About Kopan Monastery

Just north of the ancient Buddhist town of Boudhanath is the Kopan hill, which rises up out of the terraced fields of the Kathmandu valley and is visible for miles. Dominated by a magnificent bodhi tree, it was once the home of the astrologer to the king of Nepal. This same hill is now the home of Kopan Monastery, a monastery in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism under the guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The air is clean and the view across the valley magical.

It is the home of 360 monks, lamas, teachers and workers. The monks come from all areas of Nepal and Tibet with ages ranging from seven to sixty years old. They have devoted their lives to the study and practice of the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, with special emphasis on the teachings of Lama Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelug Lineage.

Visitors from all over the world come here to attend courses and enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of the place for study and practice.

Kopan is committed to helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion as taught by our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe, and spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Kopan Monastery is part of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an international organization devoted to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation, and community service. FPMT provides integrated education through which people's minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility.

As each FPMT centre is incorporated individually (is a separate legal entity), the Monastery is responsible for its own governance and finance. As with all FPMT centres, the Monastery follows the FPMT Ethical Policy. Additionally, Kopan Monastery has it’s own ‘Protection from Abuse Policy’, you can get more information from the Spiritual Program Coordinator.

The places on this earth where you can receive education in Lama Tsongkhapa's pure teaching are very few. Therefore, this is considered extremely precious.