The Asian Classics Institute is dedicated to the serious study and personal practice of the original teachings of the Buddha. The Institute was established by Geshe Michael Roach under the spiritual guidance of Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin, a distinguished scholar and master of Buddhism from Tibet and Geshe Michael’s principal teacher.
_Formal Courses in Buddhist Dharma (philosophy & thought)
_The Formal Study Courses (ACI Courses) are designed as a teacher-training program, and cover the same basic core of information that a Geshe (Doctor of Theology) learns at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Obtaining a Geshe degree from a Tibetan Buddhist monastery requires approximately 20 years studying The Six Great Books of Buddhism: The Perfection of Wisdom (Prajna Paramita), Middle-Way Philosophy (Madhyamika), Higher Knowledge (Abhidharma), Buddhist Discipline (Vinaya), Logic and Perception (Pramana), and The Steps to Buddhahood (Lam Rim).
We also offer training in the ten different Daily Practices, that represent the classics of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is recommended that those seeking a complete Buddhist path pursue both intellectual studies and meditation practice. Neither meditation nor intellectual studies alone is enough to become spiritually advanced; each complements and balances the other. By studying ideas, meditating upon, and putting them into practice in daily life, you can develop great spiritual range and capacity. Formal Study Course 3, Applied Meditation, thoroughly describes all aspects of meditation and should be studied as a foundation for the Practices offered here.
Some of these Practices are meditations, and others are advices to be used as one is active throughout the day. They range in length from three to fifteen sessions.
The Asian Classics Institute offers a wide range of programs for spiritually minded people of all levels, from beginning to advanced. Programs include: meditation instruction, drop-in lectures for the general public, Tibetan language classes, and a long-term program of study for training Buddhist teachers. We welcome all comers, and all our teachings are offered without charge. Our teachers are well trained and experienced in the authentic Tibetan tradition, and classes are a great informal way to meet others as they travel on the spiritual path.
The institute is run by volunteers, and classes are conducted at the Three Jewels Tucson by teachers that have been trained directly by the Asian Classics Institute. Programs are scheduled to accommodate those employed in jobs and careers, and are generally in the evenings.
General classes can be attended on a drop-in basis, and have no attendance or study commitments. They are great opportunity for people who want to check out Buddhism on a casual basis or who have a full schedule. Anyone may drop in on these classes without advance notice or registration; you can attend a whole series, or just stop by and check out a class or two.
Formal Study Courses are designed as a teacher-training program, and are open to anyone willing to make a serious commitment to their studies. These Courses cover the same basic core of information that a Geshe (Doctor of Theology) learns at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The Courses are a great way to get a thorough, comprehensive Buddhist education, even if you're not in training to be a teacher!
Can't attend in person? In an effort to make a comprehensive course of Buddhist studies more readily accessible world wide, classes are now available on-line. All of the Formal Study Courses taught by Geshe Michael Roach are offered here, as are Daily Practice Meditations, and other miscellaneous teachings. The classes offered on-line are the same as the classes that can be attended in person at Three Jewels Tucson. The on-line audio is available in MP3 or Real Audio formats for streaming or download, and the written materials are contained in on-line pdf files which can be viewed, downloaded, printed, and assembled into a three-ring binder.
The effort to place more of these comprehensive Buddhist teachings on-line will continue on an ongoing basis. In addition to the topics now available, the archive of Geshe Michael's past teachings and translations contains many lectures that have never been published. It is our hope to publish as many of these on-line as possible.
We would like to emphasize that, although recordings and written materials can be extremely helpful, it is essential for serious Buddhist practitioners to meet and study directly with a qualified Teacher who can give the necessary guidance and personal instructions of the lineage. _
