The Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh (BSP) aims to support and encourage accessibility to Buddhist teachings in the local community. As an inter-Buddhist organization, BSP brings together various Buddhist traditions and groups. BSP holds an annual Vesak celebration where different Buddhist centers come together to honor the Buddha's life, awakening, and passing. This year's Vesak theme is "Touching the Earth" to symbolize the Buddha's awakening witnessed by the Earth during this time of climate change. The document then provides information about various Buddhist centers and traditions represented in the Pittsburgh area.

1. THE BUDDHIST SOCIETY OF PITTSBURGH
The Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh (BPS) is an inter-Buddhist community
of various traditions and includes all Buddhist groups who wish to partici-
pate. We envision BSP as an umbrella for all Buddhist centers in the area.
Our mission is “to support/encourage/ foster accessibility of the Buddha's
Dharma throughout our community, as a shared practice among Sang-
has.” We are in the formative stages of organizing and are moving in the
direction of establishing our goals.
As part of ongoing efforts, BSP holds an annual Vesak celebration in which
we come together and honor the teachings of the Buddha as well as his
birth, awakening and passing.
VESAK
The Vesak ceremony has been one of the common ceremonies for all
Buddhist traditions. Vesak (aka Visaka, Vaishaka, Buddha Purnima, the
Full Moon Day) is a name for the May full moon, under which it occurs.
Here in Pittsburgh, the Vesak ceremony brings different Buddhist groups
together to focus our combined energy. It is an occasion where each
Buddhist center shares their practice and we have an opportunity to ex-
perience the richness and variety of all the Buddhist traditions.
This year, in 2016, the theme of Vesak is “Touching the Earth.” This is a
brilliant symbol of the moment of Buddha’s awakening, wherein the Earth
was his witness. During this challenging era of climate change, we stand
on this common ground and reciprocate the gesture… a simple offering,
as witness to the Earth.
For more information about BSP,
check our website: https://pittsburghbuddhist.com
or like us on Facebook.
https://facebook.com/groups/BuddhistSoci-
etyPittsburgh
Buddhism
in
Pittsburgh
May 15, 2016

2. The Bodhichitta Foundation
(Tradition: Tibetan)
412-536-1154 or 724-625-6267
Gail.Rowe@Laroche.edu
Buddhist Meditation Center of Pitts-
burgh
(Tradition: Theravada)
412-229-8128, 412-326-7373
bmcpitts@hotmail.com
www.bmcpitts.org,
www.facebook.com/watpadhamma-
ratana
Dzogchen Sangha of Pittsburgh
(Tradition: Tibetan-Dzogchen)
412-321-1923
Dzogchen.sangha.of.pittsburgh@gmail.com
www.dzogchensanghaofpittsburgh.com
Laughing Rivers Sangha
(Tradition: Vietnamese Zen/Mahaya-
na)
titaninium507@gmail.com
www.laughingrivers.org
Olmo Ling Center
(Tradition: Tibetan-Bon)
412-904-1112
bon@olmoling.org
www.olmoling.org
One Pine Zen Meditation Center
(Tradition: Ch’an, Chinese Zen/Ma-
hayana)
724-518-9455
dudley92@gmail.com
www.onepinezenmeditation.org
Pittsburgh Buddhist Center
(Tradition: Theravada) 724-295-2525
info@pittsburghbuddhistcenter.org,
www.pittsburghbuddhistcenter.org
Pittsburgh Shambhala Meditation
Center
(Tradition: Tibetan-Shambhala)
412-345-1759
Pittsburgh.shambhala@gmail.com
www.pittsburgh.shambhala.org
Stillpoint, a Pittsburgh Zen commu-
nity
(Tradition: Japanese Zen/Mahayana)
info@stillpointzen.org
www.stillpointzen.org
Stillworkers, Pittsburgh’s Engaged
Buddhist Network (Tradition: vari-
ous)
http://stillworkers.wordpress.com/
pghstillworkers@gmail.com
Theravada Dhamma Family
(Tradition: Theravada)
412-266-6659
dhammagoneyee@yahoo.com
www.theravadadhammafamily.com
Three Rivers Tibetan Cultural Center
(Tradition: Tibetan)
threeriversdharma@gmail.com
www.threeriversdharma.org
Vipassana Sitting Group
(Tradition: Vipassana/Theravada)
412-487-1967
Rhonda.K.Rosen@gmail.com
WPA- Sangha Flower Dance Temple
(Tradition: Nonsectarian Buddhist)
w.pa.sanghafdt@chojung.org
www.chojung.org/WesternPASangha
Zen Center of Pittsburgh
(Tradition: Japanese Zen/Mahayana)
412-741-1262, Kotoku@deepspring-
zen.org, http://deepspringzen.org
Zen Group of Pittsburgh
(Tradition: Korean Zen/Mahayana)
412-491-9185
www.kwanumzen.org/WDH1@pitt.
edu
Pittsburgh Area Buddhist Organizations
Content
A brief history of Buddhism 1
Story of the Buddha 3
The Dharma 4
Four Noble Truths 4
Noble Eightfold Path 5
The Bodhicitta Foundation 6
Buddhist Meditation Center of Pittsburgh (BMCP) 7
Dzogchen Sangha of Pittsburgh 8
Laughing Rivers Sangha 8
Olmo Ling Tibetan Bon Center and Insitute 9
One Pine Zen Meditation Center 9
Pittsburgh Buddhist Center 10
Pittsburgh Shambhala Meditation Center 10
Stillpoint, a Pittsburgh Zen Community 11
Stillworkers 11
Theravada Dhamma Family 12
Three Revers Tibetan Cultural Center 12
Vipassana Sitting Group 13
Western Pennsylvania Sangha-Flower Dance Temple 13
Zen Center of Pittsburgh - Deep Spring Zen Temple 14
Zen Group of Pittsburgh 15
Resources 16

3. 2
A Brief History of Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha Shakyamuni, lived and taught about
2,500 years ago in the southern foothills of the Himalayas. His philosophical
discoveries and teachings have resounded down through the centuries, trav-
eling from teacher to student across continents and oceans to reach us today.
Like a pebble dropped in a calm pond, Buddha’s impact traveled like
ripples from Northern India. It spread from that center, following the high-
ways and byways of the times, influencing philosophical thinkers on its way.
As they spread, Buddha’s teachings (Dharma) became incorporated into the
cultures with which they came in contact, creating a rich diversity of practice.
From Northern India, the teachings traveled south and east along the
coast and across the Indian Ocean. The Theravada communities and monastic
forest retreats emerged in Southern India, Sri Lanka and the Southeast Asian
peninsula of Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This tradi-
tion of Buddhism was firmly anchored in the Pali Cannon, the earliest written
Buddhist records, and it is from here that Vipassana (Insight Meditation) has
grown and flourished.
Buddhist teachers also traveled west to current Afghanistan and into
Central Asia, flowing north, following trade caravans, and establishing centers
along the Silk Road. It was in this early era that the concept of Prajnaparamita
(wisdom of non-duality and compassion) emerged as the basis of the Ma-
hayana tradition.
Buddhism reached China around the time of Jesus. As the Dharma took hold,
inspired pilgrims traveled to India (no small undertaking) to clarify under-
standings for future practitioners. Pure Land practices emerged in the 2nd
cen-
tury CE, and in the 5th
century CE the Indian sage Bodhidharma ‘arrived from
the west’. His extraordinary practice informed the early Ch’an traditions, the
common root of all Zen schools.
From China, the Mahayana teachings flowed northeast to Korea and
Japan and south to Vietnam. Though linked philosophically, these branching
streams of Zen have unique ways of teaching and practicing; for example, ko-
ans are conundrums for the mind that are used in some Japanese and Korean
traditions. Some Zen schools such as Soto Zen practice zazen (just sitting), and
Vietnamese Zen commonly practice walking meditation.
Well-buffered by the Himalayas, the Tibetan people received the Bud-
dha’s teachings during the 6-8th
centuries CE. Building upon Mahayana tradi-
tions, Vajrayana or Tantric lineages became well-rooted in Tibetan schools;
Bon, Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya and Geluk are examples. Many great Tibetan
masters have shared their practices with contemporaries, a non-sectarian
movement known as Rimay, while the Shambhala community, whose origins
are deeply Tibetan, carries a distinctly Western flavor and approach.
We now live in an era of technological sophistication, where moun-
tains and oceans do not impede the Dharma. How extraordinary it is, then, to
have access to such a vast treasure of thought and experience! Engaged Bud-
dhism exemplified in the Stillworkers, bring it to fruition. Likewise we stand
together today on behalf of Mother Earth, with gratitude for her witness to
Buddha's awakening.
We are very fortunate to have a wide representation of Buddhist
traditions in Pittsburgh where the Three Rivers meet. It is here we gather to
celebrate Vesak, in honor of the Buddha, in deep appreciation and peaceful
community.
May everyone be happy and well!

4. Story of the Buddha
The Buddha was not born the Buddha. Historically, it is accepted that
his name was Siddhartha Gautama. He was born into a princely life kept away
from worldly troubles and provided a life where he was to only to know plea-
sure.
One day, Siddhartha left his castle with his charioteer. He came across
an ill man, an old man and a dead body. It became clear to the young prince
that as much as we all try to avoid the reality; we are all subject to sickness,
old age and death. Unlike most of us who intellectually acknowledge this real-
ity, Siddhartha became truly aware of these truths and what they mean.
The young prince overcome with new understanding of life’s discon-
tentment and suffering, felt the clinging of his princely life fall away and cease
to have meaning for him. He left his palace to understand the nature of suffer-
ing and truth. Over the next six years, he studied under the greatest Brahman
holy teachers of the day, and the sadhu ascetic hermits. The Brahman teach-
ings brought him no sense of peace. The austere ascetic life brought him to
starvation and near death, but also gave him no further insight.
Siddhartha, who had been a prince, a holy man, a hermit left to find
the answer on his own. He realized the blindness of extreme sensual indul-
gence and futility of extreme ascetic practices. Then he followed what came
to be known as “the Middle Path,” which focuses on the inner development of
the mind while taking proper care of the body. Eventually, he sat underneath
a Bodhi tree. He remembered a time as a child when he sat under another
tree watching his father perform a harvest ceremony, when he was at peace.
He then started a process of meditation where he developed great insight and
understanding so profound that he embodied a state of enlightenment.
Some time later, a man on the road who could recognize the special-
ness of Siddhartha questioned him. He asked him if he was a god, a demon, or
a deva. Each time Siddhartha replied “no.”
“Then what are you?” asked the stranger on the road.
“I am awake,” replied Siddhartha. The sanskrit word for awake is
“budh.” From that time on, he would be known as the Buddha, or “the awak-
ened one.” Because he had enlightened himself, he is also referred to as Sam-
ma Sambuddha or “the one who has awakened himself.”
For the next 45 years, the Buddha offered his wisdom to all. 2,500
years since his teachings continue to affect how we understand the universe,
the mind, society, family, community and happiness. “What I teach,” said the
Buddha, “is the understanding of suffering and the cessation of suffering.”
The Dharma
It is not surprising, that over 2,500 years the face of Buddhism has
changed. It is a very adaptive faith, which integrates into the local social and
cultural fabric. Of all of the Buddhist traditions, most can be associated within
three major categories (Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana). Common to
Buddhist traditions are basic teachings of the Buddha, commonly referred to
as Dharma.
Four Noble Truths
1.There is a nature of suffering (discontentment) to living.
2.There is an origin to suffering, which is self-centered craving based on igno-
rance of the true nature of reality.
3.There is an end of suffering.
4.The end of suffering can be achieved through transformation of personality
by following the Noble Eightfold Path.
3 4

5. 6
Noble Eightfold Path
The Noble Eight Fold Path consists of eight factors, which we can de-
velop ourselves to be wiser, moral and mentally developed. This path is also
called “the Middle Way,” because it avoids the two extreme religious practices
of extreme sensual indulgence and extreme mortification of the body to gain
liberation. This path aims to develop three aspects of our personality: moral-
ity, mental culture and wisdom. With the development of these three factors,
we can liberate ourselves from unwholesome cravings and respond to the
world with compassion, acceptance and bliss.
1. Right View: Understanding how suffering arises in the human mind and the
possibility of overcoming it.
2. Right Intention: Developing the intentions of non-violence, letting go and
compassion, which reduce suffering of oneself and others
3. Right Speech: Cultivating truthful, peaceful, kind and meaningful speech
4. Right Action: Cultivating harmless, honest and faithful behaviors by refrain-
ing from killing, stealing and sexual misconduct.
5. Right Livelihood: Following a righteous career that does not harm other
living beings.
6. Right Effort: Constantly attempting to maintain good thoughts and habits
7. Right Mindfulness: Developing awareness of our body, feelings, the nature
of our mind and thoughts.
8. Right Concentration: Developing the ability of concentration of our mind
and the settling of the mind into peace and tranquility.
"However many holy words you read, however many you speak,
what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?"
the Buddha Shakyamuni
Sangha: The Bodhichitta 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 Bodhichitta 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 5:30-6:30 p.m.
PITTSBURGH AREA
BUDDHIST ORGANIZATIONS
5

6. 7 8
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 Thera-
vada 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: Dzogchen Sangha of Pittsburgh
Teacher: Lama Surya Das
Address: Friends Meeting House - 4836 Ellsworth Avenue in Oakland
Contact: Bob Marin & Jane Harter – Co-conveners
Email: Dzogchen.sangha.of.pittsburgh@gmail.com
On-line schedule/info link(s): www.dzogchensanghaofpittsburgh.com ;
Friend us at: www.facebook.com/Dzogchen-Sangha-of-Pittsburgh
Brief Description: The Dzogchen Sangha of Pittsburgh was established in 2000
by students of Lama Surya Das, a lineage holder in the Nyingmapa school
of Tibetan Buddhism and a leader in the West of the Rimay (non-sectarian)
movement. We practice Dzogchen meditation, a natural meditation, based on
becoming familiar with awareness itself. Some refer to it as ‘non-meditation’
because of this emphasis as well as the appreciation that this fundamental
awareness is always and naturally present and available to us. Dzogchen prac-
tices strengthen one’s capacity to relax and ‘simply' be aware, in the present,
accepting and working with anything and everything that arises in the mind.
Our Sangha meets Saturday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. for conversa-
tion and practice. We are an informal community that welcomes meditators
of all levels of experience. We are happy to discuss questions you may have
about your own experience and meditation practice.
Sangha: ​Laughing Rivers Sangha​
Teachers: ​Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Tony Silvestre, True Hall of Peace​
Address: ​Squirrel Hill
Contact: Michael Sutherland​
Email: ​titanium507@gmail.com​
On-line schedule/info link(s): ​www.laughingrivers.org​
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.
"The scent of flowers, of sandal-wood, of tagara and of jasmine blows not
against the wind. But the fragrance of the virtuous blows against the wind. The
virtuous man pervades in all directions. Sandal-wood, tagara, water lily, wild
jasmine: of all these kinds of perfumes, the perfume of virtue is by far the best."
the Buddha Shakyamuni

7. 9
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://www.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 wis-
dom 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 Chil-
dren’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 Zen Meditation Center
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.onepinemeditation.org;
www.facebook.com/One-Pine-Zen-Meditation-Center
Brief Description: One Pine Zen Meditation Center practices authentic Ch’an
(Chinese for Zen) Buddhism. We offer classes in Buddhism and Taoist phi-
losophy as well as Day of Zen retreats.
One Pine Zen Meditation Recovery Group is a Buddhist meditation and
discussion group for people in 12-step recovery programs. We meet at 7:00
p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh (605 Morewood Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213) on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. We
support those who want to integrate Buddhist teachings and practices into
their 12-step program.
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. Our weekly meditation is on every Wednesday at 7 pm
and it is open to the public.
Sangha: Pittsburgh Shambhala Meditation Center
Teachers: Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Acharya Adam Lobel
Address: 733 North Highland Avenue Rear Carriage House Pittsburgh, PA
15206 (behind Western Pennsylvania Family Center)
Phone: 412-345-1759
Contact: Fitzhugh Shaw
Email: pittsburgh.shambhala@gmail.com
On-line schedule/info link(s): http://pittsburgh.shambhala.org/
Schedule: http://pittsburgh.shambhala.org/ongoing-offerings/
Brief Description: Pittsburgh Shambhala is part of Shambhala International,
a global community of urban meditation and rural retreat centers founded
by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and now led by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.
The Shambhala view is that the fundamental nature of every human being is
oneofgoodness,warmthandintelligence.Thisnaturecanbecultivatedthrough
meditation practice. Engaging daily life with mindfulness and awareness devel-
ops it further, so that it radiates out to family, friends, community, and society.
We offer sitting and walking meditation sessions, as well as a comprehensive
path of classes, weekend intensives, and retreats to help awaken to the joy of
fully living in this world. Meditation instruction is available to anyone, free of
charge. Please see our website for more information and a complete listing
of programs.
10

8. 11 12
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 back-
grounds to share a common spiritual practice based mainly on zazen, sitting
meditation.
Stillpointoffersmanypracticeopportunities,including: zazensessionsWednes-
day 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 Bud-
dhist practice organizations, we are a resource for information on Zen prac-
tice 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 compo-
nent 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: Khenpo Choephel
Address: 7313 Florence Ave, Swissvale PA 15218
Email: Threeriversdharma@gmail.com
On-line schedule/ info link(s): www.threeriverstibetancc.org ; www.three-
riversdharma.org
Brief Description: We are a Tibetan Buddhist center that started in 1993 as
Three Rivers Dharma. The Three Rivers Tibetan Cultural Center preserves, pro-
motes 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 Dharma 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 prac-
tice of the Buddhist dharma, as well as other aspects of Tibetan culture such
as the Tibetan language, calligraphy, ritual arts, and medicine. We believe that
the ancient wisdom of Tibetan culture has much to offer of relevance to the
Western world today, and should not be forgotten. All are welcome to attend
our meditation practices, teachings and other events, as well as to study in
our library, which includes a complete set of the Kangyur and Tengyur texts,
or our many Tibetan thangkas. Please check our website or Facebook page
for more information.

9. 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 con-
tinued development of a daily meditation practice. All instruction is drawn
from the Theravada tradition of Vipassana, or Insight meditation. We meet
each Thursday evening, barring major holidays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Please
come ten to fifteen minutes early your first time. Please call or email Rhonda
before you come the 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
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 resi-
dential 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 sit-
tings. Our Sunday program includes meditation, a talk, and a pot luck lunch;
children are welcome. Please check our schedule before paying a visit.
13 14
"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life
would change."
the Buddha Shakyamuni

10. Sangha: Zen Group of Pittsburgh
Teachers: Zen Master Seung Sahn, Dae Soen Sa Nim
Tim Lerch, JDPSN Guiding Teacher
Address: Friends Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Ave. in Oakland
Phone: 412-491-9185
Contact: Wil Hula
Email: WDH1@pitt.edu
On-line/info: http://www.kwanumzen.org/zen-group-of-pittsburgh/
Brief Description: The Zen Group of Pittsburgh is an affiliate of the Kwan Um
School of Zen, an international network of Zen Centers founded by Zen Master
Seung Sahn, Dae Soen Sa Nim. Based in the Korean Zen tradition, we offer
meditationinstructionandholdweeklysittingandchantingmeditationpractice
consisting of 30 minutes of chanting, 30 minutes of silent sitting meditation,
and reading of a teaching letter. Chanting books are provided. The group
periodically holds one-day retreats locally. Our regular meetings occur on
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
15
General introductions
Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught,
Grove Press, 1959, 1974.
Karen Armstrong, Buddha, London:
Phoenix, 2004.
Samuel Bercholz and Sherab Chödzin Kohn, The
Buddha and his teachings, Boston: Shambhala,
2003.
Rick Fields, How the swans came to the lake: A
narrative history of Buddhism in America, Boston
& London: Shambhala, 1992.
Zen Buddhism
RobertAitken,TakingthepathofZen,NewYork,
North Point Press, 1982.
Tenshin Reb Anderson, Being Upright: Zen Med-
itation and the Bodhisattva Precepts, Rodmell
Press. 2000
Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is every step: The path of
mindfulness in everyday life, New York, Bantam,
1991.
Edited by John Daido Loori, The Art of Just Sit-
ting: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of
Shikantaza, Wisdom Publications, 2002
Dainin Katagiri, Returning to Silence: Zen Prac-
tice in Daily Life, Shambala Publications, Inc.,
1988
Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind:
Informal talks on Zen meditation and practice,
Weatherhill, Inc., Thirty-third printing 1994
Edited by Kazuaki Tanahashi, Moon in a Dew-
drop: Writings of Zen Master Dogen North Point
Press, 1985
Kosho Uchiyama, Opening the Hand of Thought:
Foundations of Zen Buddhist Practice, Wisdom
Publications 2004
Alan Watts, The Way of Zen, Arkana, 1990
Charlotte Joko Beck, Everyday Zen, Harper San
Francisco, 1989.
Theravada Buddhism
AjahnChah,Everythingarises,everythingfalls
away:Teachingsonimpermanenceandtheend
of suffering, Boston and London: Shambhala,
2005.
Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield, Seeking
the heart of wisdom: The path of insight medi-
tation, Boston and London: Shambhala, 2001.
U Sayadaw Pandita, In this very life: The lib-
eration teachings of the Buddha, Somerville,
Mass.: Wisdom Publications, 1993.
Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein, Insight
meditation: A step-by-step course on how to
meditate, Boulder: Sounds True, [n.d.]
Tibetan Buddhism and Bon
Pema Chodron, Start where you are: A guide
to compassionate living, Boston: Shambhala,
2001.
Lama Surya Das, Awakening the Buddhist
heart: Integrating love, meaning, and connec-
tion into every part of your life, New York:
Broadway Books, 2000.
Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen, A Complete
Guide to the Buddhist Path, Snow Lion Pub-
lications 2009
Khandro Rinpoche, This precious life: Tibetan
Buddhist teachings on the path to enlighten-
ment, Boston and London: Shambhala, 2005.
Sakyong Mipham, Turning the mind into an
Ally, New York: Riverhead Books, 2003.
Tempa Dukte Lama, Heart Drop of the Loving
Mother, Olmo Ling Publications, 2014.
Tempa Dukte Lama, Journey into Buddha-
hood, Olmo Ling Publications, 2013.
Tempa Dukte Lama, Inexhaustible Miracles,
Olmo Ling Publications, 2011.
Tempa Dukte Lama, The Intimate Mind, Olmo
Ling Publications, 2011.
Resources
"Hatreds never cease through hatred in this world; through love alone they
cease. This is an eternal law."
the Buddha Shakyamuni