Our Spiritual Programme
Discover Buddhism at Kopan
Kopan offers the perfect environment for study and meditation for the serious student, casual visitors, and retreaters.
- Discover Buddhism - Short Meditation Courses 2008
- Intensive 2-months Buddhist Study program 2009 with Ven. Fedor Stracke
- 10 day Vipassana Retreat January 2009 with Ven. Antonio Sattva
- 7- Day Green Tara Retreat with Ven. Namgyel in July 2008
- Reiki Courses with Ven. Namgyel
- Ven Dondrub leading the one Month Lam Rim Meditation Course in November 2008
- Vajrasattva Retreat January 2009
- A Place for Rest and Reflection
- Booking Form
For information on accommodation, meals and costs, please click here for Visitors Information
Discovering Buddhism - Short Introductory Meditation Courses
Regular 10 day introductory courses are held in March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October. The courses give an introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, teach meditation skills and include a two day analytical and single pointed meditation retreat. The courses are led by Ani Karin and Ven. Losang Namgyel, both senior Western sangha, with daily teachings from a Tibetan Lama.
If you are just interested in Buddhism, or experience problems in your life such as uncontrolled emotions, dissatisfaction, etc - this course will give you some skills to address these problems and make your life more fulfilling and meaningful.
The daily schedule consists of sessions of meditation, teachings and discussion groups. The course leader as well as the Tibetan Lamas of the monastery are available for personal guidance. The daily programme starts at 6.30 am and finishes at 9 pm. The participants are expected to attend all session. Half day silence is kept as a course discipline
All courses are residential with accommodation and food provided. The course starts at 5 pm on the first day check-in recommended by 3 pm), and finishes at 12 noon on the last day.
Costs 110 US$ - This includes all meals, course material and accommodation (in dormitory)
The cost indicated is for accommdation in dormitory. Accommodation other than dormitory will incur extra charges. Please check our visitors information Visitors Information for details.
Course Dates 2008
- May 31 - June 10 (ten days)
- July 3 - July 13 (ten days)
- August 1 - 10 (ten days)
- September 15 - 25 (ten days)
- October 10 - 20 (ten days)
FPMT Basic Program at Kopan - Intensive Buddhist Study Course 2009
Date: to be announced
The topics in summer 2009 to be announced
Course teacher: Ven. Fedor Stracke
The course is based on the Basic Study Program of the FPMT. It is being held over 5 years, in yearly modules. The course leads to a certificate issued by the Education Department of the FPMT, and will enable you to to take further studies such as the Master program of the FPMT.
Extensive study material will be made available for the students.
Daily Schedule:
- 6.45 Morning meditation
- 7.30 am Breakfast
- 9.00 - 11 00 Teachings om Bodhisattva charya vatara
- 11.30 Lunch
- Free study time after lunch
- 3.30 - 5.00 Teaching on the Tenets
- 6.00 - 6.45 Meditation
- 6.45 Dinner
- 7.30 Study group with Debate
Pre requisites
You are welcome to join this course for one or several modules of your choice. To receive the certificate, all modules have to be attended, and the required exams have to be passed. It is recommended, but not compulsary to have completed the previous module.
Applicants for the course should have done some study and have experience of Tibetan Buddhism, such as the Discover Buddhism course of the FPMT, the Foundation Course, or the one month November course at Kopan.
Cost: to be announced
The course fee includes food, accommodation in dormitory and extensive course material. (Other rooms are available at an extra charge)
The course fee includes food, accommodation in dormitory and extensive course material. (Other rooms are available at an extra charge)
A Meditation Retreat on the two systems of Classic and Mahayana Vipassana
10 Day Retreat January 2009 with Ven. Antonio Sattva
A Meditation Retreat on the two systems of Classic and Mahayana Vipassana
A Meditation Retreat on the two systems of Classic and Mahayana Vipassana
A Meditation Retreat on the two systems of Classic and Mahayana Vipassana
A Meditation Retreat on the two systems of Classic and Mahayana Vipassana
January 30 - February 10 2009
The emphasis of this course is on meditation, with sessions of teachings in evening. Complete silence will be kept throughout the course, offering an opportunity for a deep personal meditation experience, without the distraction of everyday chatter.
Cost: 2oo US$ - This includes all food, accommodation in dormitory and course material for this ten dayretreat. Accommodation is limited, so early booking is recommended - Book directly here
Tara - The Compassionate and Wishfulfilling Mother
7- Day Green Tara Retreat with Ven. Namgyel
"Tara can solve many problems in your day-to-day life: liberate you from untimely death, help you recover from disease, bring you success in business, help you to find a job, bring you wealth." - Lama Zopa Rinpoche
July 20 - 27
This one week retreat is open to everyone who has done an introductory course into Buddhism and has taken refuge. If you have received a Green Tara Initiation with a retreat commitment - this is a great opportunity to fulfill your commitment. The retreat will start in the evening of the first day, and finish after lunch on the last day. The sessions will be based on the Tara sadhana.
A Tara Initiation might be offered.
This is what Lama Zopa Rinpoche says about the benefits of practising Tara
"Somehow, naturally, even grown-ups call their mother when there is some really serious pain or problem. However, Tara is much closer to you than a mother. Tara is so quick to grant help for success in obtaining the ultimate happiness of enlightenment. Regarding the benefits of the 21 Tara's prayer and the Tara mantra, that is the benefit. You will be protected from fear and danger. Your wishes, whatever they are, will succeed. You receive so much good fortune, so much cause of happiness. It also stops suffering rebirths in your next lives. You receive initiations from many millions of Buddhas, and then you go to enlightenment. There are even many temporal benefits from doing Tara practice. Tara can solve many problems in your day-to-day life: liberate you from untimely death, help you recover from disease, bring you success in business, help you to find a job, bring you wealth. When there is a really serious problem, such as some heavy disease with the danger of death, if you really come to rely upon Tara, it is a very common experience that you get liberated from that problem. By doing Tara practice, you recover from from that disease. You can have whatever happiness of this life you wish by doing the 21 Taras prayer and reciting Tara mantras."
Cost: 125 US$ This includes food and accommodation in dormitory and the neccessary prayers and Sadhana.
Booking is recommended
Introductory Reiki Courses
Teacher: Ven. Losang Namgyel (Reiki Master)
Throughout the summer months Ven. Losang Namgyel will teaching Reiki Basic level over two days. The course starts in the late afternoon of the first day and finishes after lunch on the third day.
Dates: July 17/18/19 (fully booked)
August 13/14/15
Cost: 150 US$ this includes accommodation in dormitory (2 nights), food, and extensive course material, including a manual.
Book directly here
One Month Lam Rim Meditation Course
A Life Changing Event
November 19 - December 19
The one month meditaion course at Kopan was established in 1971 by Lama Thubten yeshe and Lama Thubtwen Zopa Rinpoche, the founders of Kopan.
Since then the course has been held every year, attended by thousands of people looking for meaning and happiness in their lives, The course follows the Tibetan Gelug Tradition of Buddhism.and is based on Lama Tsong Khapa's Graduated Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim).
This year senior FPMT teacher and monk Thubten Dondrub has been appointed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to lead the course - Thubten Dondrub has taught the course several times before, and is remembered for the depth of his teachings combined with great kindness, and understanding of Western students.
The most precious event during the November course is the teaching by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche is expected to teach for the last ten days of the course.
Rinpoche has agreed to give the following initiations in the week following the course: Vajrasattva Initiation (commitment of retreat or 28 mantras daily for life) Tara Initiation (possibly 21 Taras), and Chenrezig Initiation.
http://www.kopanmonastery.com/program_november.html
This one week retreat is open to everyone who has done an introductory course into Buddhism and has taken refuge. If you have received a Green Tara Initiation with a retreat commitment - this is a great opportunity to fulfill your commitment. The retreat will start in the evening of the first day, and finish after lunch on the last day. The sessions will be based on the Tara sadhana.
A Tara Initiation might be offered.
This is what Lama Zopa Rinpoche says about the benefits of practising Tara
"Somehow, naturally, even grown-ups call their mother when there is some really serious pain or problem. However, Tara is much closer to you than a mother. Tara is so quick to grant help for success in obtaining the ultimate happiness of enlightenment. Regarding the benefits of the 21 Tara's prayer and the Tara mantra, that is the benefit. You will be protected from fear and danger. Your wishes, whatever they are, will succeed. You receive so much good fortune, so much cause of happiness. It also stops suffering rebirths in your next lives. You receive initiations from many millions of Buddhas, and then you go to enlightenment. There are even many temporal benefits from doing Tara practice. Tara can solve many problems in your day-to-day life: liberate you from untimely death, help you recover from disease, bring you success in business, help you to find a job, bring you wealth. When there is a really serious problem, such as some heavy disease with the danger of death, if you really come to rely upon Tara, it is a very common experience that you get liberated from that problem. By doing Tara practice, you recover from from that disease. You can have whatever happiness of this life you wish by doing the 21 Taras prayer and reciting Tara mantras."
Cost: 125 US$ This includes food and accommodation in dormitory and the neccessary prayers and Sadhana.
Booking is recommended
Introductory Reiki Courses
Teacher: Ven. Losang Namgyel (Reiki Master)
Throughout the summer months Ven. Losang Namgyel will teaching Reiki Basic level over two days. The course starts in the late afternoon of the first day and finishes after lunch on the third day.
Dates: July 17/18/19 (fully booked)
August 13/14/15
Cost: 150 US$ this includes accommodation in dormitory (2 nights), food, and extensive course material, including a manual.
Book directly here
One Month Lam Rim Meditation Course
A Life Changing Event
November 19 - December 19
The one month meditaion course at Kopan was established in 1971 by Lama Thubten yeshe and Lama Thubtwen Zopa Rinpoche, the founders of Kopan.
Since then the course has been held every year, attended by thousands of people looking for meaning and happiness in their lives, The course follows the Tibetan Gelug Tradition of Buddhism.and is based on Lama Tsong Khapa's Graduated Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim).
This year senior FPMT teacher and monk Thubten Dondrub has been appointed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to lead the course - Thubten Dondrub has taught the course several times before, and is remembered for the depth of his teachings combined with great kindness, and understanding of Western students.
The most precious event during the November course is the teaching by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche is expected to teach for the last ten days of the course.
Rinpoche has agreed to give the following initiations in the week following the course: Vajrasattva Initiation (commitment of retreat or 28 mantras daily for life) Tara Initiation (possibly 21 Taras), and Chenrezig Initiation.
http://www.kopanmonastery.com/program_november.html
Booking is recommended
Introductory Reiki Courses
August 13/14/15
A Life Changing Event
November 19 - December 19
The one month meditaion course at Kopan was established in 1971 by Lama Thubten yeshe and Lama Thubtwen Zopa Rinpoche, the founders of Kopan.
Since then the course has been held every year, attended by thousands of people looking for meaning and happiness in their lives, The course follows the Tibetan Gelug Tradition of Buddhism.and is based on Lama Tsong Khapa's Graduated Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim).
This year senior FPMT teacher and monk Thubten Dondrub has been appointed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to lead the course - Thubten Dondrub has taught the course several times before, and is remembered for the depth of his teachings combined with great kindness, and understanding of Western students.
The most precious event during the November course is the teaching by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche is expected to teach for the last ten days of the course.
Rinpoche has agreed to give the following initiations in the week following the course: Vajrasattva Initiation (commitment of retreat or 28 mantras daily for life) Tara Initiation (possibly 21 Taras), and Chenrezig Initiation.
http://www.kopanmonastery.com/program_november.html
November 19 - December 19
The one month meditaion course at Kopan was established in 1971 by Lama Thubten yeshe and Lama Thubtwen Zopa Rinpoche, the founders of Kopan.
Since then the course has been held every year, attended by thousands of people looking for meaning and happiness in their lives, The course follows the Tibetan Gelug Tradition of Buddhism.and is based on Lama Tsong Khapa's Graduated Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim).
This year senior FPMT teacher and monk Thubten Dondrub has been appointed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to lead the course - Thubten Dondrub has taught the course several times before, and is remembered for the depth of his teachings combined with great kindness, and understanding of Western students.
The most precious event during the November course is the teaching by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche is expected to teach for the last ten days of the course.
Rinpoche has agreed to give the following initiations in the week following the course: Vajrasattva Initiation (commitment of retreat or 28 mantras daily for life) Tara Initiation (possibly 21 Taras), and Chenrezig Initiation.
http://www.kopanmonastery.com/program_november.html
Three Month Vajrasattva Retreat 2009
Following the annual one month meditation course is the annual three-month Vajrasattva retreat. The retreat starts around mid January. The exact date of the retreat has not yet been set. Please check again later in the year. The retreat follows a strict schedule of 4 sessions a day (no teachings)
Conditions of attendance
The retreat is open only to students who have previously attended the one month meditation course at Kopan, or have done a similar Lam Rim course, such as the FPMT Discovering Buddhism course in a center or as home study. Preferably the applicant should have received the Vajrasattva Initiaton with commitment to do retreat. Applications are accepted from September 2008. If you are planing to attend the one month course this year (2008) you can book during this course.
For information and registration form, please contact us or email kopan@mail.com.np
peace and quiet in a spiritual environment. You can participate in the teachings, meditations and discussion daily at 10 am, enjoy our wonderful library, or attend the prayer session of the monks. We recommend that you book accommodation for your private stay in advance.