Our Team
Geshe Michael Roach (born December 17, 1952) is the first American to have been awarded the degree of Geshe, or Master of Buddhism, after more than 20 years of study in Tibetan monasteries. He has used this training to become a prominent international teacher, businessman, philanthropist, author, educator, public speaker, textual scholar, translator and musician. Geshe Michael graduated with honors from Princeton University and has received the Presidential Scholar Medal from the President of the United States at the White House.
In 1981 he helped found Andin International Diamond Corporation and bring it to annual sales of over $100 million, donating his profits to international aid projects. His book about achieving business and personal success through generosity, The Diamond Cutter, has become a global bestseller in 20 languages. He is the founder of the Asian Classics Institute, Diamond Mountain Retreat Center, the 10,000 Books of Wisdom Translation Program, Worldview, the Yoga Studies Institute, Star in the East, Global Family Refugee Aid, Three Jewels Community Outreach Centers, the Diamond Cutter Institute, and most recently the Sedona College of International Management.
Stanley Chen
Stanley Chen has fully devoted himself to serving Geshe Michael’s global vision for 7 years right after he graduated from a University in South China. He is especially inspired to use creative and practical ways to bring the beautiful and precious ancient wisdom to his mother country. Also, he is building up a team of Diamond Cutter Translator in Asia. Please contact him if you are interested in serving the greater mission. (stanley.chen@
Bets Greer
Bets Greer is thrilled to start this next part of her journey, learning to translate Tibetan, after studying and practicing Buddhism since 1995.
Ben Kramer
Ben Kramer has been a full-time student of Buddhism for 14 years. He’s studied in the monasteries of both North and South India and completed the advanced studies program at Diamond Mountain University, There, he taught courses on ancient systems of logic and debate, meditation, advanced Buddhist philosophy, yoga, and Tibetan language. He was honored by the university through his appointment as Diamond Mountain Debate Master. In 2014, he and his wife Kendra completed a three-year spiritual retreat together.
Nick Lashaw
Nick has had the aspiration to be a writer and translator for 10 years. He works hard at studying ancient and modern languages, and Buddhist and yoga philosophy. He loves to find ways to make the ideas in these ancient books relevant to people in the modern world and travels around the world working to do so.
Sugeng Shi
Sugeng loves learning languages. He got involved in Tibetan when he wanted to learn more about the ancient wisdom The Diamond Cutter sutra. He is excited to be getting involved in translating the ancient books.
Word Smith
Word Smith has been studying philosophy and the eastern arts for almost twenty years. He holds a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, is a Doctor of Chinese medicine, Yoga instructor and Massage Therapist. He currently studies Buddhist Philosophy and Tibetan Language with Geshe Michael Roach and teaches internationally.
Alison Zhou
Alison Zhou was born in China and holds a bachelor’s degree in English
Linguistics and literature. She loves learning ancient languages and studying the classics; and is devoted to translating them into modern languages. She has been learning and practicing Eastern wisdom for more than 7 years. Her dream is to help spread these ideas to help modern people to live a happy life.
Adam Andrade
Adam Andrade attended Auburn University where his primary focus of study was computer and software engineering. After college Adam went on to pursue his mountaineering goals. He has completed numerous certification courses in the fields of avalanche education; mountain safety and survival; and technical rope rigging. Currently, Adam is working as a translator for10,000 Books of Wisdom Translation Program as well as owning several gift shops with his wife in Colorado. Adam spends his time studying, meditating, doing yoga, reading and climbing mountains.
Seiji Arao
Seiji Arao is the Program Manager for the Diamond Cutter Institute and the Sedona College of International Management and works organizing Academic Sessions and coordinating the logistics of DCI tours around the world from the DCI Global headquarters in Sedona. He was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Holds a Bachelor in Entrepreneurship and Business Management, and a Masters in Environmental Economics. He founded and directed 2 social & environmental businesses. Has worked as a project manager/business consultant for over 6 years. He’s been studying Buddhism since 2011.
