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1. Do you have to be a Buddhist to attend or participate in your teachings?
No, we invite and welcome everyone from all backgrounds.
Our teachings are open to all who are interested. Our purpose is to provide teachings and support for those who are interested in the study and personal practice of authentic Mahayana Buddhism and to all those who are interested in deepening their spiritual understanding.
2. What type of Buddhism do you teach and practice?
ACI-Cape Ann teaches and practices Tibetan Buddhism in the Mahayana Gelukpa Lineage.
3. Why is your organization called Asian Classics Institute?
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 Lama Marut’s Teacher, Geshe Michael Roach, under the spiritual direction of Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin, a distinguished scholar and master of Buddhism from Tibet.
ACI-Cape Ann was established by Lama Marut and his Cape Ann students.
The Institute is staffed by volunteers and offers a wide range of programs for spiritually minded people of all levels, from beginning to advanced. We welcome all comers, and our teachers are well trained and experienced in the authentic Tibetan tradition. The purpose of the Institute is to provide a thorough, accurate Tibetan Buddhist education to anyone interested.
Some background :
 As a result of completing full studies with Khen Rinpoche and at Sera Monastery in India, Geshe Michael Roach developed and taught a seven-year Formal Study Program in New York. That program condensed the essence of the Six Great Books of Buddhism into a series of 15 Formal Study Courses to train the next generation of Western Tibetan Buddhist teachers. Those Courses parallel the same basic core of information that a Geshe (Doctor of Theology) learns at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery.
For more background go to www.acidharma.org
4. I’m interested in learning more about vows. How and where can I get this information? There are several ways to get this information. First we suggest talking with someone who has taken vows. ACI-CA has identified a number of vow holders who are happy to explain the vows and how to go about requesting them. So please ask us. Secondly, we convene regular vow holder meetings and all who are interested in learning more about the vows are welcome to attend and ask questions. Thirdly, Lama Marut has audio teachings on the vows posted at www.aci-la.org. Look under Vowed Morality, The Vows Explained, Los Angeles, 12/08/2008.
5. What does your organization do with its donations?
All donations to ACI-CA are used to support our teachers, teachings, retreats, scholarships and the direct expenses associated with operating the Vajramudra Center.
We are a Massachusetts non-profit corporation organized in January 2008, and have a 501(c)(3) tax –exempt status and all donations are tax-deductible.
We have no paid officers or staff.
6. How often does Lama Marut come to Cape Ann to teach? Over the past few years Lama Marut has been averaging four visits per year. His visits are usually 3 or 4 days of teaching, with the exception of the annual Windhover Retreat which is seven days in August. Lama Marut’s teaching schedule can be found at www.LamaMarut.org. |
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