Kopan Monastery
Kopan Monastery
4.5
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Hundreds of monks and nuns live at this monastery, which offers meditation courses year round.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
802 reviews
Excellent
547
Very good
171
Average
57
Poor
15
Terrible
12
Rohit Chugh
Hyderabad, India44 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We visited the kopan monastery on our way back from the sleeping Vishnu temple ( Buddha nilkantha ) . It's a very quite place and that's how it should be. Serene beauty with a lot of things to learn about Buddhism here. If u are an adventure freak then this is not a place for you. This place is for those who want to take a step towards meditation and peace .
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rahul G
New Delhi, India219 contributions
Dec 2020
amazing monastery. brings glimpses of old time. great art and architecture. blissful and serene place for blessings of the lord. monks are very courteous and kind. even in the times of covid, it is open for blessing seekers.
Written December 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa Y
10 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
An extraordinary monastery. I attended a course here.
People who run the monastery are amazing and kind. Kopan is a force for good. It’s home to 700 monks living in a monastic community and visitors should be mindful of that, it is someone’s home amongst other things.
The monks are great but I didn’t talk to them much because they are busy. The library is fabulous and the gardens are beautiful. It is an oasis of calm in a chaotic world.
People who run the monastery are amazing and kind. Kopan is a force for good. It’s home to 700 monks living in a monastic community and visitors should be mindful of that, it is someone’s home amongst other things.
The monks are great but I didn’t talk to them much because they are busy. The library is fabulous and the gardens are beautiful. It is an oasis of calm in a chaotic world.
Written July 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Metawijnen
Amsterdam, The Netherlands4 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
I attended the November course in 2017. I quit the course after 4 days as it wasn't what I expected. The course claims to give the students tools to apply in your daily life, but for me it felt more like a religious cult. The course and everything they teach is against buddism in its core. Its very religious and it felt like a cult. And I always thought that buddism is all about detachment, but these people are attached to rituals and type of ropes... I think it's a retreat made for westerners to make loads of money. If you want a cult experience where you can only talk about this religion from these people point of view go for it! But this was definitely not for me and the biggest lesson I've learned is that finding your inner world somewhere external is just not what it's about! 💓
Written December 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
celen r
Indialantic, FL3 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
if you are interested in Tibetan Buddhism and want to get away from chaotic kathmandu, visit Kopan. You can go for a day visit or even stay for a few days if they don't have a course going on and have rooms available. You get to see and feel their daily life, talk to the monks, and watch the little ones playing around. The gompa is beautiful as well as the gardens. Sit for a while and you'll feel their compassion and peace all over. If possible call before, sometimes entrance is not allowed, so you don't go all the way to find out you can't get in
Written July 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy M
Liverpool, UK2 contributions
Feb 2012 • Solo
Hi! I am Cathy aged 52 from Dublin but live in Liverpool. I have just come home from a weeks retreat at Kopan Monastery. Februray 2012. Before I went I was a bit anxious about going on a retreat! It was my first one! Well I loved it so much, Kopan is the most calming peaceful place I have ever been too. And I have travelled a lot! There was 100 people on my Transforming your mind course from all around the world! Amazing! We all bonded so easy and after the first day or so we were like a family! If you want or need to heal yourself or just need to calm your mind! Well please just go to Kopan. The food is good home veggie cooking and plentyful. There is a coffee shop and a shop there too. Wear loose comfy clothing and they will do your washing for you too. The monks are amazing and the kids in the monastery are great. I took donations to them from my family and friends and they were so humble. After a week I spent a few dats sightseeing and had an amazing life changing experience! I will return one day and I want to take family and friends there too. I made lots friends and had a fablous spiritual journey that has made me think about life!!! Its the best thing I have ever done! All those fears and worries about going was a waste of energy! But I know that now! All i can say is go and find YOU! Enjoy and say a pray for me there! Blessings Love Cathy McCauley XXX
Written March 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arpitgupta25
Pune, India1,434 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
Not as much expected because the route was very poor to go there. Not good enough . Too heighted and some vehicles cant go there and when you reached it has no such a place where you can spend more than 10 mins. The road was very bad even after it has one of the tourist place in Kathmandu.
Written March 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bikemikeone
Copenhagen, Denmark84 contributions
Oct 2012 • Solo
Stayed 14 days in October 2012. 10 days included my participation in Meditation & Retreat Course. Kopan is superb value and a stunningly beautiful and serene spot on the planet. Situated on a small mountain top just outside Kathmandu with views of the city, the valley and the mountains, its not difficult to be taken in by its beauty and fall in love with Kopan, I found. The calm and beauty of early morning sun rises is life long lasting memories. The unfolding buddhist life from the hundreds of monks is ever present. My board was in single room with shared bathroom fascilities. Sparse but clean and nothing was I missing. Three generous and surprisingly good meals per day plus tea and fresh, drinkable water. The Course was nothing short of world class with teachers knowing their stuff, schedules kept with punctuality on start & finish, good study material and a fantastic library. All monks in shops, reception, library speak very impressive English. In total I paid USD 137.00 all inclusive for my 14 days at Kopan - the best money I have spend in 35 years of travelling in more than 100 countries. I have promised myself to return within one year and I will do my best to keep that promise. Kopan is heaven down here.
Written October 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rebecca k
Perth, Australia33 contributions
Jun 2012 • Solo
I have just finished a 10 day course at Kopan and it was an incredible experience. The schedule was pretty packed - from 6am to 9pm most days, with a break in the middle of the day, but I didn't find it was too much. The teachings were so interesting and really helped me to understand the nature of the mind, attachment and suffering. The daily group discussions were also a highlight as you get to hear the way others perceive things which really makes you think about your own perceptions. The grounds at Kopan are beautiful and it's so nice to hear the monks' chanting in the mornings and evenings. The library is really well stocked and there are so many interesting texts to read. I found the morning and evening practice of silence really calming, although unfortunately some people in the group couldn't stick to it. The food at Kopan was so much better than I expected and was different almost every day. The accommodation I had wasn't great...I was in a very hot shared room at the back of the property next to the animals with hundreds of mosquitos (which you have to take a vow not to kill) and barking dogs, so make sure you take ear plugs. To be fair though, I signed up really late to the course so I was in the most basic of the accommodation. People who signed up early were in really nice rooms with private bathrooms and even had air-con which I had to try every day not to be envious of! The only bit of constructive criticism I'd give is that since it was a beginner's course, I would have liked the teachings to be more practical and explain how to incorporate them into my daily life and thought processes. I felt it was a little too focused on achieving enlightenment, which, to people who are just learning, seems like a lofty, far off goal. Other than that, the experience was so positive I am now considering doing the one month course in November.
Written June 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karuna P
14 contributions
I went there in May this year for a ten days retreat and to learn about buddhism..I was not disappointed. My stay was a memorable one. The monks and the nuns were so serene and helpful. The place in itself is so serene and peaceful. There are many corner areas where you.can sit and.meditate. My retreat was to learn about buddhism and learn meditation. I came out with a hand full of.wisdom and plenty of books. The canteen food is good. The rooms k chose were 5.star ;) the bookstore was awesome. U can spend a whole day there. And meditation were divine. Pure bliss to be there. Very close to Bodhnath area. From Bodhnath one way.up is NPR 150 app but more expensive from Thamel or Kathmandu. The views are just amazing. What a peaceful place to find yourself. There are specific time and days the monastery is open for visitors. You may even consider staying there at a cost..
No hesitations. Just go.
No hesitations. Just go.
Written October 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi everyone! Can someone please explain how can i reserve my place at the retreat? I sent a request through their web site, twice, but nobody answers. I just don't know how to make a payment or deposit when nobody answers. Thanks!
Written August 8, 2024
Hi there! Due to time constraints, I can only participate in an "advanced" meditation course. I have hardly had any meditation experience so far. Do you think I can still attend such a course (without having completed an introductory course beforehand) or does it make no sense? Thanks for tips!
Written January 19, 2020
Hallo! Zeitbedingt kann ich leider nur an einem "fortgeschrittenen" Meditationskurs teilnehmen. Ich habe bisher kaum Meditationserfahrung. Meint ihr, ich kann so einen Kurs trotzdem besuchen (ohne einen Einstiegskurs vorher absolviert zu haben) oder macht das keinen Sinn? Danke für Tipps!
Written January 19, 2020
When can I visit the monastery? Do they have daily dharma talks for visitors?
Written May 8, 2019
The quick answer is no. But possibly also yes.
No, there are only organized dharma talks during organized classes.
The November class for example, or shorter ten day sessions.
You can see their schedule online
Yes, because both Koran and the village of Boudha are pilgrimage towns
And there is a dharma class happening somewhere.
Also, and what I like best is the entire town prays by walking around the stupa.
Ok mani Padma hum. Twice or three times daily
Written May 8, 2019
Hi, would like to know how you could go back from Kopan Monastery to the airport? Have you arranged your pickup in advance? Or taxis can be found easily around the Monastery?
Written December 5, 2018
You can easily arrange a taxi while at the monastery so you don’t need to do it ahead of time. A few days before you leave Kopan ask at their office how much time they need to book you a taxi.
Written December 6, 2018
Hi. Is it easy to go to this monastery from Kathmandu International Airport? Would you know how much the taxi charge for the trip?
Written November 20, 2017
dora s
Santa Fe, Argentina
Hola, alguien sabea de otros monasterios que ofrezcan cursos breves sobre budismo? os que ofrece Kopan no coinciden con los dias que estare alli. Gracias
Written September 1, 2017
dora s
Santa Fe, Argentina
Hoa, Mila, me gusto tu reseña y estoy por ir a Katmandu, y desearía saber como hiciste para conseguir alojamiento en el monasterio? Tenes idea cuanto cuesta en dolares? Podes alojarte y no hacer un curso o taller, es decor, podes particiapr de las ceremonias pero no estas obligada a quedarte todo el dia? Gracias
Written September 1, 2017
Hola.No me pude alojar en el Monasterio (en realidad me habían ofrecido alojamiento para una ceremonia en marzo pero no pude viajar) ellos ofrecen alternativas para retiros en grupo o sola. Metete en la página oficial del Monasterio y vas a ver todas las actividades que ofrecen.No recuerdo las tarifas pero no son caras y la comida es muy buena (vegetariana).El lugar es hermoso y muy pacífico.Vale la pena!
Written September 1, 2017
The monastery is open every day to the public. Their courses and retreats are on a schedule that can be found on their website.
Written June 8, 2017
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