High on top above the green terraced fields of the Katmandu valley stands on a mountain the religious and cultural center of the Tibetans. The gigantic Bodhi tree stood already here when this special little spot of earth was still home to the astrologer of the Nepalese king! The monastery itself was founded only later  in 1971 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who realized   his promise to establish a monastic school for the children of the local population. From the small monastic family back then has developed over the years a gigantic convent with a community of 360 monks and 380 nuns, mostly from Tibet and Nepal. The spiritual direction is incumbent upon the Lama Zopa Rinpoche as well as the abbot Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lhundrup Rigsel. The goal of the Tibetan monastery has been to keep and to transmit the Tibetan culture and spirituality. The convent school belongs to one of the best in the country and monks as well as nuns from all neighboring Himalaya countries (e.g., Tibet, India, Bhutan, Sikkim, until Mongolia) travel here to receive  a classical monastic education.

Taking in guests and spiritual offer
Already from the beginning the monastery was a place of Buddhist education and meditation for Tibetans as well as for international guests. Visitors from all over the world find yearly their way into this spiritual oasis. The monastery understands itself as a meeting place for eastern and western cultures; for ecclesiastical and worldly life. One of the founders - Lama Zopa Rinpoche - taught in 1971 the first group of western visitors. The monastery has remained true to this tradition and holds regular mostly 10-day meditation courses.
The 10-day basic course ' Discovering Buddhism ' is the 'classic' in the Tibetan monastery and is held monthly. It included the basics of Tibetan Buddhism as well as meditation methods. The goal is to experience your own life as fuller and richer. The course is held in English language!

Course dates and events in 2012:

• 22. February (Tibetan New Year)
• 26. February - 04. March (Discovering Buddhism)
• 05. - 09. March (Great Prayer Festival)
  
• 06. - 16. April (Discovering Buddhism)
• 09. - 19. May (Discovering Buddhism)
• 06. - 16. June (Discovering Buddhism)
• 04. - 14. September (Discovering Buddhism)
• 03. - 13. October (Discovering Buddhism)

Next to the guided retreats the monastery offers all year round the possibility to be a guest in the monastery, experience the daily routine of the monks and do an individual retreat. What an experience to listen to the chanting monks and nuns! Buddhist talks take place daily and somebody is available for personal conversations and help with the meditation. In addition, in the cloister the monastery hosts an extensive library.

Lodging & catering
The Tibetan monastery offers simple lodging in single rooms or double rooms with connected shower/toilet, as well as shared rooms with a communal bath. In the spring of 2009 a new building with guestrooms was finished. We will always book the best possible lodging for you. Included in the price is full pension (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner). The monastery kitchen prepares simple, vegetarian food.

Prices & info’s:

my travel request

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Minimum number of participants: individual organization from 1 person

Included services in the price:
 • Information for the preparation of your trip
 • Overnight stay in the monastery in the singles, double or shared room (with our offer we will
    tell you the available room type)
 • Full pension (vegetarian)
 • Welcome at the airport
 • Individual transfer from the airport to the monastery and back
 • Short introduction to Nepal, Katmandu, and Tibetan monastery
 • Local English-speaking care with telephone accessibility, assistance if necessary
• Scheduled flight with renowned airlines

Best holiday season: All-year destination - Monsoon: May to September
Conditions of entry: For the entry you need a valid passport and a visa. The visa can be applied in Germany at the Nepalese embassy in Berlin as well as at the Nepalese honorary consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich and Stuttgart. The fee for a 60 days valid tourist visa amounts to 30 USD. The visa can also be issued with the entry at the airport (please expect a waiting period and have 30 USD ready).

In Switzerland the Nepalese consulate in Geneva is responsible!

For citizens of other countries pls. check the responsible consulate in your country.

Vaccination regulations: No vaccinations are prescribed. The vaccination protection against tetanus, diphtheria and polio should be checked. A vaccination protection against the infectious jaundice (hepatitis A) is also recommended to short traveler. The travelers who stay longer in Nepal should be also inoculated against typhoid. Please ask your doctor and be consulted. Important is the completion of a health insurance for a journey abroad with return transport.