Olmo Ling Bon Center Weekly Schedule

More Information Below

Location and Directions

Olmo Ling Bon Center & Institute, 1101 Greenfield Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15217. Please arrive 5 minutes early for the meditation and weekly teachings. Our meditation sessions are open to all. A donation of $5 would be greatly appreciated to support this beautiful temple and community. Please note that some events are also offered online via Zoom.

Free Tuesday Evening Talk with Tempa Dukte Lama

Offered via Zoom or In-Person

This is a great opportunity to meet Tempa Dukte Lama and to hear and experience the Bon teachings and meditation. Everyone is welcome. Some Tuesday evening talks are given by guest speakers, please see our front page for more information.

Calm Abiding Meditation with Instruction

Saturdays at 8:30 AM EST | In-Person with Senior Student Andrew Kaiser

Class Schedule:
5 minutes Daily Prayers
15 minutes Talk
10 minutes Meditation
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. If you have questions about Calm Abiding Meditation, please contact Andrew Kaiser

Weekly Olmo Ling Dzogchen Practice Group

Sundays at 4:00 PM EST | Offered via Zoom & In-Person

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

Meditation instruction and introduction to the Bon tradition with Tempa Dukte Lama

Note: Event is currently on hold.

Offered every 1st Thursday of the month by appointment. If you are new to meditation or to the Bon tradition, we invite you to join us for the Meditation Instruction and Introduction to Bon. While there is no charge for the meditation instruction, please plan to offer a donation (in the temple donation bowl). Registration by email at bon@olmoling.org is required.

The Healing Practice of Sidpa Gyalmo

Note: Event is currently on hold.

Offered every first Wednesday of the month. Tempa Dukte Lama leads the healing meditation practice of Sidpa Gyalmo, the chief protector of the Bon tradition. This healing practice ritual helps us to connect with the innate potential of healing within each one of us.

Ngondro Practice

Note: Event is currently on hold.

The Ngondro practice, called preliminary or foundational practices, is for practitioners who have received the Ngondro dzogchen teachings and transmission. Guided by senior student Jim DelBianco, it is held every Tuesday evening prior to the weekly dharma talk by Tempa Dukte Lama.

Olmo Ling Youth Sangha – Fridays, 6:30-8pm

Upcoming Youth Sangha: TBA

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

Upcoming dates

Due to the pandemic, Youth Sangha has not been meeting since March 2020. We hope to reopen soon!