Dear Friends,

With Lama Kalsang still away, and with the concerning and uncertain situation with the delta variant, practices at the center will be online only at least through the end of August.  We will keep you informed as that situation changes, with the intention of having the center open again for practice as soon as we can.  Please take good care, for the sake of all beings.

To give you an update on what Lama Kalsang is doing in Massachusetts, an important part of the work is creating an appropriate place for the replica of the Jowo Buddha statue that is the heart of Lama Sonam’s center.  The Jowo Buddha is the most sacred and famous Buddha image in Tibet.  The eight-foot statue was brought to Tibet in the 7th century by the Chinese princess, Wenchen Kongjo, as part of her dowry when she married King Songsten Gampo.  In Tibet it is housed in the famous Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.  The full-size replica commissioned by Lama Sonam in Nepal is the only one on this continent.  Lama Sonam hopes that it will become a place for pilgrimage, as it is within Tibet.  We are lucky to be able to share in this effort through our Lama.

Tuesday, August 10, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, August 14, 10am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice resumes this week with further discussion of purification practices. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

 

Sunday, August 15, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

 

Upcoming Practices, August 3 – August 8

Dear Friends,

Sunday practice has moved back to online only while Lama Kalsang is working with Lama Sonam on the new center in Massachusetts. We will keep you updated on his return.

Tuesday, August 3, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, August 7, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice is being suspended for four weeks in deference to H.E. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s teachings on Samsara and Nirvana, which began on Saturday, July 17.  For more information about these teachings please see our website at www.threeriverstibetancc.org.  Saturday practice at the center will resume on August 14.

 

Sunday, August 8, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09


 

Upcoming Practices, July 27 – August 1

Dear Friends,

We will be temporarily moving Sunday practice back to online only while Lama Kalsang is working with Lama Sonam on the new center in Massachusetts. We will keep you updated on his return.

Tuesday, July 27, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, July 31, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice is being suspended for four weeks in deference to H.E. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s teachings on Samsara and Nirvana, which began on Saturday, July 17.  For more information about these teachings please see our website at www.threeriverstibetancc.org.  Saturday practice at the center will resume on August 14.

 

Sunday, August 1, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. Online only. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09


 

Upcoming Practices, July 20 – 25

Dear Friends,

While Lama Kalsang is in Boston, Sunday practice is going to continue both at the center and online. It was good joining Lama from the center yesterday. The center was at its current capacity for the practice, and Lama looked happy to see everyone there.

The center’s policy about attending practice in person continues as before, as we continue to keep an eye on things.  For the benefit of others, we ask that only people who are fully vaccinated come in to the center.  And attendance will still be limited to make sure there is comfortable spacing for everyone who comes in.  

To attend any practice at the center, just send an email to TRTCC@threeriverstibetancc.org indicating the practice or practices you would like to attend.  If there is not space at the center, we’ll let you know that. Otherwise all systems are go to come and practice in the beautiful shrine room Lama has created for us.  But please do email first so we can be mindful of numbers.

Tuesday, July 20, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices, with focus on the meaning of the invocations that are a part of every practice, and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, July 24, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice is being suspended for four weeks in deference to H.E. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s teachings on Samsara and Nirvana, which began on Saturday, July 17.  For more information about these teachings please see our website at www.threeriverstibetancc.org.  Saturday practice at the center will resume on August 14.

 

Sunday, July 25, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. At the center and online. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. At the center and online. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09
 

 

Upcoming Practices, July 13 – 18

Dear Friends,

Lama Kalsang is precious not just to us, but to many Drikung Kagyu centers who ask for his help.  This week he is traveling to Boston to honor a commitment to help with a new center there.  He will join us from Boston for Sunday practice on Zoom.  We will still have Sunday practice at the center while Lama is away.  We’re going to join him from the center on Zoom.

For the benefit of others, we ask that only fully vaccinated people come in to the center.  We’re still keeping attendance on the lower end to make sure there is comfortable spacing for practitioners who attend in person.  To attend in person, please send an email to TRTCC@threeriverstibetancc.org indicating the practice or practices you’d like to attend. We’ll only reply if there isn’t space left.  So no need to wait for a confirming email.

Tuesday, July 13, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices and the philosophy they embody and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Saturday, July 17, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, Saturday practice is being suspended for four weeks in deference to H.E. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s teachings on Samsara and Nirvana, which begin on Saturday, July 17.  For more information about these teachings please see our website at www.threeriverstivetancc.org.  Saturday practice at the center will resume on August 14.

 

Sunday, July 18, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. At the center and online. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. At the center and online. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09


Upcoming Practices, July 6 – 11

Dear Friends,

We’ve been happy to see friends at the center again as we continue our reopening. We are still limiting attendance to provide enough space for practitioners who wish to attend in person.  To attend any practice at the center please see To Attend Practice In Person below.  Most but not all of the practices will also be online.  The listing for each of the week’s practices will tell you whether it is both at the center and online, at the center only, or online only. That may change from week to week depending on Lama’s schedule.  

Saturday, July 10, 10 am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, at the center and online. The subject of study is Introduction to Vajrasattva Practice.  If you’re attending for the first time, there is a short introduction to the practice at 9:30. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

 

Sunday, July 11, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. At the center and online. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. At the center and online. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09


To Attend Practice At The Center:

During this initial phase of the center’s reopening, attendance is limited to provide enough space for practitioners who wish to attend in person.  For the benefit of others we ask that only people who are fully vaccinated come in to the center. To attend practice in person, please send an email to TRTCC@threeriverstibetancc.org indicating the practice or practices you’d like to attend.  If there is still an open cushion, you’ll get a confirming email about coming in.  If you don’t get that confirmation, please follow the practices online.

Upcoming Practices, June 29 – July 4

Dear Friends,

Ven. Lama Kalsang returned to the center yesterday, after his auspicious travels to Chicago and Wisconsin.  We’re happy he’s back, but also very happy for his experience while he was away.  With Lama’s return, the center will resume its normal weekly schedule.

As we continue our joyful but mindful reopening of the center, we’re still limiting attendance to provide enough space for practitioners who attend in person.  To attend any practice at the center please see To Attend Practice In Person below.  Most but not all of the practices will also be online.  The listing for each of the week’s practices will tell you whether it is both at the center and online, at the center only, or online only.  That may change from week to week depending on Lama’s schedule.

Tuesday, June 29, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, online only. This class introduces the center’s practices and the philosophy they embody and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09

Wednesday, June 30, 7 pm. Green Tara Yidam Practice, with Ven. Lama Kalsang, at the center only. Tara, the meditation deity in female forms, embodies the wisdom energies of compassionate fearlessness. This yidam practice is for us to cultivate the connection to this feminine energy of compassion and wisdom through visualization and chanting.

Saturday, July 3, 10 am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study with Ven. Lama Kalsang, at the center and online. The subject of study is Introduction to Vajrasattva Practice. If you’re attending for the first time, there is a short introduction to the practice at 9:30. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

Sunday, July 4, 10 am. Achi Chokyi Drolma practice with Ven. Lama Kalsang. At the center and online. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, and Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. At the center and online. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09


To Attend Practice At The Center:

During this initial phase of the center’s reopening, attendance is limited to provide enough space for practitioners who attend in person.  For the benefit of others we ask that only people who are fully vaccinated come in to the center. To attend practice in person, please send an email to TRTCC@threeriverstibetancc.org indicating the practice or practices you’d like to attend.  If there is still an open cushion, you’ll get a confirming email about coming in.  If you don’t get that confirmation, please follow the practices online.

Upcoming Practices – June 26 – 29, 2021

Dear Friends,

This week’s Wednesday yidam practice and Thursday Guru Rinpoche practices at the center are cancelled due to Lama Kalsang extending his stay with Chicago Ratna Shri to assist with opening their new center, and a visit with Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche. We will keep you informed of updates regarding his return to Pittsburgh.

For the continuing benefit of all, attendance at the center is limited during this first stage of our reopening.  To attend any practice at the center please see To Attend Practice In Person below.  Most but not all of the practices will also be online.  The listing for each of the week’s practices will tell you whether it is both at the center and online, at the center only, or online only.  That may change from week to week depending on Lama’s schedule.  

Saturday, June 26, 10 am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, at the center and online. The subject of study is The Wheel of Life.  If you’re attending for the first time, there is a short introduction to the practice at 9:30. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

 

Sunday, June 27, 10 am. Practice will include recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, World Peace Prayer; and dedication. Online only this week. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

Tuesday, June 29, 7 pm. Introduction to Practice, at the center and online. This class introduces the center’s practices and the philosophy they embody and also offers basic meditation instruction.  This short Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism  would be helpful to read before class.  To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85750699668?pwd=c1U2UHBDNndFQi9DOExSSkhWZUN0UT09


To Attend Practice At The Center:

During this initial phase of the center’s reopening, attendance is limited to 5 people.  For the benefit of others we ask that only people who are fully vaccinated come in to the center.  To attend practice in person, please send an email to TRTCC@threeriverstibetancc.org indicating the practice or practices you’d like to attend.  If there is still an open cushion, you’ll get a confirming email about coming in.  If you don’t get that confirmation, please follow the practices online.
 

 

 

Upcoming Practices – June 19, 20, 2021

Dear Friends,

Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche and Drupon Dorjee Rinchen Rinpoche have requested Lama Kalsang’s participation in rituals related to the opening of a new center. Because these responsibilities will keep Lama from being able to lead Wednesday evening yidam practice next week, we have cancelled that practice for June  23.

For the continuing benefit of all, attendance at the center is limited during this first stage of our reopening.  To attend any practice at the center please see To Attend Practice In Person below.  Most but not all of the practices will also be online.  The listing for each of the week’s practices will tell you whether it is both at the center and online, at the center only, or online only.  That may change from week to week depending on Lama’s schedule.  

Saturday, June 19, 10 am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study, at the center and online. The subject of study is The Wheel of Life.  If you’re attending for the first time, there is a short introduction to the practice at 9:30. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09

Sunday, June 20, 10 am, online only this week. Practice will include opening prayers, recitation of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Om Ah Hung practice and meditation, World Peace Prayer; and dedication. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

To Attend Practice At The Center:

During this initial phase of the center’s reopening, attendance is limited to 5 people.  For the benefit of others we ask that only people who are fully vaccinated come in to the center.  To attend practice in person, please send an email to TRTCC@threeriverstibetancc.org indicating the practice or practices you’d like to attend.  If there is still an open cushion, you’ll get a confirming email about coming in.  If you don’t get that confirmation, please follow the practices online.

 

ALL ARE WELCOME

To receive our weekly updates of upcoming teachings or special events:

Sunday, 5/16/2021, 10:00am, Vajrasattva Practice Online with Ven. Lama Kalsang


This Sunday, 5/16, at 10am, Ven. Lama Kalsang will lead the Vajrasattva Practice online. This is a foundational and ongoing training to purify our negative actions, mental disturbances, harmful tendencies and mistaken views. As a way to support your practice we are including the links to our practice texts in this email and will also share with you when you join our meeting. Please join us on Sunday:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09
Saturday at 10 am. Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study  with Lama Kalsang and Jonnie Viakley, We will be studying The Wheel of Life, which is a a series of visual images arranged in an intricate diagram of concentric circles. The Wheel of Life is at the entrance to almost every Tibetan prayer hall, including ours, where a thangka painting hangs just inside the entry. To join our Saturday Zoom meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271901269?pwd=Y1MzRzlYaWNYNGozUFpiOHNwUmpudz09
Tuesday at 7 pm. Introduction to Practice. This six-week class, led by Jonnie Viakley, will offer an explanation of the opening prayers of the center’s practices and the Buddhist philosophy they embody. Each session will also include meditation and basic meditation instruction. Below is a link to a short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, which would be helpful to read. To join our Tuesday Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86948423253?pwd=amUxZ2dUUG10YlZScXFUaVlUdHVYZz09

To receive our weekly updates of upcoming teachings or special events: