The Five Houses

Welcome to Meditation V of the Asian Classics Institute’s 101 Steps on the Path Video Meditation Series with Geshe Michael Roach—a step-by-step meditative guide through the profound teachings of Liberation Thrust into the Palm of Your Hand, Pabongka Rinpoche’s brilliant teaching on the steps on the path to enlightenment. This meditation introduces ACI’s new Five House framework—an innovative offering of fresh ways to connect with over two thousand years of timeless wisdom.

The Five Houses were inspired by Pabongka Rinpoche’s explanation of the three types of practitioners—the philosopher, the practitioner who applies teachings in daily life, and the understudy who relies on personal advice. ACI’s Five Houses is a brand new community-focused and creative approach aimed at deepening your practice in a particular field of study that resonates deeply within you.

Pabongka Rinpoche outlines three different types of practitioners, or three types of exquisite dishes that are served to practitioners. A person may need different presentations at different times in their practice—just like the varying nutritional needs of the body determine what types of foods a person should eat for optimum health and performance.  

Pabongka Rinpoche highlighted that Je Tsongkapa studied and mastered all three of these learning styles or lineages, and even though together they constitute a single river of instruction, each approach varies greatly in terms of detail, field of interest, and personality type. Here we briefly outline Pabongka Rinpoche’s skilled breakdown of the three styles.

BKA’ GDAMS GZHUNG PA BA—The Philosopher’s Approach 

The path of direct study—the philosopher's approach. This type of practitioner is drawn to in-depth study of the great texts, such as the five great books found within the 18 Asian Classics Institute Foundation Courses. These individuals enjoy integrating ancient principles into their daily lives, grounding their practice in a more academic pursuit. 

LAM RIM PA—The Practical Approach 

The Lam Rim path—a practice-oriented approach. This type focuses on the instructions within the Lam Rim teachings which emphasize practical application over academic detail. Practitioners are guided on how to incorporate the steps of the path into their daily lives in an accessible and relevant way.

GDAMS NGAG PA—The Personal Instruction Approach 

The path of personal instruction—receiving direct and personal advices from a teacher. Practitioners on this path learn through close proximity to a mentor, drawing wisdom from their teacher’s words, actions, and personal, living example. This approach provides guidance for those who learn best through close connection.

Each of these three paths serves as a different dish tailored to a practitioner's needs. Similarly, ACI’s Five Houses expand upon these approaches by creating spaces for different personalities and interests within a single supportive community. 

Each house offers a focused area of study, yet integrates the essence of Pabongka Rinpoche’s three paths—deep study, practical application, and personal mentorship—ensuring that every seeker finds a path that resonates with their own journey. 

Can you identify the three styles within each of the five houses? Which house resonates with you the most? 

  ACI’s Five Houses at a Glance:

1. Classics House focuses on mastering the 18 Asian Classics Institute Foundation Courses which encompass the traditional topics studied in a Buddhist monastery. This house represents the preservation of timeless wisdom and accuracy in study. Those in Classics House are trained well enough to become high-level teachers of classic wisdom, ensuring that ancient knowledge is transmitted with precision and care. 

2. Whether you're drawn to meditation or not, Samadhi House offers proven techniques to deepen your focus, strengthen your insight, and get you centered on the road to realization. This house focuses on authentic meditation practices which have been carefully passed down through an ancient lineage of direct instruction. The aim is to refine the art of meditative concentration while serving those who seek spiritual growth or professional well-being and success.

3. Mountain House will focus on the art of retreat and how to create an effective container for deep reflection and personal change. Whether working with spiritual seekers or corporate executives, you will learn to guide participants through transformative experiences that inspire innovation, restoration, and deep healing. This house emphasizes stepping away from life’s distractions in order to connect with and recondition the inner voice. 

4. Staircase House is an accessible home for those who seek to change the world by integrating wisdom into daily life. As a guide in this house, you carry a light and meet people where they are—offering practical solutions and cutting problems off at their source. Through these timeless teachings on compassion and the true nature of reality, you will help others take meaningful control of their own narratives and spiritual outcomes. 

5. Diamond House focuses on transforming yourself and the world through a highly specialized and tactical application of ancient wisdom. In Diamond House, you will master the art of facing challenges and learn how to turn even the most difficult circumstances into opportunities for personal growth and collective transformation. By learning these practices, you will develop the skills needed to blend into your surroundings and perhaps even look “normal” to others. But hidden deep inside you is the embodiment of these unique and uncommon attitudes—a special set of ancient tools to help you reach the highest goals. Alongside the ethics of deep integrity, your compassion and understanding of emptiness are the fuel for maximum transformation. 

We hope that Meditation V—The Five Houses offers the inspiration you need to explore which of the Five Houses speaks to you most directly. Whether you dive deeply into ancient teachings, refine your meditation practice, create transformative retreats, integrate wisdom into daily life, or wish to quickly transform the world—these Five Houses will provide a focused way to engage with ancient knowledge on the deepest levels. 

Thank you for your commitment to this journey—your participation helps us continue bringing these teachings to life, empowering individuals and communities to thrive. Let's take the next step together, one meditation at a time.