Retreat Package:
(Hotel not included)
sold out
Geshe Michael Classes
Friendships and lifelong connections
Wisdom For Daily Life
ACI Master Series / Meditations
Special talk on the last day with Geshe Michael Roach
News Flash!
Cancellations
Opportunities!
We've had some cancellations, and we can now offer last-minute, in-person opportunities for full packages to attend The Spark of Joy in Kyoto, Dec. 1-7!
We want you to come! Talk to us about your needs and we will do everything possible to make it happen. Don't wait, places are going fast.
Act now.
What you get:
Full package: Stay at the ACE Hotel in Kyoto and see Geshe Michael Roach live and in-person.
Ticket: $1,099
Hotel: $1,550.96 - $2,369.04 (Depending on Room Type)Scholarship package: Stay at the ACE Hotel in Kyoto at full price, and get a scholarship to attend the event, live and in-person! We have a sponsor and now have many scholarships available for last-minute registrants only! Reach out via Telegram to @AlonaSt for European time zones, @PachiCoquet for the Americas, and @BrianMendoza for Asian time zones with any questions you have or to discuss options. Or email us at programs@asianclassicsinstitute.org.
Ticket: $1,099 (Scholarship - Let us know how much you need!)
Hotel: $1,550.96 - $2,369.04 (Depending on Room Type)Miracle package: If you came here because you heard about the Miracle package, we discovered that we still have some open seating in the main room with Geshe Michael and friends. See the two above options that are now available!
Installment payment options are available for all packages, just ask.
ACE Hotel
Check in - DEC 1
check out - Dec 7
King Room
Standard King
(Price for 1 person)
Ticket: $1,099
Hotel: $2,209
Standard King
(Price for 2 persons)
Ticket: $2,198
Hotel: $2,369
Twin Room
*(Price per person) May request roommate or ACI will assign
Deluxe Twin
SOLD OUT
Standard Twin
SOLD OUT
Historic Twin
TICKET: $1,099
HOtel: $1,551
Spaces are limited for this live Kyoto lifetime experience to maintain an intimate experience for attendees. Make sure you reserve your spot ahead of time. Even if you cannot visit us in person, we are excited to announce that we will provide online access to the event so that anyone can participate from the comfort of their own home.
ROOM DESCRIPTIONS
-
Standard King rooms have a king-size bed, window seats, a Tivoli radio and a turntable by TEAC. All rooms feature original artwork by Samiro Yunoki and a custom Pendleton blanket. Some rooms include a Gibson guitar. Bathrooms feature slate tiles and natural ash wood ceilings plus a soaking tub and separate shower.
-
Standard Twin rooms have two double beds, a Tivoli radio and window seats; some have garden views. Bathrooms feature slate tiles and natural ash wood ceilings and come with a soaking tub and separate shower. All rooms feature original artwork by Samiro Yunoki and a custom Pendleton blanket; some rooms have a TEAC turntable, some rooms have a Gibson guitar.
-
Deluxe Twin rooms come with two double beds, your own private balcony and a Tivoli radio. Bathrooms feature slate tiles and natural ash wood ceilings plus a soaking tub and separate shower. All rooms feature original artwork by Samiro Yunoki and a custom Pendleton blanket. TEAC turntables and Gibson guitars are available in some rooms.
-
Historic Twin rooms live in the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office building and feature two double beds, double vanity and a separate living area. Bathrooms feature slate tiles and natural ash wood ceilings and come with a soaking tub and separate shower. All Historic Twins have a Tivoli radio, original artwork by Samiro Yunoki and a custom Pendleton blanket; most have a TEAC turntable.
Mission:
Possibles
One of the primary activities during the event will be called Mission: Possibles. You will be invited to find sparks of joy in Kyoto itself, where the teachings themselves come alive in our real lives. We will take these “Sparks” in our classes to both rejoice in creating the vision of being living Bodhisattvas and to plant the seeds for compassion, care and service to help bring an end to some of the greatest sufferings of our time.
The conclusion of the teachings on The Steps on the Path, will of course not be an ending, but a beginning of a new era of ACI teachings in the world. Geshe Michael will follow this 14-year study with an in-depth exploration of emptiness, from Je Tsongkapa’s Illumination of the True Thought, the greatest book on emptiness ever written. His new translation of Tsongkapa’s seminal work will become the authoritative guide to how we can truly understand how our world works and how we can become messengers of peace and compassion with this ancient wisdom.
online retreat packages
Donation
Gold
All classes with Geshe Michael Roach
Special Master Classes: Essential Steps on the Path
Special Q&A sessions
Diamond
All classes with Geshe Michael Roach
Special Master Classes: Essential Steps on the Path
Special Q&A sessions
Morning meditation sessions
A special instruction booklet on celebrating the Lama Chupa
30 Days Access to Special Event "Organize Your Mind, Organize Your World" with Geshe Michael Roach and Japan's world-famous organizing expert, Marie Kondo
Access to video recordings of select Steps on the Path master classes in Kyoto from 2022 and 2023
All classes with Geshe Michael Roach
ACI
Master
Series
Finally, during this event, ACI will launch its full teacher certification program, where we will be providing you with all the different skills it takes to be a force of change in the world. Not only will we be continuing with our trainings in how to teach the original foundation courses (15 courses based on the five great books of Buddhism, taught in the Geshe curriculums of the monastic systems), we will also be launching training certifications in the areas of core competencies that any teacher of the ancient wisdom needs: Meditation, Retreat, Lam Rim & Lojong, and Diamond Way.
Each of these areas will no only have extensive course work and training in order to create individual experts in each of these core areas, but we will also create a path to ACI Mastery where those who have successfully completed training, practice and demonstrate mastery in all five areas will receive special recognition for their time, efforts, and successes in living the ACI teachings.
During this event in Kyoto, we will be giving you a taste of these trainings, what to expect as well as to develop some key insights into your own practice and how you would like to share your wisdom with the world.
Why Kyoto?
Kyoto, Japan, is a city that captivates visitors with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Renowned as the heart of traditional Japan, Kyoto offers an immersive experience that takes travelers back in time. One of the primary reasons to visit Kyoto is its abundance of ancient temples, shrines, and traditional wooden houses. The city boasts 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the iconic Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and the serene Ryoan-ji Temple with its famous rock garden. Walking through Kyoto's historic districts, such as Gion and Higashiyama, provides a glimpse into the past with their preserved architecture and narrow, cobblestone streets.
Kyoto's spiritual history is another compelling reason to visit. As the former imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years, Kyoto has been a significant center of Japanese Buddhism and Shintoism. The city is home to some of the country's most important religious sites, such as Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that create a mesmerizing path up the mountain. Kyoto's temples and shrines are not just places of worship but also centers of tranquility and reflection. The Zen gardens, tea ceremonies, and traditional practices offer visitors a chance to experience the deep spiritual roots that have shaped Japanese culture.
Moreover, Kyoto's seasonal beauty adds to its allure. Each season brings a different charm to the city: the cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and serene snow-covered landscapes in winter. This ever-changing scenery enhances the experience of visiting Kyoto's temples, gardens, and historical sites. Whether it's participating in a traditional tea ceremony, exploring the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, or simply strolling through the picturesque streets, Kyoto provides a serene and enriching experience that resonates with both the soul and the senses.
Finally, ACI is establishing Kyoto as its home in Asia, offering regular classes and events throughout the year to serve our ever growing community of practitioners and friends in Asia. With the historical significance of Kyoto to Buddhism as well as its serene beauty, all this makes this city a wonderful new home for the teachings of this ancient wisdom.
Daily Schedule
The schedule may be subject to change
7:00 AM - Meditation (just for participants who stay in ACE Hotel Kyoto)
8:00 AM - ACI Master Classes
10:00 am Yoga
12:30 PM - Mission: Possibles
4:00 PM - Geshe Michael Roach Class
5:45 PM - Geshe Michael Roach Class
ABOUT GESHE MICHAEL ROACH
Geshe Michael Roach grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was an honors student with an interest in religion and social issues. He was awarded a scholarship to Princeton University and after graduation he went to study and live at Rashi Gempil Ling, with Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin. In 1995 he completed his studies with Khen Rinpoche and at Sera Monastery in India, and became the first American to be awarded the Geshe degree. While completing this work, he also developed and taught the seven-year ACI Foundations Study Program, which parallels the same core information taught at the Tibetan Buddhist monastery. That original program of 18 courses captures the essence of the six Great Books of Buddhism, as a means to train the next generations of western Buddhist teachers. Asian Classics Institute began with the mission to provide the recordings online, live teachings and by correspondence for anyone who would like to pursue these studies.
WE TRULY APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE!
By joining us for the Steps on the Path retreat, you're not only investing in your own spiritual growth but also supporting the continuation of these precious teachings.
As a not-for-profit organization, we also are asking for financial support to make this event as affordable as possible for anyone to attend. With your help, we can offer scholarships and work-study positions.
Additionally, we have sponsorship opportunities to cover major expenses during the event:
Ceremonies (offering to the teachers)
Goal: $2,000Technology fees (like equipment, zoom fees, and dedicated staff)
Goal: $5,000Teacher support (food and transportation as ACI teachers, including Geshe Michael do not get paid for their teaching services)
Goal: $28,786Scholarships (for online attendance and in-person)
Goal: $15,000