Editor

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang is currently traveling and will return to Pittsburgh on Thursday December 1st. There will be no Wednesday yidam practice this week, but our Thursday Tea Break and regular Saturday and Sunday practices are scheduled as usual.

Please note: the CDC has listed our community transmission level as low, and masks are optional for our in person practices at the center. 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, 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!

Thursday, December 1, 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, December 3, 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, December 4, 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,

Lama Kalsang is traveling to New York City for a short retreat and will be returning on December 1st. Our center’s regular Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday practices for this week and Thursday Evening Tea Break are paused. We wish for all a very Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends.

In some sad news, H.E. Lho Ontul Rinpoche passed into parinirvana early in the morning on Sunday, November 20th at the age of 72. He had most recently visited our center in April of 2019, and granted the empowerment and teachings for the Ruby Garland Buddha Amitabha at that time.

Rinpoche was born in 1950 in Eastern Tibet, and had received Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings from many great masters and yogis: H.H. Dalai Lama, H.H. Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Yogi Pachung Rinpoche, Polu Khenchen Dorje, Ven. Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen, Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche, Khenpo Khedrup Rinpoche and others. Rinpoche’s great strength as a dharma teacher was described by H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche as being “like a mountain in the ocean.”

In sharing the news of Rinpoche’s passing, Lama Mark Weber of the Namgyal Yangzab Buddhist Community of Canada offered this:

This morning a great, wondrous being, our beloved Lama Lho Ontul Rinpoche passed away into the clear light of mind for all.

Lho Ratna Rinpoche has let us know that Rinpoche is presently in Thukdam, abiding in a deep meditative quality with auspicious signs. All his family is with him. Our deep condolences.

For those with a connection to Ontul Rinpoche, now is an important time to meditate and allow our minds to merge with our Lama’s mind. Let’s all take time to meditate together in his energy of luminous awakeness.

This most amazing being has brought so many gifts, both temporal and absolute, such great love to so many of us. No words can express my deep sorrow for his passing on and simultaneously great joy as we experience this extraordinary release into the light of awakeness. He will always be in our hearts, leading us on to liberation.

I am sure that soon Ratna Rinpoche and Lho Bongtrul Rinpoche at Lho Lungkar monastery will make an official announcement and that all matters will be auspiciously and beatifically directed by these wise teachers.

With deep love and an ocean of gratitude for Rinpoche’s love for us all.

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

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday the 15th is Lhabab Duchen and also the 81st birthday of H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang Rinpoche. Lhabab Duchen celebrates the anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni’s descent from heaven after repaying the kindness of his mother by liberating her from Samsara and teaching Dharma to the gods.

To celebrate both we will have Amitayus practice at the center at 7pm Tuesday. At the request of Lama Kalsang this is an in person practice only.

Our Wednesday yidam practice this week is Manjushri at 7pm, and Evening Tea Break is Thursday at 7pm. Saturday is Vajrasattva practice at 9am.

Sunday the 20th we will hold our annual Sangha meeting following a short break after Achi practice. At this meeting the board will talk about what we have accomplished in the last year and what we hope to accomplish in the years to come.  There will be time for feedback from attendees and discussion. Everyone is welcome, so please attend if you are able. Your feedback really matters to us and helps to set the direction for the future of our center.

Please note: the CDC has listed our community transmission level as low, and masks are optional for our in person practices at the center. 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, 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!

Thursday, November 17, 7pm, Evening Tea Break. Online only. A time just to talk about dharma with dharma friends, facilitated by a senior practitioner. Beginners are very welcome. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, November 19, 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, November 20, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma Practice and Annual Sangha Meeting. 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. Our annual sangha meeting will follow shortly after practice.  Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Tuesday the 8th is the Full Moon and we will hold Medicine Buddha practice at 7pm. Our Wednesday yidam practice is Green Tara at 7pm.

Evening Tea Break will be coming back this week on Thursday evenings. Tea breaks are a traditional part of longer Tibetan practices and give people a chance to talk to each other about the practice or teachings. Great masters tell us it’s important for us to talk to each other about dharma, and that’s what Evening Tea Breaks are for — to talk about practice and what we’re reading and studying, not as part of a class, but more informally. So make a cup of tea and join the conversation for as little or as long as you like. Beginners are very welcome.

Saturday is Vajrasattva practice at 9am. Sunday the 13th is a special White Tara Longevity Mandala practice at 10am.

Sunday the 20th we will hold our annual Sangha meeting after practice.

Please note:the CDC has listed our community transmission level as low, and masks are optional for our in person practices at the center. 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, 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!

Thursday, November 10, 7pm, Evening Tea Break. Online only. A time just to talk about dharma with dharma friends, facilitated by a senior practitioner. Beginners are very welcome. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, November 12, 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, November 13, 10 am. White Tara Longevity Mandala Practice. Online and in person.  White Tara is very close to sentient beings, like a mother to her children. She is very quick to fulfill our wishes and to grant us happiness and a long life, as well as helping us to develop wisdom. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our practices this week are on the regular schedule both online and in person.

Our Wednesday practice is Medicine Buddha at 7pm, Thursday the 3rd we will have Guru Rinpoche practice and Tsok. If you wish to participate in the tsok offering you are welcome to bring some fruit or cookies for the occasion. There are no prerequisites or prior experience required to participate.

Saturday is Vajrasattva practice at 9am. Sunday the 6th is Achi Chokyi Drolma practice at 10am.

Looking ahead a bit, Thursday evening Tea Break / informal discussion will be returning on November 10th. Sunday November 13 we will have a special White Tara Longevity Mandala practice, and Sunday the 20th we will hold our annual Sangha meeting after practice, more details to follow.

Please note: the CDC has listed our community transmission level as low, and masks are optional for our in person practices at the center. We will be running the air purifier in the common area. If you are not feeling well, 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!

Thursday, November 3, 7pm. Guru Rinpoche Practice and Tsok. In person and online. This practice helps us to clear outer and inner obstacles. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, November 5, 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, November 6, 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,

Our practices this week are on the regular schedule both online and in person.

On Tuesday the 25th we will have 35 Buddhas purification and prostrations practice for the New Moon. Our Wednesday yidam practice is Chenrezig at 7pm, Saturday is Vajrasattva practice at 9am. Sunday the 30th is Achi Chokyi Drolma practice at 10am.

Please note: the CDC has listed our community transmission level as low, and masks are optional for our in person practices at the center. We will be running the air purifier in the common area. If you are not feeling well, 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!

Saturday, October 29, 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, October 30, 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,

Lama Kalsang is returning from Florida on Tuesday the 18th — our practices this week are resuming both online and in person. Our Wednesday yidam practice is Green Tara at 7pm, Saturday is Vajrasattva practice at 9am.

Sunday the 23rd at 10am Lama Kalsang will lead a special Buddha Amitayus practice instead of our regular Sunday Achi practice. Amitayus, Buddha of Boundless Life, is regarded as the Sambhogakaya aspect of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Boundless Light. There will be a Tsok (food offering) included in this practice. If you wish to participate in the tsok offering you are welcome to bring some fruit or cookies for the occasion. There are no prerequisites or prior experience required to participate.

Please note: the CDC has listed our community transmission level as low, and masks are optional for our in person practices at the center. We will be running the air purifier in the common area. If you are not feeling well, 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!

Saturday, October 22, 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, October 23, 10 am. Buddha Amitayus Practice and Tsok. Online and in person. The Amitayus Retreat text will be used for this practice, and will be linked in the Zoom chat. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang is traveling from October 2nd through the 18th.  Our center’s practices this week are on pause.

From Oct. 3rd – 7th, Lama Kalsang is assisting in the creation of a Chenrezig Sand Mandala at Pasco-Hernando State College in New Port Richey, Florida, for the school’s Peace Week. Sessions are being streamed on Zoom beginning at 9:30 am each day, with dissolution scheduled for 12:30 pm on Friday. More information is available on Drong Ngur Jangchubling’s Facebook post.

From Oct 6th – 9th, Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche will bestow teachings on Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön’s Gongchig (the Single Intent). Lama Kalsang has said that it would be very beneficial for our sangha to participate in these teachings.

The Gongchig schedule is as follows:

Thu. Oct 6 & Fri. Oct 7:  7 to 9pm EDT
Sat. Oct 8 & Sun. Oct 9: 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm EDT

Please visit Drikung Dharma Surya Center for more information and to request the Zoom link for the Gongchig teachings.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our practices this week are on the regular schedule, both online and in person.

Please note: the CDC has listed our community transmission level as Low as of last Thursday. Masks will be optional for our in person practices at the center. We will be running the air purifier and ventilation fans in the common area. If you are not feeling well, 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!

Saturday, October 1, 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, October 2, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma Practice. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our practices this week are on the regular schedule, both online and in person. Sunday the 25th is the new moon and in the evening we will be doing the 35 Buddhas purification and prostration practice.

Please note: the CDC has listed our community transmission level as Medium as of last Thursday. Masks will be optional but recommended for our in person practices at the center. We will be running the air purifier and ventilation fans in the common area. If you are not feeling well, 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!

Saturday, September 24, 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, September 25, 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.

Sunday, September 25, 7pm. 35 Buddhas New Moon purification practice. Online and in person. Also known as The Sutra of the Three Heaps, this is a purification and prostration practice. Join us on Zoom.