Dear Dharma Friends,

With Ven. Khenpo Chophel returning to our center, we are making some updates to the schedule for this week and those moving forward. Wednesday evening remains yidam practice at 7pm. This week is Green Tara. 10am Saturday morning Khenpo is teaching a Beginners Buddhism class (previously held on Tuesday), and 10am Sunday this week he will continue going over the new TRTCC Essential Prayer Book.

Beginning next Sunday at 10am (October 18th) Khenpo will be starting a weekly teaching series on Gampopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation. The recommended text is written by our Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche, and is available at Namse Bangdzo books ($31 is the best price we could find online). If the cost is prohibitive, you can find the base text here.

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is a masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism. For more than eight centuries, this text has provided a complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice – covering the initial entry into the path and continuing through to the achievement of Buddhahood. It includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding a spiritual master, impermanence, karma, the cultivation of bodhicitta, the development of the six perfections, the ten Bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahood, and the activities of a Buddha.

“Anyone who knows the Jewel Ornament well can say that they really understand Buddhism.” — Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche

 

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

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

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Wednesday, October 7, 7pm EST. Green Tara practice. Online and in person. Green Tara, the meditation deity in female form, embodies the wisdom energies of compassionate fearlessness. This yidam practice helps us remove fears and obstacles, and cultivates the connection to her feminine energy of compassion and wisdom through visualization and chanting. Join us on Zoom.

Saturday, October 10, 10am EST, Beginners Buddhism. Online and in person. Ven. Khenpo Choephel is teaching a weekly class that will cover the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome! Join us on Zoom.

Sunday, October 11, 10am EST. TRTCC Essential Prayer Book, Online and in person. Khenpo will be going over an explanation of the materials in our center’s new prayer book. Join us on Zoom.

“If the nature of mind is seen, there is liberation.”
— Jigten Sumgön, The Buddha’s Single Intention

Dear Dharma Friends,

This week, Khenpo Chophel returns to Pittsburgh! Tuesday evening Beginners Buddhism is on the schedule, online. At the center and online we have Wednesday evening Chenrezig practice, Saturday Vajrasattva practice, and Sunday Achi Chokyi Drolma practice.

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

Tuesday, September 29, 7pm EST, Beginners Buddhism. Online only. Ven. Khenpo Choephel is teaching a weekly zoom class that will cover the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome! Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

This week, at the center and online we have Wednesday evening Medicine Buddha practice, Saturday Vajrasattva practice, and Sunday Achi Chokyi Drolma practice.

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

Tuesday, September 22, 7pm EST, Beginners Buddhism. Online only. Ven. Khenpo Choephel is teaching a weekly zoom class that will cover the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome! Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

This week, at the center and online we have Wednesday evening Manjushri practice, Saturday Vajrasattva practice, and Sunday Achi Chokyi Drolma practice. Tuesday evening Beginner’s Buddhism is paused this week.

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

From Garchen Buddhist Institute:

Dear Worldwide Sangha,

It’s an auspicious and joyful time, as H.E. Garchen Rinpoche is well enough to be moving around the Institute grounds and sit on his throne. All encouraging signs of his recovery.

We are extremely grateful to Rinpoche’s medical team, whose unwavering care, skill, and compassion continue to provide him with every possible support throughout his recovery.

May all auspicious conditions continue to gather. May Rinpoche’s health and long life increase, and may his precious presence continue to illuminate the path of Dharma and bring immeasurable benefit and liberation to countless beings!

Dear Dharma Friends,

On Tuesday this week, Khenpo Chophel will continue his teachings on Beginners Buddhism. At the center and online we have Wednesday evening Green Tara practice, Saturday Vajrasattva practice, and Sunday Achi Chokyi Drolma practice.

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

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

Tuesday, September 8, 7pm EST, Beginners Buddhism. Online only. Ven. Khenpo Choephel is teaching a weekly zoom class that will cover the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome! Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

On Tuesday this week, Khenpo Chophel will continue his teachings on Beginners Buddhism. Online only we have Wednesday evening Chenrezig practice. Online and in-person: Saturday Vajrasattva practice, and Sunday Achi Chokyi Drolma practice.

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

From Garchen Buddhist Institute:

Dear Worldwide Sangha,

We are happy to share that H.E. Garchen Rinpoche continues to make steady, gradual progress, with encouraging signs of improvement. His medical team remains devoted to his care and recovery.

Thank you all for your heartfelt prayers and we kindly ask everyone to continue to keep Rinpoche in your prayers.

May the blessings of the Three Jewels support his complete recovery, long life, good health, and well-being, and may the merit of our prayers benefit all sentient beings.

In April 2026, Garchen Rinpoche gave a wonderful dharma chat on the Wisdom Experience podcast covering topics such as realization, transmission, and the necessity of the teacher-student relationship in the modern world. It’s definitely worth your time!

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

Tuesday, September 1, 7pm EST, Beginners Buddhism. Online only. Ven. Khenpo Choephel is teaching a weekly zoom class that will cover the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome! Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

On Tuesday this week, Khenpo Chophel will continue his teachings on Beginners Buddhism. At the center and online we have Wednesday evening Manjushri practice, Saturday Vajrasattva practice, and Sunday Achi Chokyi Drolma practice.

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

From Garchen Buddhist Institute:

Dear Worldwide Sangha,

We are happy to share that H.E. Garchen Rinpoche continues to make steady, gradual progress, with encouraging signs of improvement. His medical team remains devoted to his care and recovery.

Thank you all for your heartfelt prayers and we kindly ask everyone to continue to keep Rinpoche in your prayers.

May the blessings of the Three Jewels support his complete recovery, long life, good health, and well-being, and may the merit of our prayers benefit all sentient beings.

In April 2026, Garchen Rinpoche gave a wonderful dharma chat on the Wisdom Experience podcast covering topics such as realization, transmission, and the necessity of the teacher-student relationship in the modern world. It’s definitely worth your time!

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

Tuesday, August 25, 7pm EST, Beginners Buddhism. Online only. Ven. Khenpo Choephel is teaching a weekly zoom class that will cover the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome! Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

On Tuesday this week, Khenpo Chophel will continue his teachings on Beginners Buddhism. At the center and online we have Wednesday evening Medicine Buddha practice, and Sunday Achi Chokyi Drolma practice.

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

From Garchen Buddhist Institute:

Dear Worldwide Sangha,

We are heartened to share that H.E. Garchen Rinpoche continues to make gradual progress, slowly improving day by day. His medical team continues to take very good care of him, providing every possible support throughout his recovery.

These gradual signs of improvement are encouraging. We remain hopeful and continue to take each day as it comes, with patience and trust in the causes and conditions supporting his recovery.

We ask everyone to continue holding H.E. Garchen Rinpoche in your prayers and practices, dedicating the merit for his continued recovery, long life, and well-being. May these prayers and dedications also extend to all beings.

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche has encouraged all of us to focus on the Four Applications of Mindfulness: Four Applications of Mindfulness teaching Video by H.E. Garchen Rinpoche

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

Tuesday, August 18, 7pm EST, Beginners Buddhism. Online only. Ven. Khenpo Choephel is teaching a weekly zoom class that will cover the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome! Join us on Zoom.

Dear Dharma Friends,

On Monday and Tuesday this week, we would like to point you to teachings on the Four Applications of Mindfulness that are being given by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche on YouTube. At the center and online we have Wednesday evening Green Tara practice, Saturday Vajrasattva practice, and Sunday Achi Chokyi Drolma practice.

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

From Garchen Buddhist Institute:

We are happy to share that H.E. Garchen Rinpoche continues to make gradual progress. Each day, he is eating and drinking more, and his strength and energy are steadily increasing. While it is still too early to know how his recovery will unfold, these encouraging signs of improvement give us reason for hope.

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche has encouraged all of us to focus on the Four Applications of Mindfulness – Ven. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche will be giving guided instructions on this practice on Monday and Tuesday. Details are below.

Guided Meditation with Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche
on The Four Applications of Mindfulness

Join on YouTube

August 10 and 11

1pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm EST

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,

This week Khenpo Chophel will offer online Tuesday Dharma Teachings.  At the center and online we have Wednesday evening Medicine Buddha practice, Saturday Vajrasattva practice, and Sunday Achi Chokyi Drolma practice.

The new center is located at 1660 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131

From Garchen Buddhist Institute:

A REQUEST FOR PRAYERS

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche is working through an illness.

His Holiness Chungtsang Rinpoche, one of the heads of our lineage, has advised the worldwide sangha to accumulate the Amitayus longevity mantra for Garchen Rinpoche’s long life and/or to engage in Vajrasattva practice.

Following evaluation at the hospital, it has been determined that Garchen Rinpoche experienced a small bleed in his brain. This condition is one from which recovery is possible. Although this brings us hope, his condition remains uncertain, and we do not yet know how his recovery will unfold. He is receiving excellent medical care, for which we are profoundly grateful.

The Amitayus prayers are provided below. If you are able, please accumulate the short Amitayus mantra, dedicating the merit for Garchen Rinpoche’s long life and good health. Click here to post your mantras accumulations.

Your prayers and practice are truly appreciated during this time.

GBI will continue to share any updates on the website and by email as they become available. We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting the office for updates, as this will allow our team to focus on supporting Garchen Rinpoche and attending to the needs of the Sangha. Thank you for your understanding and your continued prayers.

Practice for the Long Life of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche:

Amitayus Mantra Accumulation:

View

Vajrasattva Sadhana:

View

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

Tuesday, August 4, 7pm EST, Beginners Buddhism. Online only. Ven. Khenpo Choephel is teaching a weekly zoom class that will cover the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and practice. All levels of practitioners are welcome! Join us on Zoom.