Geshe Michael Roach

Geshe Michael Roach is an integral part of the modern spiritual movement. He is an American-born Tibetan Buddhist monk who has spent the last four decades studying Buddhism and helping to promote understanding of Buddhist teachings in the United States and around the world.

Geshe was born Michael Roach in 1952 in Portland, Oregon to an atheist family. Unlike many spiritual figures, Roach did not have any previous religious exposure before he began his Buddhist studies. His introduction to the religion came out of his curiosity. Roach had a number of life-altering experiences during his college years and began to pursue answers through spiritual pursuit.

In 1976, he traveled to South India to study Buddhist philosophy and meditation and was able to earn a degree in philosophy from Christian College in India. After receiving his degree, he traveled to Tibet for two years to complete advanced Buddhist studies with world-renowned lamas. His studies in India and Tibet were some of the first by an American in these locations and earned him the title of 'Geshe' in Tibetan. The translation of the title is ‘spiritual teacher of the highest degree’, which demonstrates the level of respect that his peers held for him.

In 1982, he returned to the United States and formed the and the Asian Classics Institute. This organization is dedicated to preserving and spreading ancient Buddhist texts and philosophy. He has written multiple books based on his experiences and teachings including ‘The Garden’ which was a New York Times best seller in 2004. This book was a collection of his teachings on Buddhism, insight into his perspectives, and even stories from his life.

Geshe has also been featured in a number of media outlets, such as 'The War Room' with James Carville, in addition to popular news programs like 'The Daily Show' and 'The Colbert Report'. He was a featured speaker at the famous TED talks in 2005 and his lectures are shown at universities around the world.

Geshe Michael Roach has dedicated the last four decades of his life to helping people on their spiritual journeys and promoting peace in the world through understanding and compassion. He has continually pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved through his work and has inspired people from all walks of life. He is an essential part of the modern spiritual movement, and his work is sure to continue to promote Buddha's teachings for years to come.