Dear Dharma Friends,

This week, Wednesday evening yidam practice is Majushri, the embodiment of perfect wisdom. Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice. Next Sunday, our practice will include Om Ah Hung practice and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva. All practices will be led by Ven. Lama Kalsang.

As we noted during the annual meeting we have set up a form to gather responses and feedback from those who are able to offer their time and energy in volunteering to help take care of the many tasks and chores that keep TRTCC alive and growing. There is no obligation required – your response will help us to understand and coordinate our volunteer efforts.

Volunteer Form

Please be advised: although the CDC is currently listing our community transmission level of COVID as low, there are growing concerns of a spike in hospitalizations in Allegheny County due to COVID, RSV, and the flu. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to act with caution. We do ask that only fully vaccinated people come in to the center. We will be running the air purifier in the common area. If you are not feeling well or have had a recent exposure to COVID, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or to please join us online.

May the illumination of wisdom teachings shine through all obscurations of our mind, and may our practices be beneficial to all beings!

Wednesday, January 3, 7pm. Manjushri Practice. Online and in person. Manjushri is the embodiment of perfect wisdom. He is often depicted as wielding a flaming sword in the right hand which cuts through ignorance, attachment, and delusion, and holding in the left hand a lotus flower containing the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, the Sutra of the Perfection of (Transcendent) Wisdom. Join us on Zoom.

May the illumination of wisdom teachings shine through all obscurations of our mind, and may our practices be beneficial to all beings!

Thursday, January 4, 7pm, Evening Tea Break. Online only. A time just to talk about dharma with dharma friends. Beginners are very welcome. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, January 6, 9am. Vajrasattva Practice. Online and in person. This is a foundational and ongoing training to purify our negative actions, mental disturbances, harmful tendencies and mistaken views by invoking the yidam Vajrasattva in a meditative visualization practice. Join us on Zoom.

Sunday, January 7, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice led by Ven. Lama Kalsang. Achi, which means “Grandmother” in Tibetan, is revered as the great female dharma protector of the Drikung Kagyu lineage and its practitioners. On the first Sunday of every month we will practice Jigten Sumgön’s Guru Yoga.  Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our schedule this week includes Green Tara yidam practice on Wednesday July 27 at 7pm. Our Tuesday & Thursday classes and Saturday & Sunday practices remain as usual.

Please note: while the CDC has not raised the Allegheny County Covid transmission level recently, we are strongly encouraging those who come in for practice at the center to please wear a mask. We will be running the air purifier and ventilation fans in the common area.

May the illumination of wisdom teachings shine through all obscurations of our mind, and may our practices be beneficial to all beings!

Tuesday, July 26, 7pm, Introduction to Practice.  Online only. This is an informal class on the meaning of the invocations that are the foundation for all of the center’s practices.  Join us on Zoom.  It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class.

Thursday, July 21, 7pm, Shamatha Meditation. Online only. This class offers basic meditation instruction in our lineage. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, July 23, 9am. Vajrasattva Practice. Online and in person. This is a foundational and ongoing training to purify our negative actions, mental disturbances, harmful tendencies and mistaken views by invoking the yidam Vajrasattva in a meditative visualization practice. Join us on Zoom.

Sunday, July 24, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma Practice. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Ven. Khenpo Choephel’s June Teaching dates will be changed to June 11-12, due to another event that Khenpo needs to attend.

On Saturday June 11, Khenpo will offer the teaching on POWA, the transference of consciousness at the time of death, and on Sunday, June 12, the Amitayu Empowerment and Practice.

Following the teachings on Saturday there will be a Bodhisattva Ceremony offered by Khenpo Choephel to aspiring practitioners who would take the vows. The Saturday teaching will be shared on Zoom, and the Empowerment and Bodhisattva Vows Ceremony are in-person only. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday June 11, 2022
9am-12pm: Teachings on POWA
Bodhisattva Vows Ceremony to follow teachings – Khenpo has indicated that aspirants should bring an offering for the Three Jewels (flowers, fruit, etc)

Sunday June 12, 2022 
10am-12pm: Empowerment of Amitayu, the Buddha of Infinite Lives
12-1:30pm: Sangha vegetarian potluck lunch
1:30pm-4pm:  Buddha Amitayu practice

*Registration form for this event will be sent out soon.

Suggested donation is $30 for one day or $50 for both days. Your donations will support TRTCC’s many teaching and cultural events year round. No one will be turned away from Dharma teachings for insufficient funds. Donations may be offered at the center in the donation box or via PayPal.

Important note: the Allegheny County COVID community transmission level has recently been updated to Medium by the CDC. In accordance with CDC guidelines for the Medium level of transmission, our precautions for in-person attendance are as follows:

• Only fully vaccinated individuals may attend in-person practice
• Masks are optional and very strongly recommended for high risk individuals. Your risk assessment is between your and your health care provider, so please adhere to their guidance.
• Improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces – we will run fans to provide air circulation, exhaust, and will be running a HEPA unit in the shrine room.

If the CDC raises the community transmission level to High, masks will be required.

If you come in for a practice, please be mindful of your neighbors and allow spacing between yourselves. If you do not feel well for any reason, please do not attend in person. Please see our Covid Policy on the website for details.

The Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh has organized the 14th annual Vesak Celebration this year to be an in-person, outdoor event on Sunday, May 22nd at the new home of the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center, 58 QSI Lane, Allison Park, PA 15101.

This is a special occasion for Pittsburgh Buddhist sanghas from various traditions to come together to honor the life and times of Shakyamuni Buddha, to share how his life and teachings are still relevant in today’s world, and for sangha families of all ages to get acquainted in a joyous outdoor gathering.  Each sangha group will present a short program related to Shakyamuni Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana, with chanting, meditation, prayers, and groups of children singing children’s songs.

This year, TRTCC will participate with Ven. Lama Kalsang and sangha members reading the “Praise of the Twelve Exemplary Deeds of the  Buddha“.  All are invited to join this special 2-hour free event. There will be refreshments served at the end of the ceremony. In order to help the organizer with planning, registration is highly recommended. Donations to help offset the costs are greatly appreciated.

For the sake of all participants’ safety please be fully vaccinated and follow the most current guidelines from CDC.  We hope to see you on this special occasion.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Dear Dharma Friends,

It was a joy to join Khenpo for practice at Rinchen Ling on Losar morning.  It was just after 6 am their time when the Zoom stream opened, and the sun was just rising and coming into the prayer hall.  It was beautiful and hopeful and a strong reminder about clearing away negativity and renewing positive intention, especially with all that’s going on in the world right now.   Our prayers and dedications go out to all those suffering violence and hatred.  May they be freed from suffering and meet happiness.  By the power of our highest pure intention, may this aspiration be fulfilled.

Our practices remain online only this week. The board is watching the decreasing Covid numbers and formulating a plan for returning to in-person practice. When Lama Kalsang returns later this week we will discuss the reopening with him before moving forward — we will share the details with you after that meeting!

May the illumination of wisdom teachings shine through all obscurations of our mind, and may our practices be beneficial to all beings!

Tuesday, March 8, 7pm, Introduction to Practice. Online only. This informal class offers an introduction to the center’s practices and to meditation in our lineage. It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class. To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87131667139?pwd=bWZhMFhsZCtuWjRETm12SDVheFN2Zz09

Saturday, March 12, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study.  Online only. The subject of study is action bodhicitta, in the form of The Six Paramitas. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89243184546?pwd=MWNkZmZHUk96bExGUXpleGUyUEhxZz09

Sunday, March 13, 10 am. Sunday practice. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Boddhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice, and meditation. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

If you would like to donate by mailing us a check, please mail to:

Three Rivers Tibetan Cultural Center

7313 Florence Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA  15218

Special Practice this Sunday 2/27/2022, for clearing obstacles and preparing for the celebration of the Tibetan New Year LOSAR

Upcoming Practices, February 22 – 27

Our practices remain online only this week, but we are monitoring the decreasing Covid numbers and the board will be meeting in March to discuss plans for returning to in-person practice. We will share the details with you after that meeting.

On Sunday the 27th, we will do a Smoke Offering for clearing obstacles as part of Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebrations. Lama Kalsang will be in Nepal. He will be joining us and leading this special practice on A Rainfall of Benefit and Happiness with smoke offering. We’ll also be hanging new prayer flags at the center afterwards.  A link to the new text for this practice has been sent to our sangha, and the link will be posted again on our Zoom chat room on Sunday during the practice.

Lama Kalsang will be returning to Pittsburgh in March if all goes smoothly with his travel arrangements. May he be safe and well throughout his journey!

May the illumination of wisdom teachings shine through all obscurations of our mind, and may our practices be beneficial to all beings!

Tuesday, February 22, 7pm, Introduction to Practice. Online only. This informal class offers an introduction to the center’s practices and to meditation in our lineage. It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87131667139?pwd=bWZhMFhsZCtuWjRETm12SDVheFN2Zz09

Saturday, February 26, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study.  Online only. The subject of study is action bodhicitta, in the form of The Six Paramitas. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89243184546?pwd=MWNkZmZHUk96bExGUXpleGUyUEhxZz09

Sunday, February 27, 10 am. Online only.  For our special practice to prepare for the celebration of the Tibetan New Year,  Lama Kalsang will be leading us from Nepal using a new practice text: “A Rainfall of Benefit and Happiness“.  The link to our practice text has already been sent to our sangha, and it will be posted again on our Zoom chat room on Sunday during the practice.  To join us: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

We hope you can join us this Sunday.

If you would like to donate by mailing us a check, please mail to:

Three Rivers Tibetan Cultural Center

7313 Florence Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA  15218

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our practices this week will remain online only as we continue to monitor the Covid situation.  May the illumination of wisdom teachings shine through all obscurations of our mind, and may our practices be beneficial to all beings!

Tuesday, February 1, 7pm, Introduction to Practice. Online only. This informal class offers an introduction to the center’s practices and to meditation in our lineage. It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class. To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87131667139?pwd=bWZhMFhsZCtuWjRETm12SDVheFN2Zz09

Saturday, February 5, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study.  Online only. This week will wrap up study of The Four Noble Truths. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89243184546?pwd=MWNkZmZHUk96bExGUXpleGUyUEhxZz09

Sunday, February 6, 10 am. Sunday practice. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Boddhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice, and meditation. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

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Please support us by donating to our center. Any help that you are able to give will support our center’s many cultural and educational activities and benefit our community of practitioners. Your generosity is much appreciated here.  To donate online please click on the button:

If you would like to donate by mailing us a check, please mail to:

Three Rivers Tibetan Cultural Center

7313 Florence Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA  15218

Dear Dharma Friends,

HAPPY 2022! Our practices this week will remain online only.

May the illumination of wisdom teachings shine through all obscurations of our mind, and may our practices be beneficial to all beings!

Tuesday, January 4, 7pm, Introduction to Practice.  Online only. This informal class offers an introduction to the center’s practices and to meditation in our lineage. It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class. To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87131667139?pwd=bWZhMFhsZCtuWjRETm12SDVheFN2Zz09

Saturday, January 8, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study. Saturday practice will not meet this week to allow interested sangha members to join a weekend program from Gar Drolma on the profound songs of Milarepa. From 11am to 1pm Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche will share Milarepa stories and teachings from the Songs of Realization, and some of the songs will be sung. Details are available on the Gar Drolma website:
https://gardrolma.org/spontaneous-songs-of-milarepa/

Sunday, January 9, 10 am. Sunday practice. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice, and meditation. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our practices this week will remain online only. Have a great week and a happy new year!

May the illumination of wisdom teachings shine through all obscurations of our mind, and may our practices be beneficial to all beings!

Tuesday, December 28, 7pm, Introduction to Practice. Tuesday practice will resume next week, December 7.  This informal class offers an introduction to Buddhist practice in our lineage, including the invocations common to all of our practices and their meaning, and also an introduction to meditation practice in our lineage.  It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class. Online only. To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, January 1, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study. Online only. Study of The Four Noble Truths continues. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

Sunday, January 2, 10 am. Sunday practice. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice, and meditation. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09