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Welcome to Olmo Ling
Olmo Ling is a religious educational non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the ancient teachings of the Bon tradition of Tibet and making them available and accessible to lay practitioners.
Olmo Ling offers weekly meditation practice and teachings, prayers, meditation instruction and private interviews, and a study program that includes regular retreats with Tempa Dukte Lama and visiting lamas of the Bon tradition.
Learn more about Olmo Ling or Subscribe to our Mailing List.
Visit the Olmo Ling Teaching and Retreat Schedule for 2024 to view upcoming programs and please visit Olmo Ling online Bookstore!
July 30th | Free Tuesday Evening Talk
Shedding Light on Karma
with Tempa Dukte Lama and Geshe Tsewang Ngodup Rinpoche
Available via Zoom or In-Person at:
Olmo Ling Bon Center
1101 Greenfield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
IMPORTANT UPDATE – PLEASE READ
Due to some recent safety issues, we will now require registration (for Zoom) to attend Tempa Dukte Lama’s Free Tuesday Evening Talks. Please note that the previous Zoom link will no longer work.REGISTER FOR FREE WEEKLY ZOOM MEETINGS: HERE
You will only need to register ONCE and you will be given a personalized link to attend weekly. Please do not share the link.
Please join us Tuesday, July 30th 7:00 PM EST for a Special Free Tuesday Talk with Tempa Dukte Lama and Geshe Tsewang Ngodup Rinpoche. This week, they will continue to shed light on the Buddhist and Bon law of cause and effect, or Karma.
The weekly program at Olmo Ling is free! All are welcome!
Donations to Tempa Dukte Lama, Geshe Tsewang Ngodup Rinpoche, or to Olmo Ling Bon Center are always deeply appreciated.
REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETINGS: HERE
You will only need to register ONCE and you will be given a personalized link to attend weekly. Please do not share the link.
Fourfold Instruction of Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Dzogchen Series
– Starting NEXT WEEKEND on Sat. August 3rd -
with Tempa Dukte Lama & Geshe Tsewang Ngodup Rinpoche
A Four-Part Teaching Series
Week 1 | Sat. August 3rd – Sun. August 4th, 2024
Week 2 | Sat. August 17th – Sun. August 18th, 2024
Week 3 | Sat. August 31st – Sun. September 1st, 2024
Week 4 | Sat. September 14th – Sun. September 15th, 2024
at Olmo Ling Bon Center in Pittsburgh, PA and Zoom
In this extended summer Dzogchen series, brothers Tempa Dukte Lama and Geshe Tsewang Ngodup Rinpoche will give detailed teachings and practice instructions on the view and practice of Dzogchen according to the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud lineage of Bon.
The teaching will be taught in English. Simultaneous translation will be available online/Zoom in Spanish and French. Please check back soon!
PART ONE | August 3rd – August 4th, 2024
In-Person at Olmo Ling Bon Center & over Zoom
Chi Tawa Chi Cho – Outer Instruction: The View of Dzogchen
By understanding the view of Dzogchen we will be able to stabilize the practice of Trek Cho. Trek Cho means “cutting through”. It is the practice of open presence, also called great non-action, through which we cut through the rigidity of delusion. Stabilizing Trek Cho will give us the power of control over our mind. It is the practice of maintaining the spontaneous presence of intrinsic awareness in its genuine naked state without any mental fabrication or modification.
PART TWO | August 17th – August 18th, 2024
In-Person at Olmo Ling Bon Center & over Zoom
Nang Men Ngag Mar Tri – Inner Instruction: The Essential Instruction
The main practice of Dzogchen consists of Todgal and Trek Chod. Todgal is the development of vision practice in Dzogchen. Through Todgal practice with the Six Lamps, we first point out where intrinsic awareness abides. Second, we clarify which path intrinsic awareness follows and through which door it exits. Finally, we point out in what form intrinsic awareness appears.
The reason why this inner essential instruction is given second, after the instruction on The View of Dzogchen, is because it is the key that opens the treasure house inside the palace of the Dzogchen view.
PART THREE | August 31st – September 1st, 2024
In-Person at Olmo Ling Bon Center & over Zoom
Sang Wa Rigpa Cher Tong – Secret Instruction: The Recognition of Pure Awareness
Through this instruction, the pure, intrinsic awareness is pointed out with the practice of the eightfold quintessential instructions.
The reason why this secret recognition of pure awareness is taught third (after the teaching on The View and the teaching on Todgal is that through the practice of the Six Lamps, one directly perceives the luminous manifestation of clear light. This is similar to how one sees the treasure directly after opening the door of the treasure house, which is the view of Dzogchen. The ultimate benefit of directly recognizing the intrinsic awareness and abiding in it without interruption is that one will attain the rainbow body.
PART FOUR | September 14th – September 15th, 2024
at Olmo Ling Bon Center and offered over Zoom
Yang Sang Ne Luk Puk Cho – Innermost Instruction: The Realization of the Natural State
The reason why the innermost instruction on the realization of the ultimate natural state is taught fourth (after Part One, Part Two, and Part Three) is because it means that one not only sees the treasure directly but takes it into one’s hands.
Through the practice of the Twenty-One Nails the fourfold vision of Todgal is brought to the state of exhaustion and one arrives at the ultimate state of Kuntu Zangpo.
Thursday Chod Session
Thursdays at 6:30 PM EST
Offered via Zoom & In-Person with Senior Students Jim DelBianco & Andrew Kaiser
Each week we will practice elements of the drumming and chanting, followed by performing the Chod ritual as a group. Jim and Andrew are both senior students of Tempa Dukte Lama.
Join us In-Person or Zoom HERE
Meeting ID: 970 0641 9095
In-Person is recommended, however, we know that is not possible for everyone!
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Saturday Calm Abiding Meditation with Instruction
On Summer Break! (July 27th – August 31st). Will reconvene on Saturday, September 7th.
Saturdays at 8:30 AM EST
Offered via Zoom & In-Person with Senior Student Andrew Kaiser
This class will provide instruction in the first phase of meditation, known as Zhine or Calm Abiding. It is important to be able to understand the full succession of meditation phases so that we know what we will learn – and just as important, what we will not be practicing.
Join us In-Person or Zoom HERE
Meeting ID: 967 9436 8181
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Sunday Dzogchen Practice Group
Sundays at 4:00 PM EST
Offered via Zoom & In-Person with Senior Student Bob Marin
- Meditation Practice Group: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month
- Reading and Discussion Group:: 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month
Dzogchen Olmo Ling holds a Meditation Practice sitting and a Reading and Discussion group on alternate weeks. Weekly announcements provide brief readings and indicate whether the meeting will be online or in-person. In-person meetings permit online participation as well.
If you wish to participate or if you have questions about Dzogchen Olmo Ling, please contact Bob Marin
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Family Sangha
2nd Friday and 4th Sunday
Offered In-Person with Olmo Ling Community Members
Sunday, May 26th at 4:00 PM: POSTPONED
Sunday’s Family Sangha is cancelled, please check back soon for the rescheduled date!
LEARN MORE ABOUT FAMILY SANGHA
Thank you so much for helping us sponsor a day of prayers at the Menri Drubchen!
The Menri monastic community will be conducting the Menri Drubchen prayers with His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin April 11-16. The Olmo Ling community would like to sponsor one day of prayers.
The Menri Drubchen is a very special extended prayer ritual that is conducted only once during the life of each Menri Abbot. During the prayers, His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin Rinpoche and the entire community of monks and nuns will bless large amounts of the sacred Mendrup healing herb blend. This Mendrup will then be available throughout the life of His Holiness to be used by Bon lamas around the world to offer healing to their communities.
With your generosity we have raised $1,850 to sponsor a full day of prayers at the Menri Drubchen. Thank you for your generosity and may the resulting merit benefit all beings and bring peace, healing, and happiness!
Olmo Ling Humla Project: We have fully raised our 2023 budget!
Tempa Lama has worked with villagers in his home valley Humla for more than 20 years, seeking to preserve Humla’s ancient cultural heritage, support access to health care and quality education, and co-create a sustainable future for the region.
Tucked into the mountains in Nepal’s Northwest close to the Tibetan border, Humla is a land of incredible natural beauty and rich cultural traditions. Many families have been deeply rooted in the Bon tradition for many generations. Humla is also home to Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu practitioners and Shamanic lineages, including through Tempa Lama’s late grandfather, who was a village shaman priest.
Tempa Lama’s work has included annual medical service trips to Humla during 2014 to 2018 that treated hundreds of villagers and building the traditional clinic Sorig Tenpe Menkhang in Humla in 2017/18. The clinic is staffed by a Tibetan doctor (Amchi) and Humla native Tsering Norbu Lama, whose education was sponsored by Olmo Ling. The clinic is an initiative to preserve the native medical practice and bring awareness of traditional practices to Humla’s youth.
Thanks to your great generosity over the last few days we have been able to raise $13,026, surpassing our 2023 budget of $11,450!!
Your generosity enables us to send the first 2 or 3 monthly salary payments for Amchi Tsering in 2024. All further donations will be used for 2024 expenses, including continuing to pay for our wonderful Amchi and essential medicines. Thank you so much for your generosity!!
Read More about our Humla 2023 Support
RECAP: Visit from H.H. 34th Gyalwa Menri Trizin to Pittsburgh, PA
in June 2023
Friday, June 2nd – Sunday, June 4th
at Olmo Ling Bon Center and over Zoom
We are deeply honored to announce the second visit of His Holiness 34th Gyalwa Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargyal Rinpoche the 34th abbot of Menri Monastery and spiritual head of the Bon tradition to Pittsburgh this June. Please join us for this precious opportunity to spend time with His Holiness. H.H. will offer a public talk on Friday, June 2nd, teaching on The Important and Benefits of the Jang Chok Ritual on Saturday, June 3rd, and perform a Du Tri Su Empowerment on Sunday, June 4th.
Learn more about His Holiness’ June Visit!
We have launched Phase II of the Temple Capital Campaign!
On December 9, 2022, we were able to buy the building that houses Olmo Ling temple in Pittsburgh. We would like to thank you all so much for your generous support that has made this possible.
W invite you to join us in supporting the second phase of the capital campaign for renovating the upper two floors. Often, long-term students ask about doing a personal retreat at Olmo Ling. We will therefore offer the second floor for personal retreats and for accommodation during teachings (following necessary renovations). The third floor will be renovated as an apartment for rent. Utilizing the entire building in this way will help us sustain our temple and pay for the building
Tempa Lama’s vision for many years has been to provide a sacred space of refuge where the community can come together to practice and where everyone can have access to well-learned Tibetan Bon masters and Western teachers. Tempa Lama’s deep wish is to support the flourishing of Bon in the West by offering translations of ancient Tibetan Bon texts into Western languages at Olmo Ling. Most of all, Tempa Lama’s profound aspiration is to support Western students who want to train and become responsible Bon teachers and lamas so that Bon can truly grow deep roots in the West.
Our temple space in Pittsburgh is the cornerstone of this work and of our charitable projects in the Himalayas.
We are most grateful to have received the support of His Holiness 34th Gyalwa Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargyal Rinpoche and the Menri Monastery community for the temple capital campaign.
We invite you to help us raise $87,500 for building renovations.
Raised to date for Phase II: $55,325.64 – You can donate HERE
Read More and Join Us Here
Olmo Ling Daily Prayers
We recite the prayers below at the start of each weekly community practice on Tuesdays. Feel free to download for your own daily practice!
Now Available: Tempa Dukte Lama’s New Book – Jang Chok Ancient Tibetan Bon Ritual
Tempa Lama’s new book on the Du Tri Su Jang Chok ritual is now available for purchase!
The Jang Chok ritual from the Du Tri Su cycle is a powerful skillful means to guide the consciousness of the deceased and protect it from the terror of the Bardo experiences. This book offers the first complete English translation and transliteration of the Du Tri Su Jang Chok liturgy (with the original Tibetan included). In the first part of the book, Tempa Dukte Lama explains the different sections of the ritual and their meaning and purpose as well as how to make the required torma offerings and prepare for the ritual. The liturgy in the second part of the book is annotated throughout and images of ritual arrangements and torma offerings are included to assist practitioners in performing the ritual.
“This translation and ritual manual will be of great benefit as a practice resource for all those who want to learn and use the Du Tri Su Jang Chok ritual for the deceased. It will be most helpful to any Western practitioners.”
~ His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargyal, spiritual head of BönRead more and purchase the book here
Tempa Dukte Lama’s Books
- Origin of the Medicine Buddha Tempa Dukte Lama illuminates the history of how the Medicine Buddha was first taught. He offers a translation of the short Medicine Buddha practice composed by 14th century Bön master Nyamed Sherab Gyaltsen along with a detailed explanation of the liturgy, visualization, and altar preparation.
- Thrul Khor: Ancient Tibetan Bon Yoga Step-by-step instructions for 85 practices according to the A Khrid, Ma Gyud (Mother Tantra), and Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud cycles of Bon Thrul Khor, supported by 499 photographs.
- Heart Drop of the Loving Mother Tempa Lama offers detailed instructions on the Heart Drop of the Loving Mother practice and on how we can become a Loving Mother in our lives.
- Journey into Buddhahood: The Five Paths and the Ten Stages of Compassionate Beings Tempa Lama offers a profound guide to attaining full liberation according to the Bon Sutra path, the path of compassionate beings.
- Inexhaustible Miracles: The Ten Perfections on the Path of Compassionate Beings The Ten Perfections are the heart practices of compassionate beings through which we bring the Bon teachings into our lived experience: generosity, wholesome conduct, patience, effort, concentration, power, aspirational prayers, skillful means, and discriminating awareness. Tempa Lama explains how we can cultivate each Perfection and use these practices to transform every moment of our lives.
- The Intimate Mind: Illuminating Emotion and Transformation Tempa Lama explores how we can use the Bon teachings to better understand our mind, be intimate with it, and ultimately transform it.
Sidpa Gyalmo practice resources
- Recording of Tempa Lama chanting the Sidpa Gyalmo Healing Practice liturgy
- Recording of Tempa Lama chanting the Sidpa Gyalmo Healing Waters Practice liturgy
- Recording of Tempa Lama chanting the Sidpa Gyalmo Longevity & Prosperity practice
- A booklet by Tempa Lama with an explanation of the symbolic meaning of the Sidpa Gyalmo and Yeshe Walmo visualization, detailed instructions of the healing practice, an explanation of the Bon approach to healing, color pictures of Sidpa Gyalmo and Yeshe Walmo, and the practice liturgy of both the Healing Practice and the Healing Waters Practice is available from our store here. We are able to ship quickly and now offer lower First Class shipping rates for domestic and international orders.