Mahasukha Kula Retreat Scholarship Program

In order to receive a scholarship you must:

• Be a student and/or teacher of classes given by the Asian Classics Institute of Los Angeles or affiliated centers
• Have completed all 18 formal courses of the Asian Classics Institute curriculum along with the accompanying oral examination (maroke exam), or equivalent (Examples: Dharma Essentials Courses, special teachings, other teacher approved program) on approval
• Have received initiation from a tantric spiritual teacher in the direct lineage of the ACI-LA Spiritual Director, into a Vajrayana Buddhist Annutara Yoga Tantra meditational deity that has retreat as a part of the practice
• Have a letter of recommendation from her/his spiritual teacher who gave this initiation, or equivalent on approval
• Propose a retreat of at least 3 weeks' duration
• Articulate goals that are appropriate for the type, level, and duration of the retreat proposed
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of how to do a retreat
• Demonstrate prior completion of private meditative retreats
• Have a date and preferred place for the retreat (e.g., have contacted centers and have done the research necessary to find a place that will be suitable for the retreat)
• Have caretakers'/servers' agreement to serve the retreat, if needed
• Submit a budget for the funding needed for the retreat
• Agree to provide some sort of teaching, book authoring, retreat consulting, or other service to the community upon completion of the retreat

If you satisfy the scholarship criteria above you are eligible for a scholarship. If the Scholarship Program does not have enough funding to award all eligible scholarship requests, priority will be given to applicants who:

• Demonstrate the greatest financial need
• Have generated at least 50% of their total retreat expenses (Please note: In-kind contributions such as use of airline miles, lowered rates for housing, and donated services are important ways to help lower the total retreat expenses, but are not counted as part of the 50%.)
• Propose a retreat of at least 3 months' duration
• Have given exceptional service to others
• Have given exceptional service to the dharma

Application Due Dates:

• January 15
• May 15
• September 15
• November 15

Application Procedures:

• Complete the application, including supporting information needed to provide detailed answers to all questions. Addresses for submission are on the application form. From the application due date that your completed application is received by, please allow up to one month to be notified of the status of your award, and two more weeks to receive your check.
• Submit required letter of recommendation, or equivalent on approval, from your spiritual teacher(s) who gave you an Annutara Yoga Tantra initiation.
• Submit materials documenting the place in which you will do your retreat.
• Submit any supporting materials you believe you need to demonstrate financial need, exceptional service to others, exceptional service to the dharma, your qualifications, your proposed budget, and your potential for succeeding in completing your retreat. These materials can include letters of recommendation from other individuals familiar with your service, financial situation, or qualifications.
• All information submitted will be kept confidential.

Descriptions of Types of Retreats Supported

Private meditative retreats are those undertaken alone or with a spiritual partner. They are not undertaken in a group. This does not mean that a recipient cannot do a retreat at a retreat center or in her/his primary residence. It does mean, in general, that you live in a private room or building and that you have minimal to zero interaction with individuals other than your partner (if applicable) for the duration of your retreat, including in-person contact and contact by mail, email, telephone, or other methods of communication. You may communicate your needs to your server(s), but this communication should, in general, be short and clear and by the written word - not by speech. Retreats can be designed for a number of purposes, but the overall goal should be spiritual advancement through silent meditation and/or recitation for an extended length of time.