Geshe Michael Roach

About Geshe Michael Roach

Geshe Michael Roach claims to be a fully ordained American Buddhist monk who received his geshe (doctor of Theology) degree from Sera Mey Monastery in India after 22 years of study there and in the United States with his root Lama, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin.

He is the founder of the Asian Classics Institute, the Asian Classics Input Project, Diamond Abbey, Three Jewels Bookstore, Godstow Retreat Center, Diamond Mountain University and Retreat Center and the Enlightened Business Institute and has been active in the restoration of Sera Mey Monastery.

Geshe Michael Roach has been teaching Buddhism since 1981. He is a scholar of Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Russian, and has translated and published numerous works. Geshe Michael Roach received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University, and worked in New York City as a director of a large diamond firm for many years.

The Geshe Michael Roach Controversy

Buddhism has evolved in an unbroken lineage from the time of the historical Buddha who lived in India 2,500 years ago. The teachings and tradition have been handed down from master to master and have remained pure. They have been organised systematically over the years to form a tradition which helps to bring peace of mind and ultimate happiness to it’s practitioners.

In order to keep the purity of the Buddhist lineage, certain standards and traditions have been kept pure, and continue to be as relevant today as they were when the Buddha first taught them. Possibly the greatest mainstay of Buddhism is the monastic tradition, and with it certain vows or pledges that monks and nuns undertake to keep purely, for the benefit of their own minds and as an example to those around them.

One of the major vows of a monk or nun is to remain celibate, and not have any form of physical relationships with members of the opposite sex. Geshe Michael Roach’s current behaviour, which involves sleeping in the same bed every night with a young female student, Christie McNally, does not conform with this major vow of a monk.

Projects of Geshe Michael Roach

Geshe Michael Roach, founder of Diamond Mountain University, was born in Los Angeles in 1952 and was raised in Phoenix, AZ. As a student at Princeton University he concentrated his studies in religion and ancient Sanskrit and Russian language. He met his teacher Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin in 1972 in the U.S. and studied very closely with him after that time.

Geshe Michael Roach is the founder of numerous non-profit organizations and as a result has spent decades teaching and bringing Buddhist ideas to the west. He has written several books on topics including business management and yoga in relation to Buddhism.

Geshe Michael Roach and other Buddhists

The greater majority of the Buddhist community feel that Geshe Michael’s current behaviour does not conform to the teachings of the Buddha, and can do nothing but damage the purity and public perception of this two thousand year old tradition, as well as leading his students into a spiritual practise that will ultimately be harmful to themselves and those around them.

The very fact that there is so much controversy in the Buddhist world concerning Geshe Michael Roach is in itself cause for any individual to have concern about this teacher.

We urge anyone considering studying with Geshe Michael Roach to read the information on this site carefully, ask around as much as possible, and check his behaviour and teachings against those of highly respected and renowned teaches before entering into any relationship whatsoever.