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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, 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, a 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.
For details on the schedule please check Visitors Information
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.
10 day course cost 110 US$
7 day course cost 80 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 for details
Course Dates in 2010
February 19 - 25 (6 days)
April 3 - 13 (10 days)
May 1 - 11 (10 days)
June 1 - 12 (10 days)
Sept.12 - 22 (10 days)
October 3-13 (10 days)
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Teachings at Kopan Monastery
March 4 - 25
For the forth year in a row, the Most Venerable Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin, the Ex-abbot of Gyumed Tantric collage and in line to be the Ganden Tripa, has agreed to give teaching after the conclusion of the Great Prayer Festival at Kopan Monastery.
All are welcome to these precious teachings from one of the great holders of sutra and tantra.
Khensur Losang Tenzin is well know in centers around the world for his in-depth understanding of Dharma, and his ability to present the teachings in a very clear and concise way.
We are fortunate to have Ven. Sean Price translating the entire teachings.
The teachings are non residential, but accommodation at Kopan is available if you wish.
To book for the teachings and your accommodation, please send us a registration form from our web site
The Teaching Program
Lam Rim Chenmo March 4 - 11
followed by Amitayus Long life Initiation
Heruka Initiation March 13/14
Vajrayogini Initiation March 15
Vajrayogini Commentary March 17 - 24
The dates are approximate only and can vary by one or two days. The exact dates will be announced around March 2, 2010.
The teachings will begin with 6 - 7 days teachings on the Lam Rim Chenmo, the essential text of Lama Tsong Khapa in which the whole Path to Enlightenment is laid out in clear steps, with instructions on how to meditate on each of the steps.
Commitments:
It is recommended that you attend the Lam Rim Chenmo teachings in preparation for the initiations.
The Heruka Initiation is offered as preparation for the Vajrayogini initiation and has the commitment of daily recitation of the 6 session guru yoga. You should have strong faith in Buddha Dharma, in all of Buddhas teachings, and you should have practicing in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition for at least five years.
If you wish to only attend the Vajrayogini Initiation, you need to have received a Highest Yoga tantra initiation previously. The commitment is the recitation of the short length sadhana daily.
The conditions and commitments for attending the Vajrayogini commentary will be announced at the initiation.
Cost:
The teachings are offered for free.
If you need translation of the teachings, we request a donation (recommended donation of 50 US$) to cover the travel cost of the translator.
Please bring your FM radio, as there are only a few of those available.
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Nyung Ne Fasting Retreat at Kopan Monaster and Nunnery
Nyung ne is an intensive fasting and prayer practice, done every year during the month of Saka Dawa, commemorating Shakyamuni Buddhas birth, enlightenment and paranirvana. Each two day sessions includes several session of prayers, prostrations and recitation. Precepts are taken throughout the retreat.
On the first day of each session one meal is taken, on the second day no food or drink is consumed and the day is spent in complete silence.
The retreat ends on Saka Dawa, the day of Shakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment.
Date of Nyung ne at Kopan Nunnery: 14 - 28 May
Date of Nyung ne at kopan Monastery: 26-28 May
You can participate in as many of the eight 2-day sessions as you wish.
You are advised that the first session starts at 3 am on the first day, so please be there the day before. Cost: 10 US$ per two-day session.
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Summer Program with Ven. Namgyel
Venerable Lobsang Namgyel is an Australian monk who has been living in India and Nepal, studying Tibetan Buddhism for nearly 25 years, with such Masters as H.H. the Dalai Lama, Denma Locho Rinpoche, Choden Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Geshe Sonam Rinchen. He has completed four years of Lam Rim retreats, as well as many tantric retreats. During his 25 years in Buddhism, Venerable Namgyel has taught at various FPMT Centres in India, Nepal, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Finland, France and the USA. Venerable had the honor of having been the tutor to Osel Rinpoche.
Here’s what Ani Rita had to say after teaching with him at Root Institute India 2007:
“Wherever he goes and teaches, he is always asked to come back. Because he is in contact with his own good heart, he is able to touch people on a level that goes much deeper than just intellectual understanding. Having done a lot of individual retreats he has familiarized and integrated the topics in his way of living, and so teaches out of experience. Through his humour he relaxes people totally, and even difficult topics seem a piece of cake. He is especially loved for the deep concern that he has, and shows, for the wellbeing of the participants of the course, and puts a lot of energy and time into helping them to find a way to practice which suits them.”
Healing disturbing emotions
Date: June 13-20
We now live in a very hectic world where there are many pressures and anxieties from different directions. From the Buddhist perspective, we are not victims of our world, but the world is something created by our actions. Therefore, we need to understand the mind and our actions, and how afflictive emotions are adventitious, not inseparable from the mind. Once we can understand, we can start to change our perception of the world and our reactions to whatever we experience. Various emotions will be discussed including anger, desire-attachment and hatred. There will be teachings, discussion groups and meditations during this workshop which is suitable for beginners-intermediate students.
Cost: 100 US$
This includes all food, accommodation in dormitory and course material for this 7 day course.
Booking is recommended
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Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying.
Date: June 30 - July 7
"This life is susceptible to many harms;
It is more impermanent than bubbles blown by the wind.
How amazing that we wake up breathing
After having gone to sleep." Letter to a Friend, Nagarjuna.
During this course, various teachings which were originally given by Shakyamuni Buddha will be presented by Ven. Namgyel, and examined on how they apply to our life. We live in a vastly different world from 2600 years ago when these teachings were first given, in a world which moves much faster, with more potential for stress and anxiety. Venerable Namgyel's teachings during this course will be helpful for reducing stress and anxiety; any other problems and confusion, in order to live more peacefully and happily. Then death will be peaceful.
This is a beginner-intermediate course.
Cost: 100 US$
This includes all food, accommodation in dormitory and course material for this 7 day course.
Booking is recommended
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Ultimate Healing with Wisdom and Compassion
Medicine Buddha Retreat with Ven. Namgyel
Date: 11- 26 July
This retreat is the perfect opportunity to spend time reflecting on your life, on any problems you might experience with health and happiness, in a caring and accepting environment, with a retreat leader who is familiar with human suffering in its many forms.
The retreat will be guided by Ven. Namgyel, an accredited FPMT teacher and monk. Ven. Namgyel has extensive experience with the practice of Medicine Buddha, and is well know for his kindness and deep understanding of healing in all its various forms.
This is a full time residential retreat. Participants are asked to commit to attend the full retreat and to abide by the course discipline as explained by the retreat leader at the beginning of the retreat. Participation in this retreat is conditional on the retreat leader receiving the special application form. For this purpose you will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and the course leader will notify you if you are accepted.
The first three days will include teachings on the graduated path to enlightenment, and one session of the Medicine Buddha Sadhana practice. The main part of the retreat consists of Medicine Buddha sadhana practice four times a day, and related teachings. It is not necessary to have taken refuge or received the initiation of Medicine Buddha in order to participate in the retreat. However preference will be given to participants who have attended a previous course based on the lam rim.
The first part of the retreat will be held in half day silence, and the main part of the retreat will be held in full silence. There will be four sessions of visualization and mantra recitation.
What does 'Ultimate Healing with Compassion' mean? Lama Zopa Rinpoche says:
"Healing essentially comes from the mind, not from the body. Healing our mind is crucial, because otherwise our problems, which are beginningless, become endless. Disease is caused by our self-cherishing: ignorance, anger, attachment and other delusions and by the negative actions these motivate. Our negative thoughts and actions leave imprints on our mind, which then manifest as disease or other problems. The imprints also make it possible for disturbing thoughts and negative actions to arise again. If we do nothing to heal our mind, there is always the danger that we will again create the cause of the disease, that we will repeat the actions that caused us to become physically unhealthy. While external medicine can be taken to heal a physical sickness, inner medicine - meditation - needs to be taken to heal the cause of the disease and to ensure that we never experience the disease again. Meditation not only heals the disease but brings great peace to the mind. Compassion is the best healer. The most powerful medicine comes from developing compassion for all living beings. Each time we meditate on compassion for all living being we accumulate infinite merit, the cause of happiness and success; each time we practice meditation for the benefit of all living beings we perform ultimate healing.
Reciting even one mantra or hearing just once the Medicine Buddha mantra is much more precious than the sky filled with gold, diamonds, wish-fulfilling jewels. So with full trust in Medicine Buddha you recite the mantra, knowing that Medicine Buddha will completely take care of your life, heal you. With full trust know how Medicine Buddha is always with you, in your heart, on your crown, in front of you. There is not one second that Medicine Buddha does not see you or have compassion towards you. With the Medicine Buddha mantra you can liberate numberless sentient beings from oceans of suffering and bring them to enlightenment."
Regarding Medicine Buddha Initiation, there is no guarantee that the initiation will be given. We will again request Khen Rinpoche for the Medicine Buddha initiation, but usually we are offered a blessing of the Medicine Buddha with a teaching.
Cost: 275 US$
This includes all food, accommodation in dormitory and course material for this 15 day retreat.
Booking is recommended
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Three Principles of the Path
An Introduction to the Graduated Path to Enlightenment
Date: August 3 - 6
From that time forth, whether asleep,
Or unconcerned, a force of merit
Vast and unceasing,
Equal to the sky, will be produced.
If even the thought to relieve
Living beings of merely a headache
Is a beneficial intention
Endowed with infinite merit,
Then what need is there to mention
The wish to dispel their inconceivable suffering;
Wishing every single one of them
To realize boundless good qualities?
Quote from "Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds", Shantideva.
This three day course will introduce students to the pithy instructions as given by Lama Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Renunciation, Bodhicitta and Wisdom will provide the basis for this course, which is suitable for beginners or intermediate students.
Cost: 30 US$
This includes all food, accomodation in dormitory and course material for this 3 day course.
Booking is recommended
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Tara - The Compassionate and Wish fulfilling Mother
11- Day Green Tara Retreat with Ven. Namgyel
Date: August 6 - 17
"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
Venerable Namgyel requests participants for this retreat to attend the preceding teachings on the 3 Principles of the Path (see course above)
This eleven day retreat is open to everyone who has done an introductory course into Buddhism and has taken refuge. If you cannot fulfill this criteria, please apply to the retreat leader who will consider applications on a case by case basis. 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.
This is what Lama Zopa Rinpoche says about the benefits of practicing 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 that disease. You can have whatever happiness of this life you wish by doing the 21 Taras prayer and reciting Tara mantras."
Cost: 210 US$
This includes food and accommodation in dormitory and the necessary prayers and Sadhana for this 11 day retreat.
Booking is recommended
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Reiki Courses
Teacher: Ven. Losang Namgyel (Reiki Master)
Throughout the summer months Ven. Losang Namgyel will be teaching Reiki Basic level as well as Reiki level 2.
Introductory courses
Reiki is a hands-on healing method which originated in Japan with the healing work and teachings of Dr. Usui. During the introductory course to Reiki, the practical use of Reiki for oneself and others is emphasized. The attunement will be given and any other healing information necessary for the students is offered by Venerable. No pre-requisites necessary and everybody is welcome.
Dates:
June 24/25
July 28/29
Cost: 150 US$
This includes accommodation in dormitory (2 nights), food, and extensive course material, including a manual.
Reiki Level 2
The Second Level of Reiki is for those who have practiced at the first level for at least six months. The attunement is given, course notes and a certificate offered. The second level of Reiki concentrates on healing emotions and the mind, so it is a stronger commitment for those who want to heal themselves and help others. First day of the course is all day and the second day is a half day.
Date: July 31/ August 1
Cost 270 US$
Booking is recommended
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FPMT Basic Program
Intensive Buddhist Study Program
Date: August 17 - September 26 (6 weeks)
Attach application form
Learn all about transforming your mind from self centered to other-centered motivation. Be inspired to follow the perfect example of those who have made this transformation.
Hear about the qualities of the enlightened mind, and how to attain these qualities in our own mind.
In the past three years Ven. Fedor has taught already several modules of the Basic Program, such as the Middle Lam Rim, Lorig, Tenets, heart sutra, Bodhisattvas Way of Life etc. Those who attended his classes were impressed by the clarity and depth of his teachings, and by his dedication to make the subjects accessible to everybody. The program is very intensive, as in a relatively short time much ground is covered.
This is a great opportunity to study philosophy with a qualified teacher in a supportive and congenial environment. Extensive study material will be made available for the students. The course is supported by Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundrup, the abbot of Kopan Monastery, who is holding weekly question & answer sessions, the depth of which are amazing.
The topic for this year's programs is the
Ornament of Clear Realization, 4th Chapter: Training in the complete aspects of the Path
Sublime Continuum, 1st Chapter: The Tatagata Essence
Read more on the subject and the program here
About the Basic Program
This program is right for you if you do not have time to attend the Basic Course at your local center on a weekly basis, or are far from a center. This course is based on the Basic Study Program of the FPMT, 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 take further studies such as the Master program of the FPMT.
Consider participating in the Basis program if you
- have already completed one or more modules in your local center
- have not studied any modules before, but have completed the Discovery Buddhism course
- have strong faith in the Dharma and the strong wish to study.
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 compulsory to have completed the previous module.
Pre requisites:
Applicants for the course should have done some previous study and have experience and faith in Tibetan Buddhism, and have done a introductory program such as the Discover Buddhism course of the FPMT, the Foundation Course, or the one month November course at Kopan.
Booking is recommended
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One Month Lam Rim Meditation Course
A Life Changing Event
November 13 - December 13
The one month meditation course at Kopan was established in 1971 by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, the founders of Kopan Monastery.
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 Steve Carlier has been appointed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to lead the course.
The most precious event during the November course is the teaching by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.Lama Zopa Rinpoche usually teaches during the second part of the course, and will give the refuge ceremony and Vajrasattva Initiation towards the end of the course.
Read more about this course.
Booking is recommended
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Three Month Vajrasattva Retreat 2011
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 2010. If you are planning to attend the one month course this year (2010) you can book during this course.
For information and registration form, please contact us at kopan@mail.com.np
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A Place for Rest and Reflection
In between courses, you are welcome to stay at Kopan and enjoy the peace and quiet in a spiritual environment. You can participate
in the teachings, meditations and discussion daily at 10 am (please check with our reception), enjoy our wonderful library, or attend the
prayer session of the monks. We recommend that you book accommodation for your private stay in advance.
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