The Aro Friends programme

The Friends programme is both a way to support our work with a small financial contribution – and a way to learn more about Aro and find out whether it is a good ‘fit’ for you.

There are two aspects to this learning: informational and experiential. The first aspect provides deeper understanding of meditation, Buddhism, and the Aro path. The second aspect is an opportunity to experience the Aro community – and, if you choose, to participate in it – with minimal effort and no commitment.

Aro Friends have access to an ever-growing web site that contains many articles and audio recordings not available to the public. These support informational learning. Additionally, the audio teachings give an experiential sense of Aro events. A section called ‘Emailing the Teacher from Afar’ consists of advice from Aro teachers to their students extracted from email conversations (edited to preserve privacy). Much of the teaching of modern Lamas (including some who are ethnically Tibetan) is carried out by email; this section gives a vivid sense of what that is like.

Aro Friends are invited to attend Friends-only events, which allow you to experience the Aro community directly. These events combine teaching, practice, and informal social time. They are an opportunity to mingle with Aro apprentices and ordained students and teachers, to see whether the Aro ethos is to your liking. Friends also receive discounts on accommodation at Aro Ga’Dzong, our Centre in Tuscany.

On-going participation in the Aro community is provided via access to an electronic ‘enquiry forum’. Topics of discussion include the various Aro practices (techniques, problems, solutions), the nature of the Aro path and its phases, the books on our recommended reading list, the articles and recordings on the Friends-only site as well as the public one, and more. Aro apprentices participate in these discussions, which are often led by the ordained teachers. The forum is ‘moderated’ to ensure that enquiry is constructive, gracious, and on-topic: both a valuable resource for understanding and a supportive community.

Dues for the Friends programme are $40, £20, or €30 per year. To subscribe, please follow one of these links:

• I live in the Eurozone, or I wish to pay in Euros
• I live in the U.K., or I wish to pay in Pounds Sterling
• I live in the U.S., or I wish to pay in US dollars

If you are already a Friend and wish to renew, please log in to your subscriptions page and renew there, rather than following one of the three links above.

Your subscription fees go to Aro’s network of national non-profit charities. The funds support the development of new courses, websites, publication of books and making the tradition available to others. The British organisation is Sang-ngak-chö-dzong, charity no. 1019886. It is Aro Gar, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the U.S., and Aro Gar e.V. in Germany.

If you have any questions about the Friends programme, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .