Nepal, Kopan
While others went to e land of himalayan snowmountains, for e famous annapurna circuit, for everest base camp or perhaps in search of e mystic Yeti.. I went there to sit in a gompa :)Nepal itinerary
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14nov-20dec Kopan buddhist course & retreat
20-22dec Bouddha & Thamel
23-25dec Pokhara
28/29dec Delhi
KOPAN
Kopan is a tibetan monastery, set high in the hills above the kathmandu valley. Its a near 30min taxi ride from the intl airport & 3km from the famous Bouddha stupa.
Every year, Kopan conducts an annual one month buddhism-&-meditation course in November. The subject of study is the Lamrim, also know as 'stages of e path' (to enlightenment).
This nov 2005 intake, over 200 participants from over 20 countries came to Kopan. There were 7 other ppl fr singapore, whom i did not know before kopan, but got to become friends with over e 1month! Jokingly, a congregation of a mini UN (united nations) !
The day starts at 530am & ends at 10pm.
After the 2nd week, we took the 8 precepts, which included one-meal-a-day rule. We had one BIG lunch a day, & plenty of tea in between. That was a bit difficult initially, but my mind & digestive system soon adapted. I realised it is actually possible & acceptable(healthwise) to just have one meal a day. It 'saves' time of eating & washing up.
For every session, there is a volunteer bell-ringer, to galvanise everyone to e sessions. Basically, the bell-ringer would set off at 10min to each session, making a loop passing by the dorms, cafe, dining & gompas as a time keeper. I was bell-ringer for two days, & it was fun! It was a thrill feeling the solidity of the metal in my hand, & creating the powerfully clear ringing sounds!
Photos - Ven. George, the course leader
- Chenrizig fountain by e stupa
.. More updates tomorrow
posted by cloudz1 @ 6:58 PM
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