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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 2023 to view upcoming programs and please visit Olmo Ling online Bookstore!
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 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 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 Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargye 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: $39,445 – You can donate HERE
Read More and Join Us Here
Visit from H.H. 34th 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 Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargye 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.
REGISTER FOR ALL THREE EVENTS: HERE
His Holiness’s 34th June Schedule
FRIDAY: JUNE 2nd | 7:00 – 8:30pm EST
In-Person at Olmo Ling Bon Center & over Zoom
A Public Talk with His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin
with His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargye Rinpoche & Tempa Dukte Lama
A public talk held by His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargye Rinpoche & Tempa Dukte Lama
SATURDAY: JUNE 3rd | 10:00am – 4:00pm EST
In-Person at Olmo Ling Bon Center & over Zoom
Importance and Benefits of the Jang Chok Ritual for the Deceased
with His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargye Rinpoche & Tempa Dukte Lama
The Jang Chok ritual for the deceased is an extensive ritual practice to guide the consciousness of the deceased and protect it from the terror of the Bardo experiences. The Bardo is the in-between state where the consciousness finds itself after separating from the physical body at the moment of death and before taking on a new body.
SUNDAY: JUNE 4th | 10:00am – 1:00pm EST
In-Person at Olmo Ling Bon Center Only
Du Tri Su Empowerment
with His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargye Rinpoche & Tempa Dukte Lama
Du Tri Su is the heart practice of Bon to clear the karmic conditioning and suffering of the lower realms and the obstacles in our present life. It is a powerful practice to call upon the souls of the deceased, offer them guidance, and help them find peace and wellbeing. The Du Tri Su mantra strengthens our vital energy, enables healing of our body and our relationships, and protects us from epidemics, disease, provocation of energy, hostile forces and disturbing spirits.
REGISTER FOR ALL THREE EVENTS: HERE
A Khrid Part IV: Teaching & Transmission
with Tempa Dukte Lama via Zoom & In-Person
Week 1 | Sat. March 25th – Sun. March 26th
Week 2 | Sat. April 1st – Sun. April 2nd
from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Simultaneous translation will be available in Spanish (all days), Russian (all days), and French (Partial) via Zoom.
Recordings of the teachings will be provided to participants
Tempa Lama will be teaching and giving the transmission on Bon Dzogchen A Khrid Part IV. Part IV encompasses sessions 11-14 of the A Khrid root text. In this teaching, Tempa Lama will explain how we can utilize dreams and vision in order to practice and maintain the natural state during both sleeping and waking. He will explain how we can self-liberate affliction and delusion. Finally, he will teach the introduction to the nature of the mind and the Three Bodies (truth body, enjoyment body, and emanation body).
Prerequisite
This teaching builds on the A Khrid Parts I-III teachings offered at Olmo Ling this spring and in previous years. Having previously attended Parts I-III is a prerequisite for attending Part IV.
Read More and Register Here
Teaching on Ngo Trod – Being with Dying
with Tempa Dukte Lama via Zoom & In-Person
Day 1 & 2 | Sat. April 22nd – Sun. April 23rd
Day 3 | Sat. April 29th
from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Simultaneous translation will be available in Spanish/Español, French/Français, and Polish/Polski. Please check back soon for updates!
Recordings of the teachings will be provided to participants
In this teaching, Tempa Lama will introduce the Bon teachings on death and dying and teach the practice of Ngo Trod or conscious dying. Ngo Trod is the practice of becoming familiar with the transition at the time of death including the dissolution of the elements, developing openness and trust toward the process of dying, and letting go of fear and attachments. He will also teach practices to help us recognize the visions occurring at the time of death and use that moment to liberate ourselves into the true nature of the mind. The Ngo Trod teachings offer a powerful skillful means to assist those who are dying as well as their family members. They enable us to help the dying connect deeply with their own faith and draw strength and inner peace from their spiritual practice and teachers.
Read More and Register Here
Bardo Teaching
with Tempa Dukte Lama via Zoom & In-Person
Day 1 | Sun. April 30th
Day 2 & 3 | Sat. May 6th – Sun. May 7th
from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Simultaneous translation will be available in Spanish/Español, French/Français, and Polish/Polski. Please check back soon for updates!
Recordings of the teachings will be provided to participants
In this series of three Saturday teachings, Tempa Lama will teach about the stages of the Bardo, and the mental, emotional and physical shifts that take place during the different Bardo stages. ‘Bardo’ is a Tibetan word consisting of “Bar” – the “between state” where the consciousness has left this body and not yet taken another body; and “Do”– the consciousness that is without the physical support of a body. Tempa Lama will provide practice instructions for each Bardo stage and explain how we can guide and assist the dying person during and after death. Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead, we will use death itself as a basic practice to develop strength within ourselves and keep our hearts and mind free from fear and judgment.
Read More and Register Here
Calm Abiding Meditation with Instruction
Every Other Friday, 6:30 – 7:30 PM EST | In-Person with Senior Student Andrew Kaiser
- March: 3, 17, 31
- April: 14, 28
- May: 12, 26
- June: 9, 23
- More to come – pending Summer Schedule
Class Schedule:
5 minutes Daily Prayers
15 minutes Talk
10 minutes Meditatation
30 minutes Questions
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.
First Phase: Calm Abiding Meditation helps us to free ourselves from the distractions that disturb us. In this class, we will work towards stability of pose and equanimity of mind.
Second Phase: Insight Meditation means to see clearly the way the mind works and to free the mind from grasping at the duality.
Third Phase: Abiding in the nature of mind, the union of emptiness and clarity. These are the Dzogchen teachings.
We are given instruction in many different practices. Zen, Theravada, and other Tibetan traditions all begin with the stability of the mind. Mindfulness is also taught in a lot of different places in today’s world. Understanding Zhine (Calm Abiding) is essential.
Andrew Kaiser is a senior student with Tempa Lama at Olmo Ling.
Chod Practice
Saturday, April 15th and Saturday, May 13th
At Olmo Ling Bon Center, Zoom is not Available
- Drumming Review: 8:30 AM EST
- Chod Practice: 9:00 – 10:30 AM EST
It has been a number of years since our last Chod Practice at Olmo Ling Bon Center! This will not be a teaching, but a time for practitioners to come together. Beginners and the curious are certainly welcome to attend! The session will also include regular introductory prayers, silent meditation, and an abbreviated Sidpe Gyalmo/Yeshe Walmo healing ritual. It is free to all and no registration is necessary.
The practice will be led by senior students Andrew Kaiser and Jim DelBianco.
If you have questions about these Chod Practices, please contact Jim DelBianco
Weekly Olmo Ling 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 is a path of spiritual realization that guides us to directly recognize our Buddha nature, the qualities, and capacities present in all of us that are realized by enlightened beings. Dzogchen Olmo Ling meets weekly to study and practice Dzogchen according to the Bon Akhrid Dzogchen tradition taught by Tempa Lama.
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.
The sittings are open to all. Practitioners are welcome to attend, regardless of Dzogchen background. Sittings are convened by Bob Marin, a senior student of Tempa Lama and a longtime Dzogchen student of the American-born Tibetan Lama Surya Das. Dzogchen Olmo Ling offers welcoming, informal gatherings that foster collective learning through openness, authenticity, and curiosity. Regular participants are asked to consider membership in Olmo Ling. However, there is no fee for participation in Dzogchen Olmo Ling. If you wish to participate or if you have questions about Dzogchen Olmo Ling, please contact Bob Marin
March 28th | Free Tuesday Evening Talk
The Ten Perfections
Tuesday, March 28th at 7:00 PM EST
Join us via Zoom or In-person at Olmo Ling Bon Center
Over the next couple of months, Tempa Lama will offer a series of weekly evening talks on the qualities of the Ten Perfections. This week, Tempa Lama will continue to talk about the first Perfection, Generosity.
Join the weekly evening talk via Zoom HERE
The Ten Perfections are the heart practices of compassionate beings. They are the awakened qualities of our true nature that we manifest and integrate with our lives on the path of practice. Through the Ten Perfections we ultimately transcend the self and express compassion and wisdom in all actions of our body, speech, and mind.
The first five Perfections are the causal Perfections of generosity, wholesome conduct, patience, effort, and mindful concentration. Through these practices, we develop the qualities of heart and mind that help us transcend the self and become a compassionate being. These five causal Perfections then become the ground on which the fruitional Perfections manifest. These are the awakened qualities of power, compassion, aspiration, skillful means, and wisdom of discriminating awareness. Once our practice bears fruit, the Ten Perfections become the skillful means through which we accomplish the twofold benefit of helping the self and helping all beings without distinction.
We are offering Inexhaustible Miracles: The Ten Perfections on the Path of Compassionate Being by Tempa Dukte Lama for 10% off to support our ongoing weekly teaching on the Ten Perfections. Discount is applied at checkout.
The weekly program at Olmo Ling is offered free of charge. All are welcome! You can join us via Zoom or in person at 1101 Greenfield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
Donations to Olmo Ling or to Tempa Lama are deeply appreciated.
Join the weekly evening talk via Zoom HERE
Meeting ID: 143 923 353. One tap mobile +13017158592,,143923353# US (Washington D.C) +13126266799,,143923353# US (Chicago)
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!
Olmo Ling Publications, 2021. Paperback, 188 pp., $16.95
In this first English rendition of the Tibetan Bön Medicine Buddha practice, 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.
The Bön Medicine Buddha practice was first taught in the human realm eighteen thousand years ago by the Awakened One Tonpa Shenrab and his son, compassionate being Che Bu Trishe, in response to a pandemic that threatened the ancient kingdom of Dawa Ruteng and caused widespread illness, conflicts, and famine. Tempa Lama retells the story of how this practice was first taught and how the Awakened One brought hope and healing to Dawa Ruteng. At that time, the king of Dawa Ruteng, Drag Chen Khorlo, had become very ill due to his misguided karmic actions and was going through a deep personal crisis. His son prince Triten Khorlo invited the Awakened One to visit Dawa Ruteng with an assembly of compassionate beings. Tonpa Shenrab’s visit and profound teaching inspired and guided the king back to the light and to forgiveness and healing.
Now available at our online store here. We also carry Medicine Buddha deity cards and Medicine Buddha Mandala cards.
Tempa Lama’s books
- 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.
Recap: visit of His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargye to Olmo Ling in summer 2019
We are deeply honored to have hosted His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizin as part of his first world tour. Following the passing of the late 33rd Menri Trizin on September 14, 2017, Geshe Dawa Dhargye was determined as the new spiritual head of Bon and Abbot of Menri on January 1, 2018 through an intensive weeklong prayer ritual conducted by Bon nuns and monks from across Asia.
His Holiness offered a public talk Awakening the Heart of Compassion, at the First Unitarian Church, a daylong teaching on the Loving Mother Sherab Jamma at Olmo Ling, and the Mawe Senge wisdom deity empowerment at Olmo Ling. He joined a benefit dinner for the nuns and children at Menri Monastery. His Holiness also visited the Mayor’s office and the Art in the Garden children’s program offered by OMA Pittsburgh.
Read more about His Holiness’ visit in the post-event newsletter and in an article in the Post Gazette.
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.
Thrul Khor – Ancient Tibetan Bon Yoga
By Tempa Dukte LamaOlmo Ling Publications, August 2019
Paperback, 272 pp., $23.95
Now available at the Olmo Ling bookstore
Thrul Khor is an ancient Tibetan practice that employs breathing, physical movement, visualization, and deep meditative awareness as a path of harmonizing the body, mind, and energy, and ultimately attaining awakening. In this first comprehensive English-language guide to Bon Thrul Khor, Tempa Dukte Lama offers 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. He also explains the benefits of the Thrul Khor practices for our spiritual path and for our physical health and wellbeing.
Thrul Khor works with our mind, body, and energy to support us in stabilizing our understanding. The pure energy of awareness appears in the five colors, the energetic expression of the Five Wisdoms: Wisdom of Emptiness, Mirror-like Wisdom, Wisdom of Equanimity, Wisdom of Discernment, and All-accomplishing Wisdom. The innate essence of the five elements manifests from these five colors. Within the body, the five elements are expressed as flesh, blood, metabolic heat, breath, and mind. When we purify these five aspects through Thrul Khor, we will experience the true essence of the elements, which is the innate luminosity or innate awareness. Ultimately, the rainbow body can be attained.
The book includes the Tsa Lung prayers in English and Tibetan as well as guidelines for an intensive 100-day Thrul Khor retreat.
Journey into Buddhahood
The Five Paths and Ten Stages of Compassionate BeingsBy Tempa Dukte Lama
Foreword by H.E. Menri Lopon.
Olmo Ling Publications, September 2013
Paperback 249pp, $18.95
The Journey into Buddhahood is the practice of realizing the true nature of reality. We enter this journey when we first have the thought of helping all beings without distinction.
This is the first time that the Bon teachings on the Paths and Stages of compassionate beings are written in English or any other Western language. This book is like the rain coming at the right time and place. It will be of great benefit to all aspiring beings.
- His Eminence Menri Lopon Rinpoche.
Read more here. Journey into Buddhahood is available as a paperback from our store here it is also available as a Kindle book from Amazon.
Heart Drop of the Loving Mother
By Tempa Dukte LamaOlmo Ling Publications, June 2014
Paperback 176pp, $16.95
In Heart Drop of the Loving Mother, Tempa Dukte Lama opens the door to the practice of embodying the Great Loving Mother, known in Tibetan Bön as Sherab Jamma, the female Buddha of love and wisdom. The Loving Mother is the mother of all. She is the source of our wisdom and wholesome aspiration. She is the ceaseless source of compassion, skillful means, and power. Through these qualities, the Loving Mother nurtures all beings without hindrance. She is clarity without obstacles. She is the awakened nature of all beings. She is love because she wants all beings to be happy. She is compassion because she wants all beings to be free from suffering. She is presence because she is always there, offering us strength, protection, and clarity.
The Heart Drop of the Loving Mother Practice helps us connect with our primordial capacity to love and care unconditionally for one another and for ourselves. If we take some time for this practice every day, it will deeply transform us.
Order your copy of Heart Drop of the Loving Mother from our store here.
Olmo Ling monthly Youth Sangha – date to be announced
A new date will be announced soon!
One of the most renowned practices in Tibetan Buddhism and Bon is the making of sand mandalas which represent the impermanence of all things. Although we obviously don’t have time to construct an authentic one in an hour, we will collaborate to construct a nature mandala of seasonal greenery, pebbles, twigs, and seashells in addition to colored sand. After completing this family-friendly community activity, we will brush it away to foster non-attachment.
The Olmo Ling Youth Sangha is offered monthly on Fridays from 6:30-8PM.
Please note that this is a half hour later start time than previous years.
Venue: Olmo Ling Bon Center, 1101 Greenfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. This program is offered free of charge. We appreciate donations to help us cover material expenses.
The Friday evening Youth Sangha is a mindful way to end the school week and begin the weekend. This Program is free and open to all ages birth to teens, and newcomers are always warmly welcome. Children over age 5 may be dropped off, although parents generally stay to share this time with their children and fellowship with other families. For children 5 and under, we request that a guardian remain and participate. Gatherings include a snack, meditation, mantras, and an art activity such as calligraphy, music & literature or discussions and service projects.
Although we are based in the Tibetan Bon tradition, we have been expanding activities to include more traditions and Youth Sangha is appropriate for all Buddhists as well as other wisdom traditions. Dharma is for everyone, so please share this invitation with others, especially if you belong to another Sangha! While there is no charge for any of the activities, contributing to the shared snack (all nut & peanut free) is always appreciated and there is a bowl for donations to Olmo Ling right inside the door, but please never let any of those requests be a hindrance to joining us!
Please make sure to RSVP with the Youth Sangha coordinator Bonnie Weiss at earthmom3@comcast.net to ensure adequate materials are available for class as well as to advise about any food allergies or special accommodations that might benefit your child