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Dear Dharma Friends,

Some great news this week – Lama Kalsang has returned from Boston and will be leading our practices on the regular schedule, both online and in person.

Please note: the CDC has listed our community transmission level as low. 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, September 17, 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 18, 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 has been requested to remain in Boston for one more week but will be returning to Pittsburgh on the 12th. He will join our Sunday practice on the 11th online. On Saturday we can practice Vajrasattva individually and use the time to deepen our familiarity with the practice.

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

Sunday, September 11, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma Practice. Online only. 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 has requested that our practices for this week be centered on the Achi Dharma Tara Retreat, September 2 – 4, to be led by H.E. Tritsab Gyabra Rinpoche, Lama Sonam, and Lama Kalsang.

The Achi Dharma Tara is a special terma practice of Guru, Yidam and Dakini.  Historicaly, Achi Chokyi Drolma was the great grandmother of Kyopa Jigten Sumgon (1143-1217), the founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage.  She is considered a manifestation of the diety Tara and an 8th bhumi protector of  all Buddhist lineages.  We rejoice in the opportunity to receive this special practice from terton H.E. Tritsab Gyabra Rinpoche.

The retreat schedule is as follows (all times EST):

Friday, September 2: 7pm – 9pm: Empowerment
Saturday, Sept. 3: 6am – 7:30am
9am – 12pm
2pm – 5pm
Sunday, Sept. 4: 9am – 12pm
2pm – 5pm Tsok Offering

To join on Zoom: Meeting ID: 875 7629 2251     Pass code: 108

If you would like to make katag offering to Rinpoche and the Lamas please Click Here

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,

Lama Kalsang is still in Boston assisting Lama Sonam – our Saturday and Sunday practices this week will be online only. Our Tuesday and Thursday classes are on break for a while.

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

Saturday, August 20, 9am. Vajrasattva Practice. Online only. 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, August 21, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma Practice. Online only. 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.
 

Our Saturday Vajrasattva practice this week is cancelled. Lama Kalsang will be supporting the US Jokhang Temple First Anniversary Celebration with Lama Sonam and H.E. Tritsab Rinpoche in Danvers, MA.

The event is Saturday August 13, 10am – 4pm and you are warmly invited to join on Zoom:  https://zoom.us/j/9428285317  Pass code; 359737

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang is still traveling, and our Sunday practice will be online only. Our Tuesday and Thursday classes are also on pause for a while. Last week the CDC raised the Allegheny County Covid transmission level to High, so this is a good time for a short break with in-person activities.

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

Sunday, August 14, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma Practice. Online only. 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 will be traveling until mid-August. While he is away, Wednesday evening yidam practice will not be on the schedule. All other practices will be online only until his return. Last week the CDC raised the Allegheny County Covid transmission level to Medium, so this is a good time for a short break with in-person activities.

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

Tuesday, August 2, 7pm, Introduction to Practice. Online only.The topic this week will be purification praction, or the practice of clearing away, including confession with the four powers complete. Join us on Zoom. It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class.

Thursday, August 4, 7pm, Shamatha Meditation. Online only. This class offers basic meditation instruction in our lineage. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, August 6, 9am. Vajrasattva Practice. Online only. 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, August 7, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma Practice. Online only. 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 schedule this week includes Manjushri yidam practice on Wednesday July 20 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 19, 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.

Wednesday, July 20, 7pm. Manjushri Practice. Online and in person. Manjushri is the embodiment of perfect wisdom, which helps us cut through our ignorance, attachment, and delusion. Join us on Zoom.

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,

Our schedule this week includes Medicine Buddha full moon practice on Wednesday July 13 at 7pm. Our Tuesday & Thursday classes and Saturday & Sunday practices remain as usual.

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

Tuesday, July 12, 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.

Wednesday, July 13, 7pm. Medicine Buddha Full Moon Practice. Online and in person. As a spiritual support for all people affected by the global pandemic, this is a practice to connect us to the healing power of the Medicine Buddha. Join us on Zoom.

Thursday, July 14, 7pm, Shamatha Meditation. Online only. This class offers basic meditation instruction in our lineage. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, July 16, 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 17, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma Practice. **Online Only**. 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 has returned from Boston and so our regular practice schedule will resume this week. We have one special practice in addition to the regular schedule — Saturday July 9 is Guru Rinpoche Day (10th day of the Tibetan lunar calendar) and we will have Guru Rinpoche practice and Tsok at 7pm.

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

Tuesday, July 5, 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.

Wednesday, July 6, 7pm. Chenrezig Practice. Online and in person. Chenrezig is the embodiment of universal compassion. This yidam practice focuses on the cultivation of compassionate qualities and activities in all of us. Join us on Zoom.

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

Saturday, July 9, 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.

Saturday, July 9, 7pm. Guru Rinpoche Practice and Tsok. In person only. This practice helps us to clear outer and inner obstacles.

Sunday, July 10, 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.