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Our Spiritual Programme

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~ Discover Buddhism at Kopan ~

Kopan offers the perfect environment for study and meditation for  serious students, casual visitors, and retreaters. 

 

Daily Dharma Talks are offered in July and August
We are updating our course program on a regular basis.
All courses available are posted on the web site.

 

Book here if you already know the course of your choice: Booking Form
For information on accommodation, meals and cost please click here for Visitors Information


Discovering Buddhism ~ Short Introductory Meditation Courses in 2013/14

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 starts at 6.30 am and finishes at 9 pm. It encompasses sessions of meditation, teachings and discussion groups. The course leader as well as the Tibetan Lamas of the monastery is available for personal guidance. The daily schedule. 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.

Course dates in 2013

June 10 - June 20 (ten days)
September 8 - September 18 (ten days)
October 2 - October 12 (ten days)

Course dates in 2014

April 17 - 27 (ten days)
More dates to be announced later this year

Course Cost:

10 day course 120 US$
7 day course 80 US$
This includes all meals, course material and accommodation (in dormitory).
Accommodation other than dormitory will incur extra charges. Please check our Visitors Information for details.

Book directly here

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Tenzin Chonyi

Courses with Ven. Tenzin Chonyi

As Dr Diana Taylor, Ven Tenzin Chonyi 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 Chonyi lives at Sandy Point in Victoria where she writes 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

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.

Date: June 25 - 30 (5 days)
Cost: 80 US$

This includes all meals, course material and accommodation (in dormitory).Accommodation other than dormitory will incur extra charges. Please check our Visitors Information for details.

Book directly here

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Mind training - Cutting the Root of Disturbing Emotions

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.

Date: July 3 - 12 (10 days)
Cost: 120 US$

This includes all meals, course material and accommodation (in dormitory). Accommodation other than dormitory will incur extra charges. Please check our Visitors Information for details.

This is an Intermediate Course
We are very happy to offer intermediate courses for students who are ready to explore Buddhist Philosophy more deeply. Intermediate courses offer a rare opportunity to study specific topics or texts with experienced teachers in small groups. Attendance at the introductory course by Ven. Chonyi - Overcoming Disturbing Emotions, or any introductory course at Root Institute, Kopan Monastery is required for these courses.

Book directly here

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fedor

FPMT Basic Program at Kopan with Ven. Fedor Stracke

2013 Program

Stages of the Path (Lam Rim

Date: 31. July 2013 - 21 September 2013
Cost of the course 800 US$

Tantric Grounds and Path

Date: 23 - 30 September
Cost of the course 130 US$

Click here for a full description of the course

Course overview

Short Biographie of Ven. Fedor Stracke

Ven. Fedor Stracke has been a Buddhist monk since 1988 and has spent the last 25 years studying the Dharma with various masters, teaching the dharma in different FPMT centers, translating various Tibetan texts and interpreting for his teachers.

BP 2012

He received many teaching from masters in Kopan Monastery, Nalanda Monastery and Sera Monastery as well as different FPMT dharma centers. In Sera Monastery he followed the Geshe Program for many years. During his time in India he attended many extensive teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

For the last six years he has been the resident teacher in Aryatara Institut in Munich, and has also been teaching the FPMT Basic Program for Western students in Kopan Monastery. During this time he taught already at least once most modules of the Basic Program, such as the Middle Lam Rim, Awareness and Knowers, Tenets, Heart Sutra, Bodhisattva?s Way of Life etc. See also the extensive information on the Basic Program on the FPMT website:

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.


Stages of the Path (Lam Rim)

The Stages of the Path teachings are a compendium of the Buddha?s teachings, arranged in the sequence they are supposed to be practiced, with the emphasis on how to generate bodhicitta.

The subject Stages of the Path (Lam-rim) gives a framework of reference for all Buddhist topics, e.g. one can easily understand their intent and place in the path. It explains how to meditate on the path, train in the three higher trainings and practice the six perfections.

The text used for the Basic Program Presentation of the Stages of the Path is the Middle Lam-rim by Lama Tsong Khapa, which explains in great detail also the practice of calm abiding and superior insight.

The basic program is not a purely intellectual program and will be complemented by daily meditation classes to deepen ones understanding of the topics. To attend it in Kopan provides a rare opportunity to study and practice traditional Buddhist texts in a traditional Buddhist environment, which greatly supports the generation of insights and understanding.

The days will be divided into teachings, meditation sessions and discussion/debate sessions. The study week will be six days similar to the monastery schedule but the morning and evening meditations session will be daily to provide an uninterrupted continuum of practice.

Date: 31 July 2013 - 21 September 2013
Cost of the complete Stages of the Path course 800 US$

Schedule of Teachings:
1. Section: Beginning up to Calm Abiding July 31 - August 31
2. Section: Calm Abiding September 1 - 7
3. Section: Superior Insight September 8 - 21

The module is offered in three parts, and although students are encouraged to attend all three parts, it is also possible to attend one or more sections of this program. To take the final exam the full course needs to be attended.

Registration for the course is by application only. Please write for more information and an application form to kopan@mail.com.np

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. Also required is a strong commitment to Attendance at all sessions I and to complete the section of your choice.

For information and registration form, please contact us at kopan@mail.com.np


Tantric Grounds and Paths (HYT required) 23.09.2013 - 30.09.2013

Start: 23.09.2013
End: 30.09.2013 with exam

Conditions of Attendance:
Highest Yoga Tantra Initiation is required to attend these teachings. Registration for the course is by application only. Cost of the course 130 US$

For information and registration form, please contact us at kopan@mail.com.np

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NOVEMBER 2013
One Month Lam Rim Meditation Course ~ A Life Changing Event

Date: 9 November - 9 December 2013

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.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the founder and spiritual director of Kopan and the FPMT is planning to teach during the course. We welcome Ven Steve Carlier a American monk who studied extensivily under many lamas, and who has been teaching at the November course before.

Booking is essential - Registration starts on the 1. July 2013.

Click here for a full description of the course

Please note: No early registrations will be accepted.

Book directly here

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Vajrasattva

Three Month Vajrasattva Retreat 2014

Following the annual one month meditation course is the annual three-month Vajrasattva retreat. 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.

For information and registration form, please contact us at kopan@mail.com.np

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Kopan Losar

The Great Prayer Festival

March 2014

Join the sangha gathered at Kopan Monastery for 5 days of Prayers for World peace. If you are in Kathmandu, join us for the big celebration on Miracle Day with prayers, pujas and a procession with consecration of the large butter sculptures. Exact date will be announced later this year. Click here for more details.


A Place for Rest and Reflection

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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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