Kopan Monastery — Attraction in Budhanilkantha Municipality

So my review is based on the 7-day course "Learn about Meditation and Buddhism" 26 Oct - 2 Nov 2024.

So the course was amazing and I loved 90% of it. I would definitely recommend it.

The best bits: Beautiful monastery on a hill overlooking Kathmandu. Kathmandu is very chaotic nowadays and a little polluted. The monastery is above all that and very peaceful. The teaching was done by a western monk who has been studying Tibetan Buddhism in India for 20 years and he explained traditional Buddhist concepts with modern humour and relatability. I found him to be smart, sincere and enthusiastic. The meditations were very powerful and by the third or fourth day I could really feel them working. The philosophical and psychological aspects of the course were very interesting and thought-provoking. We had a daily discussion in small groups of ten, this was probably my favourite part. I had a single private room with bathroom which was far more comfortable and well appointed than I had ever expected in a monastery. I met many lovely people from around the world. The staff are very kind, helpful and efficient.

The not so best bits (but still OK!): Sitting still for long hours every day caused leg soreness and back stiffness. I sat cross legged on a mat for four days but by the fifth day I couldn't bear it anymore and sat on a chair. So my mind loved the course but my body, not so much even with daily stretching. Some of the Buddhist teaching is a bit pessimistic with a lot of emphasis on suffering and hell realms. On one of the days I wanted to experience joy but that day I felt more depression due to the focus on suffering and hell. A lot of talk about karma, re-birth, hell realms, hell beings etc. which I don't buy into at all. However I decided just to listen to it as if I was being read an elaborate fairytale. There are many strict rules that you have to follow to the letter, but actually I liked that and would probably place that in the best bits section instead.

Conclusion: Buddhist meditation techniques are very powerful. I will definitely continue this and want to read more on Buddhist philosophy and join a local Buddhist study group.

A quick note for vegans: So Kopan monastery is vegetarian but not vegan. There is dairy and eggs served in the restaurant, and sold in the shop and cafe. Recently the staff have made efforts to include vegan options in the food you get served daily in the restaurant which is a big step forward and greatly appreciated. However you may want to bring your own food to supplement also. Breakfast for vegans consists of watery porridge made with hot water, and bread with peanut butter (good quality!!) and jam. You also get black tea. You might want to bring something to add to the porridge like nuts, seeds, dry fruit (they also sell in the shop but more limited selection); or soya milk for the tea. I also brought some marmite. For lunch the main dish would usually have cheese or egg in it, and the vegan option would be the same food but with the egg or cheese removed. So it is lacking in vegan protein, therefore you may want to bring with you some roasted pulses or nuts to add to it. There were always side dishes of vegetables/salad/bread which was vegan also. The last two days of the course though the quality was fantastic and there was tofu!! Dessert is only just a piece of fruit so that's fine. Tea time is black tea with lemon. Dinner is soup and noodles usually although I skipped all the dinners as I was on a diet. The cafe had a couple of vegan options but doesn't have any vegan milk or vegan ice creams. The big surprise for me was that the Buddhist monk who was the teacher of this course was vegan himself and talked about it passionately at the end. I thought that was amazing. So all in all, vegans will be fine but bring some extra protein and...

I took the 10 day course on the Lam Rim and it exceeded expectations by a mile! If you're remotely interested in Buddhism, then you should definitely take a course.

I'll break it down into sections. I also noticed some slightly negative reviews about specific areas so I'll give my experience on those topics too below

Location Super easy to get to - you can either do a 'pre paid' from the airport and spend about 1400 rupees, or use an app called 'indrive' and spend about 350 + tip

Cost This 10 day retreat was $175 which included the teachings + guided meditations for around 8 hours per day, accommodation and food. There is an onsite shop and cafe if you want extras. I'd also be prepared, if you have the money of course, to tip/donate at the end. As a westerner that's incredible value and they more than earn it!

Teachings / The Course Really incredible. Obviously I can't comment on the other courses but the Lam Rim run primarily by a monk called Ven. Tenzin Namjong and supported by Geshe Tengyur and a monk called Lexo. To say it's a beginner course, it went way deeper than I expected (in a good way) so if you're a lover of psychology and philosophy then you'll be very satisfied.

The Accommodation You stayed in either your choice of a dorm or, at an extra charge of $9 per night, a private room. I went for the dorm and it was absolutely fine, the beds were and facilities were perfectly suitable. You get a pillow and duvet and that can be washed as you need along with 2 opportunities to have clothes washed too (not boxers/socks though - I'll come back to these later)

Food The food was really great, all whole foods cooked in the monastery itself. Breakfast would typically be porridge and some bread with peanut butter and jam + tea. Lunch would be a bigger buffet, maybe pasta or curry or something else, plus soup or some other side, then typically salad or vegetables + tea or coffee. Dinner was then something like curry or something similar. There is also a cafe on site with extra food and drinks if you want anything else off menu. A meal might cost 350 rupees. No one on our course needed this as the food was great.

Sickness So surprisingly no one on our course got sick that I'm aware of. Besides one guy but he said he got ill a few days before coming to the monastery and the staff were apparently super helpful in accommodating his dietary needs. They just say don't drink the tap water and if you want to be careful, brush your teeth with the filtered water you can get for free.

Extra info Bring bug spray, you will get bit by mosquitos even in your room so bring bug spray Bring a note pad and pen, you'll have plenty to write about - you also have quite a bit of free time through the entire day (maybe 3.5 hours) so use that time to write or read

Negative Reviews (locals not being let in) I saw some reviews about not letting locals in which almost put me off coming. And I can't comment totally, but what I can say is that we have 2 Nepali locals on the course with us so I'm not sure exactly what the reviews were...

Buddhist Monastery. Tourist Not allowed.

Nestled amidst the serene hills of Kathmandu, the Kopan Monastery stands as a beacon of tranquility and spiritual enlightenment. My visit to this sacred place was a transformative experience that left a lasting impression on my soul.

From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by a sense of serenity that permeated the air. The monastery's peaceful ambiance, coupled with the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, immediately put me at ease. The meticulously maintained gardens and traditional architecture added to the ethereal atmosphere, creating an environment that is truly conducive to introspection and inner peace.

The teachings and practices offered at the Kopan Monastery are deeply enriching. The resident monks and nuns, known for their wisdom and compassion, imparted profound insights on Buddhist philosophy and meditation. Through their gentle guidance, I was able to delve deeper into my spiritual journey and gain a renewed perspective on life. The daily meditation sessions provided a much-needed respite from the chaos of everyday life, allowing me to find solace and clarity within.

The vegetarian meals served at the monastery's dining hall were not only delicious but also nourishing for the body and mind. The mindful preparation and the emphasis on simplicity and gratitude were evident in every bite, making each meal a meditative experience in itself.

Beyond the teachings and practices, the Kopan Monastery offers a variety of retreat programs and workshops that cater to individuals at different stages of their spiritual path. Whether you are a novice seeking an introduction to Buddhist philosophy or an experienced practitioner looking to deepen your understanding, there is something for everyone.

In addition to the spiritual aspects, the monastery also engages in philanthropic initiatives, supporting local communities and educational projects. Witnessing the positive impact they have on the surrounding area further reinforced my admiration for this remarkable institution.

My time at the Kopan Monastery was truly a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. I left with a sense of profound peace and a renewed commitment to living a more mindful and compassionate life. If you are seeking solace, wisdom, and a deeper connection with yourself, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to the Kopan Monastery...