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Alternatives to ACI

The Asian Classics Institute (ACI) is the education arm of the Geshe Michael Roach organization. ACI offers a series of courses taught by Geshe Michael Roach in New York several years ago. The courses themselves are quite comprehensive, and many have found them valuable.

It is well known that much of the material offered by ACI contains mistakes and inconsistencies, and in the important areas of emptiness and valid perception, can be incorrect and misleading. More importantly, studying the ACI courses creates a connection with Geshe Michael Roach, which, if he is on a wrong path, has the potential to cause harm to students in this and future lives.

There are many alternatives to ACI courses, and we list some below. Please consider these as an alternative if you are considering studying Buddhism on any level. If you have suggestions for other resources that you feel may be appropriate, please let us know. We welcome your suggestions.

  • His Holiness the Dalai Lama
    Contains a collection of teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Click the "teachings > Webcasts" link.
  • FPMT Study Programs
    FPMT provides many Buddhist study programs for students at varying levels of experience and interest.
  • Do Ngak Kunphen Ling - Formerly Godstow Retreat Center
    DNKL is located in rural Connecticut and is surrounded by 100 acres of woods, rolling meadows, streams, and ponds. Under the guidance of Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa, the center draws on the spiritual tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to impart the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. DNKL offers classes and training in Buddhist moral discipline, meditative concentration, and transformative wisdom.
  • Karma Triyana Dharmachakra
    The North American seat of His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1976, the monastery features traditional teachings as transmitted by Kagyu lineage meditation masters since the 10th century.
  • Thubten Chodron
    "Now that Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron is endeavouring to provide a situation in which Western monastics can pursue the discipline exemplified by our teacher, Buddha Shakyamuni, in a stable manner, I am happy to give her my support and encourage others who share this interest to do likewise." — His Holiness the 14th Dalai lama
  • FPMT Radio
    FPMT Radio broadcasts an ongoing series of Tibetan Buddhist teachings presented by FPMT teachers throughout the world, 24 hours a day. The teachings are streamed over the Internet in MP3 format and accessible to most computers with a 56k modem connection.
  • Foundation of Buddhist Thought
    A two year course in Buddhism devised particularly for western students. The Foundation of Buddhist Thought is a course which most students study by correspondence.
  • Lam Rim Radio
    Tibetan Buddhist Internet Radio, Teachings, texts, mp3 downloads. A truly great resource.
  • Lam Rim TV
    Lam Rim Television, an all new station providing streaming Tibetan Buddhist video teachings for the planet Earth.
  • Jamyang Centre (UK) Audio Library
    A good collection of mp3 audio files of Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Lama Thubten Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and many more.
  • Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
    The Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive (LYWA) is the collected works of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.
  • FPMT Centers in Your Area
    A listing of FPMT centers worldwide
  • Talking Buddhism
    A selection of free teachings organised to guide you through some key topics of Buddhism.
  • Kurukulla Center, Boston MA
    Downloadable library of audio files by resident lama Geshe Tsulga and visiting and senior teachers plus live audio and video streams.
  • The Berzin Archive
    A collection of resources by Dr. Alex Berzin.
  • Situ Dharmakara Foundation
    Tibetan Buddhist Teachings and Lectures, Folk Songs, Daily Practices, Music, Gatha, Mantra from the Official Web site of the Situ Dharmakara Foundation (Tai Situ Rinpoche)
  • Paljor Publications
    Publisher and Distributor dealing exclusively on the books related to Tibetan Buddhism.
  • Garchen Buddhist Institute
    The center of Garchen Rinpoche in Arizona
  • Robert Thurman
    Essays and resources by Robert A.F. Thurman.
  • Dharma Media
    Dharma Media is dedicated to digitally preserving the Buddhist teachings written and oral, art work, photographs and scriptures. We are actively working with various organizations, sangha's and individual teachers from a variety of lineages and traditions.
  • Wisdom Publications
    A huge collection of books on all aspects of Buddhism.
  • Thrangu Rinpoche
    Teachings and centers of Thrangu Rinpoche
  • Jewel Heart
    Study programs and centers of Gehlek Rinpoche
  • Audio Dharma
    An archive of Dharma talks given by various teachers at the Insight Meditation Center, Redwood City California. These teachings are helpful for those interested in the Theravadin tradition.
  • DhammaTalks.org
    A collection of online audio teachings in the Theravadin tradition.
  • Metta Forest Monastery
    Audio files of Theravadin Dharma talks at Metta Forest Monastery San Diego County, California.
"When teachers break the precepts, behaving in ways that are clearly damaging to themselves and others, students must face the situation, even though this can be challenging, criticize openly, that's the only way." — His Holiness the Dalai Lama

May all beings instantly achieve every happiness, be free from any suffering, never be separated from a perfectly qualified Mahayana teacher and quickly achieve perfect, pure enlightenment in order to benefit others.

May all beings be happy!