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Dear Dharma Friends,

Our practices this week are modified. Lama Kalsang is in Boston at Lama Sonam’s center for one more week, and will join our Saturday (22nd) and Sunday (23rd) practices via Zoom.
There will be no yidam practice this Wednesday, and Thursday at 7pm will be Evening Tea Break.

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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, July 20, 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, July 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, July 23, 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. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our practices this week are modified. Lama Kalsang is in Boston at Lama Sonam’s center until next week, and will join our Saturday (15th) and Sunday (16th) practices via Zoom.

There will be no yidam practice this Wednesday, and Thursday at 7pm will be Evening Tea Break.

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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, July 13, 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, July 15, 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 16, 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. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our practices this week will be slightly modified. Lama Kalsang is travelling to Lama Sonam’s Boston center on the 7th, and will join our Saturday (8th) and Sunday (9th) practices via Zoom.

Our Wednesday yidam practice this week is Chenrezig at 7pm, and this Thursday begins our new monthly first Thursday Vajrasattva Study Group at 7pm. Evening Tea Break will continue on the other Thursdays of the month.

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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, July 6, 7pm, Vajrasattva Study Group. Online only. This class aims to deepen familiarity with Vajrasattva practice by opening it to study and contemplation. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, July 8, 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 9, 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. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

On Sunday July 2, our practice will be the Jigten Sumgon Guru Yoga practice that was taught to our sangha by Venerable Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche during his visit to Pittsburgh. This Guru Yoga will replace the Achi Chokyi Drolma practice on the first Sunday of each month regularly.

Starting on July 6, a Vajrasattva Study Group will begin meeting on the first Thursday of every month at 7 pm.  This class will aim to deepen familiarity with Vajrasattva practice by opening it to study and contemplation. Evening Tea Break will continue on the other Thursdays of the month.

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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, June 29, 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, July 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, July 2, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Jigten Sumgon Guru Yoga practice led by Ven. Lama Kalsang. This practice cultivates a deep connection with Jigten Sumgon, the founder of our Drikung Kagyu tradition, through visualization, mantra recitation, and devotion.  Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang has safely returned from Drong Ngur Jangchubling in Florida, and our practices this week are on the regular schedule.

Upcoming practice update: beginning on Sunday July 2, we will be doing the Jigten Sumgon Guru Yoga practice that was taught to our sangha by Venerable Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche during his visit to Pittsburgh. This Guru Yoga will replace the Achi Chokyi Drolma practice on the first Sunday of each month regularly.

With Rinpoche’s approval, we have made his series of teachings available to be viewed on our YouTube channel. Please note that the Saturday teaching videos are broken out into 3 parts.

If you would like a copy of the Jigten Sumgon Guru Yoga text used for the Sunday June 4 teaching, it is available as a hard copy or pdf including the Guru Yogas of Vajradhara, Marpa, Milarepa, and Gampopa from Vajra Publications.

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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, June 22, 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 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, June 25, 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. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Lama Kalsang will be traveling until late Wednesday this week and our practices are modified. Wednesday evening yidam practice this week is paused. Saturday and Sunday practices will be on the regular schedule.

With Venerable Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche’s approval, we have made his series of teachings available to be viewed on our YouTube channel. Please note that the Saturday teaching videos are broken out into 3 parts.

If you would like a copy of the Jigten Sumgon Guru Yoga text used for the Sunday June 4 teaching, it is available as a hard copy or pdf including the Guru Yogas of Vajradhara, Marpa, Milarepa, and Gampopa from Vajra Publications.

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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, June 15, 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 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, June 18, 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. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

This weekend’s series of teachings given by Venerable Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche was a great success! Approximately 90 people attended in person over the 3 days, and about 75 on Zoom. We would like to express our heartfelt thank you everyone who volunteered their time to help make it possible, who made donations or other material offerings, to First United Methodist Church for the gracious use of their space, and our deep gratitude to Khenchen Rinpoche for his great generosity and loving kindness in bringing the Dharma to his students both here in Pittsburgh and those participating on Zoom!

This upcoming week Lama Kalsang will be travelling to participate in The 10th Annual Drikung Kagyu Monlam at Drong Ngur Jangchubling in Wesley Chapel, FL on June 10 – 11.

With Lama’s travels, our practices this week are modified. Wednesday evening yidam practice this week is paused, and Sunday practice will not include Achi Chokyi Drolma.

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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, June 8, 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 10, 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 11, 10 am. Online and in person. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation. Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our regular Saturday and Sunday practices this week are being replaced by weekend teachings with Most Venerable Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche, Friday June 2 – Sunday June 4, 2023. Registration is open for the teachings,so pease visit this link for the schedule and registration information. Rinpoche has safely arrived in Pittsburgh and Lama Kalsang is hosting his stay at our center. Prior to the weekend we will be sending out a few texts that will be used during the teachings, so please be on the lookout for those later this week.

Our Wednesday evening yidam practice this week is Green Tara, and Thursday evening Tea Break will remain on the schedule!

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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, June 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.

Dear Dharma Friends,
All practices this week are as regularly scheduled. Our Wednesday evening yidam practice this week is Chenrezig.

Registration is open for teachings that will be given by Most Venerable Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche, June 2-4, 2023. Please visit this link for the schedule and registration information.

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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 25, 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 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, May 28, 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.    Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,
All practices this week are as usually scheduled with the addition of 35 Buddhas practice for the new moon on Friday at 7pm. Our Wednesday evening yidam practice this week is Medicine Buddha.

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 or have had a recent exposure to Covid, please ensure that you are negative with a home test before coming in or 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 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.

Friday, May 19, 7pm. 35 Buddhas New Moon purification practice. In person only. Also known as The Sutra of the Three Heaps, this is a purification and prostration practice.

Saturday, May 20, 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 21, 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.    Join us on Zoom.