Annual November One Month Meditation Course

November 19 - December 19 2008

Please find below some general information about the course.

Information and Registration
Teachers
Course Structure and Schedule
Conditions of Attendance
Discipline
Accommodation
Registration
Course Fee
Seven Day Retreat
Frequently Asked Questions about this Course
Booking Form

Information and Registration

The course is based on the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which form a complete and gradual spiritual path (Lam Rim), leading to ultimate happiness and enlightenment. Through cultivating an awareness of our present conditions we gain an understanding of the nature of our dissatisfaction and unhappiness, the causes of these states of mind and how we can overcome them. We can then direct our energy to deal effectively with any situation be it positive or negative.

The course follows the Tibetan Gelug Tradition of Buddhism.and is based on Lama Tsong Khapa's Graduated Path to Enlightenment. It will cover many important topics such as, to name just a few, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the Four Noble Truths, Conventional and Ultimate Truth, Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, Bodhicitta and the Six Perfections. Additionally important topics such as consciousness and buddha nature will be introduced, and there is also a section on thought transformation so as to learn how to deal better with problems in daily life.

The approach to the different topics will be many-sided, analyzing their profound meaning as well as explaining their day to day applications in normal Western life. As such the course is suited for both new students who want an introduction to Buddhism as well as older students who want to deepen their understanding of the path.

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama stated, 'Buddhism is a psychology with the aim to make the mind happy.' As such happiness and how to be truly happy will be a reoccurring theme in the course.
This meditation course is suitable for both beginners and older students. It is an excellent introduction to the theory and practice of Tibetan Buddhism as well as an opportunity for more advanced students to deepen one's understanding and acquire more experience of the teachings.

The material presented during the course is very extensive. For this reason we suggest that beginners read some introductory books as preparation for the course. We will send you a suggested reading list on request.

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Course Teachers

Venerable Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the founder and spiritual director of Kopan and the FPMT is planning to teach during the course. A schedule of Rinpoche's teachings is usually available only shortly before the course.

The leader of the November course 2008 will be announced soon.

Venerable Kaye Miner, the leader of the course in 2007, has this to say about the benefits of attending the course.

"When I talk with students here and encourage them to go to Kopan the main things that spring to my mind to say are: Unbelievably precious opportunity to spend a month learning and practising Dharma. Kopan is a special place. The atmosphere, the fact that there are others doing the same as you, the sangha living there - so inspiring. Whether you choose to follow the Buddhist way of life, or not, the course really helps you sort out what is worthwhile in life. The experience there can be life changing in a positive sense. The course gives you the time and space and guidance to learn skills to deal with the issues we confront in life. It can help you to discover how to make your life meaningful, how to lessen your difficulties, the disturbing attitudes such anger and greed and ignorance etc and how to become happier, how to develop the positive qualities such as love and compassion and wisdom; how to be a source of benefit for others and not harm them; what the purpose of your life is. A lot depends on you as an individual, how open your mind is, how willing you are to consider the topics discussed but the opportunity is provided with the November course if you wish to take it."

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Course structure and Schedule

The course is structured to provide the most beneficial environment for receiving teachings and for meditation. The goal is to provide as much direct experience as possible into the nature of our mind. To this purpose silence is kept initially for half of the day. The meals may be taken in silence, and all participants are strongly requested to follow the course discipline.

The day starts with morning meditation, followed by lecture and meditation after breakfast till lunchtime. In the afternoon the discussion groups are followed by lectures again and more meditation on the topics studied during the day. The day concludes with an evening meditation.

The course schedule is very strict; there is no break day during the one month duration of the course. This creates an intense learning environment where every moment of the day can be used to practice what was studied during the day. We can observe our behavior, thoughts and feelings and apply the new methods taught in the lectures and meditations, getting to know our mind deeply, learning how to change our mind's habits - and through that our life - in theory and practice.

Many of the ideas presented will be new and sometimes contrary to Western beliefs. We request you to come with an open mind and a willingness to analyze, question and contemplate the teachings as well as one's own beliefs.

Schedule for the one month course 2008

First day
Check in by 3pm
5.30 Introduction
7 pm dinner
8 pm Meet the course teacher

Subsequent days
6.30 am - morning meditation
7.30 - breakfast
9 am - teaching and meditation (break at 10.30 am)
11.30 - lunch
2 pm - discussion group
3.30 pm - teaching 6 pm meditation
7 pm - dinner 8 pm evening meditation.

Last day
6 am morning meditaiton
7am - breakfast
8.30 - last teaching by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
12 noon - picnic lunch for all participants
After lunch - thanks giving celebration of all course participants

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Conditions of Attendance

Meditation requires the development of inner discipline. Keeping some simple rules is essential to achieve this goal. To make the course as beneficial as possible we request you to consider the following points before registering.

Attendance: The course is designed as a residential one month course, during which the complete Lam Rim will be taught. Attendance of the full course is therefore required.

If you cannot attend the whole course, please contact the course administrator for consideration of your case.

By signing the registration form, you agree to abide by the rules as set out below, therefore please read the conditions carefully.

You will be asked to complete a short questionaire before your registration can be confirmed.

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Course rules

Attendance at all session is required. If you are sick, or cannot attend for any other reasons, please inform your group leader.

All students keep silence part of the day, every day. Meals are taken in silence and special eating areas are set aside for this purpose. This practice helps to focus one's attention on the present moment and to develop outer and inner awareness.
You are requested to stay in the monastery grounds throughout the course. Please complete all business such as visa extension, flight confirmation/booking and writing letters before the start of the course.
No outside visitors will be allowed during the course. Please ask your friends to visit you on the last day of the course, when we have a picnic for everybody.
Do not bring any non-dharma reading material, radio, or computer. You may use a Walkman for recording the teachings, but please do not bring any music tapes or Cds. E will ask you to deposit your mobile phone in the safe for the duraion of the course.
Mail (including email and faxes) will not be delivered during the course except in urgent cases. Please contact the course coordinator if you a re expecting urgent communication during the course.
There is no public access to email at the monastery during this course.
Men and women are accommodated in separate quarters. You are requested not visit the rooms of the opposite sex. If you are attending as a couple, we request you to sit separate in the meditation hall and in the dining room.
Respect the monks and their vows. Do not distract them from their studies. Do not visit the monks' rooms or invite them into your room.
Keep the five precepts: no killing, stealing, lying, sexual conduct, no tobacco, alcohol or other mind altering substances.
Participation in the 8 Mahayana Precepts during the second half of the course is mandatory. If you have a medical condition that requires that you eat three meals a day, exception can be given for the attendnace of precepts.

The Eight Mahayana Precepts

During the last two weeks of the course, the 8 Mahayana Precepts will be taken daily before sunrise. These are special vows in which we promise to keep the following precepts: To refrain from killing, lying, stealing, sexual activity, taking intoxicants, sitting on high beds, playing music, wearing jewelry and perfume, eating at inappropriate times (only one meal a day will be served during this time).

This practice allows you to experience that abstaining from unwholesome actions is the basis for developing many positive qualities. Only one meal a day will be served during the time of taking Precepts. Exception from participating in the precepts can be given for medical reasons.

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Accommodation
Accommodation during courses is allocated according to registration number and availability. The students are accommodated mostly in dormitories, with a few triple rooms with private facilities and double rooms with shared facilities, and some tent accommodation. Bedding is included only in rooms with attached bathrooms. For other rooms, pillow and a bed sheet is provided; bring a warm sleeping bag. The tents are equipped with a ground sheet and mattresses.
Please note:

There are no single rooms available during the one month course. Please do not ask us to make an exception.
Accommodation in three-bed rooms with privat bath is very limited.
There is an extra charge for rooms other than dormioty.
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Registration

The registration for the one month course is open from 1. July 2008
Registrations submitted before this date will not be accepted

To register, please fill out the Booking Form

Please remember to pay the required deposit of 75 US$ (per person). Registrations without deposits will not be accepted.

We prefer that the remainder of the course fee be paid on arrival atKopan in local currency or by credit card.
By registering for the course, you agree to abide the rules and conditions as detailed above.
Once you have registered we will send a registration number. This might take up to two weeks, depending on the number of applications. We will send you regular updates and more information on the course as it becomes available.
Cancellation and refund of deposit

You can cancel your registration any time and receive a refund of 50 US$ on your deposit up to October 15th 2008. The cancellation fee is 25 US$. Please note that refund can only paid up to 4 month after receiving your initial payment.
After 15. October no refund will be paid for cancellation. However we are happy to credit your deposit for any other coruse you might want to attend at Kopan in the following year.
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Course fee
The approximate cost of the course is US$ 410 (subject to changes in the exchange rates)
This includes dormitory accommodation, all meals, course material, a course administration fee (which covers travel for teachers, course preparation and material and administration expenses).
Extra charges apply to accommodation other than dormitory or tent. You will be informed of the extra charge on request.
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Intensive Retreat following the course
Retreat dates to be confirmed closer to the time
An intensive meditation retreat will follow the one-month course. This retreat is open to all course participants. Others are welcome depending on accommodation availability and necessary previous experience. Please contact the course coordinator about this.
The retreat will focus on the topics studied during the one-month course, and will be guided by experienced teachers. The retreat will be conducted in silence, with 6 meditation session a day.

There is no need to register for the retreat now, and no deposit needs to be paid for this retreat.We will ask you towards the end of the course to register. But keep it in mind when booking your flight.
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