Dear Dharma Friends,

Our practices this week will include the Phowa teachings, Bodhisattva Vow, and Empowerment on June 11 & 12. There is no Wednesday evening yidam practice this week. The Tuesday evening class, Introduction to Practice, is going to return on Tuesday, June 21, at 7 p.m.

Ven. Khenpo Choephel will be sharing Phowa teachings on Saturday June 11, and the Amitayus Empowerment on Sunday June 12. Following the teachings on Saturday there will also be an opportunity for individuals to take the Bodhisattva Vow with Khenpo Choephel. The Saturday teaching will be shared on Zoom, the Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony and Sunday Amitayus Empowerment are in-person only. Sunday afternoon Amitayus practice will be shared on Zoom. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday June 11, 2022
9am-12pm: Teachings on Phowa
Bodhisattva Vow 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 Amitayus, the Buddha of Boundless Life
12-1:30pm: Sangha vegetarian potluck lunch
1:30pm-4pm: Buddha Amitayus 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 High by the CDC. In accordance with CDC guidelines for the Highlevel of transmission, our precautions for in-person attendance are as follows:

Only fully vaccinated individuals may attend in-person practice
Masks are required.
High risk individuals should adhere to their health care provider’s 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 lowers the Allegheny County community transmission level to Medium prior to June 11, masks will be optional.

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.

Thank you for your interest and support!

Vesak Celebration 2022, Sunday, May 22nd, 3-5pm

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.

Here is the link to the program of the day: vesak_program_2022

ALL ARE WELCOME

Khenpo Choephel’s May 28-29 Teachings and Empowerment

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

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.

Thank you for your interest and support!

ALL ARE WELCOME

Khenpo Choephel’s June 11-12 Teachings and Empowerment

On Saturday June 11, Ven. Khenpo Choephel 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.

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.

Thank you for your interest and support!