Kopan Monastery is one of the Tibetan Buddhist monastery situated on the outskirts of Kathmandu valley. This monastery is also the member of Federation For The Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FTPM). On a ridge north of Boudhanath, Kopan is well known among outsiders for its courses in Tibetan Buddhism. Guests are free to explore the religious community and participate in the first part of the morning meditation sessions.
Kopan Monastery was established by Lama Thubten Yeshe, who died in 1984, prompting an overall scan for his resurrection. A youthful Spanish kid, Osel Torres, was announced to be the resurrected lama, giving the motivation to Bernardo Bertolucci's film Little Buddha. Lama Tenzin Osel Rinpoche never again lives at Kopan (he as of late revoked his promises to end up a cinematographer in Ibiza!).
From Boudhanath, you can walk up to the Kopan monastery. There is also a way to reach this monastery from Gokarna Mahadev Temple or Nagi Gompa in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.
Some Brief History Of Kopan Monastery
In the wake of escaping Tibet in 1959, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe met in the Indian outcast camp of Buxa Duar. They came to Nepal in 1968 with their first teach, Zina Rachevsky. They initially lived close to the Boudhanath Stupa, a couple of miles east of Kathmandu.
Following a few years, be that as it may, they become able to buy and move to an old house with a small amount of arriving over the Kopan hill that used to have a place with the crystal gazer to the ruler of Nepal. The primary sanctuary was built in 1971 - 72, supported totally by the lama's expanding number of Western devotees.
There the lamas set up the Nepal Buddhist Mahayana Center Gompa. The vision Lama Yeshe (1935– 84) and Lama Zopa Rinpoche had when they established Kopan Monastery in 1969 was to create individuals with a decent heart and the astuteness expected to serve others everywhere throughout the world. Lama Yeshe thought was to make a religious community for youthful Himalayan priests and nuns, and an inside for the examination and routine with regards to Tibetan Buddhism for outside understudies, and he moved to complete his vision.
The first monks joined not long after the land was bought. They were for the most part young men from the Solu Khumbu and Manang territory of Nepal. A large number of them were sent to the new, maturing religious community by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who was around then restoring the Lawudo Retreat Center, a please where he contemplated in his past life.
In the meantime, the lamas started giving Dharma converses with chiefly Western understudies who had found out about these uncommon lamas at Kopan. An ordinary week after week classes was held and the first-month meditation course was held in the spring of 1971. Twenty-five understudies went to the primary course; twofold that number the second, after a year. By 1973, 200 understudies were going to the then twice-yearly one-month courses, living under conditions which are hard to envision now. Dozing on the floor on straw mats was the standard, the water supply relied upon a neighborhood spring, and nourishment was conveyed up the slope by doormen.
Outsiders, disappointed with the expanded realist viewpoint in the West, and searching for importance in their life continued rushing to Kopan to go to the lessons of the lamas. A large number of them took appointment promises, and remained as a little western sangha network at Kopan under the supervision of Lama Yeshe, till they were compelled to leave Nepal because of an adjustment in Nepal's visa controls in 1985.
Throughout the following 30 years Kopan formed and developed into one of the greatest Gelug cloisters in Nepal with 380 priest and 360 nuns, and a broad program of Buddhist courses for outsiders. The one-month course previously educated in 1971 turned into a yearly occasion is as yet happening now, with in excess of 250 individuals going to consistently.
The nuns who were initially remaining at Kopan and going to classes with the priests moved into their own place in 1994. The convent is currently home to 360 nuns, examining reasoning, and taking part in serious practice, for example, the yearly Nyungne withdraw.
Broad building exercises in the 90's up to the present time have given enhanced convenience and living conditions for the priests and nuns, just as for the numerous outsiders who come in vast numbers each year to find out about Buddhism.
Some Interesting Facts About Kopan Monastery
Kopan Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist cloister close to Boudhanath, on the edges of Kathmandu, Nepal. It has a place with the FPMT, a global system of Gelugpa dharma focuses, and once filled in as its central station.
The religious community was built up by the FPMT originators, Lamas Thubten Yeshe, and Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, who purchased the property from Nepal's regal crystal gazer in 1969. Its name originates from the name of the slope on which it was manufactured.
Kopan has turned out to be well known for instructing Buddhism to visit Western outsiders. The first of what might wind up yearly month-long (November-December) contemplation courses was held in 1971. These courses, by and large, consolidate customary Lam Rim lessons with casual discourse, a few times of guided reflection, and a veggie lover diet.
Things You Would Try In Kopan Monastery
When you arrive at this religious monastery, the most vital thing is to let the everyday stresses go, attempt to be available at the time, unwind.
Kopan has a warm and inviting condition, with loads of activities during the day, every one of them is mostly Dharma related. All things considered, possibly not all as you will see.
Begin the day by going to the morning puja of the priests in the main petition lobby. Or then again contemplate in the greenery enclosures; circumambulate the different stupas, turn the petition wheels. Appreciate the amazing views of the Kathmandu valley, Boudha, and every one of the religious communities close-by.
Visit the library to peruse through the books; stop at the gift shops to look for a couple of keepsakes. Have a break at the Café, or email in the digital Café. Watch the priests at petitions and debate at night and let yourself be propelled by their vitality.
With the right inspiration, the majority of this moves toward becoming Dharma, virtuous action. As should be obvious, we are endeavoring to make it simple for you.
We at Outfitter Nepal Treks and Expedition offer half or full day tour of Kopan Monastery So, contact us for the booking with your date and number of people.
