Retreat Overview
Retreats
Retreats at Kopan
The purpose of retreat is deepening the understanding of Dharma through intensive contemplation and integrating it into one's mind stream. Undisturbed by worldly activity, the mind has the opportunity to turn inward and explore the inner world. Kopan supports experienced practitioners as well as beginners for retreat.
"Retreat offers a situation where it is possible to fulfill our basic human potential and develop all the positive qualities within ourselves."
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Types of Retreat
Choose your retreat path
Vajrasattva Retreat
One of the most powerful remedies to our negative karmas is the practice of Vajrasattva. This is a particular buddha who we visualize above our head while reciting his mantra and imagining rays of light flowing down into us, purifying our negative karmas.
This practice is often done at the end of every day to purify the negative karma created during that day. However, the recitation of 100,000 long mantras of Vajrasattva is also one of the ten preliminary practices in Lama Tsongkhapa's tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Next Vajrasattva Retreat: Jan-Apr 2027
Registration Opens On : To Be Announced
Private Retreats (Please Read The Requirements Before Applying)
Private retreat refers to solitary time to concentrate on your practice. Kopan provides a very blessed and inspiring environment for advanced dharma practitioners looking for a peaceful retreat place. Kopan Monastery supports in particular retreats in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, such as Lam Rim retreat, Preliminary Practices such as water bowl offering, Dorje Khadro, etc and tantric retreats if you have the commitment. Preference is giving to students who have already attended a course or retreat at Kopan.
REQUIREMENTS (PLEASE READ)
You MUST have taken refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha from a qualified Mahayana teacher to qualify to do a retreat at Kopan Monastery.
If you are new to Buddhism, we recommend you first attend one of our introductory courses to create the base for your retreat. Following this, you can talk to our resident meditation teacher to seek advice on how to create a proper retreat schedule and what meditations to do.
Kopan does not have the facilities for Silent, Mindfulness or Vipassana retreats. We recommend that you contact the Burmese Center in Lumbini , which offers perfect facilities and support for this kind of retreat.
If you are planning to come for self-study, some time for reflection or similar, please book for a private stay.
Short retreats are for a minimum of 10 days.
Long retreats for experienced Tibetan Buddhism students are for a maximum of 3 months.
Retreat offers a situation where it is possible to fulfill our basic human potential and develop all the positive qualities within ourselves.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche
COST AND ACCOMMODATION
Retreatants are normally accommodated in Retreat House - Samten Ling. Kopan Monastery has been blessed by many high lamas who did retreat here. Although it is not completely quiet, there is an atmosphere of stillness and peace that makes it very suitable for practice.
The Retreat House has apartment style accommodation, with a small kitchenette, a meditation room and a living room, at a cost of 26 US$ (including food) per day. For longer retreats than one month, a discount is available. The rooms are large enough for prostrations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
You are requested to follow the general guidelines during your stay at Kopan.
Peaceful retreat rooms
Three vegetarian meals per day, safe drinking water
Excellent library
Meditation cushions, water bowls and other retreat supplies available
Friendly staff who will respect your retreat silence
Spiritual and emotional support if needed
Setting up boundaries and blessing the retreat room by experienced monks
Fire puja facilities and help with preparation of the retreat
APPLYING FOR RETREAT
Please email :[email protected] to register
The Monastery reserves the rights to ask students who do not follow the rules or prove in other ways to be disturbing to leave the monastery.
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