BUDDHIST SOCIETY OF PITTSBURGH
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Sangha: Belmont Zen Center
Teacher: Rev. Dae Jaang James Casebolt
120 N Market Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 535-6550
Contact: Rev. Dae Jaang James Casebolt
Email: [email protected]
www.belmontzen.org
www.facebook.com/BelmontZen
www.instagram.com/belmontzen
www.youtube.com/@belmontzen​

Brief Description:  Belmont Zen Center is affiliated with the American-European Parish of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order.  It draws its participants from rural south-east Ohio and the northern panhandle of West Virginia, and is especially involved in community service projects in the city of Wheeling.  Founded virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center began to hold in-person events in January 2023.  Regular weekly services are held on Wednesday evenings.  There is a monthly Full Moon service, and other services mark important Buddhist holy days over the course of the year. Workshops, mini-retreats, and social events are also scheduled regularly -- please see the calendar on our website.​

Sangha: The Bodhicitta Foundation
Teacher: Yogi Lama Gursam
Address: Magdalen Chapel (small chapel) on LaRoche College Campus
9000 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: (412)536-1154 or 724-625-6267
Contact: Gail Rowe, Ph.D., Facilitator
Email: [email protected]

Brief Description: The Bodhicitta Foundation Sangha is a Tibetan Buddhist study and meditation group under the spiritual direction of Yogi Lama Gursam, of the Drikung Kagyu lineage. Our members include Buddhist practitioners as well as non-Buddhists seeking to incorporate Buddhist philosophy into their lives. At our weekly meetings, we read and discuss texts that are known for their accessibility to Westerners, such as “Indestructible Truth” by Reginald Ray and “The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying” by Sogyal Rinpoche. We also discuss issues related to incorporating Buddhist practice into our daily lives. We practice traditional Tibetan Buddhist prayers and group meditation at each meeting, sometimes including mantra.
Our practice Schedule occurs on (most) Mondays from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

​Sangha: Boundless Way Zen Pittsburgh
Teachers:  Melissa Myozen Blacker, Roshi and
David Dae An Rynick, Roshi

Address: meeting weekly online, and occasionally in person
Contact: Jenny Smith 
Phone: 412-867-9671
Email: [email protected]
On-line schedule/info link(s): http://boundlesswayzen.org
Schedule: http://boundlesswayzenpittsburgh.org

Brief Description: Brief Description: The Boundless Way Zen school is an emerging western Zen practice community with lineage roots in the Japanese Soto tradition through Jiyu Kennet, Roshi, the Soto reform Harada-Yasutani koan curriculum through John Tarrant, Roshi, and the Korean Linji tradition through Zen Master George Bomun Bowman. Boundless Way Zen has a number of practice locations in New England as well as in Pittsburgh, PA  and in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

The Pittsburgh practice group of Boundless Way Zen started in March 2019. We meet online via Zoom weekly on Wednesday evenings. The meeting opens at 5:15pm for visiting and orientation, and practice runs from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. We start formal practice with a brief chant and reading from the Boundless Way Zen Sutra Book. There are two 25-minute zazen (sitting meditation) periods with a 5-minute kinhin (walking meditation) period in between. We close with another brief chant and finish at 6:30 pm. We occasionally meet in person at Stillpoint in Lawrenceville.

Sangha: Buddhist Meditation Center of Pittsburgh (BMCP)
Teacher: Luang Ta Chi or Phrarajmongkolrangsri
Address: 2618 Monroeville Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: 412-229-8128, 412-326-7373
Contact: Bhante Sayan (Head Monk)
Email: [email protected]
On-line schedule/info link(s): website:www.bmcpitts.org ; www.facebook. com/watpadhammaratana, www.youtube.com/watpadhammaratana

Brief Description: Theravada BMCP, established in 2011, is the Thai Theravada Buddhist Meditation Center in Pittsburgh. The center serves as a place for religious ceremonies, Dhamma study and meditation. The Thai people in Pittsburgh needed a place to worship and gather. They traveled to seek advice and guidance from Luang Ta Chi, abbot of Wat Thai Washington, D.C. in setting up a meditation center in Pittsburgh. He agreed with the idea and let Dr.Phramaha Thanat Inthisan, the Secretary-General of the Council of Thai
Bhikkhus in the U.S.A. send two missionary monks (Phra Suriya and Phramaha Piya) to carry out the project. 

The center is open for all walks of life. Schedule: Sunday-Friday 5-7 p.m. Daily Chanting and Meditation Wednesday 7- 9 p.m. Meditation and Dhamma Talk Sunday 1-3 p.m. and Buddhist Study. For a complete listing of daily and weekly activities visit our website.

Sangha: Deep Spring Zen Temple, Zen Center of Pittsburgh 
Teacher: Abbot Kotoku Crivello
Address: 124 Willow Ridge Road, Sewickley PA 15143
Phone: 412-741-1262
Contact: Administrator
Email: [email protected]
www.deepspringzen.org, Google Group - ZCP Sangha
www.facebook.com/zencenterofpittsburgh

Brief Description: Deep Spring Temple of the Zen Center of Pittsburgh, is an independent Soto Zen Buddhist Temple aligned with the Japanese Soto Zen temple system, reporting directly to the North American regional headquarters in Los Angles, California, offering traditional Zen Temple services, instruction and guidance under the spiritual direction by Soto Zen Abbot, Kotoku Crivello.  Kotoku Roshi received formal Zen training and Dharma transmission (authority to Teach) from Gengo Akiba Roshi, Bishop of North American Japanese Soto Zen. 

The Temple itself is authorized to teach and instruct Novice Priests as well those among the general Sangha population interested in formal Soto Zen training.

The Zen Center Pittsburgh (ZCP) also offers general instructions and classes in Zen and Buddhist studies well as disciplines that serve to raise the sense of well-being of participants.

ZCP has regularly scheduled morning and evening meditation periods, intensive retreats. 
Newcomers attend a meeting at ZCP introducing Zen meditation and Soto Zen Buddhism, with time to ask questions.

Please check our schedule and or contact the Temple before paying a visit.

Deep Spring Temple  is located on a beautiful twelve-acre property 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh near Sewickley, PA. ​

Sangha: Insight Meditation Group of Pittsburgh
Email: 
[email protected]
Contact: Julie Childers

Brief Description:  We meet on Zoom Monday evenings from 7 to 8:15 and have a 20-30 minute sitting followed by dharma sharing.   We also meet in person occasionally to socialize and practice together.  Email for zoom link ​
​
Sangha: Laughing Rivers Sangha
Teachers: Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Address: Squirrel Hill and Online
Contact: Laura Langer
Email: [email protected]
On-line schedule/info link(s): www.laughingrivers.org
www.facebook.com/laughingrivers/

Brief Description: Laughing Rivers Sangha is one of more than a thousand communities worldwide that practice mindfulness as taught by Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Our sangha, or community, has been in existence in Pittsburgh since 1991. The Plum Village tradition of Buddhist practice, which we follow, was first established by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam in 1966.

We meet weekly online on Monday (6:30-8:30 PM) & Tuesday evenings (7:00 - 9:00 PM) via ZOOM.  On the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Tuesdays, our evening sessions are hybrid; both online but also in person at a church in Squirrel Hill. In our sangha gatherings we practice mindful sitting and walking meditation as a community. We are long-term Buddhist practitioners and novices alike, young and old, of many races, backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations, and without a political party or posture. We welcome everyone who is interested in mindful living and peace.

Sangha: Neighborhood Zen
Teacher:  Catherine Gammon, practice leader and Soto Zen priest
Address:  Greenfield  
Contact : Catherine Gammon
Email: [email protected]
https://neighborhoodzen.substack.com/

Brief Description:  Neighborhood Zen is a sangha in the tradition of San Francisco Zen Center and a member of Branching Streams, meeting in the Greenfield neighborhood, with morning, evening, and weekend sittings, dharma study, and occasional longer retreats. Catherine Gammon is a priest in the SFZC lineage, ordained, trained, and guided by Tenshin Reb Anderson. Please email for details.​

Sangha: Olmo Ling Tibetan Bon Center and Institute
Teacher: Tempa Dukte Rinpoche
Address: 1101 Greenfield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-904-1112
Contact: Iris Grossmann
Email: [email protected]
On-line info link(s): http://www.olmoling.org/contents/weekly_schedule/_;
http://w ww.olmoling.org/contents/programs_and_retreats/

Brief Description: Olmo Ling Tibetan Bon Center and Institute was founded by Tibetan lama, Tempa Dukte Lama, in 2007 to bring the practices and wisdom of the Tibetan Bon tradition to the West. Tempa Lama studied at Menri Monastery, India, with HH 33rd Menri Trizin from a young age. He is an artist, poet, author of four books, and teaches internationally. Olmo Ling is affiliated with Menri Monastery and we are honored to have hosted two visits of H.H. 33rd Menri Trizin. 

We offer weekly Dharma talks, meditation and meditation instruction, a Children’s Program, monthly healing practice, and regular retreats and workshops. The weekly program is free of charge and newcomers are always welcome. Compassionate outreach programs include sponsorships for children in Nepal and India, and the Olmo Ling Program on Being with Dying. The Olmo Ling Publications program supports new books, translations and commentaries from the spiritual traditions of Tibet.

Sangha: One Pine Institute
Teacher: Venerable Shih Tao-fa (Dr. David Clippinger)
Phone: 724-518-9455
Name of Contact: Venerable Shih He-Laohu (Jane Dudley)
Email: [email protected]
On-line schedule/info link(s): www.onepine.org;
www.facebook.com/One-Pine-Zen-Institute

Brief Description: At its core, One Pine Institute teaches wellness practices such as meditation, spiritual training, body movement, and more. The material builds open Western and Eastern practices such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Taoist and Buddhist philosophy, healing modalities such as Qigong and T'ai Chi, as well as long-established European traditions of Herbs, Oils, and nature-based spiritual practices. ​


​​
Sangha: One Pine Institute
Teacher: Venerable Shih Tao-fa (Dr. David Clippinger)
Phone: 724-518-9455
Name of Contact: Venerable Shih He-Laohu (Jane Dudley)
Email: [email protected]
On-line schedule/info link(s): www.onepine.org;
www.facebook.com/One-Pine-Zen-Institute

Brief Description: At its core, One Pine Institute teaches wellness practices such as meditation, spiritual training, body movement, and more. The material builds open Western and Eastern practices such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Taoist and Buddhist philosophy, healing modalities such as Qigong and T'ai Chi, as well as long-established European traditions of Herbs, Oils, and nature-based spiritual practices. 

Sangha: Pittsburgh Buddhist Center
Teachers: Bhante Pemaratana, Bhante Punna, Bhante Metta & Bhante Kamalasiri

Address: 58 QSI Lane, Allison Park, PA 15101
Phone: 724-939-3911
Email: [email protected]
On-line link(s): http://www.pittsburghbuddhistcenter.org/ ; www.facebook.com/PittsburghBuddhistCenter
​
Brief Description: Established in 2006, the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center is a Theravada Buddhist Temple. Theravada is practiced predominantly in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Loas. Its teachings are based on the early discourses of the Buddha, which are preserved in the Pali language. Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka reside in this temple and provide teachings and services. The temple has a rich dharma program for children and adults. The temple is also a strong community anchor for Buddhist communities from Sri Lanka and South East Asia.
​
Meditation:  Monday -6:14 PM  East Liberty Carnegie Library
                             Tuesday -6:00 PM  Oakmont Carnegie Library
                             Wednesday - 7:00 PM Chanting, Meditation & 
                                                               Discussion at PBC
                            Thursday - 6:00 PM  Fox Chapel Cooper-Siegel Library
See the Event Calendar in our website for special events

Pittsburgh Buddhist Women's Sangha
Contacts:
Claire Floyd 412-400-0725
[email protected]  

​Address:  To Be Announced


Brief Description: The Pittsburgh Women's Sangha is a Maha Sangha of women who gather to support one another's practice. It was founded in the spring of 2019 with members of Laughing Rivers, Shambhala, and Deep Spring Zen. The ongoing intent is to include people of all Buddhist communities and practice centers, as well as those who are curious about the path of the Buddha Way.  

​Sangha: Stillpoint, a Pittsburgh Zen community
Teacher: Individual members of Stillpoint may have teachers, but our sangha has chosen not to have one as a whole.
Address: 137-41st Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (in Lawrenceville)
Email: [email protected]
On-line schedule/info link(s): www.stillpointzen.org

Brief Description: Founded In 1990, Stillpoint is a nonprofit organization and lay Zen practice community based in Lawrenceville, a centrally located urban neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Our members come from diverse backgrounds
to share a common spiritual practice based mainly on zazen, sitting meditation. Stillpoint offers many practice opportunities, including: zazen sessions Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, day-long zazen, or zazenkai, every fourth
Saturday of the month, study and discussion groups, annual retreats led by highly respected visiting Zen teachers and public talks by visiting teachers and practitioners.

In addition to providing a place for our Zen community and for other Buddhist practice organizations, we are a resource for information on Zen practice and teachings in the Pittsburgh area. Newcomers are always welcome to attend sitting practice and other activities and can arrange an orientation
session with a community member.

Sangha: Stillworkers
Tradition: All
Address: Buddhist Chaplain, Chaplain’s Office, Allegheny County Jail, 950 Second Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-376-5739
Contact: Gary 
Email: [email protected]
On-line link: http://stillworkers.wordpress.com

Brief Description: Stillworkers is a fellowship of Buddhists and mindfulness practitioners from various traditions in the Greater Pittsburgh area working at the Allegheny County Jail. Recognizing the innate goodness of Buddha nature in each of us accessed through the practice of meditation, we support inmates who have a Buddhist practice as well as those of all faiths or no faith who wish to develop and grow their meditation practices in this challenging environment.​

Sangha: Theravada Dhamma Family
Teacher: Ven. Ankura
Address: 20 Kirchner Drive, Union Township, PA 15129
Phone: 412-266-6659
Email: [email protected]
On-line schedule/info link(s): www.theravadadhammafamily.com

Brief Description: Theravada Dhamma Family is a cultural touchstone for Pittsburgh’s Myanmar Buddhism as well as a nexus for them. It was founded in 2009 by Ven. Ankura and Myanmar Buddhist people for Theravada practice and spiritual guidance. Meditation for individual worship is a major  component of this temple. The monastery offers the children Buddhist teachings on week-end and during summer break. Buddhist cultural teachings, ethical and moral foundations, traditional cultural heritage of Myanmar is offered for all.
Schedule: Every Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sangha: Three Rivers Tibetan Cultural Center
Teacher: Ven. Lama Kalsang
Address: 7313 Florence Ave, Swissvale PA 15218
Email: [email protected]
On-line schedule/ info link(s): www.threeriverstibetancc.org 

Brief Description: We are a Tibetan Buddhist center that started in 1993 as Three Rivers Dharma. The Three Rivers Tibetan Cultural Center preserves, promotes and presents Tibetan culture in its many aspects to the people of Western Pennsylvania.  A special emphasis is put on the study and practice of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist religion and spirituality. The Center offers authentic teachings and meditation practices in the Drikung Kagyu tradition, led by our Spiritual Director, Ven. Khenpo Choephel.

We strive to create a warm, supportive environment for the study and practice of the Buddhist dharma, as well as other aspects of Tibetan culture. These include the Tibetan language, calligraphy, ritual arts, and medicine. We believe that the ancient wisdom of Tibetan culture has much of relevance to offer the Western world today, and should not be forgotten. All are welcome to attend our meditation practices, teachings and other events.  Everyone is also welcome to study in our library, which includes a complete set of the Kangyur and Tengyur texts and many Tibetan thangkas.  Please check our website or Facebook page for more information.

Sangha: Vipassana Sitting Group
Address: Temple Sinai, 5505 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa 15217-1199
Phone: 724-612-6616
Contact: Rhonda Rosen
Email: [email protected]

Brief Description: This community can help provide the support for the continued development of a daily meditation practice. All instruction is drawn from the Theravada tradition of Vipassana, or Insight meditation. We meet each Wednesday, barring major secular and Jewish holidays, from 6-7:30pm. We meet via zoom each week, and in-person and zoom once a month.​

Sangha: Western Pennsylvania Sangha - Flower Dance Temple
Teacher: Venerable Ani Drubgyudma
Address: P.O. Box 234, Harrisville, NY 13648
Phone: 412-228-2162
Contact: Jeff Murphy and/or Susan Hetz
Email: [email protected]
On-line link(s): www.chojung.org

Brief Description: We are a non-sectarian Buddhist sangha and the W PA branch community of Flower Dance Temple, NY. Flower Dance Temple arose from our small meditation group initiated by Venerable Ani Drubgyudma in 2000 in Butler Township, PA.

Sangha: Zen Group of Pittsburgh - Kwan Um School
Teacher: Matt Keeler, JDPSN
​Resident Dharma Teacher: Matthew Kizior
Address: 718 Franklin Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Contact: Matthew Kizior
Email: [email protected]
​https://sites.google.com/zengrouppgh.com/zengroupgh/home
Schedule: Wednesday, 7-8 p.m.

Brief Description: The Zen Group of Pittsburgh is a part of the larger Kwan Um School of Zen, an international organization connected by the teachings of Zen Master Seung Sahn, a Korean Buddhist monk who came to the United States to spread the Buddhadharma in the 1970s. The teaching and practice of the school is mainly rooted in Mahayana Zen Buddhism and the Korean Chogye Order. 

Our sitting group meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House in Shadyside. We sit together to do chanting meditation and sitting meditation, closing out with a brief reading and discussion. In the event we cannot meet, we sometimes livestream meditation through our Facebook group. Please email for details.


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