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Dear Dharma Friends,

Ven. Khenpo Choephel’s June Teaching dates will be changed to June 11-12, due to another event that Khenpo needs to attend.

On Saturday June 11, Khenpo will offer the teaching on POWA, the transference of consciousness at the time of death, and on Sunday, June 12, the Amitayu Empowerment and Practice.

Following the teachings on Saturday there will be a Bodhisattva Ceremony offered by Khenpo Choephel to aspiring practitioners who would take the vows. The Saturday teaching will be shared on Zoom, and the Empowerment and Bodhisattva Vows Ceremony are in-person only. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday June 11, 2022
9am-12pm: Teachings on POWA
Bodhisattva Vows Ceremony to follow teachings – Khenpo has indicated that aspirants should bring an offering for the Three Jewels (flowers, fruit, etc)

Sunday June 12, 2022 
10am-12pm: Empowerment of Amitayu, the Buddha of Infinite Lives
12-1:30pm: Sangha vegetarian potluck lunch
1:30pm-4pm:  Buddha Amitayu practice

*Registration form for this event will be sent out soon.

Suggested donation is $30 for one day or $50 for both days. Your donations will support TRTCC’s many teaching and cultural events year round. No one will be turned away from Dharma teachings for insufficient funds. Donations may be offered at the center in the donation box or via PayPal.

Important note: the Allegheny County COVID community transmission level has recently been updated to Medium by the CDC. In accordance with CDC guidelines for the Medium level of transmission, our precautions for in-person attendance are as follows:

• Only fully vaccinated individuals may attend in-person practice
• Masks are optional and very strongly recommended for high risk individuals. Your risk assessment is between your and your health care provider, so please adhere to their guidance.
• Improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces – we will run fans to provide air circulation, exhaust, and will be running a HEPA unit in the shrine room.

If the CDC raises the community transmission level to High, masks will be required.

If you come in for a practice, please be mindful of your neighbors and allow spacing between yourselves. If you do not feel well for any reason, please do not attend in person. Please see our Covid Policy on the website for details.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Ven. Khenpo Choephel will be sharing Mandala Offering and Guru Yoga teachings on Saturday May 28, and the Medicine Buddha Empowerment on Sunday May 29, 2022. Following the teachings on Saturday there will also be a special opportunity for individuals to participate in a Refuge Ceremony led by Khenpo Choephel. The Saturday teaching will be shared on Zoom, the Empowerment and Refuge Ceremony are in-person only. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday May 28, 2022
9am-12pm: Teachings on Mandala Offering and Guru Yoga
Refuge Ceremony to follow teachings – Khenpo has indicated that aspirants should bring an offering for the Three Jewels (flowers, fruit, etc)

Sunday May 29, 2022 
10am-12pm: Empowerment of Medicine Buddha
12-1:30pm: Sangha vegetarian potluck lunch
1:30pm-4pm: Medicine Buddha practice

In order to help us plan and prepare for the weekend, we ask that you please fill out this registration form and let us know which days you’ll attend. If you are able to bring a vegetarian dish or snack for lunch on Sunday, please indicate on the form. Thank you!

Suggested donation is $30 for one day or $50 for both days. Your donations will support TRTCC’s many teaching and cultural events year round. No one will be turned away from Dharma teachings for insufficient funds. Donations may be offered at the center in the donation box or via PayPal.

Important note: the Allegheny County COVID community transmission level has recently been updated to Medium by the CDC. In accordance with CDC guidelines for the Medium level of transmission, our precautions for in-person attendance are as follows:

• Only fully vaccinated individuals may attend in-person practice
• Masks are optional and very strongly recommended for high risk individuals. Your risk assessment is between your and your health care provider, so please adhere to their guidance.
• Improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces – we will run fans to provide air circulation, exhaust, and will be running a HEPA unit in the shrine room.

If the CDC raises the community transmission level to High, masks will be required.

If you come in for a practice, please be mindful of your neighbors and allow spacing between yourselves. If you do not feel well for any reason, please do not attend in person. Please see our Covid Policy on the website for details.

Dear Dharma Friends,

Our schedule this week includes Medicine Buddha full moon practice on Monday May 16th as well as our regular Wednesday yidam practice on Wednesday the 18th. Manjushri is our yidam for Wednesday evening. Our Saturday and Sunday practices remain as usual.

Important note: We are aware of the updated Allegheny County COVID community transmission level to Medium by the CDC. In accordance with CDC guidelines for the Medium level of transmission, our precautions for in-person attendance are as follows:

• Only fully vaccinated individuals may attend in-person practice
• Masks are optional and very strongly recommended for high risk individuals. Your risk assessment is between your and your health care provider, so please adhere to their guidance.
• Improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces – we will run fans to provide air circulation, exhaust, and will be running a HEPA unit in the shrine room.

If you do come in for a practice, please be mindful of your neighbors and allow spacing between yourselves. If you do not feel well for any reason, please do not attend in person. Please see our Covid Policy on the website for details.

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

Monday, May 16, 7pm. Medicine Buddha Full Moon practice. In person and online. As a spiritual support for all people affected by this global pandemic, this is a practice to connect us to the healing power of the Medicine Buddha. Join us on Zoom.

Wednesday, May 18, 7pm. Manjushri Practice. Online and in person. Manjushri is the embodiment of perfect wisdom, which helps us cut through our ignorance and delusion. In our practice we aspire to embody all the best qualities of the yidam. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, May 21, 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 22, 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.
 

The Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh has organized the 14th annual Vesak Celebration this year to be an in-person, outdoor event on Sunday, May 22nd at the new home of the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center, 58 QSI Lane, Allison Park, PA 15101.

This is a special occasion for Pittsburgh Buddhist sanghas from various traditions to come together to honor the life and times of Shakyamuni Buddha, to share how his life and teachings are still relevant in today’s world, and for sangha families of all ages to get acquainted in a joyous outdoor gathering.  Each sangha group will present a short program related to Shakyamuni Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana, with chanting, meditation, prayers, and groups of children singing children’s songs.

This year, TRTCC will participate with Ven. Lama Kalsang and sangha members reading the “Praise of the Twelve Exemplary Deeds of the  Buddha“.  All are invited to join this special 2-hour free event. There will be refreshments served at the end of the ceremony. In order to help the organizer with planning, registration is highly recommended. Donations to help offset the costs are greatly appreciated.

For the sake of all participants’ safety please be fully vaccinated and follow the most current guidelines from CDC.  We hope to see you on this special occasion.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Dear Dharma Friends,

This Wednesday, May 11, we will defer our regular weekly yidam practice for an all-day White Zambhala Fortune Box ritual that will be conducted by Khenpo Choephel and Lama Kalsang. The ritual will take place between 10am and 7pm and is open to all. You may arrive at any point during the day and stay as long as you like. We just ask that attendees be aware that there is a ritual in process and enter / leave quietly and respectfully.

Our Saturday and Sunday practices remain as usual.

We ask that only fully vaccinated people come in to the center. If you do come in for a practice, please be mindful of your neighbors and allow spacing between yourselves. If you do not feel well for any reason, please do not attend in person. Please see our Covid Policy on the website for details.

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

Wednesday, May 11, 10am – 7pm. White Zambhala Fortune Box Ritual. In person only. 

This ritual is to benefit all sentient beings and bring the union of life and prosperity. It summons long life, prosperity, the power of the five elements, the power of gods, Nagas, Yakshas, kings & queens, good food, drinks, clothing so and so forth… from all directions and the three worlds. Offerings will be consecrated in a box or a bag called an auspicious fortune box and blessings also consecrated into attendees. This is important for our communities and enriches prosperity and a happy long life. Please note: The ritual will be conducted solely in Tibetan and as such there will be no translation to English and no English text to follow.

Saturday, May 14, 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 15, 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.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Khenpo Choephel and Lama Kalsang will conduct the White Zambhala Fortune Box ritual at the center on May 11, 10a – 7p, in person only.

This ritual is to benefit all sentient beings and bring the union of life and prosperity. It summons long life, prosperity, the power of the five elements, the power of gods, Nagas, Yakshas, kings & queens, good food, drinks, clothing so and so forth… from all directions and the three worlds. Offerings will be consecrated in a box or a bag called an auspicious fortune box and blessings also consecrated into attendees.

This is important for our communities and enriches prosperity and a happy long life.

Please note: The ritual will be conducted solely in Tibetan and as such there will be no translation to English and no English text to follow. You may arrive or depart at any time during the ritual, and we ask that attendees be aware that there is a ritual in process and enter / leave quietly and respectfully.

Donations may be offered at the center in the donation box or via PayPal.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Dear Dharma Friends,

With Venerable Khenpo Choephel having returned from Nepal, there will be a few changes to our schedule. Introduction to Practice on Tuesdays and Basic Buddhism on Thursdays will both be on spring break beginning this week. All other practices will remain as usual.

We ask that only fully vaccinated people come in to the center. If you do come in for a practice, please be mindful of your neighbors and allow spacing between yourselves. If you do not feel well for any reason, please do not attend in person. Please see our Covid Policy on the website for details.

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

Wednesday, May 4, 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.

Saturday, May 7, 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 8, 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.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Dear Dharma Friends,

Due to Lama Kalsang’s travel, there will be no Wednesday evening yidam practice this week. All other practices are as regularly scheduled. For a general overview of our weekly practices please see the Our Practices page on the website.

We ask that only fully vaccinated people come in to the center. If you do come in for a practice, please be mindful of your neighbors and allow spacing between yourselves. If you do not feel well for any reason, please do not attend in person. Please see our Covid Policy on the website for details.

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

Tuesday, April 26, 7pm, Introduction to Practice.  Online only. This informal class offers an introduction to the center’s practices and to meditation in our lineage. It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class. Join us on Zoom.

Thursday, April 28, 7pm, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study. Online only. The subject of study is action bodhicitta, in the form of The Six Paramitas. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, April 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, May 1, 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 we will be sharing the Wednesday evening Green Tara yidam practice online as well as hosting in person at the center. All other practices this week are as regularly scheduled. For a general overview of our weekly practices please see the Our Practices page on the website.

Please note: beginning this week we are consolidating our Zoom links for practices to always use the same Zoom meeting URL. If you have bookmarked or saved any old Zoom links they will not be valid. Unless otherwise noted, you may join our online practices by following this link. We will generally open the Zoom a few minutes before it is scheduled to begin – if you get a message that the meeting has not been started, please allow a few minutes for the host to open the room.

We ask that only fully vaccinated people come in to the center. If you do come in for a practice, please be mindful of your neighbors and allow ample spacing between yourselves. If you do not feel well for any reason, please do not attend in person. Please see our Covid Policy on the website for details.

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

Tuesday, April 19, 7pm, Introduction to Practice.  Online only. This informal class offers an introduction to the center’s practices and to meditation in our lineage. It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class. Join us on Zoom.

Wednesday, April 20, 7pm. Green Tara Practice. Online and in person. 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. Join us on Zoom.

Thursday, April 21, 7pm, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study. Online only. The subject of study is action bodhicitta, in the form of The Six Paramitas. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, April 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, April 24, 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. Join us on Zoom.

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ALL ARE WELCOME

 

Dear Dharma Friends,

We have a full schedule of practices this week. In addition to our regular schedule we also have Guru Rinpoche practice and Tsok at 7pm this evening, and full moon Medicine Buddha practice Saturday evening at 7pm.

We ask that only fully vaccinated people come in to the center. If you do come in for a practice, please be mindful of your neighbors and allow ample spacing between yourselves. If you do not feel well for any reason, please do not attend in person. Please see our Covid Policy on the website for details.

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

Monday, April 11, 7pm, Guru Rinpoche practice and Tsok. In person only.

Tuesday, April 12, 7pm, Introduction to Practice.  Online only. This informal class offers an introduction to the center’s practices and to meditation in our lineage. It would be helpful to read this short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism before class. To join our Tuesday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87131667139?pwd=bWZhMFhsZCtuWjRETm12SDVheFN2Zz09

Wednesday, April 13, 7pm. Manjushri Practice. In person only. Manjushri is the embodiment of perfect wisdom, which helps us cut through our ignorance and delusion.

Thursday, April 14, 7pm, Basic Buddhism: Practice and Study. Online only. The subject of study is action bodhicitta, in the form of The Six Paramitas. To join our Thursday Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82118543609?pwd=UXB6bEpCU0l0ODRmQUtTek1sNVpoUT09

Saturday, April 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. To join our Saturday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89243184546?pwd=MWNkZmZHUk96bExGUXpleGUyUEhxZz09

Saturday, April 16, 7pm. Full moon Medicine Buddha Practice. In person only. For the benefit of those who are ill or in need of healing, purification, and general success.

 

Sunday, April 17, 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. To join our Sunday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84777900653?pwd=KzVrYWxGK2lvVlFXOGxwbUZpL0tLQT09

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ALL ARE WELCOME