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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
 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)
More dates to be announced in January 2010
Book directly here
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Special Events in 2010
The Great Prayer Festival - Monlam Chenmo
February 24 - 28
In the great tradition of the Geluk lineage, every year thousands of monks and nuns gather for 5 days for prayer and pujas for world peace. Extensive offerings are made honoring these days. The Monlam Festival ends on the Day of Miracles, commemorating the day when Shakyamuni Buddha performed miracles to subdue the Tirtikas.
Read more on this special occassion
Monlam Offerings
Khensur Losang Tenzin
Teachings at Kopan Monastery
March 4 - 25
For the third 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.
Celebrating the Tibetan New Year
In preparation for the Tibetan New Year, a series of Pujas and rituals are performed at the monastery to purify the negative actions accumulated in the past year. The ceremonies culminate in the special offering ceremony with traditional monastic dances. The Tibetan New Year itself is mostly a family affair. On the third day of the new year a Puja and procession is held in Boudhanath, followed by Traditional dances.
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Date to be announced in 2010
Ultimate Healing with Wisdom and Compassion
Medicine Buddha Retreat with Ven. Namgyel
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
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FPMT Basic Program at Kopan ~ Intensive Buddhist Study Course 2010 with 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 six 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.
The topic for next year's programs is the Ornament of Clear Realization (4th Chapter). More details in this subject will be published later.
The program will be held over six weeks, probably during August/September 2010. The exact date of the program will be announced later.
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. 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 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
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
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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.
Book directly here
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