|
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, 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 2009
June 28 - July 8 (10 days) led by Ven. Namgyel
September 10 - 20 (10 days) led by Ani Karin
October 2 - 12 (10 days) led by Ani Karin
Course Dates in 2010
Feb 16 - 23 (7 days) led by Ani Karin
Book directly here
^ Top of Page
Summer Program 2009 with Ven. Namgyel
After a successful teaching program in summer 2008, Ven. Namgyel is returning again this summer for a busy schedule of courses and
retreats.
Venerable Lobsang Namgyel, an Australian Tibetan Buddhist monk, has been living in India and Nepal, studying Buddhism for more than 20 years
with such Masters as H.H. the Dalai Lama, Denma Locho Rinpoche, Choden Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Gen Lamrimpa and Geshe Sonam Rinchen. He
has completed four years of Lam Rim retreats, as well as many tantric retreats. Ven Namgyel has taught at various FPMT Centres in India, Nepal,
Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Finland, Europe and the USA.
Here’s what Ani Rita had to say after teaching with him at Root
Institute: “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 intellectual understanding. Having done a lot of individual retreats he has
familiarized and integrated the topics into his life, and so teaches out of experience. Through his humour he relaxes people totally, and
even difficult topics seem to become easily accessible. He is especially loved for the deep concern that he shows for the wellbeing of the
participants of the course, and puts much time and energy into helping them to find a way to practice which suits them.”
________________________
Discovering Buddhism - Introductory Course
June 28 - July 8 2009
For more information on this course please click Discover Buddhism - Short MeditationCourses in 2009
Book directly here
^ Top of Page
___________________________
Ultimate Healing with Wisdom and Compassion
Medicine Buddha Retreat with Ven. Namgyel
July 15 - 29 2009
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 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. This is a full time residential retreat, and
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.
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.
A Medicine Buddha Initiation might be offered at the start of the retreat.
This retreat can be attended by anybody,
even though they may not have taken the initiation or refuge. There will be four sessions visualisation and mantra recitation. Chi gong or
Yoga may be offered. The first three days of the retreat will include a quick overview of the Lam Rim (stages on the path to enlightenment).
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.
Participation on this
retreat is conditional on the retreat leader receiving the special application form. For this purpose you will be asked to complete a
questionaire, and the course leader will notify you if you are accepted.
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."
Cost: 275 US$
This includes all food, accommodation in dormitory and course material for this two week retreat.
Booking is recommended
Book directly here ^ Top of Page
___________________________
Green Tara Retreat
Retreat Leader: Ven. Namgyel
Date: 5 -15 August
"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
This 10 day retreat on Mother Tara is open to everyone who has done an introductory course into Buddhism and has taken refuge. The retreat will start
in the evening of the first day, and finish after lunch on the last day. There will be four sessions a day involving visualization and mantra
recitation as well as some Lam Rim teachings. Chi gong or yoga may be offered.
The retreat will consist primarily of meditation session
following a sadhana on Green Tara. Full silence will be observed during this retreat.
Cost: 180 US$
This includes all food, accommodation in dormitory and course material for this ten day retreat.
Booking is recommended
Book directly here
^ Top of Page
___________________________
Reiki Workshops
with Reiki Master Ven. Namgyel
Reiki Workshop for Beginners
July 10/11/12
Level 1 is for those who gain some understanding of the Reiki healing technique, do self healing. the course starts in the afternoon of
day one, and finishes at lunchtime on day three.
Cost: 150 US$
This includes 2 nights accommodation and food as well as course material.
Reiki Level 2
August 1/2
Level 2 is only for those who have completed Reiki 1 more than 6 months previously. You will be asked to provide date etc for the
level 1 course before being accepted.
Cost: 240 US$
This
includes 2 nights accommodation and food as well as extensive
course material.
Book directly here
^ Top of Page
FPMT Basic Program at Kopan ~ Intensive Buddhist Study Course 2009
Date: August 5 - September 28 2009
Ven. Fedor Stracke
Learn all about transforming your mind from a self centered to an other-centered motivation. Be inspired to follow the operfect
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.
These are the topics discussed and study in this year's Basic Program, the Intensive Buddhit Philosophy study program at Kopan.
In the past two years Ven. Fedor has taught already five modules of the Basic Program. 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 philosphy 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, who is holding weekly question & answer sessions,
the depth of which are amazing.
Ven. Fedor says this about the topics of this year's course:"The two topics for this year
are the Seventy Topics by Jetsun Cho-gi-gyal-tsen and the
Wheel of Sharp Weapons by the great Yogi Dharmarakishta."
Seventy Topics
The Seventy Topics are derived from the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras and comprise the important points of the path to enlightenment, starting
with bodhicitta, the wish to attain enlightenment for the purpose of all sentient beings and ending with the resultant enlightened state and
the vast resultant enlightened actions engaged in by a buddha for the purpose of sentient beings.
In between are common topics such as the Three Jewels, the four noble truths, the six perfections and buddha nature to name a few, but also
many less common topics such as the thirty-seven aspects of the enlightened mind common to hearers, the paths of preparation, seeing and
meditation and the different meditations bodhisattvas engage in on these levels to benefit sentient beings.
The text Seventy Topics is a compendium of those points and was composed by Jetsun Cho-gi-gyal-tsen, an emanation of Manjushri and also the
author of the Sera Je text books.
This study intensive is therefore a good way to gain an overview over the whole bodhisattva path, and will be combined with meditations on
different aspects of the path
The Wheel of sharp WeaponsLama Zopa Rinpoche said: 'Mind
transformation techniques are indispensable for having success
in dharma practice.'
Everybody experiences obstacles and problems in their daily life. If one is not able to transform these into conducive conditions for dharma
then one's practice will inevitably be derailed. But if one is able to transform all conditions into the path then one will complete the
accumulation of merit and wisdom fast. One will become like the Peacock that can eat poisonous plants and be able to transform that what is
poison for others into spiritual nourishment.
The Wheel of Sharp Weapons is one of the major texts explaining mind training techniques.
About the Basic ProgramThis
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. These 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 futher
studies such as the Master program of the FPMT.
Daily Schedule:
- 6.45 Morning meditation
- 7.30 am Breakfast
- 9.00 - 11 00
- 11.30 Lunch
- Free study time after lunch
- 3.30 - 5.00 Teaching
- 6.00 - 6.45 Meditation
- 6.45 Dinner
- 7.30 Study group
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.
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.
Please ask for an application form if you are interested in this exciting opportunity to learn more deeply about the philosophy and practice
of Tibetan Buddhism, and how to apply this knowledge to your daily life.
Cost: 680 US$
The course fee includes food, accommodation in dormitory and extensive course material. (Other rooms are available at an extra
charge)
Read more about this course
Book directly here
^ Top of Page
Annual One Month Lam Rim Course
Attention - Change of Date!
November 18 - December 15 2009
After a record attendance of the 2008 course, we are happy to confirm the starting date of the One Month Lam Rim course for the 15th
November 2009.
When booking your flight, please keep in mind the one week retreat following the course.
Registrations are open
from 1. July 2009 onwards.
Cost: 400 US$ (includes all food, accommodation, course material and admin.fee)
Read more about this course
Book directly here from July 1st.
^ Top of Page
A Meditation Retreat on the two systems of Classic and Mahayana Vipassana
10 Day Retreat with Ven. Antonio Satta
January 30 - February 10 2009
Read more about the course:
A short introduction to Mahayana Vipassana retreats.
With regard to meditation there are two styles: One is the type of meditation where we think about a particular topic and after having
generated a certain feeling we familiarized with it. This type of analytical meditation is found in the Lam Rim. In this type is meditation
one tries to create a particular feeling and then place the mind on it. The other is a type of meditation also emphasized by Lama Yeshe
(particularly for Westerners) where one does not create anything but rather, observes what is there. This type of meditation that uses
awareness-mindfulness instead of concepts is for the sake of DISCOVERING the mind. In Buddhism, "Dharma" and "Mind" are
the same thing. So discovering the mind is discovering the dharma, and as dharma and Buddhism are also the same thing, we can say that this is
also how one discovers Buddhism. The purpose of these retreats is to generate a basic understanding through personal experience of the four
factors leading to the generation of an insight into our dissatisfied and potentially content life by looking at one's own mind. What are the
four factors? That which has to be realized, That which has to be abandoned, That which has to be experienced, That which has to be cultivated.
Suffering (the unsatisfactory nature of our human existence) has to be realized, understood. The cause of suffering (craving desire) has to be
abandoned, Contentment has to be experienced, And restraining the senses has to be cultivated. By restraining the senses craving desire is
cooled, by cooling craving desire one is more content, and by being content one stops dissatisfaction. Prepared by Antonio Satta as a brief
introduction to the Mahayana Vipassana retreats that he leads in FPMT centers
Read more about the teacher:
Ven. Antonio has been ordained as a Buddhist monk for 28 years. Ven. Antonio has studied Buddhism and Tibetan language extensively from
various Tibetan Masters including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Thubten Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Geshe Rabten and Geshe Jampa Techok.
He began practicing Vipassana meditation more than 20 years ago in Sri Lanka at Kanduboda Insight Meditation Centre (in the Mahasi Sayadaw
Burmese tradition) and at the Island Hermitage in Dondanduwa, South Sri Lanka. Over the last five years he has been concentrating on leading
Vipassana and Basic Mahamudra retreats around the world, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand and India. Due to his many years of
experience teaching, translating and leading retreats, Ven. Antonio is one of the most respected and sought-after teachers in the FPMT.
Cost: 200 US$
This includes all food, accommodation in dormitory and course material for this ten day retreat. Accommodation is limited, so
early booking is recommended Book directly here
Transforming the Mind Through Meditation
A three day retreat with Ven. Antonio Satta
February 2010
Following the ten day course, Ven. Antonio is leading a weekend course on Thought Transformation. Watch this space
for more details on this course
^ Top of Page
Three Month Vajrasattva Retreat 2010
Following the one month Lam Rim course 2009 is the annual Vajrasattva retreat. The retreat usually starts around mid
January 2010, and the final date will be announced by october 2009.
The retreat follows a strict schedule of 4 sessions a day
(no teachings). Silence is an integral part of the retreat.
Taking precepts is recommened.
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 2009.
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.
Book directly here
^ Top of Page
| 
