Editor

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang’s travel plans have been extended and he will be in Nepal until mid June. Until then we are on a modified practice schedule. This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice is on pause.

Thursday is Evening Tea Break at 7pm, Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice at 9am, and this Sunday at 10am our practice will be Om Ah Hum and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.

Looking forward to June, we are bringing back Introduction to Practice on the first Tuesday of each month. The first Zoom meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 4. This introduction to the center’s practices and to the meaning of the invocations that are part of every practice is offered monthly. Newcomers may find this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism helpful. Stay tuned for the Zoom link in next week’s emai!

Please be advised: the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending May 11, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Thursday, May 30, 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, June 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, June 2, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Om Ah Hung practice and meditation. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang’s travel plans have been extended and he will be in Nepal until mid June. Until then we are on a modified practice schedule. This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice is on pause.

Thursday is Evening Tea Break at 7pm, Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice at 9am, and this Sunday at 10am our practice will be Om Ah Hum and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.

Looking forward to June, we will be bringing back our Introduction to Practice class on the first Tuesday of each month. The first class will be held on Tuesday, June 4. This class will be online only. Stay tuned for the Zoom link!

This is the month of Saga Dawa – when we celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death (parinirvana) of the Buddha Shakyamuni. During Saga Dawa the practice of virtue, meditation, and generosity holds great importance in our Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Observing practices during this sacred month multiplies our merit thousands-fold. It’s an opportunity to cultivate our compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness, which leads to personal spiritual growth and benefiting all sentient beings.

The most holy day is Saka Dawa Duchen, which is the date most commonly associated with Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. It falls on May 23 this year. Engaging in acts of kindness and self-reflection during Saga Dawa creates ripple effects of positivity and fosters a deeper connection to oneself and the world.

Please be advised: the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending May 11, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Thursday, May 23, 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, May 25, 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, May 26, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Om Ah Hung practice and meditation. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang’s travel plans have been extended and he will be in Nepal until mid June. Until then we are on a modified practice schedule. This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice is on pause.

Thursday is Evening Tea Break at 7pm, Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice at 9am, and this Sunday at 10am our practice will be Om Ah Hum and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.

This is the month of Saga Dawa – when we celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death (parinirvana) of the Buddha Shakyamuni. During Saga Dawa the practice of virtue, meditation, and generosity holds great importance in our Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Observing practices during this sacred month multiplies our merit thousands-fold. It’s an opportunity to cultivate our compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness, which leads to personal spiritual growth and benefiting all sentient beings.

The most holy day is Saka Dawa Duchen, which is the date most commonly associated with Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. It falls on May 23 this year. Engaging in acts of kindness and self-reflection during Saga Dawa creates ripple effects of positivity and fosters a deeper connection to oneself and the world.
Please be advised: the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending May 4, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Thursday, May 16, 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, May 18, 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, May 19, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Om Ah Hung practice and meditation. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang is in Nepal until mid May and we are on a modified practice schedule. This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice is on pause.

Thursday is Evening Tea Break at 7pm, Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice at 9am, and this Sunday at 10am our practice will be Om Ah Hum and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.
Please be advised: the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending April 27, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Thursday, May 9, 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, May 11, 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, May 12, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Om Ah Hung practice and meditation. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang is in Nepal until mid May and we are on a modified practice schedule. This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice is on pause.

Thursday is Evening Tea Break at 7pm, Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice at 9am, and this Sunday at 10am our practice will be Om Ah Hum and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.

Please be advised: the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending April 20, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Thursday, May 2, 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, May 4, 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, May 5, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Om Ah Hung practice and meditation. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang is in Nepal until mid May and we are on a modified practice schedule. This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice and Thursday Tea Break are on pause.

Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice at 9am, and this Sunday at 10am our practice will be Om Ah Hum and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.

Please be advised: the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending April 13, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Saturday, April 27, 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, April 28, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Om Ah Hung practice and meditation. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang is in Nepal until mid May and we are on a modified practice schedule. This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice is on pause. Thursday is Evening Tea Break at 7pm.

On Friday April 19th, Saturday the 20th, and Sunday the 21st TRTCC is hosting teachings and an Amoghapasha Chenrezig transmission that will be given by Tulku Sherdor, a world-renowned teacher, scholar, and translator in Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of Blazing Wisdom Institute in New York. He has studied with many preeminent masters of the 20th century, including Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dung Say Trinley Norbu Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, and many others, and we’re excited to be welcoming him to our center!

Note: registration closed on April 16th. If attending in person, you may bring a lunch or go out. The center will provide tea / coffee – you may bring your own mug.

Event parking: There is limited street parking, and we want to be good neighbors. So if you are able to walk a short distance, please do not park on the street near the center. There is a metered parking lot on Monongahela Avenue at Denniston, or you can park for free in the Swissvale Shopping Center at Church Street and Monongahela Avenue. Either location is about a block from the center.

Friday, 4/19: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Introduction
Saturday, 4/20: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. Aspiration For Excellent Conduct
Sunday, 4/21: 9:30 am – 2:30 pm Amoghapasha Chenrezig

The center doors will be open 30 minutes prior to the start times. Please plan to arrive with some extra time to get settled!

Please be advised: the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending April 6, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Thursday, April 18, 7pm, Evening Tea Break. Online only. A time just to talk about dharma with dharma friends. Beginners are very welcome. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang is in Nepal until mid May and we are on a modified practice schedule. This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice is on pause. Thursday is Evening Tea Break at 7pm, Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice at 9am, and this Sunday at 10am our practice will be Om Ah Hum and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.

On April 19, 20, and 21 TRTCC will be hosting teachings and an Amoghapasha Chenrezig transmission that will be given by Tulku Sherdor, a world-renowned teacher, scholar, and translator in Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of Blazing Wisdom Institute in New York. He has studied with many preeminent masters of the 20th century, including Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dung Say Trinley Norbu Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, and many others, and we’re excited to be welcoming him to our center!

Friday, 4/19 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
Saturday, 4/20 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Sunday, 4/21 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

Please be advised: the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending March 30, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Thursday, April 11, 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, April 13, 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, April 14, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Om Ah Hung practice and meditation. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang departed for Nepal early this morning and until his return in mid May we will be on a modified practice schedule. This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice is on pause. Thursday Evening Tea Break is also paused this week – April 4 – and will be paused on April 25. Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice at 9am. This Sunday at 10am our practice will be Om Ah Hum and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.

On April 19, 20, and 21 TRTCC will be hosting teachings and an Amoghapasha Chenrezig transmission that will be given by Tulku Sherdor, a world-renowned teacher, scholar, and translator in Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of Blazing Wisdom Institute in New York. He has studied with many preeminent masters of the 20th century, including Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dung Say Trinley Norbu Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, and many others, and we’re excited to be welcoming him to our center!

Friday, 4/19 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
Saturday, 4/20 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Sunday, 4/21 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

Please be advised: the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending March 23, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Saturday, April 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, April 7, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Om Ah Hung practice and meditation. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

This week our Wednesday evening yidam practice is Medicine Buddha. Thursday is Evening Tea Break at 7pm on Zoom. Saturday morning is Vajrasattva practice at 9am. This Sunday at 10am our practice will be Jigten Sumgon Guru Yoga. 

Lama Kalsang will be traveling to Nepal from April 1 to mid-May — next week we will be returning to a modified schedule.

On April 19, 20, and 21 TRTCC will be hosting teachings and an Amoghapasha Chenrezig transmission that will be given by Tulku Sherdor, a world-renowned teacher, scholar, and translator in Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of Blazing Wisdom Institute in New York. He has studied with many preeminent masters of the 20th century, including Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dung Say Trinley Norbu Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, and many others, and we’re excited to be welcoming him to our center!

Friday, 4/19 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
Saturday, 4/20 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Sunday, 4/21 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

Please be advised:  the CDC is currently listing our community hospital admission level of COVID as low. This is based on data for the week ending March 16, 2024. Masks remain optional for our in person practices at the center but we encourage you to please 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!

Thursday, March 28, 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, March 30, 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, March 31, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva and Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Jigten Sumgon Guru Yoga practice led by Ven. Lama Kalsang. Join us on Zoom.