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Booking Form
For information on accommodation, meals and costs, please click here for
Visitors Information
Discovering Buddhism ~ Short Introductory Meditation Courses in 2012
Regular 10 day introductory courses are held in March, April, May, June, 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 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 2012
Intro course 10 days May 9th - 19th
Intro course 10 days June 6th - 16th
Intro course 10 days September 4th - 14th
Intro course 10 days October 3rd - 13th
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Nyung Ne Fasting Retreat at Kopan Monastery 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.
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.
Nyung Ne At the Kopan Nunnery
May 20st - June 5th (8 sets of two days)
Nyung ne at Kopan
June 3rd - June 5th (one set of two days)
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Courses with Ven Fedor Stracke
Ven. Fedor Stracke has been a Buddhist monk since 1988 and spent over fifteen years studying at Sera Je Monastic University and attending public teachings given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Since 1996, Ven. Fedor has been teaching in FPMT centers and has served as a Tibetan interpreter for various geshes. He currently teaches the Basic Program at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Aryatara Institute in Germany, and Nalanda Monastery in France. He is translating Gyaltsab Je's commentary to Engaging in the Bodhisattva's Deeds and Losang Chökyi Gyältsen's Wisdom Debating Ignorance.
Ven Fedor is returning this year for the final module of the Basic Program at Kopan. He has also kindly agreed to give a short course on one of the most famous texts in Buddhism, the heart sutra.
FPMT Basic Program
Intensive Buddhist Study Program
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 five 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 year one of the fundamental modules of the Basic Program "Knower and Awareness" will be offered again. The module consists of 'Mind and Awareness' and 'Mental Factors'.
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.
Mind and Mental Factors
June 23rd - June 30th
If it counteracts the afflictions it becomes dharma, if it does not counteract the afflictions it does not.
The source of suffering are karma and the mental afflictions.
In Mind and Mental Factors these mental afflictions and their antidotes are identified.
In the first part of the course, some general features of mind and mental factors are discussed. In the second part we discuss specifically which mental factors have to be abandoned and which have to be adopted and developed to attain enlightenment.
Lorig - Mind and Awareness
July 2nd - July 22nd
When you study Buddhism you are studying yourself -- the nature of your body, speech and mind -- the main emphasis being on the nature of your mind and how it works in everyday life. Why is it so important to know the nature of your own mind? Since we all want happiness, enjoyment, peace and satisfaction, and since these things do not come from ice cream but from wisdom and the mind, we have to understand what the mind is and how it works.
Lama Thubten Yeshe
Mind and Awareness is the study of consciousness, both in its valid and distorted forms.
To free the mind from the mental afflictions and attain liberation and enlightenment one needs to evolve from distorted consciousnesses to valid states of consciousness, that cognize the different important aspects of reality such as impermanence and emptiness.
In addition a number of important themes are introduced, such as the relationship between subject and object, yogic knowing and the connection between thought and reality.
Conditions of Attendance:
Course participants should have sincere faith in the Dharma and the teachings of the Buddha. and a genuine interest in the study of Buddhist philosophy.
Attendance at all sessions is required.
It is recommended that the two modules are taking together, as the topics relate very closely.
However applications for one topic only will be accept.
Students who wish to test their knowledge will have the option to take an exam.
Attendance at all sessions is required.
Please write for an application form to kopan@mail.com.np
Cost of the course: 675 US$
This includes accommodation in double rooms with shared bathrooms, food, and course material.
Please note: Check-in date is the day before the course starts.
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The Heart Sutra
with Ven. Fedor Stracke
July 23th - 26th
"Form is empty, emptiness is form; form is not other than emptiness, emptiness is not other than form..." - Shakyamuni Buddha
Among the most famous of all the Buddhist Texts, the Heart Sutra reveals the truth of emptiness through a short exchange between two of the Buddha's most illustrious disciples, Avalokiteshvara and Shariputra. The brevity and profound nature of the Heart Sutra have made its recitation popular as an effective means for dispelling obstacles to spiritual endeavor.
Ven. Fedor explains why the Heart Sutra is so fundamental to philosophy and practice within all schools of Buddhism. He explores the cryptic style of the sutra to clarify the exact nature of the wisdom realizing emptiness and the practices that are its essential complement.
Some Dharma study materials will be provided to students who register for the retreat in advance. Students who wish to test their knowledge will have the option to take an exam.
Cost: 50 US$ This includes course material, food and accommodation in dormitory.
Attendance at all sessions is required.
Students who have taken Buddhist refuge are given preference for booking.
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Courses with Ven. Tenzin Chönyi
As Dr Diana Taylor, Ven Tenzin Chönyi was a psychologist at Monash University Counseling Service and later in private practice. She graduated with a B.Sc. from University of Melbourne, and received an M. Ed and Ph.D. in Psychology from Monash University. While working on her doctorate, she was also studying Buddhism and bringing up her three children. She ran workshops with Community Communication and Kagyu Evam Buddhist Institute on self-expression and self-awareness, and taught meditation at Tara institute, Melbourne.
She is currently a traveling teacher for FPMT (the Foundation for the preservation of Mahayana) Tradition and an elder for Discovering Buddhism at Home course. Currently Ven Chönyi lives at Sandy Point in Victoria where she writes and and uses the internet as a dharma tool. She has been published in Mandala, Dharma Vision and Sangha Magazine and her book Enough! A Buddhist Approach to Working with Addictive Patterns has recently been published by Snow Lion.
Overcoming Disturbing Emotions
September 18th - 22nd
How often have you been caught in a trap because your emotions got the better of you? We want to be happy, to have just the good emotions, but over and over again, disturbing emotions get in the way. Why does this happen? What does Buddhism have to say about this that can help you to be happy, constructive person in your community.
Learn the practical psychology of Buddhism from a retired psychotherapist who is now a Buddhist nun.
This course is open to everyone.
Cost: 80 US$. This includes course material, food, and accommodation in Dormitory
Mind training - Cutting the Root of Disturbing Emotions
September 24th - 30th
Lojong literally means "thought transformation" or "mind training" -- a unique group of practices related to the training of one's mind in the generation of bodhicitta and living one's life in accord with the principles of a bodhisattva. One of the main characteristics of this practice is the skillful transformation of circumstances which might normally be considered adverse or harmful into conditions favorable to one's life and one's practice.
This course is based on a text composed by Kadampa Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054 -1123) called The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation . The verses are as relevant to today's emotional problems as they were in the eleventh century. The eight verses lead us through a process of turning away from destructive thought patterns and behavior, to more positive, constructive ones. Usually we put the root of our problems outside ourselves, onto others. These verses turn that idea upside down to give us radically new ways to find inner peace and quality relationships. The course will include teachings, discussion and meditation.
This course is open to everyone. Some previous knowledge of Buddhism is advisable.
Cost: 120 US$. This includes course material, food, and accommodation in Dormitory
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One Month Lam Rim Meditation Course ,
A Life Changing Event
November 11th - December 11th2012
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), one of the most important texts of the Gelug Tradition.
We have just received confirmation that the teacher for this course will be Gyatso (Adrian Feldmann). Keep watching for more updates and details.
Australian monk Thubten Gyatso, formerly Dr. Adrian Feldman, is a devoted student of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. He was ordained in 1977 and has been working in various positions in the FPMT since then.
Gyatso lived and taught in Mongolia for many years, helping to establish Fpmt Mongolia.
He recently completed a 3-year retreat on rugged kangaroo island in Australia. At the moment he is building a rammed-earth monastery 'Thubten Shedrub ling' in Australia, developing the grounds and gardens around this distinctive monastery and continues to teach in venues around Australia as well.
Gyatso teaches from the heart He draws on humor and endless stories of lamas, including those of Lama Yeshe to bring the dharma into the realm of the 21st century. His natural teaching style touches students at different levels; if the intellect fails to slice through student delusion, his dry wit will do it. Nobody is left unmoved after classes with him.
Gyatso has written the popular book 'the perfect mirror' and his own autobiography 'a leaf in the wind.'
Cost of the course: 450 US$
Booking is essential - Registration starts on the 1. July 2012.
Keep watching for more updates and details.
Read more about this course.
Read more about Thubten Gyatso.
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Three Month Vajrasattva Retreat 2013
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 2013. If you are planning to attend the one month course this year (2012) 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 will be required to 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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