Kompletion Karma
A 15-month Comprehensive Review
ACI 16
The Great Ideas
of Buddhism,
Part I
with Timothy Lowenhaupt
Online Course
November 9–March 8, 2025
Join us in collecting the karma of completion!
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ACI 16
The Great Ideas
of Buddhism,
Part I
Asian Classics Institute's 18 Foundation Courses consist of fifteen study courses that cover the main ideas of the entire geshe program, the course of study that young monastics must complete in order to attain the geshe degree. The last three Foundation Courses—the three-part Great Ideas series—summarize all 15 of these. ACI 16, Part 1, covers the first five ACI courses: The Principal Teachings of Buddhism, Buddhist Refuge, Applied Meditation, The Proof of Future Lives, and How Karma Works.
Starting in November and continuing over the next 15 months, you’ll have the opportunity to review, complete, and integrate the entire course of study contained in the 18 foundational courses offered by the Asian Classics Institute.
This program is open to everyone, whether you are just beginning or have already studied multiple courses. It’s a perfect opportunity to review the material, connect with like-minded practitioners, and complete any missing coursework needed to move onto higher teachings.
Who is this course designed for?
Practitioners are ready to finally complete, with homeworks, quizzes and exams, all 18 ACI Foundation Courses within 15 months.
Graduates who wish to review, refresh, and strengthen their foundation for advanced study.
Those seeking structure, accountability, and supportive study groups in their own language.
Friends who value deep conversations, shared insights, and real connection.
Program Structure
Monthly Focus: Over 15 months, we will review all 15 ACI Foundation Courses through the three review courses—ACI 16, 17, and 18. Each month focuses on one Foundation Course, beginning with ACI 1 in November 2025.
Review Classes: At the beginning of each month, the teacher will lead two classes summarizing that month’s course of study.
Study Groups: During the rest of the month, students will meet in small, language-based study groups to review the classes from the full course, discuss key ideas, and complete homework and quizzes together for any courses they haven’t yet finished.
Certificates: By following this 15-month plan, students complete a comprehensive review of foundational studies of Buddhism, and receive course certificates for each Foundation Course they complete.
ACI 16
Practitioners are ready to finally complete, with homeworks, quizzes and exams, all 18 ACI Foundation Courses within 15 months.
Graduates who wish to review, refresh, and strengthen their foundation for advanced study.
Those seeking structure, accountability, and supportive study groups in their own language.
Friends who value deep conversations, shared insights, and real connection.
Who is this course designed for?
Beyond the Classroom
This review includes more than just online classes.
Retreats: Several in-person retreats will be organized in different locations around the world in 2026, allowing students to connect with the teacher, deepen relationships with their peers, and integrate the teachings more deeply into their lives.
Service: Students will learn how to seek out and perform meaningful acts of service as part of their advancement through their study of the Buddhist path.
Celebration & Exam: Upon completing ACI 18, students will participate in a traditional Maroke exam to celebrate this milestone, and amazing karma of completion, with one another.
Next Step: After completing the review series, the group will begin Diamond Way Course 1 together.
Beyond the Classroom
This review includes more than just online classes.
Retreats: Several in-person retreats will be organized in different locations around the world in 2026, allowing students to connect with the teacher, deepen relationships with their peers, and integrate the teachings more deeply into their lives.
Service: Students will learn how to seek out and perform meaningful acts of service as part of their advancement through their study of the Buddhist path.
Celebration & Exam: Upon completing ACI 18, students will participate in a traditional Maroke exam to celebrate this milestone, and amazing karma of completion, with one another.
Next Step: After completing the review series, the group will begin Diamond Way Course 1 together.
Beyond the Classroom
This review includes more than just online classes.
Retreats: Several in-person retreats will be organized in different locations around the world in 2026, allowing students to connect with the teacher, deepen relationships with their peers, and integrate the teachings more deeply into their lives.
Service: Students will learn how to seek out and perform meaningful acts of service as part of their advancement through their study of the Buddhist path.
Celebration & Exam: Upon completing ACI 18, students will participate in a traditional Maroke exam to celebrate this milestone, and amazing karma of completion, with one another.
Next Step: After completing the review series, the group will begin Diamond Way Course 1 together.
Pre-requisites:
ACI 16, 17, 18 must be taken live online, or in-person from a teacher in order to get a certificate. Students must attend all sessions and keep their cameras on if attending online to receive the certificate.
To receive a certificate of completion for ACI 16, 17, or 18, students must hold certificates for the five Foundation Courses reviewed within each corresponding review course. This review program is designed to help students complete those Foundation Courses, step-by-step, throughout the 15-month study plan.
Everyone is welcome to attend these courses without prerequisites, but only students who meet the requirements will receive a certificate of completion for ACI 16, 17, or 18.
Pre-requisites:
ACI 16, 17, 18 must be taken live online, or in-person from a teacher in order to get a certificate. Students must attend all sessions and keep their cameras on if attending online to receive the certificate.
To receive a certificate of completion for ACI 16, 17, or 18, students must hold certificates for the five Foundation Courses reviewed within each corresponding review course. This review program is designed to help students complete those Foundation Courses, step-by-step, throughout the 15-month study plan.
Everyone is welcome to attend these courses without prerequisites, but only students who meet the requirements will receive a certificate of completion for ACI 16, 17, or 18.
Pre-requisites
ACI 16, 17, 18 must be taken live online, or in-person from a teacher in order to get a certificate. Students must attend all sessions and keep their cameras on if attending online to receive the certificate.
To receive a certificate of completion for ACI 16, 17, or 18, students must hold certificates for the five Foundation Courses reviewed within each corresponding review course. This review program is designed to help students complete those Foundation Courses, step-by-step, throughout the 15-month study plan.
Everyone is welcome to attend these courses without prerequisites, but only students who meet the requirements will receive a certificate of completion for ACI 16, 17, or 18.
The Three Review Courses
ACI 16: The Great Ideas of Buddhism, Part I
Review of ACI 1–5: The Principal Teachings of Buddhism, Buddhist Refuge, Applied Meditation, Proof of Future Lives, and How Karma Works.
November 9, 2025 – March 8, 2026
ACI 17: The Great Ideas of Buddhism, Part II
Review of ACI 6–10: The Diamond Cutter Sutra, The Bodhisattva Vows, Death and the Realms of Existence, The Ethical Way of Life, and A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (Part One).
April – August 2026
Registration will open soon
ACI 18: The Great Ideas of Buddhism, Part III
Review of ACI 11–15: Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (Parts Two and Three), Buddhist Logic: The Art of Reasoning, Lojong: Developing the Good Heart, and What the Buddha Really Meant.
September 2026 – January 2027
Registration will open soon
Meet the Teacher
TIMOTHY LOWENHAUPT
Timothy Lowenhaupt has been the Executive Director of the Asian Classics Institute since 2017, a translator for the Diamond Cutter Classics since 2022, and teaches extensively around the world. He previously was the Managing Director of Red Capital Education & Travel, which owns a portfolio of hotels and commercial properties in Sedona, AZ, from 2019-2024.
In 2023, one of its properties, the Adobe Grand Villas, was rated the #1 small hotel in the United States by TripAdvisor, and another lodging property was rated the #1 Bed & Breakfast in Sedona, AZ.
He has also worked in translation and interpreting, both as a translator and in project management, as well as in pharmaceutical marketing and patient technology development.
He received a master’s degree (MA) from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 and graduated with honors and distinction from Penn State with a Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) in 2001. Tim also is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
ACI 16: The Great Ideas of Buddhism, Part I
🗓️ SCHEDULE
🕗 All classes are held from 5:30 to 9:00 a.m.
(ARIZONA TIME)
ACI 17: The Great Ideas of Buddhism, Part II
Class 1, 2 – April, 2026
Class 3, 4 – May, 2026
Class 5, 6 – June, 2026
Class 7, 8 – July, 2026
Class 9, 10 – August, 2026Registration will open soon
ACI 18: The Great Ideas of Buddhism, Part III
Class 1, 2 – November 9, 2025
Class 3, 4 – December 7, 2025
Class 5, 6 – January 11, 2026
Class 7, 8 – February 8, 2026
Class 9, 10 – March 8, 2026Class 1, 2 – September, 2026
Class 3, 4 – October, 2026
Class 5, 6 – November, 2026
Class 7, 8 – December, 2026
Class 9, 10 – January, 2027