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: Gail.Rowe@Laroche.edu 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 in Lawrenceville at Stillpoint 137 41st St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 Contact: Jenny Smith Phone: 412-867-9671 Email: info@boundlesswayzenpittsburgh.org On-line schedule/info link(s): http://boundlesswayzen.org Schedule: http://boundlesswayzenpittsburgh.org 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 White Plains, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Tulsa, OK; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Bogata, Colombia. The Pittsburgh practice group of Boundless Way Zen started in March 2019. We meet weekly on Thursday evenings at Stillpoint in Lawrenceville. The door is open at 6:30pm. Orientation is available for newcomers at 6:45pm. Practice starts in the upstairs zendo at 7pm with a brief chant and reading from the Boundless Way Zen Sutra Book in the upstairs zendo. There are two 25-minute zazen (sitting meditation) periods with a 10-minute kinhin (walking meditation) period in between. We close with another brief chant and finish at 8:05 pm. 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 Piya(Head Monk) Email: bmcpitts@hotmail.com, bmcpitts@yahoo.com 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: Laughing Rivers Sangha Teachers: Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh Tony Silvestre, True Hall of Peace Address: Squirrel Hill Contact: Cheryl Hawthorne Email: hawthornecheryl@gmail.com 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 practices 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 on Tuesday evenings in Squirrel Hill to 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: Guiding Priest, Catherine Gammon (ordained and trained by Tensin Reb Anderson Roshi) Address: Greenfield - email for details Contact : Catherine Gammon Email: liberationheart@gmail.com www.neighborhoodzen.wordpress.com Brief Description: We are a small sitting group, practicing in the Soto Zen tradition, as transmitted from Shunryu Suzuki Roshi to Tenshin Reb Anderson. We sit together for two periods one morning each week, closing with chanting refuge and repentance verses. We sit together for two periods one evening a week, followed by Dharma study and refuges. Our exact schedule changes from time to time. 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: bon@olmoling.org 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: jmdudley92@gmail.com 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 Somaratana Address: 111 Route 908, Natrona Heights, PA 15065 Phone: 724-295-2525 Email: info@pittsburghbuddhistcenter.org 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 |
Sangha: Shambhala Meditation Center of Pittsburgh
Teachers: Acharya Adam Lobel, Shasti Trinley Busby Address: 733 North Highland Avenue Rear Carriage House Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (behind Western Pennsylvania Family Center) Phone: 412-345-1759 Contact: Jessica Heathcote Email: info@shambalapittsburgh.org On-line schedule/info link(s): http://pittsburgh.shambhala.org/ Schedule: http://pittsburgh.shambhala.org/ongoing-offerings/ Brief Description: The Shambhala view is that the fundamental nature of every human being is one of goodness, warmth and intelligence. This nature can be cultivated through meditation practice. Engaging daily life with mindfulness and awareness develops it further, so that it radiates out to family, friends, community, and society. Pittsburgh Shambhala is part of Shambhala International, a global community of urban meditation and rural retreat centers founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, We offer weekly meditation sessions, as well as a comprehensive path of classes, weekend intensives, and retreats to help us awaken to the joy of fully living in this world. Meditation instruction is available free of charge, and no one is turned away from our other programs for lack of funds. Please see our website for more information and a complete listing of programs and events. 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: info@stillpointzen.org 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 Contact: Gary Crouth Email: pghstillworkers@gmail.com On-line link: http://stillworkers.wordpress.com Brief Description: Stillworkers is a fellowship of engaged Buddhists from various traditions in the Greater Pittsburgh area whose current work is 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. We also teach a curriculum based on meditation and mindfulness to inmates in HOPE, a pre-release program. Sangha: Theravada Dhamma Family Teacher: Ven. Ankura Address: 20 Kirchner Drive, Union Township, PA 15129 Phone: 412-266-6659 Email: dhammagoneyee@yahoo.com 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: Threeriversdharma@gmail.com On-line schedule/ info link(s): www.threeriverstibetancc.org ; www.threeriversdharma. 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: 412-487-1967 Contact: Rhonda Rosen Email: Rhonda.K.Rosen@gmail.com 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 evening, barring major holidays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Please come ten to fifteen minutes early your first time. 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: w.pa.sanghafdt@chojung.org 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 Center of Pittsburgh - Deep Spring Zen Temple Teacher: Reverend Kotoku Crivello Address: 124 Willow Ridge Road, Sewickley PA 15143 Phone: 412-741-1262 Contact: Colleen Crivello Email: kotoku@deepspringzen.org zcpinfo@deepspringzen.org www.deepspringzen.org, Google Group - ZCP Sangha www.facebook.com/zencenterofpittsburgh Brief Description: Zen Center of Pittsburgh, Deep Spring Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist Temple founded in 1999. The Zen Center has regularly scheduled morning and evening meditation periods, intensive retreats, as well as residential training opportunities under the guidance of the Head Priest. The Zen Center serves the community by offering ceremonies to mark and recognize important life transitions such as weddings, births and funerals. Deep Spring Temple is located just thirty minutes north of Pittsburgh on twelve rural acres with views of the Western Pennsylvania forests. Newcomers are encouraged to come to the Saturday Introduction to Zen sessions offered. Those familiar with Zazen are encouraged to come to Deep Spring Temple for scheduled sittings. Our Sunday program includes meditation, a talk, and a pot luck lunch; children are welcome. Please check our schedule before paying a visit. Sangha: Zen Group of Pittsburgh Teacher: Matt Keeler, JDPSN Address: 4836 Ellsworth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Contact: Matthew Kizior Email: abbot@zengrouppgh.com 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. |