Our History
Just north of the ancient Buddhist town of Boudhanath is the Kopan hill (pictured left), rising up out of the terraced fields of the Kathmandu valley and visible for miles. Dominated by a magnificent Bodhi tree, it was once the home of the astrologer to the king of Nepal. It was to this hill that these lamas came with their first Western students in 1969.
Kopan Monastery had its beginnings in the Solu-khumbu region of the Himalayan mountains. In 1971 Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the reincarnation of the Lawudo Lama, a yogi of the tiny hamlet of Lawudo, fulfilled the promise of the previous Lawudo Lama to start a monastic school for the local children. The school was called called it Mount Everest Center. Twenty five monks moved down from the mountain to Kopan in 1971 - prompted by the harsh climate at an altitude of 4000 am, which made study barely possible in winter.
Now Kopan is a thriving monastery of 360 monks, mainly from Nepal and Tibet, and a spiritual oasis for hundreds of visitors yearly from around the world. Nearby is Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, home to 380 nuns. Both the monastery and the nunnery are under the spiritual guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and the care of the abbot, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lhundrup Rigsel. And it is the wellspring of the FPMT, a network of some 140 centers and activities world-wide, themselves expressions of the Buddha activity of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Monastic Life
Monks and nuns from the age of seven come from all over Nepal and the Himalayan countries such as Tibet, India, Bhutan, Sikkim, and even Mongolia to attend this Gelugpa monastery, one of the best in Kathmandu valley, to receive a classical monastic education.
The students receive extensive training traditional philosophical subjects as debate. A small tantric college under the supervision of teacher from Gyumed college in South India was established some years ago, where rituals subjects such as torma making, chanting, and ritual dance are taught and tantric texts are studied. Additionally the monks and nuns assemble twice a day for prayers dedicated to the well-being and happiness of all sentient beings.
A fully fledged geshe study program has been established. This enables the students to complete most of their philosophical studies at Kopan, before moving on the the Monastic Universities in South India for the continuation of their studies, and higher degrees.
The newly established Tantric colleges houses about 60 monks studying tantric rituals such as making sand mandala, making butterscultpure, arranging initiations and prayerceremonies. They also study the tantric texts in details and learn how to assist those wishing to do retreat.
Not all monks are interested in pursuing a scholastic career. After finishing grade ten in the monastery school, some of them continue their monastic life by offering service to the monastery in a variety of ways. Those who wish to dedicate their life to the pursuit of religious activities may do so under the guidance of qualified teachers and meditation masters.
The newly established Tantric colleges houses about 60 monks studying tantric rituals such as making sand mandala, making butterscultpure, arranging initiations and prayerceremonies. They also study the tantric texts in details and learn how to assist those wishing to do retreat.
Not all monks are interested in pursuing a scholastic career. After finishing grade ten in the monastery school, some of them continue their monastic life by offering service to the monastery in a variety of ways. Those who wish to dedicate their life to the pursuit of religious activities may do so under the guidance of qualified teachers and meditation masters.
Preserving the religious and cultural heritage of Tibet
The yearly cycle of ceremonies and rituals at Kopan includes the observance of the annual rains retreat during the summer months, and the observance of other monastic disciplines and rituals. In this way the tradition of the Buddhas teachings on monastic discipline (Vinaya) are upheld and preserved.
The commemoration of the Buddha's holy deeds through prayers and spiritual practice is performed on the respective days according to Tibetan calendar: The 10 Days of Miracles, Saka Dawa, Chokar Duchen, and Lha Bab Duchen.
Purification rituals mark the end of the Tibetan year, culminating in a day of prayers and ritual dances, while the negative actions of the year are symbolically burned in a huge bonfire. In December the anniversary of Lama Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism is commemorated with a procession of lights.
Seguimos con mas Kopan si?...
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