Kopan Monastery and other Famous Buddhist Monasteries in Nepal

Kopan Monastery (The Tibetian Buddhist Monastery) lies on the hilltop behind the Bouddhanath stupa. The Kopan Monastery also offers a panoramic view of the town of Boudha below and the spectacular Himalayan mountain range. More than hundreds of visitors from around the world visit here yearly.

Kopan Monastery was discovered in 1971 in the Solu Khumbu region of the Himalayan Mountains—a monastery in the Gelug tradition of Tibetian Mahayana Buddhism, which Lama Zopa Rinpoche guided. We can feel the fresh air and magical mountain views across the valley. Interestingly, it has given shade to around 360 monks, lamas, workers, and teachers.
The monks here are of various ages, ranging from 7 to 60, and come from multiple sectors of Nepal.

They have devoted their lives to learning and practicing Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings. Moreover, the Lama Tsong Khapa (the Founder of the Gelug Lineage) gives them instructions and prioritizes them.

The course and spiritual atmosphere in Kopan monastery are famous worldwide, and visitors from all over the world are invited to Nepal to attend and learn this course and enjoy the serene spiritual atmosphere of the place specially designed for study purposes. The principle of Kopan is to help all beings boost their full potential of infinite wisdom and empathy, which is taught by their Founder, Lama Thubten, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche—spiritual director.
Develop the mind of equilibrium.

Famous Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal

You will always get praise and blame in every step of life; handling those would be your job. It would help if you did not let these factors affect the stability of the mind.
Following the calmness and the absence of pride would lead anyone to the peak of success. These are the lessons by Buddha Shakyamuni.

Significant features of Kopan Monastery:

Everyone can have quality time in Kopan’s peaceful, pristine, relaxing environment. Preserving and transmitting the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as the path to ultimate happiness and freedom from suffering is the main Motto of Kopan Monastery, and they are still working on it.

Kopan Monastery is associated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT).
FPMT is a unique organization devoted to transmitting the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching methodology, community service, and meditation.

FPMT aims to provide integrated education so that people’s minds and hearts can be best used to transform to their higher potential and can be used for the benefit of others.

Activities you can do in Kopan Monastery

You are welcome to be a guest of this community.
Stay for a while and rest
Attend a course
Stroll through the beautiful gardens and enjoy its beauty
You can make a short prayer in one of our meditation halls
You can have a delicious vegetarian meal at the cafe or observe the surroundings by sitting there and listening to life.

Visiting Kopan Monastery:

You can have a day to visit the Kopan monastery from Sunday to Friday between periods of 9 am to 5 pm and attend a daily dharma talk. You can have your lunch at a peaceful Kopan coffee shop. Any group from local schools, any reputed organization, and visitors from abroad are welcome to Kopan Monastery. You ought to inform them in advance at reception by phone so they can make a proper arrangement for your visit.

Note: Between November 11 and December 20, Kopan does not admit any groups.
Any larger groups and tourists from travel agents should make a pre-appointment with a reception office. Otherwise, they will be restricted from entering the Monastery without an appointment.

Courses

From the beginning, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche conceived Kopan as an area of study and meditation for both the Himalayan sangha and their many international students. In preserving this tradition to the present day, Kopan has become a singular place, a gathering place between East and West, between religious and worldly life.

Kopan Monastery continues to transmit the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in its course program because of the path to ultimate happiness and freedom from suffering. The aim is to get the foundations on which people’s minds and hearts are often transformed into their highest potential for the advantage of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility.

The study of the mind is one of the guiding principles of Buddhism, in general, and Lamaism, in particular. It determines the standard of our lives and our relationships. Lamaism helps us to know the primary causes of our problems and, at the same time, offers the remedies that will help us to vary and steer a happier, more satisfying, and more meaningful life.

So, knowing your mind is essential if you discover yourself during a transition or emotional turmoil or are just curious to seek out Buddhism and what it can do for you. The courses in our program follow this line of thought, offering different approaches to the present all-important point.

The Course Program also caters to various levels of interest as knowledge and ranges from introductory and intermediate courses to intensive exploration of the philosophy of Lamaism. The main target is on the appliance of the talents in your lifestyle.

Retreats

You can do the retreats in this Monastery. Making the retreat in a quiet place is undisturbed by worldly activity; the mind can show inward and explore our inner world. Kopan Monastery accepts both experienced practitioners and beginners for a retreat. You’ll attend one of our group retreats or do your retreat.

Group Retreats

Kopan Monastery offers group retreats as part of its yearly course program. Experienced teachers lead these retreats. Depending on the sort of retreat, students may be accepted by application only, and special conditions may apply. Please click on the retreat title to learn more about the wants as a form for these retreats.

Private Retreat

If you would like to make a personal retreat, please note that we mainly support retreats within the Tibetan traditions. Thanks to limited retreat space, we give preference to FPMT students. Click on the. If you haven’t done a retreat before, we advise hitching one among the group retreats at Kopan or the other center.

Accommodation

Kopan Monastery offers comfortable accommodations for students and retreaters. The guest accommodation blocks are situated within the garden areas. Different levels of accommodation are available, from Deluxe Suites to Dormitory rooms.

Kopan Monastery may be a monastery, not a hotel, so the room allocation differs from a hotel where you book a selected room. It has particular rooms of varied standards, most of which are shared. Your room is allocated in a way consistent with your registration date, considering your preferences. If you book late, you are always given a dormitory bed, and the course is heavily booked. Then, once you sign up, you’ll ask if there’s another option.

With the system, it’s impossible to inform beforehand what rooms will be allocated, and you determine the type of room you have once you arrive.

Meals

A contemporary kitchen supplies the guest dining room and offers three meals daily. The cost of stay is cheap, with prices starting from 7 – 20 US$ per day, including three meals. The Monastery kitchen also provides meals for their staying guest. Furthermore, if you stay at Kopan, you’ll have most of your meals in our guest dining room. It seats around 100 people inside and on the verandah and has the foremost magnificent view over the Kathmandu valley and range. The terrace on the ground above may be a silent area during courses for those wishing to stay quiet.

The meals served are vegetarian, nutritious, and plentiful. The monastery cookbook contains the most delicious recipes and is available in our library. If you are a course participant, all meals are included in the course cost.

Getting there:

There are three main routes to Kopan Monastery. The most enjoyable walk is from Boudha. Walking from the side of the Stupa, the road goes through Phulbari and meets the road coming from Chuchepati. Then, it’s downhill, so the Monastery comes into view. You then climb up towards it. The opposite route is through Chabahil, turning left at Chuchepati, where one can see a statue of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa.

The third route follows the bypass after Chabahil and goes past the Gopi Krishna Radha Cinema Hall. There are buses up to the bottom of Capitol Hill, on top of which the Monastery is perched. Taxis are often hired from the town. Other alternatives are to rent a motorbike or an all-terrain bike or walk all the way. Kopan Monastery is located on the outskirts of Kathmandu, near Boudhanath (also called Boudha). It’s about 15 km from the town and 5 km from the airport. We can drive to the Monastery all year round, but The gate is closed from 5 pm onwards.

Coming From the Airport

We can arrange a pickup service for you at the Kopan monastery. You can also book a taxi from the Prepaid counter outside the arrival hall. You can also take any taxi outside the arrival hall if you do not mind bargaining for the worth.

Other famous Buddhist  monasteries in Nepal

Bouddhanath Monastery

Location: Bouddha, Kathmandu

Bouddhanath Monastery, Nepal’s largest Monastery, is located 7 km east of Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world and the largest Stupa in Nepal. This Stupa is considered one of the most popular holiest sites for the Buddhist faith.

The atmosphere of the whole place lightens up with zest as the fragrance of incense drifts through the air. This Stupa is a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site. It is also on the World Heritage Cultural Site list by UNESCO. Tibetans came in thousands to this famous Buddhist Chaitya and energized the Stupa after the Chinese invasion in 1959. this is near the Kopan monastery.

The most famous festival, Lhosar, is also celebrated here in February according to the Tibetan New Year. Visitors from different countries visit this Stupa because they believe it has the divine power to fulfill wishes and give blessings. Buddhists visit monasteries to attend daily prayers, community, and food. This Monastery is undoubtedly architecturally rich and marvelous and is the primary source of attraction for visitors worldwide.

Lastly, Bouddhanath Monastery offers spectacular views over cities and villages. Visitors can enjoy a significant ritual by walking around the Stupa clockwise while turning the prayer wheels (mounted on four walls of the Stupa) and repeating the mantras. People believe spinning a wheel once is equivalent to repeating the mantra engraved on it 11,000 times.

One spin of a prayer wheel here is the equivalent of repeating the mantra engraved on it 11,000 times.
Bowing, practiced by many Buddhists, is a sign of respect for Buddha.

 Swoyambhunath Monastery

Location: Chhauni, Kathmandu

Swayambhunath Monastery is a traditional Buddhist shrine atop the Kathmandu Valley, just a 20-minute walk from the Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is also one of the oldest Monasteries in the world. The word Swayambhunath means “the self-existent” in English. It is a prominent pilgrimage place for many Buddhists and Hindus worldwide.

This temple is the most sacred place among Nepal’s other Buddhist pilgrimages. Both Hindus and Buddhists pray for it. It is Nepal’s second most important religious place for Tibetan people after Bouddhanath. It is also listed in UNESCO. It is about a 40-minute drive from the Kopan monastery.

Another name given to this temple is the monkey temple. We can see a more significant number of monkeys around the temple area throughout the year. The temple is decorated with Buddha’s eyes on all four sides, which appear to look out across the valley, an iconic symbol. This iconic symbol implies that symbol of God’s all-seeing perspective.
We can see another smaller eye above each pair of eyes called a third eye that signifies the wisdom of looking within.

Another attraction of Syambhunath temple is that you can see other beautiful temples and beautifully painted images of deities and other religious objects around this statue.
This Monastery is a famous pilgrimage site as it offers the chance to learn religious harmony. Furthermore, A complete walk of 365 stairs leads you to the Stupa.

Visitors visit the Swayambhunath stupa to pray, meditate, walk around the Stupa, recite mantras while turning wheels, and enjoy the overall view of Kathmandu.

 Namobuddha Monastery

Location: Dhulikhel, Kavre

Altitude: 1,760 m (5,774 ft)
Namobuddha, one of the most popular pilgrimage sites, is 42km (26 miles) southeast of Kathmandu. This Monastery is particularly famous among Tibetan Buddhists. You can visit this Monastery to attend daily chanting by Monks before 10 am. You can visit the Crowned Buddha Shrine, the Sixteen Arhats Shrine, and the Gold Buddha Shrine just above the main Monastery following the stairway up. This is a little far from the Kopan monastery.

Female monks also chant, remembering the moment the Great Being Gave his life to the tiger near a shrine. The imagery of the previous incident is inside the temple. This place is a viewpoint overlooking the beautiful valley. We can also see the millions of prayer flags covering the hill on the downside of the road, which looks gorgeous.

Lumbini Monastery

Location: Lumbini

Lumbini, the Buddha’s birthplace, is one of the world’s most popular and holiest pilgrimage places in the Rupendehi District. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is now a UNESCO world heritage site. Exploring monasteries, trying different Indian/Nepali food in the street, riding a bicycle along the edges of rural terrain, and attending meditation classes are the major activities you can do in Lumbini. Another famous place is the Kopan monastery.

You can get the best meditation class at Lumbini in various meditation centers. Buddhist monks run this. You can explore the dynamic environment and enjoy yourself. Maya Devi Temple is dedicated to the mother of Lord Buddha.

You can explore the Maya Devi temple and meditate under the Bodhi tree to find enlightenment. The temple’s inside is filled with the old stone markings of Gautam Buddha’s birthplace. No one can capture pictures inside the temple. The south part of the temple contains the pond where Maya Devi(Mother of Gautam Buddha) bathed after Lord Buddha’s birth.

The main perks of traveling to Lumbini are the sacred Mayadevi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, China Pond, and other holy ponds.

Schechen Monastery

In 1950 A.D., during the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the original Schechen monastery was destroyed. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was exiled to Nepal to preserve the essence of this Monastery and establish a new home for the Monastery. The new Shechen Monastery is near the Bodhnath Stupa and is easy to find. He wished the newly built Monastery would maintain its philosophical, contemplative. As well as the artistic tradition of the original Monastery. It is very close to the Kopan monastery.

The four walls inside the main temple (destroyed by the earthquake 2015). It is decorated with frescoes depicting the history of Tibetan Buddhism and the foremost teachers from its four primary schools.
About 450 monks from the Himalayan region study and live at the Monastery. Therefore, They provide a lively education, Buddhist philosophy, particular dancing lessons, music, and painting.
Shechen Mahaboudha Vidyalay also offers a complete education combining traditional and. Subjects and modern curriculum for 180 boys aged 5-15.

After graduation, they can join a 2-year course mainly on ritual arts. This includes memorizing liturgical texts, training in sacred chants and dance, meditation sessions, and learning ritual musical instruments.
Many ceremonies are conducted here throughout the year, including crutches. Drupchens is a special ceremony lasting nine consecutive days and nights.

An annual two-day ritual dance festival is celebrated in the Monastery’s courtyard. In addition, Shechen and Kopan monasteries organize different public events and serve the local community’s spiritual needs.

Visit the Buddhist Monastery in Kathmandu.

Swayambhunath Monastery is a traditional Buddhist shrine atop the Kathmandu valley, the second most religiously significant place in Kathmandu. This temple is called Monkey Temple and is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. After that, you can visit Kopan Monastery. The course and spiritual atmosphere are famous worldwide, and visitors from the entire world are invited to Nepal to attend and learn this course and enjoy the serene spiritual atmosphere of the place specially designed for study purposes.

You will then head towards Namobuddha, one of the most pilgrimage sites located 42km (26 miles) southeast of Kathmandu. This Monastery is particularly famous for Tibetan Buddhists and is one of the best shrines with Himalayan views. After that, your destination is Lumbini, the tour’s major attraction.

Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is now a UNESCO world heritage site. To find enlightenment, you can explore the Maya Devi temple, Ashoka Pillar, Pushkarini Pond, and Kapilbastu Kingdom Complex and meditate under the Bodhi tree. You will also visit some historical Durbar squares in Kathmandu. Your trip will be of historical and religious importance.

Namo Buddha is the best Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Boudhanath stupa, Swayambhunathstupa, and Namo Buddha. Buddha’s birthplace, Lumbini, is a significant sacred place with tremendous religious significance for Buddhism. Hundreds of thousands of decent followers of Buddhism visit Nepal to enjoy the holiday residing in the Buddhist communities.
The Pilgrimage Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal is mainly measured in style among Hindus and Buddhists. Therefore, thousands of pilgrims visit Nepal annually to court the revered Gods and divinity.

Our Buddhist pilgrimage tour allows you to visit the famous Buddhist sites of Nepal, including Lumbini and Boudhanath stupa. Namobuddhha and others. Additionally, dozens of Buddhist Monasteries and Stupas are scattered in different places in Nepal. Each of these stupas has its unique features and beauty. I am sure you will have a fabulous Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal. Himalayan Country Nepal serves as heaven and offers the best Buddhist tours for those interested in Buddhism.

Visit Lumbini

Lumbini is one of the world’s most popular and holiest Buddhist pilgrimage places in Rupendehi District.
It is lying in Nepal in the foothills of the Himalayas, which is about 22 km from Bhairahawa. It is 230 km from Kathmandu, the capital city, and 122 km from Gorakhpur, a Uttar Pradesh Indian town. Exploring monasteries, trying different Indian/Nepali food in the street, riding a bicycle along the edges of rural terrain, and attending meditation classes are the major activities you can do in Lumbini. This is the best pilgrimage tour in Nepal.

Lumbini is the ultimate pilgrimage site for every Buddhist. Lord Gautam Buddha was born at Lumbini while his mother went to his parental home from Kapilvastu. We will visit the Maya Devi temple and meditate under the Bodhi tree to find enlightenment. The inside of the temple is with the old mark stone of Gautam Buddha’s Birthplace. You can’t capture pictures inside the temple.

Undoubtedly, Nepal is one of the best destinations for visitors who dreamt of traveling to the mythical nation on a reasonable budget. You can have the most memorable Buddhist pilgrimage tour in Nepal. We are here to help you with some of the most selective and famous tours for having a stunning Pilgrimage trip in Nepal. Find a date that suits your holiday, or if any information is required, drop your inquiry mail to us, and we will be happy to customize it accordingly.

Lumbini, Nepal, is the best place for a pilgrimage tour

The breathtaking country of Nepal covers diverse landscapes around the Himalayan Mountains and flat, expansive plains in the south. Nepal has a lot of offers, including pilgrimage tours, historical place visits, religious tours, and trekking in the lap of the Himalayas.

The Lumbini Nepal Tour Package offers close insight into Lord Buddha’s life and knowledge about Buddhism’s development. You will also enjoy the beauty of this fantastic paradise, Nepal.

Vibrant culture, Charismatic people, sparkling mountains, Deep gorges, etc., are the major perks of Nepal’s visit and the significant factors that make Nepal an ideal destination for adventures and culture.
Lumbini is one of the world’s most popular holiest pilgrimage places in Rupendehi District. Lumbini is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We can explore the different monasteries, try other Nepali food in the street, ride a bicycle along the edges of rural terrain, and attend meditation classes. These are the major activities you can do in Lumbini.

Lumbini Nepal is a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupan Delhi district of Nepal. Various meditation centers run by Buddhist monks offer the best meditation classes. You can also explore the dynamic environment and enjoy yourself. Maya Devi Temple, discovered a few years ago, is the most beautiful part of Lumbini. It was dedicated to the mother of Lord Buddha.

Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

This place is famous for being the birthplace of Lord Buddha. This place is considered holy because Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam there. Siddhartha Gautama lived roughly between 623 and 543 BCE and founded d Buddhism as Gautama Buddha.

The Lumbini Nepal Tour Package goes along with the Maya Devi temple, Kudan, Devadaha, Aurorakot,  Gotihawa, Tilaurakot, Sagarhawa, Niglihawa, and Ramagrama. This all bears great significance to the enlightenment, life, and death of Buddha. Lumbini consists of several temples, Monasteries, and many other constructions.
Puskarini, a holy pond where the Buddha’s mother bathed before giving birth to Buddha, lies in Lumbini.

Lumbini Nepal tour is the best exploring place for adventure junkies from all over the world. The dazzling mountains have a lot to offer. Best hiking package, mountaineering, trekking, andiding are the major adventure activities in the Mountaimountain. Also, there is a complete array of outdoor activities that most adventure lovers seek. Nepal is the home to Majestic Mountain, Mt. Everest, and the Birthplace of Lord Buddha.

General Facts of Lumbini Tour:

Starting/Ending: Kathmandu.
Trip Days: 5 Days.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel (Can be upgraded as required).
Tour Attraction: Most of the Buddhist Shrines of Lumbini, Maya Devi Temple

Trip Highlights of Lumbini Nepal Tour Package

• Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
• It is an ideal place to understand the early life of Buddha and the development of Buddhism.
• Lumbini preserves historically significant materials and facts.
• Lumbini possesses many new monasteries occupied by various nations. For example, the Myanmar Temple was built with the contribution of Burmese Buddhists. The structure of the Monastery is attractive; it is white and coated with a golden pinnacle at the top, resembling it as if it were soaring to the sky. China Temple- Beautiful pagoda-style temple. Korean Temple- Beautiful temple consisting of various reward-able images of Lord Buddha
• Lumbini is the main attraction for Buddhist pilgrimage visitors.

• Lumbini is truly a trekker’s paradise. Incredible Himalayan views, charming hill villages, many adorned temples, and diverse wildlife are the wonders of this place.

Maya Devi Temple

Maya Devi temple is also called the spiritual heart of Lumbini Nepal. Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Lord Buddha in the temple around 563 BC. The sacred garden adjoins this temple and is also essential. The garden comprises a Pillar of Ashoka, maroon- and saffron-robed monks, an old piece of stupas, and the sacred Bodhi Tree, etc.

You can find a separate ticket inspection booth and entrance inside the temple premises. This place is well-secure as it is one of the most famous religious sites in the world. You can’t take photographs inside the Maya Devi temple. As well as you will see the hoarding board indicating the restriction of pictures. Inside the temple premises, you can see the drawing portraying the birth of Lord Buddha.

The Ashoka pillar is the oldest in Nepal and was erected by Emperor Ashoka (249 BC), who visited the park. Therefore, you will see the sandstone carvings of the birth of Buddha. Queen Maya Devi was also worshipped as a Hindu mother goddess at that place. Beneath the stone, there is the spot where Buddha was born. This Maya Devi temple is also regarded as the heart of Lumbini.

The Lumbini Garden:

The Lumbini garden is attached to the temple, where the stone pillar was erected by the Indian Emperor Ashoka around 245 BC. The garden saves the exact birthplace of Buddha. However, the entire area of the temple is called the garden.

Pushkarni pond:

It is the sacred pond where Maya Devi bathed before the birth of Buddha. The dots around the grounds show the ruined foundation of giant bricks of stupas and monasteries, dating back to the 2nd century to the 9th Century A.D. The pond lies to the south of the temple.

The famous Bodhi Tree is in Lumbini, Nepal:

The most colorful and decorated tree in Lumbini is the “Bodhi Tree,” which lies inside the temple premises. However, the physical appearance of a tree is nicely decorated and characterized by heart-shaped leaves. The tree is famous as Lord Buddha, who achieved enlightenment in India. Therefore, You can explore the Maya Devi temple and meditate under the Bodhi tree to find wisdom.

 You can visit Lumbini either by Flight or by car. Featured below is the short itinerary by Flight:

Nevertheless, Nepal is a country entirely of religious and cultural beauty. You are always welcome to the land of the Himalayas. Above the Himalayas, the team will assure you you will make your journey workable and successful.
You will experience Lord Buddha’s life and learn about Buddhism’s development.

Nepal Cultural Heritage Tour

Nepal’s cultural heritage tour takes you to its heritage sites. Let’s encounter the  Fascinating art and unique and varied architecture. Beautiful landscapes, tons of mesmerizing. Besides this, the major cities are Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, which depict elegant ancient architectural monuments and art. Nepal’s mountains are breathtaking. Buddhist pilgrimage tours take you along the diversity of Gods and Goddesses. Beautiful temples, stupas, and monasteries are attractive factors that enhance tourism. In our Buddhist pilgrimage tour, you will enjoy the stunning mountains that will make you stay forever.

The incredible Buddhist pilgrimage  Tour will refresh your mind and soul and reinvigorate your body. However, Nepal is a country filled with festivals. It is impossible to escape from the diverse festivals while you stay in Nepal, besides the places mentioned above. You can also take a quick trip to Dhulikhel, Panauti, and Namobuddha. You can look at some pilgrimage sites, such as Manakama, Gosaikunda, Pathivara, Halesi Mahadev, and many more.

Enjoy the diverse cultures and traditions in our Buddhist pilgrimage tour.

Thus, Nepal has enormous natural and artificial sources of beauty, and you will never feel exhausted by seeing it, exploring the beautiful cities, and enjoying their luxurious facilities. Enjoy the diverse culture and traditions. They are learning about various flora and fauna. Watch the stunning mountain views of the prominent peaks of the Nepal Cultural Tour.

A Buddhist pilgrimage tour will provide you with an experience of the cultural delights. Explore the lifestyle of different diverse cultures and add extra excitement to your trip. Thus, the Above the Himalaya Team will ensure your trip will be memorable throughout your lifetime.